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NHL names Crosby, Luongo and Lidstrom the three stars of December

luongoandcrosbythreestars

James O’Brien

With all apologies to Raffi Torres, the fact that he earned a star of the week award during the 2010-11 season shows that you don’t necessarily need to be an all-star to go on a hot streak for three to four games. Putting together four great weeks, on the other hand, takes some talent.

Maybe that explains why the December trio ranks among the best players of their era. The NHL tabbed Sidney Crosby, Roberto Luongo and Nicklas Lidstrom as the three stars of the month. Let’s take a look at their months, with our own observations along with information from the league.

First star: Crosby

Even the biggest Crosby haters must admit that he’s been on an amazing tear during the last two months.

Crosby earned NHL First Star honors for the second consecutive month, leading all players with 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in 13 games as the Penguins posted a 9-3-1 record. He tallied points in each of his first 12 games to extend his point streak to 25 games, the longest by an NHL player since Mats Sundin of the Quebec Nordiques notched a point in 30 consecutive games in 1992-93.

Second star: Luongo

The Canucks are currently the No. 1 in the NHL with 55 total points, despite the fact that they haven’t played in as many games as some of their peers. They’ve been especially hot lately, with a six game winning streak and a 9-0-1 in their last 10 games. Luongo is the top reason why things have been going so well.

Luongo posted a record of 8-1-1 with a 2.07 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and one shutout in 10 starts, backstopping the Canucks to the League’s top record in December (11-1-2). Luongo allowed two goals or fewer seven times, highlighted by 32 saves in a 3-0 victory at Chicago Dec. 3 for his 53rd career NHL shutout.

Third star: Lidstrom

While Brett Favre shamed himself in his 40s under the gaze of the media, Lidstrom continues to defy logic by remaining one of the best defenseman in the league at such an advanced age. He’s been absolutely amazing this season, even if he decides not to make awful headlines.

Lidstrom led all defensemen in scoring with 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 16 games, helping the Red Wings remain in contention for first place in the Western Conference and overall League standings.