Columbus Blue Jackets Anthony Duclair Scores Possible Goal of the Year
It’s early, but Columbus Blue Jackets forward Anthony Duclair might have scored the goal of the year.
In the sporting world hyperbole is thrown around so frequently we become numb to the true power of words like “incredible” “unbelievable” “impossible” and “greatest”. I know I throw them around too much at times and the overuse of these words takes away their power. But last night in the Columbus Blue Jackets win, we saw a goal that was truly incredible, unbelievable, impossible, and perhaps will end up being the greatest goal scored this year in the NHL.
With just over two minutes left in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers, Markus Nutivaara seperated Michael Raffl from the puck at the blue line in an underrated part of this amazing goal. Nuti then tipped the puck over to Ryan Murray who, from behind his own blue line, zipped a pass up to Anthony Duclair who was curling into the Flyers offensive zone.
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Murray’s pass was right on the money and allowed Duclair to build speed as he dove into the Zone while being defended by Robert Hagg. Hagg did an ok job pushing Duclair to the right wing circle and there Duclair slammed on the brakes and tried to cut back towards the slot. Thats where the chaos starts.
Duclair blows a tire and falls to the ice. The puck tries to leak into the slot away from Duclair but, from his knees, the Duke is able to keep the puck on his stick. At this point Flyer defenseman Christian Folin had caught up to the play making it a 1-on-2 for Duclair who is still on his knees.
All from the ice, Duclair is able to keep the puck away from the two Flyers defenseman overtop of him. He works the puck while climbing back to his feet and then fires a shot that miraculously beats Calvin Pickard five hole to cap an incredible individual effort.
Enjoy the video and let your eyes feast on the possible goal of the year in the NHL.
There is no doubt that the goal is the best goal of the season thus far. The stick handling from his knees, effort, vision, and finish combined to wow all watching. Flyers fans even stood and applauded after Duclair scored.
The goal not only was incredible by itself but in the scheme of the game, it gave the team some momentum towards the end of a bad first period.
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Only time will tell, but Duclair’s goal is an early season favorite for goal of the year in the NHL.