NEW YORK – Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, who led all rookies with 8-4—12 in 12 games, has been named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for December.
Matthews edged Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (6-6—12 in 14 GP), Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (1-11—12 in 13 GP), Carolina Hurricanes right wing Sebastian Aho (4-5—9 in 14 GP) and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray 
(6-1-1, 2.34 GAA, .926 SV%, 1 SO) for the honor.
Matthews, who also paced all rookies with eight goals, registered at least one point in nine of his 12 December appearances, highlighted by a five-game point streak to close the month (4-3—7). He also recorded three multi-point performances, two power-play goals and one game-winning goal (Dec. 22 at COL).
The No. 1 overall selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, Matthews leads all rookies in goals (20), points (32), game-winning goals (t-3) and shots on goal (133) in 36 games this season. The 19-year-old Scottsdale, Ariz., native joins teammate William Nylander (October) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (November) as Rookie of the Month winners in 2016-17.
You must be logged in to post a comment.