On the Fly: 3 of the best regular-season stories
On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. Before we get to the playoffs, we're looking back on the regular season that was and some of our favorite storylines from a wild seven months.
The John Scott Saga
Craig Hagerman: What began as a mockery became a storybook ending.
When John Scott - and his five career goals - was voted by fans to captain the Pacific Division All-Stars, many - including the NHL - looked at it as a joke and pleaded with him to turn down the honor and not attend the league's annual showcase.
However, after citing his family as the main reason he would not only go to Nashville but play in the All-Star Game, Scott took to the ice and made history.
The enforcer became the feel-good story of the weekend. He took part in the hardest-shot competition at the Skills Competition and scored on his first shift of the 3-on-3 tournament, 47 seconds into the Pacific's first game. He finished with two goals, was named tournament MVP, and was hoisted on the shoulders of his fellow All-Stars.
Scott captured the hearts of the hockey world, doing every interview possible with a smile on his face, not uttering a single sour word to those who detested his participation at the festivities. And for the first time in years, Scott brought excitement back to the NHL All-Star Game.
Washington's Most Dangerous Russian
Ian McLaren: A Russian forward led the Washington Capitals in scoring this season, like everyone expected.
The thing is, his name isn't Alex Ovechkin.
With 77 points in 82 games, 23-year-old Evgeny Kuznetsov finished six points ahead of Ovechkin in team scoring. His 57 assists - often delivered in spectacular fashion - were good for fourth in the league, behind only Erik Karlsson (66), Joe Thornton (63), and Patrick Kane (60).
Kuznetsov's emergence helped the Capitals to an NHL-best 120 points, and his high-end offensive game, together with Washington's added depth up front, could very well be the X-factor that helps the team win when it matters most.
Floundering, Flourishing Ducks
Ben Whyte: The Anaheim Ducks somehow went from definite Stanley Cup contender to worst team in the Pacific Division to legitimate Cup favorite all in the span of one season.
In December, it appeared Bruce Boudreau's coaching tenure with Anaheim was over, his team well out of a playoff position. But general manager Bob Murray showed remarkable patience and restraint, hanging on to the Jack Adams winner, and the Ducks rebounded.
Frederik Andersen and John Gibson provided exceptional goaltending and Anaheim went from the lowest-scoring team before the All-Star break to the second-highest scoring team after it. The Ducks' 3.35 goals-per-game average from Feb. 2 onward trailed only the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Now boasting another Pacific title, Anaheim's fourth straight, the Ducks begin their Cup quest against Nashville. The Predators won two of three against Anaheim, but all three games were played before Boudreau's squad turned its season around.