Boyle, a 33-year-old forward, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer, during training camp. He worked his way back into the New Jersey lineup by Nov. 1 and scored 10 goals in his first 25 games, including one on the Devils' Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Prudential Center, a 3-2 win over Vancouver on Nov. 24. Boyle missed three games after his season debut and represented the Devils at the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game.
Luongo, 39, overcame hand and groin injuries to power the Panthers' late playoff push. Florida's all-time leader in wins, shutouts and appearances by a goaltender missed more than two months before returning on Feb. 17 to help the Panthers defeat Calgary 6-3. In a 13-game span, Luongo went 9-3-1 with a 2.44 goals-against average and .928 save percentage. On Feb. 22, Luongo delivered a heartfelt, unscripted speech to the crowd at BB&T Center prior to Florida's game against the Washington Capitals. The 12-year resident of nearby Parkland, Florida, addressed the recent Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting during the Panthers' pregame ceremony to honor the victims.
Staal, a 29-year-old center, showed great strength amid a family tragedy. In late February, Staal and his wife, Heather, announced their daughter, Hannah, was delivered stillborn due to a terminal birth defect previously diagnosed by doctors. Staal, who had assumed a bigger leadership role with the Hurricanes by being named co-captain before the season, missed three games following the tragedy. He finished the season with 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 79 games, the second-highest goal and point totals in his six seasons with Carolina.
