NHL Three Stars Of Week

 Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner, Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall and Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the period ending Dec. 8.

FIRST STAR -- JEFF SKINNER, CAROLINA HURRICANES

    Skinner tallied six points last week, including a League-leading five goals, as the Hurricanes (13-12-5) recorded three victories and climbed to third place in the Metropolitan Division. Skinner recorded two goals, including the game-winner, and one assist in a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Dec. 3 and notched his first career NHL hat trick in a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators Dec. 5. The 21-year old Markham, Ontario native is in his fourth NHL season, all with Carolina. He has recorded 17 points (9-8--17) in 19 games this season.

SECOND STAR -- TAYLOR HALL, EDMONTON OILERS

    Hall notched six points (4-2--6) in three games as the Oilers (10-18-3) earned three of a possible six points. Hall recorded one assist in a 6-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes Dec. 3 before tallying his fourth career hat trick plus an assist in an 8-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche Dec. 5. Hall closed the week by scoring the game-tying goal with 10.1 seconds remaining in regulation time in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames Dec. 7. The first overall selection in the 2010 NHL Draft has recorded 25 points (11-14--25) in 24 games this season.

THIRD STAR -- ROBERTO LUONGO, VANCOUVER CANUCKS

    Luongo posted a 3-0-0 record, 1.30 goals-against average and .960 save percentage to help the Canucks (17-10-5) move into fourth place in the Pacific Division. Luongo made 30 stops in a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators Dec. 3, posted 37 saves in a 3-2 overtime win over the Phoenix Coyotes Dec. 6 and concluded the week with 28 saves in a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche Dec. 8. The 34-year-old Montreal native improved to 14-8-5 on the season with a 2.28 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. He holds the Canucks' franchise record for career wins (247) and ranks 16th on the NHL's all-time list (362).