Alright I'll admit it. I was planning on doing a recap of the Olympics last month but I got lazy and time passed by and I never got to it.
I'm sorry.
Here's the recap:
The Canadian Olympic team was really freaking good.
There you go.
Aside from that, the NHL had a handful of games during February where we saw Kris Letang get put on the IR after a stroke, Patrick Kane scoring a goal honouring his late grandfather, and we even saw Martin Erat score a goal in a Washington Capitals sweater.
But while February gave us a handful of fine moments, March was even crazier. With points more valuable and harder to come by, teams have been really pushing the play. The playoff race is tight in the East with 4 teams trying to grab 2 wild card spots and the West has been just as cramped.
We also had the trade deadline and other exciting stories to go through.
So here's March in a nut shell...
STANDINGS
These are strictly the standings for the month of January. The standings of the entire season up to this point can always be found here.
Records are as of 3/27/14
EAST
Atlantic
Boston Bruins- 12-1-1; 25 points
Montreal Canadiens- 8-5-0; 16 points
Tampa Bay Lightning- 6-3-4; 16 points
Detroit Red Wings- 5-5-2; 12 points
Florida Panthers- 5-8-1; 11 points
Toronto Maple Leafs- 4-8-1; 9 points
Ottawa Senators- 3-6-3; 9 points
Buffalo Sabres- 2-10-0; 4 points
Metropolitan
Philadelphia Flyers- 8-3-1; 17 points
Columbus Blue Jackets- 8-4-1; 17 points
New York Rangers- 8-5-1; 17 points
Washington Capitals- 6-4-3; 15 points
Pittsburgh Penguins- 6-6-1; 13 points
New Jersey Devils- 6-6-0; 12 points
New York Islanders- 5-5-1; 11 points
Carolina Hurricanes- 5-8-0; 10 points
WEST
Central
St. Louis Blues- 10-2-1; 21 points
Colorado Avalanche- 7-4-1; 15 points
Chicago Blackhawks- 7-4-1; 15 points
Dallas Stars- 6-6-1; 13 points
Minnesota Wild- 4-4-4; 12 points
Nashville Predators- 5-7-1; 11 points
Winnipeg Jets- 3-6-3; 9 points
Pacific
San Jose Sharks- 9-1-3; 21 points
Los Angeles Kings- 9-3-0; 18 points
Phoenix Coyotes- 8-4-1; 17 points
Calgary Flames- 8-6-0; 16 points
Vancouver Canucks- 6-6-0; 12 points
Anaheim Ducks- 5-4-2; 12 points
Edmonton Oilers- 5-5-2; 10 points
2 POSITIVE SURPRISES
Two things that shook the hockey world, in a good way
BUFFALO PLAYERS STILL HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR
After a post-whistle scrum, 5'8" Buffalo forward Cory Conacher was sent to the penalty box for roughing. Conacher had lost his helmet during the kerfuffle and one referee skated it to the box to return it.
One problem.
The helmet that Conacher was given was that of enforcer (and owner of giant head) John Scott.
Everybody got a great laugh out of it which is good considering the way things have been going in Buffalo recently.
Conacher, by the way, scored later in the game. Must have been something in the helmet.
THE NHL DEADLINE WAS ACTUALLY EXCITING THIS YEAR
In years past, NHL Deadline Day was a great excuse to take off from school/work, curl up in a blanket, and watch live Canadian hockey coverage all day long.
In theory, it's an exciting day where mega deals get done and the playoff race dramatically changes.
But that wasn't the case the past few seasons.
This year was different.
This year there were multiple large deals in which several star players were shipped out of the city to a different location. While in recent memory it was just rental players being shipped, this year presented us with some true blockbuster deals, especially in the goalie department.
Ryan Miller was finally traded out of Buffalo, David Legwand, Nashville's first ever draft pick, was sent to Detroit, Matt Moulson went to Minnesota, Marian Gaborik is now an LA King, Jaroslav Halak is now anchoring the Capitals team, Tim Thomas went to Dallas, Ales Hemsky landed in Ottawa, the Wild acquired Ilya Bryzgalov, Viktor Fasth and Ben Scrivens are now the tandem in Edmonton, and Martin Brodeur and Ryan Kesler stayed put.
But all those weren't even the most notable trades (in my opinion).
We'll start with the Vancouver Canucks finally trading goalie Roberto Luongo. Last year there was some controversy at the deadline as the Canucks didn't want to pay part of Luongo's contract in a trade which led to Luongo's press conference where he stated "my contract sucks."
Well had they traded him last year they would have been out of a lot of trouble. Instead of trading Lou last year, they traded the young, skilled backup Cory Schneider at the trade deadling, a move that seemed to indicate that Luongo would stay in Vancouver for a long time.
But everything changed when coach John Tortorella benched Luongo at the Herritage Classic this year which led fans to "boooo" and "Loooou" throughout the game. It was almost like Patrick Roy in Montreal when everyone knew he would be playing for a different team shortly. Had the ownership ate up some of the salary last season they probably could have gotten a good return for Luongo.
Instead, they were forced to move him this year, to the Florida Panthers, and only mustered up a return of Shawn Matthias and Jacob Markstrom.
So no Luongo, no Schneider, no legitimate return, and now the Canucks are in trouble.
Next came perhaps the most intriguing trade of the day. In the waning moments of the day, the Montreal Canadiens announced that they traded prospect Sebastian Collberg and a second round pick for New York Islanders forward Thomas Vanek.
Here's what happened. The Islanders traded for Vanek, a UFA in the Summer, earlier in the season and had high hopes they that could convince him to resign afterwards. But Vanek announced that he wasn't planning on returning to the Islanders next year so they were essentially forced to trade him.
And this was the only return GM Garth Snow could generate. This of course led to Islander nation going into a panic.
Let me paint the picture for you. The Islanders essentially traded Matt Moulson, a 1st and a 2nd round pick for Sebastian Collberg, a 2nd and a 5th round pick.
On the other hand, the Canadiens get a player with the reputation of being a Boston Bruins killer. Good deal for them.
And maybe the most notable trade of the day came when Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis demanded a trade after Lightning GM Steve Yzerman originally snubbed him from the Team Canada Olympic roster.
The timing could not have been worse. St. Louis was the leader for this young team that was without top scorer Steven Stamkos. He was somehow leading this team to the playoffs.
And then he decides to leave, crushing the hearts of Tampa Bay fans.
The New York Rangers wanted MSL. He would be another highly touted offensive weapon that would make their top 6 scarily dangerous.
But the price was steep. Very steep.
Rangers' captain Ryan Callahan is a free agent this summer and the Rangers felt like he was asking for too much. So he was included in a package along with a 1st and 2nd round draft pick.
Let's get something straight here. Ryan Callahan WAS the heart and soul of the Rangers. He's exactly the kind of blue collar player that embodies the New York way. And he had the attention of the entire Rangers locker room. Once he turned on coach John Tortorella last season, they all did. And now he's gone.
So two teams swap captains. Both teams get the return they were looking for but both teams' fan bases are a little bit weary about the price they played.
This was a trade deadline for the ages.
2 NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Two things that shocked the hockey world, in a bad way
TIM THOMAS' NICE PADS GONE TO WASTE
Tim Thomas was in Florida for a little while this season before finally announcing that he has a new set of custom pads. We were all very excited for the reveal and the early leaked images did not disappoint.
But we were disappointed once it was revealed that Thomas had been traded to the Dallas stars before even getting a chance to show off his new equipment in Florida.
So he had to reveal it in Dallas. And, boy, was it an interesting look.
Jesus Christ, Vancouver...
I'm sorry.
Here's the recap:
The Canadian Olympic team was really freaking good.
There you go.
Aside from that, the NHL had a handful of games during February where we saw Kris Letang get put on the IR after a stroke, Patrick Kane scoring a goal honouring his late grandfather, and we even saw Martin Erat score a goal in a Washington Capitals sweater.
But while February gave us a handful of fine moments, March was even crazier. With points more valuable and harder to come by, teams have been really pushing the play. The playoff race is tight in the East with 4 teams trying to grab 2 wild card spots and the West has been just as cramped.
So here's March in a nut shell...
STANDINGS
These are strictly the standings for the month of January. The standings of the entire season up to this point can always be found here.
Records are as of 3/27/14
EAST
Atlantic
Boston Bruins- 12-1-1; 25 points
Montreal Canadiens- 8-5-0; 16 points
Tampa Bay Lightning- 6-3-4; 16 points
Detroit Red Wings- 5-5-2; 12 points
Florida Panthers- 5-8-1; 11 points
Toronto Maple Leafs- 4-8-1; 9 points
Ottawa Senators- 3-6-3; 9 points
Buffalo Sabres- 2-10-0; 4 points
Metropolitan
Philadelphia Flyers- 8-3-1; 17 points
Columbus Blue Jackets- 8-4-1; 17 points
New York Rangers- 8-5-1; 17 points
Washington Capitals- 6-4-3; 15 points
Pittsburgh Penguins- 6-6-1; 13 points
New Jersey Devils- 6-6-0; 12 points
New York Islanders- 5-5-1; 11 points
Carolina Hurricanes- 5-8-0; 10 points
Central
St. Louis Blues- 10-2-1; 21 points
Colorado Avalanche- 7-4-1; 15 points
Chicago Blackhawks- 7-4-1; 15 points
Dallas Stars- 6-6-1; 13 points
Minnesota Wild- 4-4-4; 12 points
Nashville Predators- 5-7-1; 11 points
Winnipeg Jets- 3-6-3; 9 points
Pacific
San Jose Sharks- 9-1-3; 21 points
Los Angeles Kings- 9-3-0; 18 points
Phoenix Coyotes- 8-4-1; 17 points
Calgary Flames- 8-6-0; 16 points
Vancouver Canucks- 6-6-0; 12 points
Anaheim Ducks- 5-4-2; 12 points
Edmonton Oilers- 5-5-2; 10 points
2 POSITIVE SURPRISES
Two things that shook the hockey world, in a good way
BUFFALO PLAYERS STILL HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR
After a post-whistle scrum, 5'8" Buffalo forward Cory Conacher was sent to the penalty box for roughing. Conacher had lost his helmet during the kerfuffle and one referee skated it to the box to return it.
One problem.
Everybody got a great laugh out of it which is good considering the way things have been going in Buffalo recently.
Conacher, by the way, scored later in the game. Must have been something in the helmet.
THE NHL DEADLINE WAS ACTUALLY EXCITING THIS YEAR
In years past, NHL Deadline Day was a great excuse to take off from school/work, curl up in a blanket, and watch live Canadian hockey coverage all day long.
In theory, it's an exciting day where mega deals get done and the playoff race dramatically changes.
But that wasn't the case the past few seasons.
This year was different.
This year there were multiple large deals in which several star players were shipped out of the city to a different location. While in recent memory it was just rental players being shipped, this year presented us with some true blockbuster deals, especially in the goalie department.
Ryan Miller was finally traded out of Buffalo, David Legwand, Nashville's first ever draft pick, was sent to Detroit, Matt Moulson went to Minnesota, Marian Gaborik is now an LA King, Jaroslav Halak is now anchoring the Capitals team, Tim Thomas went to Dallas, Ales Hemsky landed in Ottawa, the Wild acquired Ilya Bryzgalov, Viktor Fasth and Ben Scrivens are now the tandem in Edmonton, and Martin Brodeur and Ryan Kesler stayed put.
But all those weren't even the most notable trades (in my opinion).
We'll start with the Vancouver Canucks finally trading goalie Roberto Luongo. Last year there was some controversy at the deadline as the Canucks didn't want to pay part of Luongo's contract in a trade which led to Luongo's press conference where he stated "my contract sucks."
Well had they traded him last year they would have been out of a lot of trouble. Instead of trading Lou last year, they traded the young, skilled backup Cory Schneider at the trade deadling, a move that seemed to indicate that Luongo would stay in Vancouver for a long time.
But everything changed when coach John Tortorella benched Luongo at the Herritage Classic this year which led fans to "boooo" and "Loooou" throughout the game. It was almost like Patrick Roy in Montreal when everyone knew he would be playing for a different team shortly. Had the ownership ate up some of the salary last season they probably could have gotten a good return for Luongo.
So no Luongo, no Schneider, no legitimate return, and now the Canucks are in trouble.
Next came perhaps the most intriguing trade of the day. In the waning moments of the day, the Montreal Canadiens announced that they traded prospect Sebastian Collberg and a second round pick for New York Islanders forward Thomas Vanek.
Here's what happened. The Islanders traded for Vanek, a UFA in the Summer, earlier in the season and had high hopes they that could convince him to resign afterwards. But Vanek announced that he wasn't planning on returning to the Islanders next year so they were essentially forced to trade him.
And this was the only return GM Garth Snow could generate. This of course led to Islander nation going into a panic.
Let me paint the picture for you. The Islanders essentially traded Matt Moulson, a 1st and a 2nd round pick for Sebastian Collberg, a 2nd and a 5th round pick.
On the other hand, the Canadiens get a player with the reputation of being a Boston Bruins killer. Good deal for them.
And maybe the most notable trade of the day came when Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis demanded a trade after Lightning GM Steve Yzerman originally snubbed him from the Team Canada Olympic roster.
The timing could not have been worse. St. Louis was the leader for this young team that was without top scorer Steven Stamkos. He was somehow leading this team to the playoffs.
And then he decides to leave, crushing the hearts of Tampa Bay fans.
The New York Rangers wanted MSL. He would be another highly touted offensive weapon that would make their top 6 scarily dangerous.
But the price was steep. Very steep.
Rangers' captain Ryan Callahan is a free agent this summer and the Rangers felt like he was asking for too much. So he was included in a package along with a 1st and 2nd round draft pick.
Let's get something straight here. Ryan Callahan WAS the heart and soul of the Rangers. He's exactly the kind of blue collar player that embodies the New York way. And he had the attention of the entire Rangers locker room. Once he turned on coach John Tortorella last season, they all did. And now he's gone.
So two teams swap captains. Both teams get the return they were looking for but both teams' fan bases are a little bit weary about the price they played.
This was a trade deadline for the ages.
2 NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Two things that shocked the hockey world, in a bad way
TIM THOMAS' NICE PADS GONE TO WASTE
Tim Thomas was in Florida for a little while this season before finally announcing that he has a new set of custom pads. We were all very excited for the reveal and the early leaked images did not disappoint.
But we were disappointed once it was revealed that Thomas had been traded to the Dallas stars before even getting a chance to show off his new equipment in Florida.
So he had to reveal it in Dallas. And, boy, was it an interesting look.
Those would have looked very nice in a matching Florida uniform. Oh well.
BUFFALO REALLY IS THAT BAD
Buffalo is having a very rough season. They've traded away pieces that have been there for a long time and they're currently in the cellar.
But never have I seen a team THAT bad that a player would rather retire than play for them (Kovalchuk retiring from the Devils doesn't count).
So was the case, though, when Rusty Klesla was traded from Phoenix to Washington and then finally to Buffalo. He claimed it was due to his health (he played just 25 games this year in Phoenix) and too much moving around. But we all know the reason he retired.
He didn't want to wear these.
TOP 5 MOMENTS
5) Jason Fuchs Loses a Finger
Warning: Don't watch the video if you are at all sensitive to blood and bad images.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forward Jason Fuchs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He set himself up to block a shot in his own zone and had it ring off his hand. In obvious pain, he threw off his glove and noticed the tip of his finger was missing. He immediately panicked to the bench and was then rushed to the locker room. They searched his glove and the ice for the missing digit. He had his finger stitched up and is currently rehabbing it.
Hockey's a dangerous sport, kiddos.
4) Vincent Lecavalier Hits All Three Posts
It's hard to score goals in hockey.
But this is just ridiculous. The Flyers were in need of a goal and Lecavalier just about did it for them. Everyone was convinced it was a goal. We even got the awkward goal horn going as play continued.
It was simply a great moment. The Flyers went on to lose the game.
At least Viktor Stalberg knows what it feels like.
3) Edmonton Sweaters Continue To Litter the Ice
In December, I wrote about an incident when an Oiler fan, frustrated with the result going on on the ice, threw their sweater down in protest.
Well, it happened again. And this time with Ben Scrivens coming to the rescue.
Last time I was kind of okay with it. It was a night where there were only 2 players on Edmonton were not a minus.
But Scrivens, an Edmonton native, lashed out at the fan, making some good points. He has a true dedication to the team, seeing as he grew up idolizing the logo on the front.
Here's the thing though. Ben Scrivens has been with organization for like 3 weeks. He hasn't put up with the terrible management and mediocre play that the fans have had to put up with for the past 8 years. So while I agree with Scrivens, he might not fully get the full frustration the fans are having.
2) Matt Stajan Scores a Goal for His Late Son
We saw it with Tomas Tatar in January scoring for his father and I wrote earlier about Patrick Kane doing the same for his grandfather. Well add Matt Stajan to the list of players on a mission to honour family members.
His teammates were all jumping up and down and you can hear their cheers from the bench when the puck went in.
Earlier in the year, Matt and his wife suffered the loss of their newborn son Emerson. This was just his third game back since coming back from grieving with his family and he finally netted the memorable one.
Pure joy.
1) Islanders 7 Goal Period
Oh, Canucks. What are we going to do with you?
During an especially difficult stretch of play last month, the Canucks saw themselves up 3-0 heading into the third period in a game that could have broken them out of a slump. A game against a weak team during the home stretch of the season is a game you have to win and they were set up pretty well.
Or not.
Jesus Christ, Vancouver...
TOP 5 OBSERVATIONS
5) Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds Balling
Whenever you find hockey players outside of the hockey rink, whether it be on TV or in a magazine, you get a warm feeling in your heart. It means that hockey is slowly growing in popularity and starting to become relevant with the outside world.
Well when the Harlem Globetrotters basketball entertainment group was in the Philadelphia area, they invited Flyers forwards Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds to join them.
*Don't make the obvious joke about Wayne Simmonds*
*Don't make the obvious joke about Wayne Simmonds*
*Don't make the obvious joke about Wayne Simmonds*
*Don't make the obvious joke about Wayne Simmonds*
Okay good. Moving on.
4) Patrick Roy's Return to Montreal
Patrick Roy didn't have such a happy ending in Montreal.
He surrendered 9 goals to the Detroit Red Wings before being yanked.
Upon his arrival to the bench, he informed the owner of the team that this was his last game ever in Montreal.
Patrick Roy is now the coach of the Colorado Avalanche. And he coached for the first time in his old home.
Aside from all the hype, the game wasn't particularly memorable with the Canadiens winning.
3) The NHL Is Repaying the Devils Big Time
When the New Jersey Devils originally tried to sign Ilya Kovalchuk, the NHL announced that the deal was illegal because it circumvented the salary cap. The contract was front loaded and saw a significant drop in salary in the later years of the deal in order to lower the cap hit. It was pretty much the same as all the other long term deals teams were signing but the Devils were specifically used as an example and were punished.
One part of the punishment was that the Devils had to forfeit a first round pick of their choice in the next few seasons.
Well the Devils never gave up a first rounder yet so this year they were going to be forced to forfeit their first rounder.
Not so fast.
The NHL announced that they were cutting back on the punishment.
Instead of being forced to give up their draft pick this year, they're allowing the Devils to have the 30th overall draft pick. Furthermore, they also said they're cutting the fine in half from $3 million to $1.5 million.
Here's the interesting part. The NHL this Summer suckered found a party interested in purchasing the team. The Devils are perhaps one of the most in debt team in the entire league and the fact that the NHL found new owners (Josh Harris) may have been enough for them to reconsider the strict punishment for the cap circumvention. Other teams are accusing the league of being nice because they were thanking the new ownership group.
Either way, at least a wrong has been righted. The punishment was ridiculous in the first place and it seems the Hockey Gods finally ruled in favour of the Devils.
2) Shannon Szabados Roughing It With the Boys
Earlier this month, with Viktor Fasth traveling after being traded, the Edmonton Oilers needed a goalie at their practice.
So who better to ask than Gold Medal winning, Edmonton-native, Shannon Szabados of the the women's Canadian Olympic hockey team.
It was cute and a nice story.
But then things escalated.
Szabados was signed by the Columbus Cottonmouths of the SPHL.
Everybody knows about Manon Rheaume who played some exhibition games for the Tampa Bay Lightning a while back.
Szabados faced 31 shots in her debut, surrendering 4 goals in a 4-3 loss. There was a solid attendance that night and even some sightings of Szabados jerseys.
The coach and players were impressed with her structured play and things seem to be promising for the Canadian netminder. Maybe the Flyers can get a hold of her.
1) Penguins Make a Big Social Media Mistake
Hockey fans can be bitter. Everyone knows it.
Especially on social media.
Have you always wanted to know Nealer's favorite thing about Geno? Ask him this (or anything else) using #AskNeal! pic.twitter.com/fyg3p5wRPR
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 24, 2014
You can guess what happened next.
You see, James Neal is a very talented goal scorer. But he has a very bad reputation of cheap shotting opponents. He has a long list of offenses and is one of the most hated players in the league.
Flyer fans, start your engines.
I'm not even going to write anything else. I'll just post my favourite responses.
#askneal if you could go back in time and end the career of any player in NHL history who would you choose?
— John Forsyth (@blackbear93) March 24, 2014
James, which shin guard best protects your knees from head contact? #AskNeal
— dafoomie (@dafoomie) March 24, 2014
If you could have any super power, how would you use it to hit opponents in the head? #askneal
— Steph (@myregularface) March 24, 2014
A train leaves NYC traveling at 97 mph, another train leaves LA traveling at 76 mph, when do you headshot the child riding coach? #AskNeal
— Nemo (@nemoeye) March 24, 2014
What is harder on your knees? Going down on Sidney and Kunitz or kneeing people in the teeth. #AskNeal
— Baldy4420 (@baldy4420) March 25, 2014
#AskNeal are you the type of guy that plays NHL 14 and skates around after whistles and hits everyone?
— Kody Moreira (@kodywiddak) March 24, 2014
@penguins #askneal what favorite memory have you robbed from one of the players you kneed to the head?
— Tom Cattaneo (@Mr_Tom_Catt) March 24, 2014
"@woah_boul: Any chance of an endorsement deal any time soon? #AskNeal pic.twitter.com/Svo2yV0Xre" @PaulStewart22 in response to your blog
— Jake Samp (@lineyninja) March 25, 2014
.@penguins If you opened a bar how cheap would your shots be #AskNeal
— Alex Sheltman (@AlexSheltman) March 25, 2014
STORY OF THE MONTH
The one occurrence that shook the hockey world
Some moments during a hockey game transcend the sport itself. When the entire hockey community is united with the same emotions and feelings.
That happened when Rich Peverley suffered a "cardiac event" during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this month.
Peverley has an "a-fib" condition that was treated during the preseason. He missed the whole preseason but said he was feeling fine. He missed a game in the middle of the season but then came back with style with 3 points in two games.
Then against the Blue Jackets, Peverley came off the ice on a line change before keeling over on the bench.
Watch everything unfold, including the awkward silence in the arena during the long wait.
"I instantly stood on the bench and started screaming up in the crowd for a doctor," said Dallas coach Lindy Ruff. One woman a few rows up actually climbed down to help out.
There was a long moment of awkwardness as play continued and the players and coaches on the Dallas bench was trying to get the officials' attention.
That's when the real heroes saved the day.
Head trainer Dave Zeis and team physician William Robertson frantically carried Peverley's lifeless body to the tunnel out of site. They gave him oxygen, did chest compressions, and ultimately defibrillated him.
It's simple. Had the medical staff not reacted the way they did, there would have been a death in the NHL that night.
The medical staff saved his life. Fact.
It's happened a few other times in NHL history. In 2005, Jiri Fischer of the Detroit Red Wings went into cardiac arrest and was revived on the bench by the trainers. Then there was of course the Richard Zednik incident back in 2008 when his carotid artery was slashed by a teammates skate and was rushed immediately to the locker room where the fast acting medical staff slowed the bleeding and saved his life. And the last infamous moment was when Clint Malarchuk of the Buffalo Sabres had his carotid artery severed by a skate.
All very scary moments. All very real. All saved because of a fast-acting medical staff who did all the right things.
The game in Dallas was stalled for a little while before the game was just cancelled altogether, postponed to a later date. This wasn't enough for linemate Alex Chiasson who also sat out the next game vs Anaheim.
That night was just a sad night for hockey fans everywhere who couldn't focus on anything but the updates on Peverley. That was the only thing that really mattered.
Thankfully, Peverley is alright and is receiving further treatment. Whether he'll ever make a return to the NHL is to be seen but for now everybody's thrilled that he's doing better.
Again, just a fantastic job by the Dallas medical staff.
Unbelievable.
TOP 5 "WOW! OH BABY!" MOMENTS
I know it's supposed to be the top 3 plays from this month but because I didn't have a post for February I'm doing top 5 plays just for this. Enjoy.
5) Jonathan Quick Snags Airborne Puck
This was more than just a desperation glove save. The puck was fluttered toward the net so Quick had to readjust and actually snag the puck before it crossed the goal line. Spectacular save.
4) Ales Hemsky Undresses Defense
Ales Hemsky was a much sought after forward at the trade deadline this season, and for good reason. He showed sick hands with the toe-drag between his legs and then some nice reach as he tucked it around Ben Bishop. Just a silky play.
3) Kevin Bieksa Solves Goaltending Controversy in Vancouver
It's hard to stop shots in the NHL but Kevin Bieksa made it look easy as he locates the puck and just punts it out of the way. So out of Luongo and Schneider, it seems like Bieksa won out.
2) Marc-Andre Fleury Robs Karlsson
Full extension. Puck going top shelf.
Few goalies make saves look better than Fleury and this was one of his best. Karlsson can't believe that didn't go in. Me neither.
1) Andrej Sekera Does It All Himself
Carolina fans have few things to be optimistic about this season. But Andrej Sekera looks like a piece they can hope fills in nicely. Here, he flat out dominates everybody on the ice. He shows incredible strength on the puck, stamina, skill, and awareness as he doesn't lose possession for a full 23 seconds. A wonderful play with a great finish in close. Remarkable.
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