FIRST STAR – CONNOR McDAVID, C, EDMONTON OILERS

McDavid paced the NHL with nine goals and 18 points in nine games (9-9—18) to propel the Oilers to a 6-3-0 (12 points) October. McDavid began 2022-23 with his second career season-opening hat trick (Oct. 12 vs. VAN: 3-1—4), helping him become the sixth-fastest player in League history to reach the 700-point milestone (488 GP). Overall, McDavid – who also shared the League lead with five power-play goals and eight power-play points (5-3—8) – found the scoresheet in seven of his nine appearances, highlighted by a League-best three four-point performances (also Oct. 20 vs. CAR: 1-3—4 and Oct. 27 at CHI: 3-1—4) and pair of hat tricks. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 NHL Draft – who is seeking his third consecutive and fifth overall Art Ross Trophy – tops the League with 715 points (83 more than the next-closest player) and 467 assists (62 more than the next-closest player) since making his debut in 2015-16. McDavid’s career average of 1.44 points per game (248-467—715 in 496 GP) ranks fourth all-time among players with a minimum of 100 NHL appearances, behind only Wayne Gretzky (1.92), Mario Lemieux (1.88) and Mike Bossy (1.50).

SECOND STAR – DAVID PASTRNAK, RW, BOSTON BRUINS

Pastrnak finished second in the NHL with 7-10—17 in nine contests to power the Bruins (8-1-0, 16 points) to the top of the League standings via their best nine-game start to a season – both in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 98-year history. Pastrnak also got off to a quick start in 2022-23, registering 1‑3—4 Oct. 12 at WSH for his second career season-opening four-point performance – a feat achieved by only six other players in NHL history. He ultimately collected points in seven of his nine appearances, including a pair of three-point outings (Oct. 18 at OTT: 1-2—3 and Oct. 27 vs. DET: 1-2—3) and a run of four straight multi-point games to close the month (Oct. 22-28: 4-5—9). The 25th overall pick from the 2014 NHL Draft – who placed among the top 10 in October in shots on goal (3rd; 50), goals (t‑4th; 7), assists (t-4th; 10), power-play assists (t-6th; 5) and power-play points (t-6th; 7) – shares ninth place in the League with 247 career goals since making his debut in 2014-15 (247-274—521 in 519 GP).

THIRD STAR – ARTEMI PANARIN, LW, NEW YORK RANGERS

Panarin ranked third in the NHL with 5-11—16 in 10 outings to guide New York to a 5-3-2 month (12 points). Aided by a pair of four-point performances (Oct. 13 at MIN: 1-3—4 and Oct. 17 vs. ANA: 1‑3—4), Panarin became the first Rangers player since Jaromir Jagr in 2006-07 (3-15—18) with 16 or more points through the team’s first 10 games of a season. Panarin – who tied for second in assists (11) and shared the League lead in power-play assists (7) and power-play points (8) – did so by finding the scoresheet in eight of his 10 appearances, capped by a three-point outing on his 31st birthday: Oct. 30 at ARI (1-2—3). The undrafted winner of the 2015-16 Calder Memorial Trophy has compiled 192-393—585 in 518 career NHL games, trailing only three players in points – McDavid (715), Patrick Kane (632) and Leon Draisaitl (623) – since making his League debut.