Hey, everyone, I’m back this week for the second Sick Hands of The Month! If you forgot what that was, here is a quick reminder: So what I’m basically going to do is pick a player from each position on the ice (Left Wing, Center, Right Wing, two defenders, and a goalie). Then it’s basically the same thing as the normal “SHS” where I recap why I picked them and highlight their best games, goals, assists, etc. (A quick side note, sorry I’m a little late getting this out, I’m all caught up in finals at school and it’s been a mess and I haven’t found time to write it out but here I go!)
Sidney Crosby – Center (PIT) The reason why I picked this powerhouse center from Cole Harbour, Canada is plain and simple! Mr. Crosby is a straight up, certified G and I mean it. He went from having an alright 13 points in just 10 games his first month on the ice (keep in mind he missed a couple games due to a concussion) to having a WICKED 21 points with 12 goals and 9 assists in just 15 games! Four of his 12 goals also came on the power play as well. Crosby was a dominant force whenever he was on the ice as he leads the league with his 21 goals overall and tied for second in points with 32. In Crosby’s last five games he’s racked up 7 points (5G, 2A) with two goals coming on the manpower advantage. So it was an easy choice to pick Crosby for the center position.
Max Pacioretty – Left Wing (MTL) I picked the stud captain from Montreal because he had a stellar month to say the lease! Max went from only having 12 points in the opening month to having a solid 14 points in 15 games and playing in Montreal isn’t the easiest thing to do. That included 10 goals and a nice 4 helpers as well. In fact just last Saturday, Patches put up a five-point night that included four goals and an assist in a 10-1 win against Colorado. In his last five games, Pacioretty has put up nine points (7G, 2) with four goals coming on the power play. So you can say he his on a total tear and if he keeps this up, Montreal is going to be atop the league for a long time!
Cam Atkinson – Right Wing (CBJ) This position was pretty hard because it was down between Atkinson and Tarasenko again. And as most of you know, if you read my post last month, he won this title last month so I decided to go with Cam plus he had different stats! So the reason why I picked Atkinson as the winner for this month was because he had a HUGE turnaround with his play from last month where he only racked up 12 points (4G, 8A) with a plus/minus of -5. He went totaling 19 points in just 15 games while scoring six goals and 13 assists a plus/minus of 12! In his last five games, he has seven points (7G, 2A) including at least two points in three straight games so he’s on fire. So as you can clearly tell, that is a great turn around for one of the top Blue Jacket players and if he keeps producing like this, the Jackets are going to have a great season!
Brent Burns – Defense (SJS) Once again, who else but Brent Burns? Don’t worry, I’ll wait for an answer….that’s what I thought, you couldn’t think of someone, could you?! Yes, Mr. Burns appears on Sick Hands of the Month for the second month in a row because he was on yet another rampage during the second month of hockey. (When isn’t he on a tear?), Burns picked up right where he left off with 14 points through the first month and tallied 12 points including 6 goals and six assists in this past month. He now leads all defenders in goals with 12 and is second in points with 25 so Burns is a force on the offensive side of the puck. In Burns’ last five games he has four points including a point in his last four straight games so he will look to keep the streak going and push the Sharks’ back into the playoffs.
Erik Karlsson – Defense (OTT) Well if you didn’t think of anyone when I asked you “Who else but Brent Burns?” Here’s your guy, well in my opinion at least, actually it should be in everyone’s opinion because this man is a stud! Karlsson is one of the best offensive defensemen in the game and I will argue with anyone on that. Karlsson went from having 12 points (3G, 9A) in the first month of playing to now having a fantastic 15 points made up of four goals and 11 assists with six points coming on the power play. In his last five games, he has tallied eight points (3G, 5A) including a three-point night against the Sharks and a four point night against the Penguins. He is tied for third by D-men in goals with seven, leads the league in assists with 20 and in points with 27. Karlsson is a clear choice for the Norris Trophy if he keeps this up.
Chad Johnson – Goalie (CGY) Yes people, you guys are indeed seeing this right. I did pick Chad Johnson for a reason, I know some of you if not all of you were probably expecting to see Carey Price or Devan Dubnyk or Matthew Murray but no! Chad Johnson got the win for the month and I’ll tell you why! Johnson has been the hottest goalie in hockey right now hands down, and he has certainly exceeded my expectations by far. This month Johnson has started in 13 games and has an amazing record of 11-2 with a solid .946 SV% and a 1.61 GAA. Johnson leads the month in wins and save percentage and is second in GAA by .01 to Dubnyk. Johnson has clearly taken the starting job away from Brian Elliott and is killing it in net for the Flames. Johnson has started in all the Flames last five games going 5-0. He never let his SV% get below .910 or let in more than three goals in one game. In all of those previous five games, he’s faced 25 shots or more so they were tough games. If Johnson keeps up his play and the Flames can ride the hot hand, they are in for a fun time! Johnson by far was the most dominate player to write about this week.
Well, that does it for me this week, I hope everyone enjoys the second new version of the article! I know I had a blast and I hope you all did reading it as well! I will see you guys next Sunday for another recap of the best player of the week!