Strome's mom reads lineup vs. Fans help sing anthem

The 2019-20 NHL season had many incredible moments before it was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, and now fans can decide which one was the best.

The Greatest Moments of the NHL season … So Far is down to 32 entries from the original bracket of 64 with the first round now complete. Fans will vote on one matchup per day, ultimately deciding the greatest moment up until this point.

Fans can vote on Twitter and Instagram each day from noon until 10 a.m. ET the next day. Each day, the winner of that matchup will be revealed, and a new set of moments will go head-to-head.

Though fans will have the ultimate say, two NHL.com staffers will weigh in on the matchup each day to give his or her opinion on which one should advance to the third round.

In the matchup Wednesday, Alex Ovechkin tying Mario Lemieux on the all-time goals list defeated Detroit Red Wings fans helping out their anthem singer.

The matchup Thursday has the mother of New York Rangers forward Ryan Strome reading the starting lineup before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Feb. 19 going against Detroit Red Wings fans stepping up to help sing the Canada national anthem after an issue with the mic before a game against the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 7.

Shawn P. Roarke, Senior Director of Editorial

Moments for greatness come along more often than great moments. The ability to capitalize on an opportunity is what elevates efforts into accomplishments that are remembered fondly for years to come. Trish Strome was not the first mother to be given the spotlight on a moms' trip, but she seized it like few others, channeling her best Herb Brooks. She combined motivation, humor and motherly love in an unforgettable 100-second presentation that had the players clapping and roaring with approval. Just as important, she understood the dynamics of the team, telling forward Artemi Panarin to move her "first boy" the puck and letting forward Jesper Fast know he better put it in the net if he gets it from Strome. And like a good mom, she ended the speech with a hug for Ryan. The motivational tactics paid off. Strome scored a power-play goal, and the Rangers won 6-3.

NYR@CHI: Strome sweeps rebound past Lehner for PPG

Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

Karen Newman has been singing anthems before Red Wings games for nearly 30 years, but never was she forced to rely so much on fans when her microphone cut out as she sang "O Canada" prior to a game against the Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena. The fans came through in a display of good sportsmanship by helping Newman complete the Canadian anthem by singing at the top of their lungs. It was quite a scene and certainly one of the more memorable moments for Red Wings fans this season. The moment went viral on social media, and even elicited this response from one fan: "This is why hockey fans are the best! Whether [you are] neighbors to the North or neighbors to the South, we unite for a great sport… Until the puck drops!" The Red Wings rewarded their fans in dramatic fashion when Filip Zadina scored the game-winning goal with 3:52 remaining in the third period of a 4-3 victory.