FanHouse Aaron Voros

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

Sometimes, we scour the internet looking for the best fight, only to be left underwhelmed. There are other weeks where this job couldn't possibly be any easier. The good fights jump at you, and the players involved are the guys you would expect to see in the big fights. This week's winning fight has some blood in it, so use caution as you proceed.

If you were looking for a more unlikely hero to step and save the season for the Washington Capitals, you'd have a tough time finding a better choice than right winger Matt Bradley. A plugger with a lot of heart who commands respect inside the Washington locker room for his work ethic, Bradley has never scored more than nine goals in a full season and only had five all season long.

But that didn't matter earlier this evening. With his team down three games to one to the New York Rangers and the season on the brink, Bradley scored a pair of first period goals that were all Washington needed on its way to a 4-0 win over the Rangers to force a Game Six on Sunday back in New York.

---

---

Predators 6, Oilers 5: Edmonton and Nashville entered Tuesday's game separated by only one point in the standings. Thanks to the Predators 6-5 overtime win, the two teams are now tied with 68 points at the bottom of the Western Conference playoff picture.

Jason Arnott scored the game-winner in overtime, as the two teams combined for five goals in the third period. Nashville has now won 11 of its past 16 games, including four in a row.

What an incredible night of hockey. Let's get right to it.

The last time the Lightning and Rangers met, way back on November 6, Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith went crazy on Rangers forward Aaron Voros, giving him a few subtle hacks to the leg, shots to the head, and various other random acts of violence. As a result, the two had a "fight" that led to Voros trying to punch Smith through his mask, and Rangers coach Tom Renney calling for the Tampa goalie to face some sort of suspension.

This time around, there was another fight involving two unlikely participants, as Rangers forward Nikolai Zherdev squared off against No. 1 overall pick, Steve Stamkos. And it was actually a pretty good showing.

As you may have already heard, Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith and Rangers forward Aaron Voros had a little scuffle in front of the net last night because, well, Voros was doing his job, and Smith was tired of it. The result? Smith attempting to beat the snot out of Voros with his stick, and then fighting with his mask on. I'm not exactly sure, but I think that violates "the code."

Well, following the game, Rangers coach Tom Renney called for the NHL to suspend Smith, calling his actions "completely unprovoked." From Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times:

"You usually don't get hurt fighting but you might get hurt with a spear or slash to the back of the leg," Renney said. "It was completely unprovoked and I think Smith should be suspended." Smith said his emotions got the better of him. Voros was in front of Smith almost the entire game and the two continually jousted.

Yesterday, Eric McErlain told us about Forbes Magazine naming the most cost-effective fighters in the National Hockey League. That list, obviously, didn't contain Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith. Perhaps next year it should.

During Thursday night's Lightning-Rangers game at the Garden, which the Rangers won 5-2, Smith flipped his lid, presumably because he was tired of Aaron Voros hanging out in front of his crease. After hacking Voros across the leg with his stick, and giving him two shots squarely in the back, Smith decided it was time to drop his glove and blocker and start wailing on the Rangers forward.

Voros, who evidently isn't the brightest bulb in the room, decided to counter by throwing a couple of punches directly into the goalie mask of Smith. As he skated towards the penalty box he could seen shaking his hand, as if to say, "ouch, that really hurt."

Here's the video, in all of it's ridiculous glory.