FIRST STAR – NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov posted 4-3—7, including three game-winning goals, in four contests to propel the Lightning (13-11-5, 31 points) to a 3-1-0 week. He registered 1-1—2, highlighted by the decisive tally, in both a 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars Dec. 4 and a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins Dec. 6. Kucherov then was held off the scoresheet in a 5-1 loss to the Nashville Predators Dec. 7, but rebounded with 2-1—3 – including his sixth career overtime goal – in a 4-3 triumph versus the Seattle Kraken Dec. 9. The 30-year-old Kucherov, who was named the NHL’s “First Star” of November, currently holds a seven-point lead in the Art Ross Trophy race, with 19-28—47 in 28 total appearances this season. He also ranks among the 2023-24 leaders in goals (1st; 19), assists (1st; 28), power-play assists (1st; 15), power-play points (1st; 22), shots on goal (1st; 137), points per game (1st; 1.68), multi-point games (t-1st; 13), game-winning goals (t-2nd; 4) and power-play goals (t-3rd; 7).

SECOND STAR – TOMAS HERTL, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Hertl paced the NHL with five goals in three contests (5-1—6) to help the Sharks (8-17-3, 19 points) rally from multi-goal deficits to earn points in all three of their games (2-0-1). He notched his sixth career hat trick as San Jose overcame a three-goal, third-period deficit to win for the third time in franchise history as part of a 5-4 overtime triumph versus the New York Islanders Dec. 5. Hertl then added two more goals, including the tying marker with 1:29 left in the third period, as the Sharks rallied for a 6-5 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings Dec. 7 – their second all-time win when trailing by four goals. He closed the week with the primary assist on the tying goal in the final minute of regulation as San Jose overcame a two-goal, third-period deficit for an eventual 5-4 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights Dec. 10. The 30-year-old Hertl has played in 27 total games this season, leading the Sharks in goals (9), assists (t-15) and points (24).

THIRD STAR – SAM REINHART, C, FLORIDA PANTHERS

Reinhart topped the NHL with seven assists and eight points in three outings (1-7—8) to lift the Panthers (17-8-2, 36 points) to a perfect week. He notched 1-2—3 in a 5-4 triumph over the Dallas Stars Dec. 6 before collecting one helper in a 3-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins Dec. 8. Reinhart then recorded his fourth career four-point performance, and first with four assists, in a 5-2 win versus the Columbus Blue Jackets Dec. 10. The 28-year-old Reinhart, who is averaging nearly a point per game since being acquired Florida in July 2021 (81-105—186 in 187 GP), sits fifth in the NHL with 17-20—37 through 27 total appearances this season. He also places among the top 2023-24 performers in multi-point games (t-1st; 13), game-winning goals (t-2nd; 4), plus/minus (3rd; +18), shooting percentage (3rd; 25.8% – minimum: 1 SOG/GP), power-play goals (t-3rd; 7) and goals (t-4th; 17).