Save Of The Year Candidate : Backstrom Robs Johnson

Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild submits his play for “Save of the Year” with this epic skate save on the King’s Jack Johnson. You never know what’s gonna happen during a shootout in the NHL and it’s a crying shame for Jack Johnson as he clearly beats Backstrom with a quick move to the left during a shootout. If I had eyes I’d think that puck hit the goal pole. But it didn’t. Take a closer look.

Backstrom flops on the ground but is able to get his right skate up just enough to block the puck. It’s times like these that show just how good a goalies instincts can be. Wasting time can be critical in situations like this and just by lifting his foot up Niklas makes a game changing play instead of losing hope.

I bet tomorrow morning Backstrom will look back at this play and thank his guardian angel for helping him out. Nik had lost his previous 8 shootouts and with this great play he helped secure the win and shake his losing streak.

Around And Around They Go!

Jay Harrison vs B.J. Crombeen in the craziest NHL fight I’ve seen in awhile. Mainly because it looks like the two are trying out for pair figure skating event the way the spin around and around. The fight might have lasted longer if they had taken some Dramamine. From the Carolina Hurricanes at St. Louis Blues game on Dec 11, 2010.