Palat proving rookie season was no fluke February 23, 2015

After taking the league by storm in his rookie campaign, Tampa Bay Lightning star Ondrej Palat has carried his excellent play into this season. The 23-year-old Czech winger has continued to improve in all aspects of his game, and has even entered the Selke Trophy conversation, the award handed out to the best two-way forward in the NHL. Currently on a five-game point streak (4 goals, 3 assists), Palat has proven to be as good offensively as he has been defensively.  Through 58 games, he has 15 goals (including 5 game winners), 32 assists, and a plus/minus rating of +27 (5^th best in the league).

On Saturday night, Palat was named the first star of the contest, scoring two goals, including the game-winner, in the Lightning’s 4-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. 

For more on the Lightning’s win, check out the nhl.com recap here. 

For more on Palat and his two-way game, check out the prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com piece here.