Dec 31, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck in the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Nathan MacKinnon Named NHL’s 1st Star of the Month

Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon shines with 25 points in December, earning the NHL's 1st Star of the Month honor.

December was a favorable month for Nathan MacKinnon. He received the NHL’s First Star of the Month recognition—a distinction he achieved for the same month last year.

He topped the league with 25 points over 13 games, marking the fifth occasion he achieved at least 25 points in one calendar month. He recorded 25 in November 2019, 29 in December 2023, 26 in January 2024, and 27 in March 2024.

Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl and Jacob Markstrom have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of December presented by GEICO.#NHLStats: https://t.co/AsX6dZZWOd pic.twitter.com/b5ukVKplbh
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 1, 2025

The native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, placed first for even-strength assists (13) and even-strength points (20) during December. He ranked second in assists (18) and shared seventh place for even-strength goals (7).

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Nathan MacKinnon finished without scoring in just two games last month and is currently on a five-game point streak. Seven of his 11 productive games were multi-point efforts, including a five-point performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 10. The current winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award is at the top of the league with 47 assists and 61 points after 38 games this season.

The award marked MacKinnon’s third of the season—he received the Second Star of the Week for the week ending Nov. 10 and again for the week ending Dec. 15. At least one Avalanche player has secured an NHL Star within the first three months of the season—Cale Makar received the First Star of the Month for October and the First Star of the Week for the week ending Dec. 22. Mikko Rantanen earned the Second Star of the Week for the week ending Nov. 24 and the Second Star of the Month for November.

The 29-year-old shares the limelight with Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (Second Star) and New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (Third Star).

Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nathan MacKinnon

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Anamika Shrivastava

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