The thing that can set hockey apart from other sports in North America is the show-stopping plays. Whenever a skater makes a highlight reel deke or a goalie pulls off a heist of a save, it can take the viewer’s breath away. Even in a shortened 2021 NHL season, the top plays have been magnificent so far this season. Whether it is Patrick Kane’s spin-o-rama against the Carolina Hurricanes or Auston Matthews going upstairs on the Jets, the best goals are truly unforgettable. With all of the phenomenal goals this year, the argument for the title “Goal of the Year” will be a fun discussion, but one player who has a more than fair share of the discussion is Islanders forward Mathew Barzal.

As a former first-round pick, Barzal has emerged as one of the league’s elite centers in 2021. Not only has his defense shown signs of improvement, but he has also become one of the flashiest players in hockey, becoming a legit threat wherever he has the puck.

With that flash, Barzal has scored quite a few impressive goals that fans don’t see everyday. Whether it’s an upstairs shot or impressive deke, Barzal has become a fun player to watch. With Barzal playing the best hockey of his career, we polled our Instagram followers to see their picks for the top goals for Mathew Barzal this season. Here are the results.

4. January 14 vs. New York Rangers

Kicking off this list of Mathew Barzal’s best goals is his first one on opening night against the rival New York Rangers. Fresh off of signing a three year, $21 million extension, he wanted to make an impact early, and that’s what he did with a brilliant goal. After Cal Clutterbuck picked off a Ranger pass, he sent Barzal going on the left wing side. After picking up some speed, he had one man to beat in Tony DeAngelo heading toward the net. However, he was able to fake him out and wire the puck top shelf on Igor Shesterkin to put the Islanders up 3-0 in the first period.

While the goal didn’t earn an overly large share of the votes, only 67 of the 1,570 votes, it is an obvious highlight for Mathew Barzal and Islanders fans. The obvious thrill was to see Barzal fake out a controversial name in DeAngelo, but doing it on opening night against a hated rival made it even better. While it may not have been the best goal he’s scored, it was a warning to the East Division that he was going to do big things this season.

3. February 11 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Coming up next on this list is another goal that showcased the hands of Mathew Barzal. In February 10’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Casey Cizikas scored a brilliant goal, beating Casey DeSmith while going down on a partial breakaway, Barzal managed to one up Cizikas with a show-stopper of his own. After tracking down a rolling puck on the left-wing side, Barzal entered a one-on-one with defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph. With speed, he managed to go inside out on Joseph and wire the puck upstairs on DeSmith to give the Islanders a 3-2 lead.

The goal, even with a fairly small share of the vote, took home a greater number with 86 votes. While the game may not have ended how the Islanders may have wanted, a 4-3 shootout loss, it was an impressive effort by Barzal. To handle the puck that well at full speed is nothing to scoff at, and it was an great effort in a night of strong offense for both sides. Even though it may have been a “welcome to the NHL” moment for the rookie Joseph, it is still one of the best goals by Mathew Barzal so far, and it takes the third spot on our list.

2. April 1 vs. Washington Capitals

The runner-up on this list is the most recent goal on this list. Facing the Washington Capitals, Barzal enjoyed his most dominating performance of the season, notching three goals and two helpers. While he dazzled on the three goals he scored, scoring on a spin around shot on the second knocking a puck out of midair on the last one, the first one earns the spot on the list. In a barn burner first period that saw six goals, Barzal stole the show with an end-to-end tally. After picking the puck up in his own zone, he cut toward the middle at center ice and kept his feet moving. However, once he got the Capital blue line, he had two defensemen in front of him to beat. However, he faked through Zdeno Chara and Brendan Dillon to find enough room and wired the puck upstairs on Vitek Vanecek to get the goal for New York, giving them the 2-1 lead in an 8-4 win.

While the goal didn’t earn the top spot, it earned a noticeably larger share of the vote with 316 tallies. As is the case with the goals mentioned above, the key to Barzal’s game is a mixture of speed and hands. However, unlike the prior two, he had to beat two defenders to get a clean shot off. The fact that he kept his feet moving to maintain possession and make the shot is very impressive, and it earns the second spot. However, the number one spot shouldn’t come as a surprise.

1. March 6 vs. Buffalo Sabres

Topping off the list of the best goals by Mathew Barzal, by near unanimous decision, is the through-the-legs goal against the Buffalo Sabres. While the Islanders were down 1-0 early in the second, Barzal went all out to get the game even. After Jordan Eberle tipped the puck off the right wing boards, Barzal got on his horse and beat Rasmus Ristolainen to the puck. From there, he broke away from the defender, causing him to fall down, and had a clear lane to cut toward the middle of the ice. However, on his cut directly in front of the net, he put the puck between his legs and past the left pad of Carter Hutton to tie the game. From there, it was all Islanders as they pulled away with a 5-2 win.

As mentioned, the goal ran away with the poll with 1,101 votes in favor of it. The goal has appeared on several platforms as a “Goal of the Year” candidate, and Barzal himself couldn’t believe he did it. Add the reactions of Islanders fans everywhere, and the goal takes the cake for the top goal of the 2021 season for Mathew Barzal.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.