Top Plays of the Week by Locked-Out NHL Superstars

The NHL has announced the cancellation of regular season games through mid-December, as well as the cancellation of the January All-Star Game, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Katie Strang.

Over a third of the 2012-13 NHL season has now been lost and an agreement on a new CBA by the end of the year is seeming more and more unlikely. With owners and players still on opposite sides, North American fans have no choice but to watch many of their favorite players take on overseas competition.

Here, we highlight the top plays of the week from our locked-out NHL superstars.

5. Gonchar Misses, but Hits

Metallurg's Sergei Gonchar put way too much sauce on this snap shot, shattering the glass and causing a stoppage in play in the club's matchup with Yugra. 

At this point in the NHL lockout, the Ottawa Senators have to miss Gonchar's arena-wrecking snap shots.

4. Tarasenko Puts It Home

SKA St. Petersburg's Vladimir Tarasenko put his club ahead with a calm finish at the net this past week.

The St. Louis Blues star scored his 13th in 18 games with this strike, which comes in at No. 4 on our countdown this week.

3. Gonchar Scores from Way out

Sergei Gonchar took advantage of the lack of pressure on the puck on Metallurg's power play this week, scoring from way out against Barys. 

The goal certainly beats Gonchar's glass-shattering snap shot and helped key Metallurg's 5-1 dismantling of Barys on Friday.

2. Malkin's Clutch Goal Ties the Game

Evgeni Malkin positioned himself nicely for this game-tying third-period goal against Yugra. The Metallurg star evened the game at 1-1 before Yugra went on to win it in overtime.

The reigning NHL MVP may hold that title for another season as the ongoing NHL lockout continues to result in the cancellation of games. 

1. Backstrom to Ovechkin for the Go-Ahead Goal

Washington Capitals teammates Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin teamed up against Severstal this past week for a stellar play that ended with Ovechkin putting Dynamo Moscow ahead 4-3.

Backstrom navigates the boards beautifully before finding Ovechkin for a perfectly timed goal. 

Backstrom's brilliance on his 25th birthday earns him top play of the week honors.

Locked-out NHL Leaders Overseas

Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk continued their KHL tear this week, adding to their point totals with goals and assists. Meanwhile in Switzerland's National League, EV Zug's Damien Brunner and Linus Omark continue to fill the stat sheet in a variety of ways.

Another NHL superstar to keep an eye on is EHC Biel's Tyler Seguin. The Boston Bruins center is playing sensational hockey overseas this fall and has endless potential.

*Statistics include NHL players who are playing in the KHL or Switzerland's National League A.

Top Five Point Leaders

Player	Points	Current Club	NHL Club
Damien Brunner	38	EV Zug	Detroit Red Wings
Linus Omark	37	EV Zug	Edmonton Oilers
Evgeni Malkin	33	Metallurg	Pittsburgh Penguins
Tyler Seguin	32	EHC Biel	Boston Bruins
Ilya Kovalchuk	29	SKA St. Petersburg	New Jersey Devils

Top Five Goal Leaders

Player	Goals	Current Club	NHL Club
Tyler Seguin	20	EHC Biel	Boston Bruins
Damien Brunner	15	EV Zug	Detroit Red Wings
Vladimir Tarasenko	11	SKA St. Petersburg	St. Louis Blues
Ilya Kovalchuk	11	SKA St. Petersburg	New Jersey Devils
Evgeni Malkin	11	Metallurg	Pittsburgh Penguins

Top Five Assist Leaders

Player	Assists	Current Club	NHL Club
Linus Omark	27	EV Zug	Edmonton Oilers
Damien Brunner	23	EV Zug	Detroit Red Wings
Evgeni Malkin	22	Metallurg	Pittsburgh Penguins
Ilya Kovalchuk	18	SKA St. Petersburg	New Jersey Devils
Pavel Datsyuk	18	CSKA Moscow	Detroit Red Wings

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