The 54 Most Memorable Moments of the 2011-12 NHL Season

The NHL season could end tonight with a Los Angeles Kings win or it can be prolonged with a New Jersey Devils win on the road. Either way, it is a good time to take a look back at some of the most memorable moments of the 2011-12 NHL season.

This past season was very interesting, memorable and nostalgic for many different reasons. Players made glorified returns from injury, NHL hockey returned to Winnipeg and there were many other memories at which to look back.

There were tons of moments to consider and only a select few could be chosen. Without further ado, here are the 54 most memorable moments of the 2011-12 NHL season.

Hockey Returns to Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Jets returned to Winnipeg in 2011 and played their first home game at the MTS Center on October 9, 2011.

It was a losing effort, but the fans all had something to cheer about when Nik Antropov scored the first home goal at the newly christened home of the Winnipeg Jets.

The loyal fans of Winnipeg experienced many moments, but this is one that fans will look back on.

Teemu Selanne Returns to Winnipeg

The "Finnish Flash" earned a roaring ovation from the Winnipeg faithful when he returned to the MTS for his first game back in Winnipeg.

Selanne spent the early part of his career as a member of the Jets and set an NHL rookie record for goals with 76 and points with a total of 132 during the 1992-93 campaign.

The Winnipeg fans adore Selanne, and it was a memorable moment for him and all others in attendance.

Florida Panthers Make Playoffs for First Time in 12 Years

During the 2011-12 season, the Florida Panthers ended a long 12-year playoff drought. The Panthers won their division and ultimately were bested by the Eastern Conference Champions the New Jersey Devils in a seven-game first round series.

The Panthers have a couple of top prospects who could crack the lineup next year so things are certainly looking up for the franchise based in Sunrise,Florida.

Steven Stamkos Nabs No. 60

Steven Stamkos had an explosive season and was one of the only positives for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2011-12. For days, Stamkos chased the elusive number and fans wondered in he would eventually hit the 60-goal plateau.

When Stamkos scored No. 60, it was a great moment for him, and one he will remember for the rest of his life.

Sam Gagner's Historic Night

Sam Gagner made history on Februrary 2,2012. He accomplished a feat that last occurred when Wayne Gretzky was a member of the Edmonton Oilers. Gagner's stat line goes as follows.

Gagner socred four goals and added four assists and was a plus-6 in 17:28 of icetime. That is an impressive stat for the young Oiler forward.

Ryan Nugent Hopkins had made an impact during the season as well when he put up a five-point night.

Penguins and Flyers Line Brawl

This line brawl set the tone for the eventual series that took place during the first round of the 2011-12 Eastern Conference quarterfinal. 

With the Philadelphia Flyers dominating the scoreboard and the overall play, a line brawl ensued with just over a minute left in the game.

This brawl is one of the many memorable moments the two teams shared during the season and subsequent playoff series.

Artem Anisimov Sniper Incident

Who doesn't remember this moment? Artem Anisimov, usually a meek and mild-mannered forward, showed some gusto when he celebrated a sweet short-handed goal. The Tampa Bay Lightning took exception to this incident and a mini brawl ensued.

This moment was memorable when it originally took place and when it was relived through HBO's scope of 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic.

Gaborik Reenacts Sniper Incident Against Lundqvist During All-Star Game

This moment was the culmination of an epic Twitter battle between Henrik Lundqvist and Marian Gaborik. During the days leading up the All-Star game, Gaborik and Lundqvist engaged in some playful banter about their history against each other.

Gaborik brought up his five-goal game against Lundqvist when he was a member of the Minnesota Wild and Lundqvist shot back with all the times he has stoned Gaborik in practice.

Ultimately, this moment was a culmination of their exchange and it was a playful spin on the infamous Anisimov sniper incident.

Adam Henrique's OT Heroics

Adam Henrique has had quite a playoff run for the New Jersey Devils so far in 2011-12. He has scored many clutch goals, including three overtime winners—two of which that were series clinching goals—and has made himself very memorable.

This goal was the one that sent Henrique to the forefront and his eventual goal against the Rangers put him over the top with the fans.

Jaromir Jagr Scores During His Return to Pittsburgh

Jaromir Jagr made a name for himself as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This goal was one of his most memorable, as he scored as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers when he made his return to Pittsburgh as an enemy.

Jagr would cap off his goal by saluting the crowd in trademark fashion. This salute is so famous that others have even paid "homage" to his celebratory gesture after scoring a clutch goal.

Mike Rupp Salutes the Crowd

Mike Rupp scored a huge goal that got the New York Rangers back in the game during the Winter Classic. This goal was so monumental, Rupp paid homage to current Philadelphia Flyer Jaromir Jagr's trademark goal salute.

It drew the ire of the Philadelphia crowd and Jagr's teammates, but it was all in good fun.

Ryan Miller Gets Rocked by Milan Lucic, Sparks Change in Refereeing

This moment is memorable because of the impact it had on goaltender's interference. Ryan Miller went to play the puck and he was rocked by Milan Lucic.

There was nothing fundamentally wrong with the play because Miller was playing the puck outside of the crease, but after this moment, goaltenders were treated with more care.

The goaltending interference penalty is something that is definitely going to be reviewed this summer because even the slightest amount of contact with a goaltender will send you straight to the penalty box.

Henrik Lundqvist Stones Danny Briere on Penalty Shot During Winter Classic

This moment was so epic and amazing, there are not words that can eloquently describe the moment. Therefore, I shall let the great Liev Schreiber take you through the penalty shot of Danny Briere vs. Henrik Lundqvist.

Matt Duchene Makes Strong Case for Goal of the Year

Matt Duchene is a dynamic young center who has tons of talent and skill. Duchene showed a national audience his smooth hands and sick skills when he scored this between-the-legs snipe against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The hand-to-eye coordination on this goal is something that was memorable and will appear on top-goal highlight reels for years to come.

Dustin Brown Knee-on-Knee Followed Up with Dustin Penner Series Winner

The Dustin Brown knee-on-knee hit has been debated back and forth by those in favor and those not in favor of the on-ice call at the time of the incident. This series had tons of great moments, but the above video really is what is remembered about this series.

The Coyotes felt that they were cheated out of a power play and then they lost the game seconds later after Dustin Penner capitalized on a rebound.

This moment will remain memorable in infamy because it represents what could have been for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Terry Murray Fired, Darryl Sutter Hired

When you consider that the Los Angeles Kings are a win away from becoming the Stanley Cup champions, this video is a true blast from the past.

The Kings were in a dire state when Terry Murray was fired, but Darryl Sutter was brought in to right the ship.

Under Sutter, the Kings have posted a regular-season record of 25-13-11 and a playoff record of 15-4-0. If the Kings seal the deal in the Stanley Cup Final, this move will be remembered as one of the best midseason coaching moves in NHL history.

Brian Burke Extends Ron Wilson's Contract, Fires Him Months Later

Brian Burke extended Ron Wilson's contract around Christmastime and all was good in Toronto. However, the Leafs went on to take a dip in the standings and Burke developed a case of "amnesia" and cut Wilson loose.

Burke would then hire his friend and former Anaheim Ducks colleague Randy Carlyle to become the new Toronto Maple Leafs' bench boss.

The move is memorable for Leafs fans because they can look back at the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Burke and his laughable contract extension for Ron Wilson.

Chris Pronger's Potential Career-Ending Injury Sidelines Him for Rest of Season

Chris Pronger will go down as one of the NHL's greatest defensemen. Pronger was a no-nonsense defender who played with a mean streak. He was a talented and intimidating defenseman who could stare an opponent directly in the eyes and instill fear.

Pronger's injury is saddening because this is not the way a future Hall of Fame defenseman should end his career.

Flyers Refuse to Play into Bolts' 1-3-1 Defense

The Tampa Bay Lightning employ a 1-3-1 defensive strategy which usually is successful for the Bolts. However, on this night, the Philadelphia Flyers refused to carry the puck up ice and the referees forced a faceoff. 

This standstill continued throughout the game, but both teams adapted a little bit in order to remain competitive.

This moment was memorable and had a large enough impact that EA Sports revamped all the defensive strategies for the upcoming NHL 13 video game in order to enhance the realism of the game.

Nashville Predators Celebrate 1000th NHL Game

The Nashville Predators are arguably one of the more successful teams located in a non-traditional NHL market. With Ryan Suter, Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne, the Predators had a solid regular season and decent 2011-12 playoff run.

Nashville is slowly becoming one of the better small-market teams in the NHL.

Brad Richards Scores Series-Changing Goal with 6.6 Seconds Remaining

The Washington Capitals were 21.3 seconds away from a victory in Game 5 that would have sent them back home with a chance to close out the series. However, a Joel Ward double-minor put the Blueshirts on the power play.

With 6.6 seconds left in regulation, Richards tied the game off a scramble and he sent his team into overtime, where teammate Marc Staal scored the game-winner. 

Sidney Crosby Returns with a Bang!

Sidney Crosby made a return to action on November 21, 2011 with an absolute bang. Crosby had missed 61 regular-season games, but it didn't stop him from recording a four-point night with two goals and two assists.

Crosby would eventually be sidelined months later, but he returned once again.

Sidney Crosby Concussions

Sidney Crosby has been on and off the ice after dealing with various concussions. He missed 10 months of action, made a triumphant return and was ultimately sidelined again.

Crosby's concussions brought more awareness to the treatment of players who suffered hits to the head and set a new standard on how to deal with concussions.

Crosby is a face of the NHL, so watching him go through the season with these issues was sad to watch. He was able to return at the end of the year and went through the first round of the playoffs with no symptoms, so maybe Crosby is finally getting a handle on this problem.

Concussions are tricky and career threatening, so it is an issue the NHL will continue to monitor and attempt to prevent.

Rick Nash and the Trade Deadline

Rick Nash became the next big-name star who sought an exit from the franchise who drafted him. Ilya Kovalchuk left Atlanta for New Jersey two years earlier and Marian Gaborik left Minnesota for New York through free agency.

The Rick Nash trade deadline watch is memorable because of the obscene asking price Scott Howson wanted for his "franchise" winger.

Howson wanted multiple roster players, prospects and top-end draft picks for Nash. Howson ended up getting told no by multiple general managers, and the Rick Nash watch has started up again as the NHL draft creeps closer.

Henrik Lundqvist Excels Against the Boston Bruins

The New York Rangers headed to Boston for a February 14th contest against the Bruins, and it was a very memorable appearance for Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist shutout the defending Stanley Cup champions 3-0 after making a total of 42 saves. 

The performance was impressive because up until this point, the Bruins were looked at as the team to beat in the East. On the back of Lundqvist, the Rangers made a statement and were on an absolute tear.

The Rangers came within a point of winning the Presidents' Trophy when all was said and done, but this game was very memorable.

Ilya Bryzgalov: Mr Universe

In my opinion, Ilya Bryzgalov was the most memorable player of the 2011-12 NHL season. Therefore, Mr Universe has earned a few slides for his contributions to hockey, science, forestry—more on that later— and life in general.

In this clip, Bryzgalov talks about life and the universe. Morgan Freeman currently hosts a show entitled Through the Wormhole, but he may fear for his job security considering Professor Bryzgalov is on the case.

Bryzgalov Feels Lost in the Woods

Ilya Bryzgalov had a terrible outing against the Winnipeg Jets in a game that ended in a score of 9-8 in favor of Winnipeg. After the horrendous result, Bryzgalov spoke to the media and explained that he didn't have confidence in himself and that he felt lost in the woods.

Later on in the season, Bryzgalov went on a shutout tear, so he obviously can step up when he needs to. The 2012 playoffs turned out to be a different story altogether, and it is something that fans hope will not happen again.

Bryzgalov Focuses on a Warm Thermos Full of Tea

In the last clip featuring one of the of the world's most interesting individuals, Ilya Bryzgalov informs the media he isn't starting in the Winter Classic. It was a decision that was hinted at throughout the weekend but wasn't confirmed until Bryzgalov opened up to the press.

However, he happily informs them that he will be sitting attentively on the bench with his tall thermos full of hot tea. Bryzgalov really made a name for himself this season; unfortunately, it was for a lot of the wrong reasons.

Raffi Torres Crosses the Line

During the Chicago Blackhawks' playoff game against the Phoenix Coyotes, Raffi Torres dropped Marian Hossa with a hellacious hit. Torres not only jumped and targeted the head of Hossa, but he also sent him off the ice on a stretcher.

Hossa didn't have the puck and was absolutely clobbered by Torres. There was no penalty called, and fans around the world are absolutely dumbfounded.

Torres subsequently received a 25-game suspension for the hit and drew a lot of negative press for the NHL.

Craig Smith Roofs an Empty-Net Goal over the Glass

Craig Smith had a prime opportunity to pad his goal total during this regular-season contest with the Toronto Maple Leafs during this empty-net attempt, but instead of sliding the puck into the net, Smith showboated and completely missed the net.

This miss will go down as one of the worst gaffes of the regular season and will be memorable for its status on blooper reels for years to come.

Alexander Radulov Returns from the KHL

Alexander Radulov defected from the Nashville Predators to the KHL in 2007. Radulov then wanted to return to fulfill the remainder of his Predators contract in 2012. This was a move that drew criticism by multiple parties, but in this clip, Commissioner Gary Bettman explains the legality of the move.

It was not popular, but Radulov had a positive impact with the team until he missed curfew for the Predators during the playoffs.

New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers Engage in a Line Brawl

One fight to start the game: five minutes in the penalty box.

Two fights to start the game: ten minutes in the penalty box.

Three fights to start the game: priceless.

Detroit Red Wings Dominate at Home with 23 Straight Wins

The Detroit Red Wings went from November 5, 2011, to February 23, 2012, without losing at home. It was an impressive record-setting streak that had tons of great moments. This goal by Pavel Datsyuk with mere seconds remaining in regulation would extend the streak to 22 straight home victories.

The announcers' reaction to the goal was simply remarkable because they were is completely awe of the goal and the streak that was extended in the process.

Daniel Alfredsson Receives Standing Ovation During All-Star Game in Ottawa

Daniel Alfredsson's future in the NHL is currently up in the air. He has one year left on his contract but he is contemplating retirement. This moment with Alfredsson is very memorable because he scored as the captain of his team in his home arena during the All-Star Game.

Everyone remembers Wayne Gretzky's last All-Star Game, and true diehards will remember this if it is, in fact, Alfredsson's last hurrah.

Alfredsson will definitely be remembered as one of the best Swedes to set foot in the NHL.

Brad Richards Scores with 0.1 Seconds Left

Brad Richards enjoyed his first season with the New York Rangers. He scored tons of clutch goals, and a few of them came with just seconds remaining in regulation.

This goal against the Phoenix Coyotes came with 0.1 seconds left in regulation, and it propelled the Rangers to victory.

This goal was a central component during a segment on HBO's 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic. The anatomy of the goal, including the look in to Toronto's "war room," was very memorable. 

Evgeni Malkin's Four-Point Game vs Tampa Bay

On February 25, 2012, the Pittsburgh Penguins completely decimated the Tampa Bay Lightning. Evgeni Malkin had a four-point night and recorded his ninth career hat trick for the Penguins.

Malkin scored highlight-reel goals against the Bolts, and this was a game that really helped cement "Geno's" Hart Trophy candidacy.

John Tortorella Sounds off After Winter Classic

John Tortorella was fined twice this season for his candid comments with the media. During this press conference, he showed displeasure with the on-ice officiating and certain outcomes that almost cost the New York Rangers the Winter Classic.

Tortorella had to write a $30,000 check for these comments—by far his most memorable from the 2011-12 NHL season.

Mike Smith Sets Record with 54-Save Shutout

Mike Smith set an NHL record with 54 saves in a shutout during this matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This was the Phoenix Coyotes' last home game, and it was also Smith's third consecutive shutout.

This season really was memorable for Mike Smith because he finally emerged like the goalie he was touted to be when he was a prospect for the Dallas Stars.

If Smith can elevate or maintain his level of play next season, he can be a viable threat for the NHL's Vezina Trophy.

Ilya Bryzgalov Issues Apology to Winnipeg

During the offseason, Ilya Bryzgalov made some comments about Winnipeg that insulted the citizenry of Winnipeg.

Courtesy of Puck Daddy, here are Bryzgalov's comments.

"

You don't want to go to Winnipeg, right? Not many people live there, not many Russian people there. Plus it's cold. There's no excitement except the hockey. No park, no entertaining for the families, for the kids. It's going to be tough life for your family.

"

In a sign of goodwill, when Bryzgalov came to Winnipeg, he thoroughly apologized and even gave a lucky fan a souvenir to take home. 

Ondrej Pavelec's TSN Play of the Year

TSN annually has the fans vote on the play of the year for the NHL. Here is the official release from TSN in regards to Ondrej Pavelec's amazing glove save.

"

After seven weeks, 32 electrifying plays, four rounds of intense online voting, and over 1 million votes, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec has laid claim to the best play of the season in the 2011-12 edition of the TSN Play of the Year Showdown Presented by Klondike.

Pavelec was up against Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza in the final but came out on top with an eye-catching play made against the Philadelphia Flyers. Defenceman Kimmo Timonen rang a slap shot towards the Jets net which Pavelec kicked away, leaving a big rebound. With the netminder down on his knees and on the opposite side of the crease, Flyers winger Jakub Voracek had a wide open net to score but Pavelec thought otherwise.

The 24-year-old netminder threw technique out the window and used his agility and lateral movement to push across the crease and make the save.

"

This was an amazing save and is also shockingly was one of the few NHL top plays that made it on ESPN's SportsCenter. Pavelec illustrated clear poise and skill in this situation, and it is no surprise he was rewarded by the diehard fans of the NHL on TSN.

Marian Gaborik Scores Triple-Overtime Goal with Torn Rotator Cuff

This goal was huge during the moment it occurred, but it gains more prominence after it was learned that Marian Gaborik scored it with a torn rotator cuff.

Many criticized Gaborik for his down play in the second half of the playoffs, but it was only revealed after the Rangers were eliminated that Gaborik was playing with a severe injury.

Gaborik has been criticized for his proneness to injury in the past, but he really earned some respect for commendable efforts by gritting through this injury.

Alex Ovechkin Between-the-Legs Snipe Against Blackhawks

Alex Ovechkin may have had a down year offensively for the Washington Capitals, but he still had a few highlight-reel goals. This moment was one of those goals you watch and just shake your head at in utter disbelief. 

Ovechkin schools the Chicago Blackhawks defense and puts the biscuit in the basket. People can hardly pull off moves like this in a video game, yet Ovechkin makes it look easy.

Jason Spezza Zigs and Zags on Perfect Setup for Kyle Turris

Speaking of NHL video game goals, this was a memorable goal that was on highlight reels for weeks. Jason Spezza has a booming shot, but he showcased his amazing hands and dangling ability against the Winnipeg Jets here.

Spezza zigged and zagged on his way to the net, and Kyle Turris was the beneficiary of his teammate's superb puck control skills.

Jamie Benn Beats Four Blue Jackets En Route to the Net

Jamie Benn had a solid 2011-12 season with the Dallas Stars and this goal seriously turned heads. Benn is known for his accuracy and his blistering wrister, but on this occasion, Benn deked, dangled and used great control to beat four defenders on his way to the goal.

Benn is an RFA this summer, so the Dallas Stars would be very wise to lock him up long-term.

Mike Ribeiro Owns Calgary in Overtime

It would have been one thing if Mike Ribeiro beat Calgary with just a slap shot from the top of the point, but when you look at all the maneuvers and work that went into this goal, this goal is just downright nasty.

There are no other words to describe this goal, because it was just pure skill taking over. This goal should contend for goal of the year, because it just is something that the fans in attendance will remember for years to come.

Devan Dubnyk Sprawls out to Stonewall Chris Higgins

Devan Dubnyk was solid for the Edmonton Oilers this season. He wasn't great and he wasn't terrible, but moments like this show the talent and promise of this young netminder.

Chris Higgins had a gaping net in front of him, but Dubnyk sprawled out like a cat to stonewall the Vancouver Canucks forward.

This moment is fresh in fans' minds because it came during the end of a long season for both the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.

Tanner Glass Has Hopes "Shattered" by Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller had an average season to say the least. He wasn't himself after the collision with Milan Lucic, but moments like these show why Ryan Miller is one of the league's top netminders.

Tanner Glass was so sure that he scored, and even the fans behind Miller started to rise in celebration, but Miller shattered the hopes of those involved when he stopped the puck with his outreached goal stick.

Claude Giroux Gets Nasty in Shootout Against Toronto Maple Leafs

Claude Giroux emerged as one of the NHL's top players during the 2011-12 season, and he got better as the year went on. Giroux showcased his elite talent and skill, and many were outraged that he was snubbed as a potential Hart Trophy candidate.

This move against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the shootout further showcased Giroux's sick skills.

A stick tap to fellow Bleacher Report F.C. Jason Sapunka, who definitely agrees that Giroux is on his way to becoming a future face of the NHL.

Anze Kopitar Beats Brodeur on Breakaway During Game 1of SCF

The Stanley Cup Final started out as a blowout favoring the Los Angeles Kings and a series lead of 3-0, but it has evolved into a great series. The series took shape when Anze Kopitar scored this beautiful breakaway goal for the Kings in Game 1 off a team effort involving Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty.

If the Kings wrap things up tonight, this goal could be looked at as something that could enhance Kopitar's Conn Smythe chances.

Ryan McDonagh Logs 53 Plus Minutes of Ice Time in 3 OT Game Against Capitals

Ryan McDonagh is a future All-Star defenseman, and he took massive leaps during his second NHL season. McDonagh was thrust into a first-pairing role with Marc Staal going down with concussion like symptoms during the preseason.

McDonagh would rise to the challenge and became one of the league's best shutdown defenders, and he also showed an offensive outburst. McDonagh scored seven goals and assisted on 25 others for 32 points despite not playing the power play.

The most impressive moment for Ryan McDonagh this season was the ice time he logged against the Washington Capitals in a triple-overtime thriller in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

McDonagh's outstanding effort and performance deserves to be recognized as one this season's memorable moments.

Pavel Datsyuk: Wanted for Grand Larceny

The Nashville Predators should have been aware that you never sleep on Pavel Datsyuk, because when you sit back and ease up, he will beat you when you're most vulnerable. 

Datsyuk has a knack for scoring these highlight-reel goals, and it continued during the first round of the playoffs. Datsyuk and the Detroit Red Wings went on to lose this series, but regardless, this was a sick goal.

Patrick Kane Does His Best Charlie Conway Impression

If you are familiar with Disney's Mighty Ducks series, you are familiar with Charlie Conway, the silent leader of the Ducks. He is famous for his triple deke finishing maneuver that aided him on many goals.

During the shootout, Patrick Kane channels his inner Charlie Conway, takes a few liberties with his dekes and ultimately bests Nicklas Backstrom and the Minnesota Wild.

The End of an Era: Nicklas Lidstrom Retires

This moment was truly the end of an era for the Detroit Red Wings. Nicklas Lidstrom announced his retirement after his 2011-12 season was over.

Lidstrom is arguably one of the greatest defensemen to ever lace up a pair of skates in NHL history. He also may go down as the greatest European player in NHL history.

During his 20-year career, Lidstrom was a seven-time Norris Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and a 12-time All-Star.

Shea Weber Face Smash

What transpired at the end of this Nashville win against the Detroit Red Wings is something that is commonplace within the confounds of a WWE ring. That alone summarizes the physicality of what occurred in this video clip.

With the clock ticking down and a Nashville victory all but ensured, the puck is tied up against the board and Weber decides to slam Henrik Zetterberg's head "into the turnbuckle."

In this instance, Weber, like a WWE goon, sends a shot to the back of Zetterberg's head before ramming him face first into the glass.

This moment was only disciplined with a $2,500 fine and is memorable because it was used as a comparison for each future suspension or missed suspension by Brendan Shanahan.