As if it were written. I don't want to make it sound like Brian Boyle's goal on 'Hockey Fights Cancer' night was just the culmination of some dramatically captivating plot line, because that would discredit the seemingly disastrous set of circumstances he had to overcome - in an insanely short time - to make it happen. Still, I'll be damned if it didn't feel like Will Butcher played the role of 'Best Supporting Actor' to Brian Boyle's lead in an inspiring, award winning scene. Perhaps we shouldn't have expected anything less than a feel-good moment from someone who appeared to best cancer with a refusal to (publicly) feel anything but good as he stayed in the moment. However, maybe his contribution not being all that surprising is yet another reason why it tugged on so many heartstrings. Due to nothing more than his hard work and persistence, Brian Boyle now steps on the ice as a valued member of the New Jersey Devils first and a cancer survivor second. It was incredibly uplifting to watch his worlds collide on an occasion that was so meaningful to so many people, but - with how emotionally exhausting last night must have been for him - let's hope the divide between them continues to get bigger as his health stays better...
As for the man who assisted on the goal that was worth so much more than just a number on a scoreboard, I'm not sure enough can be said about Will Butcher's recent performance. Considering the dire straights of the Devils' defense, fans desperately had unrealistic expectations for a 22 year rookie. Yet somewhat unbelievably, he's managed to surpass them. That slippery move through the defense was Scott Niedermayer-esque, and I only use that exaggerated example due to the lack of fair comparisons that exist in franchise history. The Devils have been looking for a trusted puck mover on the back end since the departure of Brian Rafalski, and they now have one that feels comfortable doing so with it on his stick just 20-something games into his career. The bumps and bruises are sure to come since Will Butcher still has a lot of growing and maturing to do in his own zone, but he's taken the opportunity to give New Jersey a dynamic they haven't had in a goddamn decade and ran with it. His confidence can only grow from here, as impossible as that seems after watching some of the plays he's made over the last week. If you're wondering what else it's going to take for the Devils to overcome their injuries and maintain their light grasp on a playoff spot then look no further than Stefan Noesen's efforts to seal the victory. That wasn't just the work of a guy that knew he damn well better block some shots and clear the zone after missing a wide open empty net. It was the work of a guy that knows what he has to bring to the table in order to stay in the lineup. It took the Winnipeg Jets about 5 minutes to remind this team of how much worse they look when lackadaisical, and - outside of a stinker of a first period against Minnesota - they have played some of their best hockey since. The hustle of everyone - including guys who haven't let a benching or a scratching affect their attitude - is instrumental to their success going forward, just as it was in giving Brian Boyle - and everyone in attendance - a hell of a sentimental nightcap.
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