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This is best of the NHL, a look at the best plays, performances and players around the league on a nightly basis.
| Best of the NHL: Jan. 23, 2013 |
With only four games on the schedule, it wasn't the busiest night in the NHL. But it was certainly an interesting and fun one.
The Toronto Maple Leafs went into Pittsburgh and ruined the Penguins' home opener (and even that was a mixed night for the Leafs with some good news and some bad news), while the Rangers and Bruins played a thriller at Madison Square Garden.
We also had our first two hat tricks of the young season. Marian Gaborik led the way for the Rangers scoring three goals, including the game-winner in overtime, while underrated free-agent signing Steve Sullivan recorded the eighth hat trick of his career in Phoenix's 5-1 win over Columbus.
Elsewhere, the Vancouver Canucks picked up their first win of the season in a 3-2 shootout win over Calgary, which keeps the Flames winless.
Let's get to rest of the best for the night.
| Best save: Tuukka Rask |
It came in a losing effort, but this series of saves by Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask at least forced overtime and helped his team earn a point. The good news for the Bruins when Tim Thomas decided to take his break from the NHL was that they still had Rask sitting there ready to take over. As he has proven before, he's more than capable of being a No. 1 goalie in the NHL.
| Best player: Marian Gaborik |
You can also give him goal of the night if you want for the winner in overtime, but Marian Gaborik was a force for the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. He played more than 20 minutes, scored three goals (including two in the first seven minutes) recorded six shots on goal (he attempted seven) and even blocked three shots. That line of Brad Richards, Rick Nash and Gaborik might have a chance to produce some offense -- maybe just a little -- if the Rangers give it a chance.
| Best defenseman: Oliver Ekman-Larsson |
Great team effort from the Phoenix Coyotes in their 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jason Labarbera had to come off the bench to replace the injured Mike Smith and played well, Steve Sullivan had a hat trick and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (my preseason Norris Trophy pick) might have been the best player on the ice. He played 25 minutes (and was used in all situations -- even-strength, penalty kill, and power play), scored two goals, recorded six shots on goal (he attempted nine), assisted on another goal and finished as a plus-three. This guy is the real deal.
| Best Fight: Deryk Engelland vs. Colton Orr |
Just in case you missed it earlier, here it is one more (painful) time ...
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