Avalanche center Matt Duchene has been named the NHL's 'First Star' for the period ending December 19. Duchene notched a League-leading seven points last week, highlighted by a pair of game-winning goals, as the Avalanche extended their winning streak to six games and reclaimed first place in the Northwest Division. Duchene's three-game point streak ended but he led all Avalanche players in ice time (21:04) during a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens Dec. 19. The 19-year-old Haliburton, Ontario native leads the Avalanche in scoring with 34 points in 33 games.

Sharks left wing Ryane Clowe, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Blue Jackets left wing Rick Nash have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending December 12. Clowe led all scorers last week with eight points (three goals, five assists) as the Sharks (15-10-4) won three of four games. Fleury posted a 3-0-0 record, 1.67 goals-against average and .944 save percentage as the Penguins (21-8-2) extended their winning streak to 12 games. Nash tallied six points (three goals, three assists) in three games, helping the Blue Jackets post a pair of victories and reach the 28-game mark with the best record in franchise history (16-11-1).