NHL's best plays of 2015-16
6-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner Ovechkin highlights year of brilliant performances
The 2015-16 NHL season officially ended when the Pittsburgh Penguins raised the Stanley Cup on Sunday.
Now, as some of the best players in the league prepare to gather for the league's annual awards show in Las Vegas on Wednesday, we look back on some of the regular-season magic that probably won't get recognized next to the Hart or Calder winners.
Here are some of best plays of the season:
Ovechkin starts campaign off right
Leave it to Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin to get his season started off with what would hold up as one of the best of the year.
This season's Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner, as the league's top goal scorer, tallied his first on an unbelievable deke before putting it top shelf against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 10.
Vanek matches Ovi
Minnesota Wild winger Thomas Vanek had the least productive season of his career, scoring only 18 goals in 74 games.
However, the 32-year-old showed a little bit of spark with his best Ovechkin impression against the Winnipeg Jets. Vanek matched the between-the-legs deke in what would be his only two-goal game of the season.
Malkin can't help himself
Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin regularly puts on a clinic, dancing around defencemen to score highlight-reel goals.
That was no different this year, so he makes the cut twice. First for a between-the-legs play on the Minnesota Wild and again for cashing in on a stunning spin-o-rama against the Edmonton Oilers.
McDavid makes triumphant return
Edmonton Oilers rookie Connor McDavid had a rocky introduction to the NHL. The 2015 first-overall draft pick was sidelined early after suffering a broken collarbone.
After missing 37 games, the Calder Trophy nominee made his return known by easily splitting the Columbus Blue Jackets' defence to score his sixth of the season.
Holtby splits to rob Kane
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby is considered the frontrunner for this year's Vezina Trophy, so it's impossible to leave him off a list of jaw-dropping plays.
The veteran goalie went to the splits to absolutely rob Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane of what appeared to be an easy scoring chance.
Iginla hits career milestone
It wasn't a spectacular goal by any stretch, but it was cause for celebration when NHL veteran Jarome Iginla scored his 600th career goal.
The Colorado Avalanche winger hit the milestone by banking a shot off Los Angeles Kings defenceman Jake Muzzin's skate.
Jagr adds name to history books
Not to be outdone, Florida Panthers winger Jaromir Jagr passed Brett Hull for sole possession of third on the league's all-time scoring list with his 742nd goal.
The all-star made his way into the history books against Winnipeg just days after turning 44. Only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe have scored more goals.
Johnson keeps Sabres alive
Buffalo netminder Chad Johnson was forced to make several incredible diving saves this season for the bottom-dwelling Sabres.
Despite his team finishing 14th in the East and 25th overall, Johnson ended the 2015-16 campaign with a 22-16-5 record and a .920 save percentage on the strength of saves like these.