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Kessel named First Star

Print | Comments () Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff December 15, 2008 03:12 PM

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The Bruins' Phil Kessel had an outstanding week on the ice. Today, the NHL confirmed as much.

Kessel, who had three goals and five assists in four games, was named the league's First Star for the week ending Dec. 14. The 21-year-old has scored in 15 straight games, a career high, and has 19 goals this season, equaling his total from 2007-08, his second NHL season.

The Bruins went 3-1 last week, improving their Eastern Conference-leading mark to 21-5-4. Kessel's game-by-game breakdown:

Dec. 8: A goal and an assist in a 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay.

Dec. 10: An assist in a 3-1 loss to Washington.

Dec. 12: A goal and two assists in a 7-3 win over Atlanta.

Dec. 13: A goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over Atlanta.

Kessel's points streak is the longest in the league this season and longest by a Bruins player since Adam Oates recorded points in 20 consecutive games Jan. 7-Feb. 20, 1997. Kessel is second on Bruins scoring with 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 30 games. He ranks third in the league in goals.

Pittsburgh’s Petr Sykora received the Second Star honors, and Buffalo's Thomas Vanek was the Third Star.