Draisaitl makes history, DeBrincat’s nasty homecoming

Welcome back to another exciting edition of NHL’s Best and Worst! We’ve got all the thrilling highlights from the past week in hockey, optimized for SEO, and enhanced to captivate your attention.

Goal of the Week: Connor McDavid, the superstar of the Edmonton Oilers, had a slow start but made a comeback with an incredible goal against the Predators. Falling to his knees, he left the Predators in awe with his exceptional skills and creativity.

Save of the Week: Ilya Sorokin, the goaltender for the New York Islanders, made an unbelievable glove save against Jack Hughes, a potential Hart candidate. This jaw-dropping save proved Sorokin’s talent and agility, although it didn’t secure the win for the Islanders in overtime.

The Edmonton Oilers may be struggling with a 1-3-1 record, but their superstars are shining bright. Leon Draisaitl had an outstanding week with six points in three games, propelling him to second place in NHL scoring. One of his goals this week pushed him past Glenn Anderson on the Oilers’ all-time power-play goals list, highlighting his remarkable contribution to the team’s success.

Estranged Lovers: Last season, Sasha Barkov and Radko Gudas had a post-game ritual called the “highest of fives” after every Florida Panthers win. However, with Gudas now playing for the Anaheim Ducks, Barkov found himself performing the routine solo after the Panthers’ first win of the season. This hilarious and slightly sad moment showcased Barkov’s dedication and sense of humor.

Worst of the Week: Stuart Skinner, the goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers, made a costly mistake by abandoning his goal, resulting in a tying goal for the opposing team. This avoidable blunder led to the Oilers losing a valuable point. A reminder to all goaltenders to stay in the goal!

Milestone of the Week: Cale Makar, the phenomenal defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche, achieved the unthinkable by surpassing Bobby Orr as the fastest defenseman to reach 250 career points. Makar’s extraordinary talent and production on the ice prove that he is an elite player in the league.

Skinner throws it back: The Buffalo Sabres introduced individual goal songs this year, and Jeff Skinner chose “Head in The Game,” channeling his inner Troy Bolton. He jammed to his goal song after scoring his first goal of the season against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The play was also complimented by a slick feed from Owen Power.

Petty King: Pierre-Luc Dubois, now playing for the Los Angeles Kings, had sweet revenge against his former team, the Winnipeg Jets, by scoring his first goal as a King. The matchup against his former friends in Manitoba fuelled his determination to make an impact.

Feed of the Week: Sportsnet reporter Gene Principe showcased his dedication to his job with a hilarious hot dog segment during the Oilers game against the Predators. Principe’s enthusiasm and creativity made for an entertaining and memorable moment.

Dish of the Week: Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche displayed his exceptional creativity with a mesmerizing play. In super slow motion, MacKinnon outmaneuvered Jaccob Slavin before making a beautiful pass to Ryan Johansen, who scored an easy goal. This play showcased MacKinnon’s incredible skill and vision.

Hit of the Week: Referee Graham Skilliter surprised everyone with a huge hit on Tony DeAngelo, catching him off guard. DeAngelo’s reaction led to a penalty, showing that hits can come from unlikely sources on the ice.

Pride Tape: The NHL’s mishandling of Pride and allyship has faced significant backlash, including a ban on Pride Tape. However, Travis Dermott of the Arizona Coyotes defied the ban by proudly wearing rainbow tape during a game, showing his support for the LGBTQ+ community.

My Own Worst Enemy: The St. Louis Blues and their fans had a fun moment with the punk rock anthem “My Own Worst Enemy.” Blues organist Jeremy Boyer played the song, and the fans passionately sang along during a stoppage in play, creating an electric atmosphere.

Hello old friend, may I punch you in the face? Alex DeBrincat made his return to the Canadian Tire Centre as a rival player after being teammates with Brady Tkachuk. The apparent bad blood between DeBrincat and the Ottawa Senators added intensity to the game and highlighted a potential rivalry in the making.

We Want Florida: Toronto Maple Leafs fans faced a reminder of their postseason disappointment when Florida Panthers fans chanted “We Want Florida” during their game. The taunting served as a fuel for the Leafs to perform better and turn the tables.

Snooze Button: The Boston Bruins had two players scratched from a game due to missing an early morning team meeting. Though unusual, this occurrence added a twist to their season, reminding us that even champions can make mistakes.

Trending Up: The Vegas Golden Knights, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, have started the season with an impressive 6-0-0 record. Their solid defense and cohesive team have eliminated any concerns of a Cup hangover, making them a force to be reckoned with.

San Jose Sharks Struggle: On the other hand, the San Jose Sharks have had a rough start to the season. They appear to be one of the worst teams this year and are currently winless. Their upcoming road trip will be challenging, but they’ll look to break the losing streak against the struggling Washington Capitals.

Remember to tag @JNeginShecter on Twitter/X with the hashtag #BestAndWorst if you spot a highlight worthy of the spotlight. It could be featured in next week’s NHL Best and Worst edition!

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