Saber-rattling? More like Sabres rattling. New York Islanders forward Matthew Barzal is obviously very skilled and talented, but on Saturday he scored what will definitely be a candidate for NHL goal of the year.
The Islanders were taking on the Buffalo Sabres in a matinee day game and Barzal did something that you usually just see in a video game.
Here's the incredibly skilled play.
Barzal was skating down the wing, where he was able to poke the puck ahead and beat Sabers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Once Barzal had the puck he was a few inches ahead of the crease and within a split-second, decided to put the pick and his stick between the legs and roof it over Carter Hutton's glove.
Barzal has always had a knack for scoring goals, but this took some elite-level skill and incredible finish. The goal was Barzal's ninth of the season, one-off the team lead which is behind held by the captain Anders Lee.
The lowly Sabers are the worst team in the NHL and this goal just help cemented what has already been a tough season. Buffalo came into this season with high expectations after signing Taylor Hall, however, Hall has just two goals in 21 games and is a minus-13.
We haven't seen a goal like this in some time, especially this year. It will be hard to overlook this as the goal of the year, but for right now it's definitely the best goal of the 2021 NHL season.
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