Rantanen, Malkin, Kane named NHL three stars for October, Pettersson top rookie

NEW YORK — Colorado Avalanche right-wing Mikko Rantanen, Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin and Chicago Blackhawks right-wing Patrick Kane have been named the NHL three stars of October, while Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson is the rookie of the month.

Rantanen paced the NHL with 16 assists and 21 points in 12 games to propel the Avalanche to a 7-3-2 opening month. Rantanen registered five multi-point performances, including two four-point outings.

Malkin had six goals and 13 assists in 10 outings to guide the Penguins to a 6-2-2  October record and into first place in the Metropolitan Division. He had six multiple-point games.

Kane shared the league lead with 11 goals and placed fourth overall with 18 points in 12 games to power the Blackhawks to a 6-4-3 record over the first month of the season. He accumulated five multi-point performances and a pair of three-point efforts.