NHL Three Stars of October: Kessel, Lehtonen, Khabibulin

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel, Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin were named the three stars of October, according to NHL.com.

As the Maple Leafs’ top offensive weapon and the current NHL league leader in goals and points, Kessel earned the first star of October. In just 11 games, the center has already amassed 10 goals and 18 points in the opening month of the season. Kessel also has two 3-point-games and a 4-point game in which he scored a hat trick.  The Kessel-led 7-3-1 Maple Leafs lead the Northeast Division.

Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen earned second star honors, tied for most wins in the league with eight. He has been stingy in net with a goals-against average of just 1.75 and a strong save percentage at .947. With their goaltender’s help, the Stars are 8-3-0 and lead the Pacific Division.