FIRST STAR - DYLAN LARKIN, C, DETROIT RED WINGS
Larkin led the NHL with five goals and seven points in three games (5-2-7) to propel the Red Wings (15-13-3, 33 points) to a 2-1-0 week and into the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. The Detroit captain scored once in a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders Dec. 14. He then registered 1-1-2, his seventh multi-point performance of the season, in a 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 16. Larkin capped the week with 3-1-4, marking both his first career hat trick and four-point outing (460 GP), in a 5-2 triumph over the New Jersey Devils Dec. 18. The 25-year-old Waterford, Mich., native and 15th overall pick from the 2014 NHL Draft tops the Red Wings with 15-14-29 in 27 total contests this season. His 15 goals share 10th place in the League (with Sebastian Aho and Jake Guentzel).
SECOND STAR - VLADIMIR TARASENKO, RW, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Tarasenko ranked second in the NHL with four goals in three appearances (4-2-6) as the Blues (17-9-5, 39 points) went 2-1-0 to maintain third place in the Central Division. He posted 1-2-3, his second three-point effort of the season (also Nov. 27 vs. CBJ: 0-3-3), in a 4-1 victory against the Dallas Stars Dec. 14. Tarasenko then scored twice, including his 38th career game-winning goal (5th in franchise history), to help St. Louis complete a sweep of its home-and-home set with Dallas via a 4-1 triumph Dec. 17. He added his team-leading 12th goal of the campaign in a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 19. The 30-year-old Yaroslavl, Russia, native and 16th overall selection from the 2010 NHL Draft paces the Blues with 12-17-29 in 31 total outings this season.
THIRD STAR - NIKOLAJ EHLERS, LW, WINNIPEG JETS
Ehlers factored on seven of Winnipeg's eight goals, placing second in the League with 2-5-7 in three contests to help the Jets (14-11-5, 33 points) go 1-2-0. He scored once in a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Dec. 14. Ehlers then assisted on both Winnipeg goals in a 5-2 defeat against the Washington Capitals Dec. 17. He finished the week with 1-3-4, his fourth career four-point performance and second of the calendar year (also Jan. 26 vs. EDM: 1-3-4), in a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues Dec. 19. The 25-year-old Aalborg, Denmark, native and ninth overall pick from the 2014 NHL Draft ranks third on the Jets with 12-12-24 in 30 total appearances this season.
