NHL honors Rask for efforts in December

BOSTON — Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask was named the NHL's First Star of the Month for December.

Rask, who was selected to the 2017 NHL All-Star Game, finished the month tied for the league lead in wins (9) and shutouts (2), and led all NHL netminders with a .955 save percentage and 1.22 goals against average (minimum 6 starts).

The 6-foot-3, 176-pound goaltender has earned points in his last 11 games at 10-0-1, which is the longest such streak of his career. He finished the month with a 5-0 victory in Ottawa on December 30 for his 40th career shutout.

Rask's play has helped the Bruins take 22 points in 14 games this month, tied with Washington for most in the NHL. Boston also leads the league in goals allowed in December, having given up just 25 in 14 games.

Cox Media Group