This past weekend featured some wild games and some crazy finishes. The Chicago Blackhawks survived a real threat to their streak of games in which they have earned a point. Saturday and Sunday produced a combined seven games that required overtime or a shootout to determine a winner.
The Montreal Canadiens got a statement win in Boston against the Bruins to establish themselves as the top team in the eastern conference. The Philadelphia Flyers continued their push upward in the standings and the Detroit Red Wings snuck into the playoff bubble, earning a point despite losing to Chicago.
Individual efforts were certainly not in short supply as there were a few games that featured stellar performances. The game of the weekend was a four-way tossup between Montreal-Pittsburgh, Montreal-Boston, Chicago-Detroit or the Buffalo Bruins and New York Rangers. Not to be outdone, the Phoenix Coyotes pulled out a come from behind shootout win over the Anaheim Ducks.
3. Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
In the 7-6 thriller Saturday night, Pittsburgh’s top defenseman had four assists to help the Penguins knock off the first place Canadiens in Montreal. Playing on a team that is known for its offense is a great fit for a puck moving defenseman who is always ready to jump into the rush.
2. Max Pacioretty, LW, Montreal Canadiens
No one has been hotter over the past two weeks than the Montreal left wing. After a slow start, Pacioretty has caught fire for the Canadiens. He started the first ten games in Montreal without a goal and now has eight in the last eight for les Habitants.
1. Corey Crawford, G, Chicago
The biggest area of concern for Chicago this offseason was to address their issues in goal. Whispers around the windy city had Blackhawk nemesis Roberto Luongo being traded to Chicago as the missing piece to another Stanley Cup. Who would have thought that the Blackhawks would begin their season taking points in their first 21 games. On Sunday Crawford was spectacular turning aside 32 Red Wing shots and stifling Detroit in the shootout.