Top Plays of 2014: Voting Edition
Conclusion to our week-long series focusing on Ottawa's best plays of 2014. Today's edition let's you vote to determine the best play!
If you've been following our Top Plays series this week, you've reviewed the top five Senators plays of 2014 as chosen by the Silver Seven staff. Can't remember the highlights? Now it's your turn to vote! Here's a quick refresher:
This goal is great for a few reasons: Ryan gets by four Kings, he positively undresses Brayden McNabb, and he makes former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Quick look silly.
More importantly, it got the Senators back into the game going into the third period.
What is fantastic about this save is the desperation of it. Lehner had to make an initial save and as he was about to freeze the puck, Wennberg scooped it away from him, causing him to be totally out of position. All Wennberg had to do was tap it in, yet Lehner was fast enough to dive back with his stick out and pull the puck in. The speed, reaction time, and agility required to make such a save is incredible in and of itself.
If you look at all the highlights from this game, it's almost hard to determine Hoffman's best play. After getting a partial breakaway, he was awarded a penalty shot, which didn't go as planned, but made for a very interesting start. Not long after, he bounced the puck off the boards to David Legwand, who scored the first goal of the game. This was a big game for Hoffman, and kicked off what's been a very successful season for him so far.
Spezza's slick move gave the Senators the win and finished the season on a positive note. However, there's another reason this goal stands out: It was Spezza's final effort as a Sen. Rumours were swirling at the time that he'd be moved in the offseason and it felt like a moment to remember at the time.
It starts as a nothing play. Michalek picks up the puck at his own blue line, but has momentum in the wrong direction, so passes it to Hemsky who's coming in with more speed. From there, Hemsky does the rest. He dangles right through Radko Gudas. Matt Carle comes over far too late. Ben Bishop can only watch hopelessly as one more move gives Hemsky a clear shot into an open goal.
My favourite part of the video is hearing the buzz in the crowd. With the first deke, you hear the whole audience catch their breath. The noise crescendos until the goal, when the whole place goes nuts. Canadian Tire Centre isn't known as a loud building, but Hemsky knew how to get people out of their seats.
Who had the top play of 2014 for the Senators?
| Bobby Ryan | 46 |
| Robin Lehner | 3 |
| Mike Hoffman | 5 |
| Jason Spezza | 7 |
| Ales Hemsky | 21 |