NHL Plays of the Week

10. Neither of these goals is really highlight reel quality, but it’s nice to see a couple of superstars bounce back from injury. Jonathan Toews scores his first goal since coming back from a concussion, and Phil Kessel notches his first goal as a Maple Leaf.



9. Sidney Crosby didn’t score in this one, but he saved the game for the Pens, sprawling across the crease and blocking a sure goal to preserve Pittsburgh’s win over the Ducks.


8. Detroit needed a shootout to beat the Sharks last week, but they got stellar goals from superstars Zetterberg and Datsyuk to lock up the victory.


7. Anze Kopitar is having a breakout season, currently on pace to nearly double his point totals from last season. The league leader in points and goals scored a beauty in the opening minute of the high-flying Kings’ statement win against Pittsburgh.


6. Leafs fans can’t get enough of rookie netminder Jonas Gustavsson, as the young Swede has been the cornerstone of Toronto’s recent turnaround. Here, Gustavsson robs Chad LaRose to keep the game tied, and give the Leafs a chance to win.


5. Brian Gionta seems to be fitting in well in Montreal, and is on pace to have another productive season. He scored his 7th goal of the year against Tampa Bay on Saturday, knocking the puck out of midair.


4. Will Chris Osgood ever get old? The 36 year old Detroit netminder continues to make big saves for the Wings, including this one against the Bruins. Keep in mind that Osgood played his first season for Detroit in 1993-94. Since then, he has recorded a GAA over 3.00 only once.


3. Jonas Gustavsson makes his second appearance on this list, making three saves early in the 3rd period, on the penalty kill, against the defending Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings. The Leafs’ PK, once one of the worst in the league, has been one of their strongpoints during their recent upswing, and Gustavsson is one of the main reasons behind the positive change.


2. The Capitals have been without the services of superstar Alex Ovechkin for over a week now, but Nicklas Backstrom is doing his best to make sure the Caps keep winning. The flashy Swede has been on a tear, and now has 17 assists, leading the Eastern Conference and trailing league leader Joe Thornton by a single helper.


1. Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas does his best Miika Kiprusoff impression here, robbing Brian Gionta on the goal line with a tremendous stick save.