Rantanen Scores Backhand for Goal of the Year Nomination

Mikko Rantanen of the Dallas Stars showcased his exceptional skill by scoring a stunning backhand goal against the Vancouver Canucks. This impressive play occurred late in the final period of the match, sealing a 4-2 victory for the Stars. With this goal, Rantanen increased his season total to ten goals.

Goal of the Year Nomination

Rantanen’s remarkable goal was recognized by the NHL, earning him a nomination for the “Goal of the Year.” Before taking the shot, he executed a graceful turn on his skates, launching the puck into the top corner of the net past Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen.

Performance Highlights

• Rantanen’s goal was assisted by Miro Heiskanen.
• He reached a total of 10 goals and 18 assists over 21 games this season.
• His performance places him second in the Finnish scoring race, behind Carolina’s Sebastian Aho.
• Lankinen recorded 20 saves on 24 shots during the game.

Additional Game Insights

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings faced the San Jose Sharks, where Joel Armia netted a short-handed goal to even the score at 1-1. Ultimately, the Sharks won the match 4-3 through a shootout.

• Armia’s goal marked his fourth of the season, with two being short-handed.

In another match, the Seattle Kraken edged out the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2. Chicago initially took a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Teuvo Teräväinen and Tyler Bertuzzi. However, Seattle rallied back in the final period.

• Teräväinen now has five goals and ten assists this season.

The Florida Panthers also secured a narrow 1-0 victory against the New Jersey Devils. Sam Reinhart scored the only goal of the game, while goaltender Sergei Bobrovski earned his second shutout of the season, marking a total of 51 career shutouts.

Ovechkin’s Record-Setting Night

In a spectacular performance, Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals continued to expand his NHL goal record. With a hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens, he propelled his career total to 907 goals. This achievement puts him among the top players in NHL history for most hat tricks.

• Ovechkin is now tied for fourth place in all-time hat tricks with Brett Hull.
• He ranks tenth in NHL history for total points, with 1,643 points.

His record-setting night solidified his standing in the league as one of its most prolific scorers. Ovechkin’s performance included a goal and an assist, bringing his season tally to ten goals.