Today In NHL History - Ilya Kovalchuk's Own Goal

On December 26th in 2011, New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk fired an errant pass from the Carolina Hurricanes goal line past extra-attacker and intended recipient Adam Henrique and into the Devils empty net for an own goal, down 3-2 with 29 seconds to play.

Afterwards, the oft-maligned overpaid winger acknowledged "we were working hard, but a bad decision by me cost us the game." Compounding matters, it was Kovalchuk's mishandling of the puck in the first period that led to a shorthanded score by Carolina's Brandon Sutter.

Kovalchuk's own goal was awarded to Cam Ward making him the 10th NHL netminder to be credited with a goal and the first in Hurricanes history. Carolina beat New Jersey that night by a score of 4-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Milbury Beats Fan

On December 23rd in 1979, bruising blueliner Mike Milbury of the Boston Bruins followed Terry O'Reilly and others into the MSG stands following a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers engaging fans with fisticuffs. What occured next is best described with moving pictures. O'Reilly received an eight game suspension for leading the charge with Mad Mike collecting a mere pair for beating a fan with his own shoe. It remains the most memorable moment of his 12 season playing career.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Milan Lucic Punches Meyer

On December 23rd in 2010, Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic delivered a bare-knuckle sucker punch to an unsuspecting Freddy Meyer in response to being up-ended by the Atlanta Thrashers defenseman.

Despite cowardly striking a defenseless player, whilst being restrained by a linesman no less, Lucic miraculously escaped suspension for his classless act further fueling speculation of league favoritism towards the Bruins owing to NHL chief disciplinarian Colin Campbell's son Gregory Campbell playing for the club. Instead, Lucic was fined $2,500 for the punch and $1,000 for taunting the Thrashers bench afterwards, totaling less than one one-thousandth of the forward's $4m annual salary.

Boston beat Atlanta that night by a score of 4-1.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Sedin Plays Puck With Head

On December 21st in 2011, Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin deflected a high clearing pass from linemate Alex Burrows past Detroit Red Wings superstar Pavel Datsyuk with his head, utilizing a soccer move rarely employed in ice hockey.

Daniel's move decidedly raised the brotherly bar set by a stickless Henrik in last season's playoff against the Nashville Predators, when his fancy footwork prevented Mike Fisher's shorthanded opportunity.

Raised in Sweden, it's not surprising the twins are proficient in their country's most popular sport. Daily practice dominating the club's pregame soccer hallway warmup ritual likely keeps them sharp.

Undoubtedly a unique compliment to their game, the back-to-back Art Ross winners are emphatically more effective on the ice when using their sticks. Vancouver beat Detroit that night by a score of 4-2.

That's today in NHL history.