Hockey's Flopper Stopper

Why goalie Dominik Hasek is the best player in the game

The Buffalo Sabres' Dominik Hasek, the best goalie in the NHL, doesn't play right. He flops down on the ice as if his skates had just become untied, exposing 90% of the net to shooters. He sprawls, scampers, leaps, wanders away and bats the puck with his stick. He is, unarguably, a big spaz.

He is also, unarguably, not only the best goalie but the best player in hockey. Says New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur: "He was so awkward; I had never seen that from another goalie before. I couldn't believe it at first. I thought, 'That's lucky. He's a...