Tavares earns January's 1st star

New York Islanders centre John Tavares has earned the NHL's first star of the month honours, after recording 22 points in January.

Tavares had a 12-game point streak from Dec. 29 to Jan. 21, the longest in the NHL this season. The 21-year-old recorded points in 12 of his 13 games in January, including four game-winning goals.

Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin was named the second star, with third star honours going to Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Malkin had 16 points in January, including a league-leading 12 goals, as the Pittsburgh Penguins finished the month on an eight-game winning streak.

The 25-year-old notched 14 points during the streak, including three game-winning goals.

Rinne went 11-1-0 with a 1.92 goals-against average, .935 save percentage and one shutout, as the Predators moved to within three points of first place in the NHL.

Rinne currently ranks second among NHL goaltenders in saves (1,269), shots faced (1,374) and games (46).