Green's record-setting stretch demands notice

Feb 12, 2009 - 11:18 AM By Zachary Ingraham PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Move over, Nicklas Lidstrom.

The 38-year-old future Hall of Famer's stranglehold on the Norris Trophy should end this season - thanks to Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green.

Green put his name into the record books Wednesday, netting a pair of goals in a 5-4 shootout loss to the New York Rangers to extend his goal-scoring streak to seven games - tying Mike O'Connell's all-time mark for blue-liners set during the 1983-84 season.

Like a pitcher going for a no-hitter, Green wasn't aware of the feat until he closed in on it.

"Honestly, I didn't even realize it until a couple of days ago. It was yesterday, actually," Green said. "I tried not to think about it before the game, but I'm pretty happy about it."

Over his remarkable stretch, Green has amassed nine goals and 16 points.

And the 23-year-old isn't showing any signs of slowing down, with two goals in each of his last two contests.

"Hopefully, it can keep going, but it feels pretty special," said Green, who was selected 29th overall by the Capitals in the 2004 draft.

Green, who leads all NHL defensemen with 21 goals and 49 points despite missing 13 games this season, showed off his dangerous shot against the Rangers and their All-Star goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist.

With the pressure of tying a record on his shoulders, Green gave the Capitals a 3-2 edge with 9:28 remaining in the second period, taking a pass from superstar Alex Ovechkin at the left point and beating a screened Lundqvist with a wrist shot.

"I was pretty excited," Green said. "It was frustrating. I had some chances there in the first period but finally got one by him, and I don't know if you saw my reaction, but I was pretty jacked."

"That's pretty special," said Washington coach Bruce Boudreau, who also mentored Green in the American Hockey League at Hershey. "He's a pretty special guy."

After New York responded with a pair of tallies, Green netted another goal with 58 seconds left in the second session to tie the contest at 4-4. Taking a drop pass from former Ranger Michael Nylander, Green unleashed a slap shot from the left faceoff circle that found the top corner of the net.

"We kind of gave up some goals there and we were desperate for another one, and Michael made a good play to draw two guys to him," Green said. "I went down the wall, and it was a little

bit of a screen. I just shot it post side, and he didn't see it."

While Lidstrom certainly will get plenty of Norris consideration again this campaign after having his name engraved on the trophy six of the past seven seasons, Green's efforts have been too strong to ignore.

Until now, the biggest obstacle for Green to overcome in order to win the award likely was name recognition - he didn't even make the All-Star team. But this record-setting stretch should take care of that.

Sorry Nicklas, it's Green's turn.