Hartnell’s Career Year Continues With Monster Weekend

Retrieved from AP/Yahoo Sports

By Charlie O’Connor (@THG_Charlie)

On October 20th against the Washington Capitals, Scott Hartnell was held scoreless for the fourth time in the first six games of the 2011-12 season, finishing the game with only 12:41 minutes of ice time and a -3 plus/minus rating.

On January 22nd against the Boston Bruins, Hartnell scored a natural hat trick against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins, capping off a five-goal weekend for the 29-year old forward.

What a difference three months makes.

Shaking off a slow start, Scott Hartnell has established himself as one of the NHL’s best forwards during the 2011-12 regular season. Hartnell’s 25 goals place him in a tie with New York’s Marian Gaborik for 5th on the NHL’s leaderboard, and his 13 power play goals lead the entire league. Hartnell is currently on pace for 43 goals, a mark that would annihilate his previous career high of 30 in 2008-09.

Coach Peter Laviolette tried to explain his forward’s drastic improvement throughout the course of the season following Philadelphia’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Bruins on Sunday, revealing that Hartnell spent the early part of the season a bit banged up.

“I don’t think [Hartnell] was completely healthy then, at the beginning of the year. To his credit, he worked hard, extra work, to make sure he was ready.”

Playing on the same line as future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr and Claude Giroux, who is also having his finest season as a professional, has surely helped Hartnell’s production. But Laviolette was quick to note that Hartnell has helped his linemates to elevate their games as well.

“He got the opportunity to play with Giroux and Jagr, but at first, everyone was using him to be a space-maker. I don’t think that’s the case anymore. I think he’s a key contributor and a key factor as to why that line is successful.”

Teammate Maxime Talbot also praised Hartnell’s play, marveling at his recent goal-scoring surge.

“He’s been on fire. Obviously [Giroux] has been making great plays but Hartsy is the goal scorer. He’s firing back on net and he’s been great for us right now.”

Talbot noted that a main reason for Hartnell’s power play prowess in 2011-12 has been his willingness to establish himself in the slot, and his ability to ward off checkers and hold his position in prime scoring area.

“You can look at his goals, they are all dirty area goals. He’s taking a fast check to shoot it. [The slot] is not an easy area to get in. He fought his way there and all the credit to him.”

Despite the loss on Sunday, Hartnell was understandably excited about his hat trick and stellar performance over the weekend.

“Five goals in two games, it’s a good weekend for anybody. So, I’ll take it. Confidence is a weird thing. I have a lot of confidence and I feel strong on the puck, strong on the ice, my skating is good and when Giroux makes those nice little passes to me, it’s nice to get a good shot off.”

Unfortunately for Hartnell, his stellar season has not yet warranted a selection to the NHL’s All-Star game. But while he would surely accept a trip to the league’s midseason festivities, Hartnell remains focused on team goals rather than individual honors.

“My game isn’t the flashy stuff. When I’m skating, I’m really effective, I’m physical, I’m on the puck, I’m winning battles for my linemates. It’s alright that I don’t get the accolades and all that kind of stuff. I’m a hard-working guy in a hard-working city.That’s all I care about – trying to be the hardest working guy.”