Palmieri, “Hockey Guy”: ACL Roto and Epic Assist in the NHL

In the world of hockey, there are plays that define the essence of the sport. Last Friday, veteran forward Kyle Palmieri suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while pursuing the puck in the offensive zone. Despite the obvious pain, Palmieri demonstrated unwavering tenacity, worthy of a true “hockey guy”. After getting injured, Palmieri got up, limped towards the bench, but at that moment, the Philadelphia Flyers recovered the puck in their own zone. With amazing concentration, Palmieri stole the puck from defenseman Emil Andrae, made a pass, and got an assist on the resulting goal. Palmieri couldn’t see the goal, as he was taken off the ice and taken to the locker room. To sum up: Palmieri tears his ACL, gets up, limps towards the bench, recovers the puck in the offensive zone, and makes a pass that results in a goal. An epic way to leave a game due to injury, a moment that encapsulates the passion and fighting spirit of hockey.

That’s the attitude of a “hockey guy”.

Alofoke Deportes

At that moment, Palmieri embodied one of the reasons we love hockey: that natural toughness, the refusal to surrender to adversity. We humorously recall the countless injuries that come to light after a team is eliminated from the playoffs. Like in 2020, when Steven Stamkos returned from a long injury for only two minutes and 47 seconds and scored on his first possession. “Hockey guy”. Or when Zdeno Chara, at 42 years old, played with a broken jaw (and a modified mask) in Game 5 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. “Hockey guy”. Or in 2017, when Joe Thornton played with a torn ACL and LCL during the playoffs. “Hockey guy”. ESPN analyst and NHL veteran of over 1,000 games, T.J. Oshie, reacted like this upon seeing Palmieri’s effort:

These heroic acts are not exclusive to hockey, but this sport seems to have the most well-known cases and a culture of athletes who strive to the maximum to compete and win. “Hockey guys”.

Matches of the week

These are some of the most outstanding matches of the week:

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vegas Golden Knights

Tuesday, 10 p.m. | ESPN+/Hulu Two teams that need a boost. The Golden Knights have a 4-2-4 record in their last 10 games, while the Blackhawks are at 4-4-2. The five-point difference between both teams is something few would have predicted at this point in the season. Also, a lot of excitement with Connor Bedard against Jack Eichel.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Thursday, 7 p.m. | ESPN+ The Penguins travel to Tampa to face the Lightning, and although it’s not a “return” as such, it’s always exciting to see a player face many of their former teammates. Jake Guentzel against Sidney Crosby and the Pens will be an interesting duel.

Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Rangers

Saturday, 12:30 p.m. | ESPN+ The Avalanche heads to Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The Rangers, although improved, face the NHL’s hottest team, which could be a disaster. The Avs beat the Rangers the last time they met (in Denver on November 20) by 6-3.

Other key matches of the week:

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers Monday, 7 p.m. | NHL Network Washington Capitals vs. Los Angeles Kings Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. | ESPN+ Dallas Stars vs. New Jersey Devils Wednesday, 7 p.m. | ESPN+ Minnesota Wild vs. Edmonton Oilers Thursday, 9 p.m. | ESPN+ Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings Thursday, 10 p.m. | ESPN+/Hulu Washington Capitals vs. Anaheim Ducks Friday, 10 p.m. | ESPN+ New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins Saturday, 7 p.m. | ESPN+ Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks Sunday, 8 p.m. | ESPN+

What I loved this weekend

The hockey world is focused on the growth of the sport, and this weekend, the Minnesota Wild offered an excellent example of this. For the first time in NHL history, in honor of Native American Heritage Day, the game between the Wild and the Avalanche featured commentary in the Ojibwe language:

This is of great importance to fans who enjoy hockey games in their native languages, especially for their families, who can fully experience and fall in love with hockey surrounded by their loved ones. It’s a pleasure to watch! Greetings to Jessi Pierce, who covers the Wild and is also the co-host of the hockey podcast “Bardown Beauties”.

Hart Trophy Candidates if the Season Ended Today

Nathan MacKinnon could stay on this list for the rest of the season. He is building a considerable gap between himself and number 2 in the Art Ross (currently seven points ahead of Macklin Celebrini) and is competing with Morgan Geekie for the league goal lead. He is a finalist every week and continues to consolidate his candidacy. I hate giving two spots to the same team, but I can’t deny Scott Wedgewood. The veteran goalie has a .920 save percentage that drives his 13-1-3 record, and he has conceded only 36 goals in 18 games this season. I admit that I love when goalies get recognition in the Hart race, so that influences it. If the Blackhawks were in a playoff spot, I would give the nod to Spencer Knight, because he has also been incredible, with the same save percentage as Wedgewood behind a much younger defense corps. And, as I like to have some youth in this race, Celebrini is back in third place. He is second in the NHL in points. He had five points in four games this week, which is a slow week for him, which is wild to say about a second-year player.

Social Media Post of the Week

Ice hockey has come to the NHL! I first discovered this on Pavel Barber’s social media, but ice tennis now has the honor of saying it was presented in the world’s most famous stadium. Great! Credit to Jonny Lazarus (who, among other things, broadcasts college hockey games for ESPN+) for the video:

Acknowledgements

Normally I reserve this space to show affection to the people who do great things in hockey and don’t usually receive credit for it, but I’m going to empty my notepad this week, and it’s a stick-related story, so it fits. During last week’s broadcast between the Blackhawks and the Wild, John Buccigross and Cassie Campbell-Pascall discussed how P.K. Subban used to get a new stick for every power play and often switched back. I asked P.K. why, and he explained that it was because he wanted a new stick with “less chance of breakage.” New stick equals a stiffer stick, so he was able to make the shots he wanted, and often scored. !Mystery solved, thanks to Subbanator!