Deja Vu

I'm sure you're aware that Brent Burns is a pretty good hockey player. He's been an excellent power forward with the San Jose Sharks, but has gone back to be a absolute force on the blue line for the west coast NHL team. He can skate and he can score which is why he's a perennial NHL All-Star, and he decided to put those two attributes on display tonight. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who the Sharks were playing, decided to help Burns out by reverting to the same defensive tactics they used last year: none. The result? A highlight-reel goal by Brent Burns that shows why he's going to Nashville for the All-Star Game.

Nazem Kadri was supposed to be checking Burns, but that didn't last long. And then Dion Phaneuf decided to play dress-up as he disguised himself as a pylon on this play. Check it out.

I'm pretty sure that quick clip of Mike Babcock on the bench had him saying, "He's good!" after watching that goal like the rest of his team did. Brent Burns can play hockey. I'm not sure why he hasn't been in more talks about the Norris Trophy for all the good he does in San Jose.

There have been, however, many people who have quietly been saying that Mike Babcock should be in contention for the Jack Adams Award this season after taking a sad-sack Leafs squad and finding ways to win with them. I'm not saying that Babcock's influence has been smoke and mirrors thus far, but tonight's 7-0 pummeling at the hands (fins?) of the Sharks looked an awful lot like last year's team.

There are pretty clear reasons why Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf aren't all-stars and Brent Burns is. The highlight above is proof-positive of those reasons.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!