2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Mid-Season Review Top Players at the Break-NHL Special Part 2
Sometimes, when the hockey Gods have given approval for you to be considered one of the best in the league at a specific moment, there is nothing that can stop you.
Our next player is a prime example of that statement, which he can certainly boast looking at the past few weeks and how lucky he has been throughout.
James Neal (Pittsburgh Penguins)
We have another Pittsburgh Penguins player on the list and this time it is 24-year-old left winger, James Neal, who has been assisting Evgeni Malkin in keeping Pittsburgh as one of the leading teams in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Pittsburgh at the moment is sitting comfortably in the Eastern Conference’s fifth number position with 60 points and James Neal is certainly one of the biggest contributors in having done that without their star player and captain, Sidney Crosby, on the
line-up.
Stepping up alongside Evgeni Malkin, Neal has proven himself to be an invaluable asset for Pittsburgh with his majestic performance every single night, making him one of the most consistent in the league.
Pittsburgh was on a six-game losing streak up until January 13, 2012, but at the very moment, Neal and Malkin decided on getting the team back on track. They ended the midseason with seven games won in a row and have taken back the Penguins where they belong,
which is well above the playoff line.
At the moment, James Neal has 47 points (27 goals, 20 assists) to his name in the past 49 games played with the Penguins.
Given some worse scenarios which could have Malkin out of the scene, Pittsburgh would certainly look towards James Neal for leading the team and their offensive attack, something which he sowed last season with both Crosby and Malkin out with season ending
injuries.
James Neal was blessed with another surprising incident when he was selected for the All-Star Game on January 29, 2012, as Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, decided not to participate due to his three-game suspension.
Scott Hartnell (Left Wing, Philadelphia Flyers)
Everyone though that Scott Hartnell had lost the ability to pot above 50 points a season after having two consecutive minus-50 years in the past, but the veteran left winger has shown much more than that by already having recorded 44 points (25 goals, 19
assists) in the 48 games he has played in thus far.
Scott Hartnell is not only on the way to attending the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, but is also looking forward to take his team, the Philadelphia Flyers, to a strong and fruitful postseason competition.
Philadelphia at the moment, sits at number four in the Eastern Conference with 63 points, and while the Flyers have a number of players sitting on the benches due to various injuries, it is definitely an amazing feat.
Last season was certainly a disappointment for Philadelphia as they failed to go deep in the playoffs, but this time around, with a different line-up including players like Jaromir Jagr and a charged Scott Hartnell, the Flyers surely have the capability
of being a team with top level potential.
Seeing Hartnell continue to lead Philadelphia Flyers as the season progresses post the All-Star Game weekend, will be interesting and a must see thriller.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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