Starkey: Awards Time After Astounding Penguins Season
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- One of the most unbelievable seasons in Penguins history ended Wednesday night. Random thoughts ...
Best Moment: The Penguins and Washington Capitals taking the ice at the Winter Classic. Having been to Super Bowls, the Olympics and the World Series, I have never witnessed a sporting moment grander than two hockey teams walking onto the ice amid 65,000 roaring fans. Incredible.
Worst Moment: Though nobody knew it at the time, it was David Steckel's hit on Sidney Crosby in that very same game -- the hit that basically ruined the Penguins' season.
Best Save: Marc-Andre Fleury on the Tampa Bay Lightning's Pavel Kubina in the second period of Game 7. Fastest glove in the East.
Biggest Surprise: Team netting 106 points despite Crosby and Evgeni Malkin missing for months.
Top Newcomer: Zbynek Michalek
Worst Newcomer: Alexei Kovalev
MVP: Fleury
Most Improved Player: Mark Letestu (before the playoffs)
Biggest Disappointment: James Neal's goal output (two in 27 games, if you were scoring at home -- and if you were, you scored almost as much as Neal).
Best Hit: Brooks Orpik basically breaking Steven Stamkos in-half in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Best Punch: With all due respect to Deryk Engelland destroying Taylor Pyatt and Colton Orr, this award goes to Brent Johnson. Ask Rick DiPietro's cheekbone for details.
Best Game: Double overtime versus the Lightning
Worst Game: Islanders assault
Feel free to add your own categories and awards in the comments section below ...
