December is a good month for Nathan MacKinnon. He was awarded the NHL’s First Star of the Month — an honor he earned for the same month last season.
He led the league with 25 points in 13 games, which was the fifth time he produced at least 25 points in a single calendar month. He tallied 25 in November 2019, 29 in December 2023, 26 in January 2024, and 27 in March 2024.
The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native ranked first for even-strength assists (13) and even-strength points (20) in December. He was No. 2 for assists (18) and tied for seventh place in even-strength goals (7).
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He was only held scoreless in two games last month and is currently riding a five-game point streak. Seven of his 11 productive games were multi-point with a five-point night against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 10.
The reigning Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner leads the league in assists (47) and points (61) through 38 games this season.
The accolade was MacKinnon’s third of the season — he was named the Second Star of the Week for the period ending Nov. 10 and again for the week ending Dec. 15.
At least one Avalanche player has earned an NHL Star in the first three months of the season — Cale Makar got the First Star of the Month for October and the First Star of the Week ending Dec. 22. Mikko Rantanen stacked up the Second Star of the Week ending Nov. 24 and the Second Star of the Month for November.
The 29-year-old shares the spotlight with Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (Second Star) and New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (Third Star).
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