Johnathan Kovacevic delivers the ultimate response to Sheldon Keefe.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic was called out in very public and brutal fashion over the weekend and to make matters worse for the Devils defenseman, the comments came from his own head coach.

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe made headlines around the National Hockey League for his comments about Kovacevic, comments he made while speaking to a room full of reporters after a tough loss.

If Kovacevic was negatively impacted by the comments from his head coach however, he certainly didn't show it on Monday night where he made a heroic play against the Vancouver Canucks. In what can only be described as the ultimate response to those comments from Keefe, Kovacevic would play hero and stop a puck right on the goal line with one of the best defensive plays of the entire NHL season.

You've gotta see it to believe it:

The broadcast was quick to point out that it was Kovacevic who had made such an incredible save, so incredible in fact that Keefe was asked about the play during the course of the game. Much to his credit, Keefe had a good natured response to the question, a tough question given the uncomfortable circumstances, stating that Kovacevic was simply the best.

"He's the best," said Keefe showing off a sharp sense of humor.

Something tells me that Kovacevic is back in his coach's good graces and then some, or at least I certainly hope that is the case given the effort he displayed in response to being called out in rough fashion by his own head coach.