from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
The best story of the trip has been Taro Hirose. March 9 he played his last game at Michigan State. Ten days later he made his NHL debut at Madison Square Garden, earning an assist when he set up Frans Nielsen. Two nights later, Hirose showed off his smarts when he got his own rebound and, having spotted Thomas Vanek by a goalpost, directed the puck to the net knowing Vanek’s prowess in the area. A third assist came at Vegas. Hirose, 22, grew his point streak to four Monday when he stole the puck off the stick of Sharks forward Joakim Ryan and set up Athanasiou.