Top Plays of the Week by Locked-out NHL Superstars

Another week of hockey is in the books, and another handful of top plays have been made out on the ice.

Sure, the NHL lockout is still going strong, but things are improving.

The good news: The league and the players' association have restarted talks regarding a new CBA. The bad news: We still don't have NHL hockey. 

With pressure mounting to get a deal done, though, both sides are expected to resume talks this coming week, according to the Associated Press via ESPN.com. But regardless of what happens behind closed doors, at least we can take in the best the NHL's stars have to offer overseas.

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

5. Seguin Ignites the Comeback (2:30)

Tyler Seguin is one of the best hockey players on the planet, and he's only 20 years old.

The Boston Bruins' center was key in EHC Biel's 5-4 victory over Lugano this past week, netting a crucial goal that would ignite his club to a win after scoring three unanswered goals to end the game. 

4. Datsyuk Does It Again

Pavel Datsyuk is renowned for his unselfish play and ability to set up teammates. Well, on this perfectly timed assist against Torpedo, the CSKA Moscow star delivered a flawless pass at the ideal moment.

He would finish the game with three assists. 

3. Kane Redirects Perfect Finish

Patrick Kane has a knack for always making the right play out on the ice, and it was on display during EHC Biel's matchup with Lugano this past week, when he redirected a shot from teammate Clarence Kparghai past the goalie and into the net.

A little lucky? Sure. But still impressive? You bet.

2. Tavares Twists and Finishes

SC Bern superstar John Tavares put his club up 2-0 on Geneve-Servette thanks to some amazing individual effort.

Tavares loops around the net, twists to shake off the defender and then launches a shot right past the goalie. It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to doing it yourself.

1. Ovi Nets First KHL Hat Trick

Alexander Ovechkin put Dynamo Moscow on his back against Donbass, recording his first hat trick in the 4-2 victory. 

The first goal was excellent, but the second was without question the most impressive, as Ovi netted it while off balance from way out at the blue line. 

Locked-out NHL Leaders Overseas

New York Islanders center John Tavares has come on strong for Swiss club SC Bern this season, and has climbed into the top five in all three major categories after incredible play over the past couple of weeks. He has plenty of work to do, though, if he is to catch up with EV Zug's talented pair of Damien Brunner and Linus Omark.

Meanwhile, reigning NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin continues to set the KHL on fire as a lethal offensive playmaker. He has 41 total points through his first 29 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. 

Here's a look at how the best locked-out NHL stars are faring overseas.

*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	48	EV Zug	Detroit Red Wings
Linus Omark	43	EV Zug	Edmonton Oilers
Evgeni Malkin	41	Metallurg	Pittsburgh Penguins
Tyler Seguin	38	EHC Biel	Boston Bruins
John Tavares	35	SC Bern	New York Islanders

Top Five Goal Leaders

Player	Goals	Current Club	NHL Club
Tyler Seguin	24	EHC Biel	Boston Bruins
Damien Brunner	23	EV Zug	Detroit Red Wings
Ilya Kovalchuk	14	SKA St. Petersburg	New Jersey Devils
John Tavares	14	SC Bern	New York Islanders
Evgeni Malkin	13	Metallurg	Pittsburgh Penguins

Top Five Assist Leaders

Player	Assists	Current Club	NHL Club
Linus Omark	31	EV Zug	Edmonton Oilers
Evgeni Malkin	28	Metallurg	Pittsburgh Penguins
Damien Brunner	25	EV Zug	Detroit Red Wings
Pavel Datsyuk	22	CSKA Moscow	Detroit Red Wings
John Tavares	21	SC Bern	New York Islanders

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.