Sometimes Hockey Twitter will get into random discussions about hockey completely out of nowhere. The discussion on Saturday revolved around the 2006 NHL Draft, one of the most elite drafts in recent memory.
NHL scores 2014: Backstrom’s hat trick leads Capitals, Canucks routed by Rangers
Nicklas Backstrom keeps flying under the radar.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Toews. Claude Giroux. Jordan Staal. Phil Kessel. a Semyon Varlamov. Nicklas Backstrom. The 2006 draft was absolutely loaded with elite talent at the top, and all six are bonafide stars in the NHL almost a decade later. And out of those six, only one might stand out to a casual fan as someone they've never heard of. It's Nicklas Backstrom, and it's about time he got his due.
Backstrom continues to be one of the league's most underrated stars despite putting up over 65 points year after year. It must be the consequence of centering Alex Ovechkin all of these years, but at some point Backstrom is going to get his time in the spotlight too.
Take Saturday, for example. Backstrom singlehandedly took over the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring a natural hat trick in the first two periods to stake Washington to a commanding lead. It meant Backstrom is up to 30 points through 29 games this season, on pace for his best season since he scored 101 points in 2009-10.
Unfortunately for Backstrom, it seems he's going to get outpaced and overlooked by the league again as Tyler Seguin and Sidney Crosby race off into the sunset for the Hart Trophy. But hey, at least he'll have more hats than them.
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) December 14, 2014 All the NHL Scores
Flyers 5, Hurricanes 1
Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings 1
Islanders 3, Blackhawks 2
Capitals 4, Lightning 2
Blue Jackets 4, Penguins 3 (SO)
Three things we learned
1. Phil Kessel's face is the gift that keeps on giving. And we learned that before the national anthem had even ended.
Phil Kessel is a treasure. RT @myregularface this also doesn't need a caption pic.twitter.com/AodLo5KON7
— SB Nation NHL (@SBNationNHL) December 14, 2014
2. Kris Letang never looked better. The way Letang played on Saturday, it was hard to believe he was only in his second game since coming off injured reserve. The Penguins' top defenseman was involved in every critical moment against the Blue Jackets. He scored the go-ahead short-handed goal in the third period, tied the game with a score with ten seconds left in regulation and potted another one in the shootout. His team still lost, but not for a lack of him trying.
3. Ryan Miller had a bad night. And so did his teammates. Both were at fault for a putrid display of defensively responsible hockey in a 5-1 drubbing by the New York Rangers. It started when the Rangers scored twice on three consecutive odd-man rushes in the first and the game spiraled from there. Miller's body language near the end pretty much summed the game up.
Impact Moment
Penguins broadcaster Stan Savran made a very unfortunate “I Can’t Breathe” joke during intermission on Saturday.
To his great credit, he apologized profusely on air and off it and genuinely seemed sorry and shocked by his actions. Mistakes happen, and I suppose it was good to see most of the hockey community forgive and move on from it.
Stat of the Night
"@reporterchris: Kessel was held without a SOG tonight for the first time since 2013." We now go to Phil for reaction pic.twitter.com/7WruslxTlr
— SB Nation NHL (@SBNationNHL) December 14, 2014
Okay, I admit it. I just wanted an excuse to show you that picture of Kessel again.
Post to Post
- Shea Weber’s injury last night was a grisly reminder of how dangerous this sport can be sometimes.
- The new team in Las Vegas could actually be called the Black Knights.
- Finally, here’s a young Penguins fan being sad.
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