Ducks’ Corey Perry named NHL player of the month

Corey Perry’s NHL-leading 10 goals in 12 games not only paced the Ducks to a torrid start, it won him league recognition Monday as player of the month.

Named the first of the NHL’s “Three Stars” in October, joining Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin, Perry produced two early hat tricks for the Ducks, who possess the league’s best record (10-3).

The first star of the month has been given to an Anaheim player only five other times: Paul Kariya in April 1996, and January 1998; Teemu Selanne in February 1999 and November 2006; and Perry in March 2011.

The hat-trick feat made Perry the sixth player in the past 29 years – and first since 2003-04 (Ilya Kovalchuk) – to do so in his team’s first seven games.

Perry also had a goal and assist in each of the Ducks’ victories over Columbus and at Dallas, on Oct. 31.

He capped the month with multi-point performances Oct. 24 against the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-1—2) and Oct. 31 versus the Dallas Stars (1-1—2).

Crosby, who led Pittsbugh to a season-opening victory over visiting Anaheim, tied for the league lead in October points (15), scoring seven goals.

Seguin also had 15 points in October, starting with 12 in the Stars’ first 10 games, including an Oct. 14 hat trick versus Columbus.

The Ducks just capped a 3-1 road trip to Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas and Colorado on Sunday, and will resume play at Honda Center on Wednesday against the New York Islanders.