With the All-Star break upon us, here's a look at some highlights and lowlights
from the first half of the NHL
season:
Best Show of
Sportsmanship
The Rangers and Red Wings, two Original Six rivals, line up at the same
blue line for the national anthem before a preseason game a few days after Sept.
11.
Worst Show of
Sportsmanship
The Flames and Mighty Ducks Dec. 8 game was marred by the season's most
helter-skelter brawling -- much of it near the end of the game. Both goalies got
run, 309 penalty minutes were levied and the league handed out four suspensions,
including one to Flames coach Greg Gilbert.
Most Intriguing New
System
Injuries force the Capitals to experiment by using three defensemen and two
forwards. The 2-1-2 positioning scheme has some advantages (it wigs out
unsuspecting teams, for one) but ultimately it's a bit like the zone in the NBA:
sharp, quick passing can beat it every
time.
Most Alienating Decision by a
Coach
The Bruins' Robbie Ftorek leaves goalie Byron Dafoe in to
absorb the full brunt of an 8-4 loss to the Rangers. Dafoe, Boston's most vital
player, said afterward he never been so humiliated in his
career.
Best Goaltending
Controversy
There has been Tom Barrasso v. Arturs Irbe in Carolina
and Fred Brathwaite v. Brent Johnson in St. Louis, but the
steamiest debate is unfolding down in Dallas. Young Marty Turco? Or old
pro Eddie Belfour? The way this one falls (will Eddie get traded?) will
signify the direction of the
franchise.
Most Surprising Inconsistent Play by a Perennial Norris Trophy
Candidate
St. Louis's Chris Pronger.
Least Surprising Inconsistent Play by a Perennial Hart Trophy
Candidate
Washington's Jaromir Jagr.
Best Performance by an Old
Guy
Detroit's Hall of Fame-bound defenseman Chris Chelios.
Second-best Performance by an Old
Guy
Carolina's Hall of Fame-bound center Ron Francis.
Most Costly Injury
Afoot
Peter Forsberg's tendon surgery on his left foot destroys the Avalanche's
designs on first place and may also end Sweden's Olympic medal
hopes.
Most Costly Injury At
Hand
Pavel Bure's broken left hand slows the Panthers' frantic charge for a
playoff berth and may also end Russia's Olympic medal
hopes.
Most Predictable Injury
Woes
Mario Lemieux.
Best Use of a Break in the Schedule
L.A. defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky flew to Slovakia (via Paris) after
the Kings game against the Sharks on the night of Saturday, Nov. 24. He married
his girlfriend, Nina Nemcova, on Monday and flew back to Los Angeles in
time for Tuesday practice. "I feel like she can really help me out with my
hockey game," explained Visnovsky, who had a goal and an assist in his
second game as a married
man.
Best Addition to a Deep Forward Cast, East
Ottawa's 5-foot-10, 194-pound center Todd White, who has become an
important cog in his first full NHL
season.
Best Addition to a Deep Forward Cast, West
Detroit's 5-foot-11, 180-pound center Pavel Datsyuk, who has become a
valuable source of points and energy in his rookie
season.
Best Use of Smoke and Mirrors
The New York Rangers needed a smoking hot Mike Richter to make up for a
defense that too often stood around looking at itself. Somehow they leapt out to
first place in the Atlantic Division and won enough early on that they still
have a shot at the
postseason.
Most Auspicious Debut
Canadiens forward Marcel Hossa, 20, the younger but bigger brother of
Ottawa's Marian, scored a goal in his first game, Jan. 10. Might
Montreal have the stud that it
needs?
Best Return from Oblivion
The Blackhawks, behind coach Brian Sutter and with the help of a
versatile and overachieving defense, have made hockey worth talking about in
Chicago
again.
Sports Illustrated senior writer Kostya Kennedy covers the NHL for the
magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. To send a question to his
Mailbag, click here.
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