Brad Marchand was named the NHL's first star for the week ending Dec. 25 after the Boston Bruins forward helped his team to their fifth and sixth straight wins.
The Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers to run their record to 20-2-1 in their last 23 games, and Marchand was the catalyst. He scored the game-winner during a 3-2 victory against Montreal on Monday, then added his first career hat trick in an 8-0 win against Florida on Friday. For the week, Marchand tallied four goals and two assists.
New York Rangers forward Marian Gaborik was honored as the NHL's second star for the week and Colorado Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere was the third star.
The Bruins, who lead the Eastern Conference with 47 points, return to the ice on Wednesday night against the Phoenix Coyotes at 7 p.m.
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