Julylights: July 31st, Matt Duchene Scores The Goal Of The Year

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

Well, all great things have to come to an end, and today we have reached the conclusion of "Julylights". We have gone through 30 of the best hits, saves and goals of the '11-'12 season and have saved the best for last.

It figures that probably the best goal of the year was scored just over a month into the season. That is when Matt Duchene scored against the Pittsburgh Penguins in highlight reel fashion. Of course it was a tough decision, deciding which goal was the goal of the year, and Evgeni Malkin's Solo Act was a very close second.

But, there is just a few things that make Duchene's goal better than Malkin's. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 30th, Niklas Kronwall Punishes Jakub Voracek

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

Yesterday we mentioned that if there was a winner of "Julylights" it would be Patrick Kane because of his multiple appearances on the countdown. On the other hand, if there was a loser selected, it would probably be Jakub Voracek, for making three appearances, but being on the wrong side of those highlights.

Previously, Voracek has gotten robbed of a for sure goal on the doorstep, and got run over by former captain and teammate, Mike Richards. Voracek does not have any better luck in today's highlight, thanks to Niklas Kronwall. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 29th, Patrick Kane Embarrasses Jimmy Howard

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

If there was a winner decided and a trophy given away at the conclusion of "Julylights", Chicago Blackhawks star, Patrick Kane, would be the undisputed winner. This is Kane's third appearance on this highlight countdown, and he has had some of the best highlights over the last month.

Kane's first appearance featured a spin-o-rama pass that set up Marian Hossa on the backdoor, his second appearance displayed his soft hands when he dangled a goalie out of his pads in the shootout, and another goalie falls victim to Kane today. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 28th, Keri Lehtonen's Rolling Kick Save

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

The Dallas Stars fell just short of a playoff berth last season, but have revamped their roster this offseason. They have brought in Derek Roy and ageing stars, Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney to jump start their offense. Although they have just taken to revamping their front end, they have already passed their torch in net.

Marty Turco, was a long time figure in the Stars' net. Until the '10-'11 season, when he moved to the Chicago Blackhawks. Enter, Keri Lehtonen.  Since Lehtonen took over in Dallas, he has played 128 games and won 66 games over the last two seasons.

Some of those wins were made possible because of saves like this. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 27th, Evgeni Malkin's Solo Act

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

Let's just start things off by saying Evgeni Malkin is sick. He scores goals, and makes moves that should not be able to be made. He has been on Julylights once already, for when he dangled a Colorado defenseman and goalie out of their pads, and here he is again, doing much of the same thing.

Malkin is a very dangerous player, listed at 6' 3", he has the size to kill, but has the speed and skill of some of the smaller players in the league. Ball all of that together, and you get a big scoring machine, with quick legs and the softest of hands. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 26th, Claude Giroux's Shootout Magic

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

Thanks to a breakout year for the Philadelphia Flyers, and a little publicity in the 24/7 series, Claude Giroux has burst onto the hockey scene. He has become one of the league's top offensive forces, scoring highlight reel goals and doing it with ease.

Giroux has the speed to breakaway from his opponents, and the hands to dangle a goalie out of his pads. These skills helped Giroux light the lamp 28 times and record 93 points in just 77 games played last season.

There were no goals where Giroux's soft hands were on display more, than his shootout goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 25th, Semyon Varlamov Robs Dany Heatley

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

The  Colorado Avalanche are a promising young team full of talent. They have had some seasons that they would like to forget in recent years, but they took a step in the right direction last season, when they finished the season with 41 wins and 88 points. Albeit not enough for a playoff birth, but much better than finishing in the Conference cellar.

A major factor in that step forward was the goalie tandem of Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere. The young jump of Varlamov and the molding veteran presence of Giguere proved to be a great mix at certain times last season.

The two goalies made some influential saves for the Avalanche last season, but none were as big as Varlamov's save on Dany Heatley of the Minnesota Wild. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 24th, Ryan Malone's Aerial Pass To Himself

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning entered last season with high hopes. Just months prior, they came up just short of a bid to the Stanley Cup Finals, and they wanted to take another shot at making a run at the Cup last season. But things did not play out that way.

The Lightning did not qualify for the playoffs, and forward, Steven Stamkos, proved to be the only consistant bright spot through out the season. Outside of Stamkos, players would chip in and occasionally produce the highlight reel, or clutch goal.

Much like Ryan Malone did with his goal against the Winnipeg Jets. (Video after the jump)

Blue Jackets Trade Rick Nash, Move Into New Era

Since February, the NHL world has been watching and waiting for Rick Nash to be traded. The trade deadline came and went, Nash was still in Columbus. The NHL Draft came and went, Nash was still a part of the Blue Jackets. The NHL Free Agency came and went, and Nash had not been moved.

Well the wait is finally over, and Nash’s new home will be in New York where he will play for the Rangers. In return, the Blue Jackets acquired forwards, Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky, defenseman, Tim Erixon and the Rangers’ first-round pick in the 2013 Draft.

This trade comes at the end of what seemed like an eternity of waiting and countless rumors of possible destinations and chips in play for Nash. One continuous problem throughout  all those rumors was the apparent asking price by Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson for the former Blue Jackets’ captain.

Well at the end of it all, most are asking, “What the hell happened?”

Julylights: July 23rd, Chris Neil Steamrolls Johnny Boychuk

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

There are players that have a knack for timely goals, unbelievable dangles, or big saves, and then there are players that crush their opponent at any time possible. The Ottawa Senators' Chris Neil falls into the latter category.


Neil has already made an apperance on "Julylights" once when using his shoulder and this time is no different.  (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 22nd, Devan Dubnyk's Diving Stick Save

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.


With some of the NHL's best young talent, the future is bright for the Edmonton Oilers. They have had high draft picks the last several offseasons and their work has started to come into fruition for the copper and blue.

With players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and newly drafted Nail Yakupov the offense in Edmonton is set. But, they have yet to make that leap and stake their claim as a top NHL team because of the drop after their front three.

However, Devan Dubnyk may be the goalie of the future for the Oilers and has most thinking so because of saves like the one he made on Chris Higgins of the Vancouver Canucks.

Julylights: July 21st, Henrik Zetterburg Goes One-Handed In The Shootout

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

When an amazing shootout goal is scored by a player on the Detroit Red Wings, many just assume that it was Pavel Datsyuk, with Datsyuk's past they have the right to. But, with the abundace of talent on the Red Wings' roster it is just as likely for any other player to pull a move out of their hat of tricks and dazzle the hockey world with an amazing deke.

In this case, it was Henrik Zeterburg, who danlged Phoenix Coyotes' goaltender, Mike Smith, out of his goalie pads. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 20th, Bobby Ryan's Falling Backhander

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

The Anaheim Ducks and Bobby Ryan are in an awkward position. Ryan is tired of being put on the trade block and has reportedly told the team to move him. The Ducks' front office has listened and has been receiving calls and fielding offers for the winger.

Ryan has been put on the trading block several times over the last season, and in an interview during this year's offseason, Ryan stated how frustrated he is with the situation and requested that the team move him rather than continue to play games.

Despite the current situation that Ryan finds himself in, he has scored some great goals for the Ducks in his five seasons in Anaheim. Last season, Ryan scored 31 goals and recorded 57 points, including this backhand beauty against the Edmonton Oilers.

Julylights: July 19th, Martin Brodeur's Diving Stick Save

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

This is Martin Brodeur's second appearance in "Julylights", his first spot was at the expense of two Islanders getting robbed point blank, and he does much of the same to Phill Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs in today's highlight.

It's crazy to think Brodeur makes some of the saves that he does at 40-years old. Some of the saves he makes would not be made by the young goalies of the NHL, and Brodeur does it with ease.  (Video after the jump)

Shea Weber Signs 14-Year Offer Sheet With The Philadelphia flyers

Well, few thought any team would offer Nashville Predators' restricted free agent, Shea Weber, an offer sheet because of the reported willingness of the Predators' organization to match any offer that would be sent Weber's way.

That time has come reported Darren Dreger.

Breaking: Shea Weber agrees to offer sheet with Philadelphia. 14 years, upwards of $100 mil. Preds have 7 days to match. Wow!!
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 19, 2012

Julylights: July 18th, Mike Richards Returns To Philly With A Big Hit

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

Mike Richards, the Philadelphia Flyers and their fan base were shocked when Flyers' General Manager, Paul Holmgren shipped Richards to Los Angeles last summer. On the other end, Los Angeles Kings fans embraced Richards upon his arrival.

Needless to say the trade paid out for the Kings. Richards proved instrumental to the Kings and their march to a Stanley Cup Championship. His grit and offensive output were the all-around game the Kings were lacking, and he did not shy away from any opponent on any night, even his former team.

Richards unloaded 115 hits last season, and one of the bigger ones, ironically came against the Flyers, in Philly. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 17th, Ryan Miller's Falling Glove Save

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres had a roller coaster season last year. They came into the season considered Stanley Cup contenders, but got out to a slow start and did not live up to may expectations. Miller alone had a tough season, that involved as much physical contact as some players, thanks a lot Milan Lucic.

Despite missing some time with a concussion, Miller returned and anchored the Sabres during a late season push for the playoffs that came up just points short.

Although it was not Miller's best season he still eclipsed the 30 win mark, grabbed a .916 save percentage, and had six shutouts in his 61 games played. Some have questioned Millers' status as an elite goalie in the NHL and whether or not he is on the decline.

It is saves like the one he made against the Nashville Predators that give Buffalo hope, and the idea that Miller is still the Vezina worthy goalie that once maned their crease.

Julylights: July 16th, Patrik Berglund Plows Through Kulikov

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

The St. Louis Blues play a defense first, tight checking style of hockey. They had the top goalie tandem in the league last seasaon which would tear down their opponents mentally, and they would hit just about everything that moved which would tear down their opponents physically, a lethal combination.

In some cases they were the ones being hit, and they still knocked over their opponent.

That exact scenario happened when Dmitry Kulikov of the Florida Panthers stepped up on Patrik Berglund along the sideboards in a game early last season. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 15th, Benoit Pouliot's Fast Break

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

The Boston Bruins started their Stanley Cup defending campaign slow and sluggish. This start by the Bruins had most people questioning the possibility of there being a repeat, and the chance that the Bruins even make the playoffs in order to have a chance at a repeat.

Well the Bruins rebounded from their zombie like start and were able to win the Northeast Division and qualify for the playoffs as the number two seed in the East.

This turnaround happened because the Bruins remembered the type of run-and-gun hockey that they play.  A style of play that is pictured perfect in Benoit Pouliot’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 14th, Matt Hendricks' Surprise Shootout Winner

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

Matt Hendricks knows his role for the Washington Capitals, he is what you call a utility player. Hendricks is put out in different situations, and is not expected to be able to put up amazing offensive stats, but does not hurt them defensively either.

Hendricks appeared in 78 games last season for the Capitals, and scored four goals and totaled nine points in those games.  Not amazing numbers, but acceptable for the type of player and role Hendricks plays for the Capitals.

So when Hendricks pulled off this dangle against the New York Islanders , to give the Capitals the shootout victory everyone was a little surprised. (Video after the jump)

Video: The Best Stanley Cup Finals Recap Video

Since the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup, the city of Los Angeles and the Kings' fans have been on an constant high. From the championship parade to tracking the Cup's tour around the globe, Kings fans are in unfamiliar waters.

There have been countless videos recapping the Kings run through the playoffs, some better than others. I stumbled across this one on Yahoo's Puck Daddy Blog and it has to take the cake. It recaps the entire series, games one through six, and is a good watch for any Kings fan that wants to relive the glory.

Julylights: July 13th, Ondrej Pavalec's Glove Save

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

The people of Winnipeg are happy. They once again have NHL hockey in town, and they have embraced the Jets, with sell-out crowds, and despite being the smallest arena in the league, one of the loudest in the NHL.

One player that will be in Winnipeg for the next five years to embrace the Jets’ fans and atmosphere is goaltender, Ondrej Pavelec. Pavalec is fresh off of a five-year $19.5 million dollar contract that locks him up through the ’16-’17 season.

Pavalec did not put up the most impressive stats last season, recording 29 wins, a .906 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average in 68 games played. Not really stats that would constitute a near $20 million dollar contract.

But maybe the Winnipeg brass based Pavelec’s contract on this save. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 12th, Chris Neil Crushes Clayton Stoner

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

The Ottawa Senators have had their share of star players, a task that has been shouldered by several players over different periods of time. On the other hand, one player has handled the physical side of things for the Senators for quite some time, that player being Chris Neil.

Neil was drafted by the Senators 161^st overall in the ’98 Entry Draft,  but did not make his stake in the NHL until the ’01-’02 season. Since breaking into the league he has made more of an impact with his shoulder and fists than with his stick.

In 731 games played Neil has only scored 90 goals and recorded 200 points. Where Neil exceeds is the gritty aspects of the game, which has contributed to his 1,861 PIMS over the span of those games.

A physical game much like what was unleashed on Clayton Stoner of the Minnesota Wild. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 11th, Mike Ribeiro Goes Around The Back And Snipes

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

Mike Ribeiro scored five game winning goals for the Dallas Stars last year. One of them came during the Stars' overtime win against the Calgary Flames. On top of his five game-winners, he lit the lam 16 times and recorded 63 points for the Stars last season.

However, Ribeiro will not be lacing up the skates for the Stars next season. Before this year's Draft got underway, Dallas was involved in a trade with the Washington Capitals, a trade that sent Cody Eakin and a 54th overall pick to Dallas, for the rugged, Ribiero in return.

If Ribeiro turns out plays like this highlight, the Capitals management and fanbase are sure to be happy with the return product. (Video after jump)

Julylights: July 10th, Mikkel Boedker's Shootout Winner

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

When going into the shootout, different players have different strategies. Some players come down wide and cross over the crease, while others take a head on approach. Some players come in with speed, whil others come in slow and try to out-wait the goalie.

Mikkel Boedker, of the Phoenix Coyotes, definitely took the fast approach when he was put on the ice with a chance to beat the Vancouver Canucks.  (Video after the jump)

Will Shane Doan Leave Phoenix?

Over the years, the Phoenix Coyotes franchise has been a complete mess. Since leaving Winnipeg and arriving in the Desert in 1996, the Coyotes have been shaky and seemed destined for failure. However, despite their short comings, low attendance and ownership troubles one thing has been constantly apparent, Shane Doan.

Now, with Doan becoming an unrestricted free agent, it seems that Doan's 16-year career with the organization could be coming to an end.

Doan did not jump into the free agency looking for a new home, he has waited, patiently, for the current ownership situation to unfold. Doan gave himself and the Coyotes a deadline of July 9th, well it's the 9th and teams are knocking at his door.

Julylights: July 9th, Martin Brodeur Stops Two Islanders

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

When talking about the elite goalies of all time only a few come to mine, and when you talk about those goalies that are still playing, the group becomes even slimmer. However, without a question, the leader of that group is Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils.

Brodeur is on his way to the Hall of Fame, it all depends on when he retires and becomes eligible. Over the length of his career, he has racked up 656 wins, 119 shutouts and has eclipsed the 30 win mark 14 times.

When talking about Brodeur you can not help but picture his unorthodox style of goal-tending, flopping and rolling around in the crease and making saves that shouldn't be possible. Many players have fallen victim to his style of play, and sometimes, in the case of the New York Islanders, two players fall victim to it at one time. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 8th, Patrick Kane's Shootout Magic

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

Patrick Kane may go on summer drinking binges and draw fire from the media, the Chicago fan base and every Blackhawks blog out there, but one thing can not be denied, the guy has got talent, and lots of it. He has already made an appearance in "Julylights" with his spin-o-rama pass to Marain Hossa, and here he is again.

Kane will likely make one more appearence this month as well, and he has Jimmy Howard to thank for that one, but for know lets focus on this one.

Last season, Kane was fourth on the Blackhawks' roster with 23 goals, second with 43 assists and third with 66 points.

This shootout move did not count towards any of those points, but it definetly spread across the hockey world like wildfire because of the style points connected to it. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 7th, Brian Elliott's Glove Save On Dan Boyle

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.  

There was no better goalie tandem during last season than that of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott for the St. Louis Blues. Elliot and Halak sported 1.56 and 1.97 goals against averages, respectively, and backstopped the Blues to a league best 1.89 goals against average during the regular season.

An average good enough for the Williams M. Jennings Trophy, awarded annually to the duo that allows the fewest goals during the regular season.

The Blues were a defense first team, and when someone was fortunate enough to get through the first five, Elliott or Halak was their to keep the puck out of the net. Well in this case it was Elliot their to save the day.
(Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 6th, Turris Finishes Spezza's Dangle

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 


Hopefully Phoenix Coyotes fans don't get too mad about this post. But by now, they have to understand the talent that they missed out on when they lost Kyle Turris. Coyotes fans are probably just as mad as Ottawa Senators fans are happy about how everything turned out.

Turris, drafted 3rd overal by the Coyotes in '07, was supposed to be the future of a shaky organization. Instead he was rushed into the NHL and pushed things a little too far with his first contract negotiations. Ultimately resulting in Turris being traded to the Seantors.

Turris was welcomed with open arms, and recorded 12 goals and 29 points in 49 games with his new team. Turris was the young new face, and he recieved ice team with some of the biggest names in Ottawa, names like Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson who have been apart of the organization for the for years.

Speeza and Turris connected for this goal. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 5th, Turco's Windmill Save

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.  

Marty Turco is a seasoned vet. He has played in over 500 games, and has won 275 games in his career. However, Turco was not a regular in the NHL last season. He only played in five games for the Boston Bruins, but he made one of the best saves of the season. 


It was Turco's first game back in the NHL and he didn't wait to make an impact. (Video after the jump)

Minnesota Wild Land Both Parise And Suter

The NHL free agency opened. We all waited. We all watched Twitter and nearly broke or refresh buttons. We waited some more. We got gitty when our team was mentioned in a bogus rumor. We waited some more. Now it is all over.


The biggest names on the market, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, kept the world waiting, but announced today that they BOTH, you read that correctly, will be signing with the Minnesota Wild. The Wild agreed to terms on 13-year contracts with both players locking them up through the 2024-2025 season with a cap hit of just over $7.5 million each year.


Now with theses two signed, the other 29 teams will wonder where they went wrong and if they even had a shot at landing even one of the two.

Julylights: July 4th, Phaneuf Drops Sauer

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 


The Fourth of July, a day to celebrate the United States' independence, relax, maybe take a trip to the beach, spend time with your family and end it all with watching some fireworks. But let's make sure not confuse the boom of tonight's fireworks with the boom of Dion Phaneuf's shoulder crushing Mike Sauer.

Phaneuf is known as one of the biggest hitters the NHL has to offer. In the league, he was ranked number 22 in hits last season with a total of 214 and one of those hits was on Sauer. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 3rd, Bertuzzi's Between The Legs Shootout Winner

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.  

Ah the shootout, hated by many and love by more. A time for players to bring out their trickiest moves in an attempt to beat the opposing goaltender. A time for highlight reel saves, and highlight reel dangles, the latter is more frequent.

This move by Todd Bertuzzi came during the preseason, a time where things aren't too serious, and a case that this goals should not be taken into account can be made becasue of that. But, is a game between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks ever not serious?

So here it is. (Video after the jump)

Parise And Sutter Are Holding Up The Free Agency

The second day of the NHL's free agency is coming to a close and the big fish are still on the market. Both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, this year's biggest names, have yet to sign new contracts, but have narrowed their possibilities.


This prolonged wait is frustrating many, and Parise and Sutter are not making any indications as to making a decision soon.


Earlier today Parise told the media.

"It's such a long-term, important decision, you have to make sure you look at everything."

Both players have been rumored to have narrowed their possibilities to several teams, but will likely not make their decisions until sometime tomorrow, hopefully. These decisions are holding up the rest of the free agency from shaping up.

Julylights: July 2nd, Malkin Turns Landeskog Inside Out

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July. 

There is very little that Pittsburgh Penguins star, Evgeni Malkin, can not do. Last season, he won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's scoring champion, the Ted Lindsay Award from the NHLPA members as the NHL's best player and won the Hart Trophy pegging him the NHL's most valuable player.

In a season where Malkin lit the lamp 50 times and recorded 109 points these awards are deserved in every way, and when you see how he scored some of his goals it solidifies his star status even more.

Much like this goal scored against the Colorado Avalanche, and I say the Colorado Avalanche because I doubt the whole team could stop Malkin if it came down to it. (Video after the jump)

Julylights: July 1st, Hossa Finishes Kane's Spin-o-rama

Welcome to Julylights, a month long series taking the top plays of the '11-'12 season and giving them to you one a day, every day of the month of July.

The Chicago Blackhawks have a fast-skating, high powered offense, that can blow by defenders if they get a step on the opposing team. This is exactly what happened when winger, Patrick Kane, got around Anaheim Ducks defender, Toni Lydman.

But rather than drop his shoulder and drive the net, Kane stopped up and delivered a spin-o-rama pass to teammate, Marian Hossa, who was streaking down the far-side. Hossa tapped in the goal, one of his 77 points on the season. (Video after the jump)