Ranking the Best Overtime Goals From the First Round
Overtime hockey provides some of the most exhilarating moments in sports year after year. This was no different in the early stages of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. There were 15 games decided after regulation in this year’s opening round, leaving behind memories forever cemented in NHL history. The top 5 overtime goals from this years’ first round featured young talent, improbable heroes, and household names.
5. Nick Suzuki vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Two emerging stars in Montreal, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, showcased their creativity in this two-on-none breakaway. Caufield intercepted a pass at the blue line and broke free, leading to some unselfish back-and-forth passing between him and Suzuki. Suzuki buried the point-blank one-timer against Toronto’s Jack Campbell. The goal sparked Montreal’s comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. They won the series in seven games and extended the Leafs’ Stanley Cup drought to 55 years.
LE BUT GAGNANT EN PROLONGATION.
THE OT WINNER.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/9g9lMeWZGX
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 28, 2021
4. Nikolaj Ehlers vs. Edmonton Oilers
This one came in the blink of an eye. Down 4-1 with eight minutes remaining, the Winnipeg Jets were able to mount an incredible comeback to force overtime in Game 3. Immediately off the faceoff, Nikolaj Ehlers sent a blistering wrist shot over the shoulder of Edmonton’s Mike Smith, who didn’t see the puck coming. Winnipeg swept the Oilers with overtime wins in Games 2, 3 and 4.
EHLERS FOR THE OT WINNER!!! #WeAreWPG pic.twitter.com/zybLyaMPfq
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 24, 2021
3. Ryan Lomberg vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
In the first postseason series of the Battle of Florida, an unlikely hero capped off a 6-5 barn burner. With five points in 45 NHL games, Ryan Lomberg was provided a golden opportunity after Frank Vatrano snuck a skillful pass behind Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman. Lomberg found the top corner over Vezina finalist Andrei Vasilevskiy, and became the center of a celebratory mosh pit. However, the Panthers would fall 4-2 in the series against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
RYAN LOMBERG WINS IT IN OT FOR YOUR FLORIDA PANTHERS pic.twitter.com/eg0gg4UrOV
— x – Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 21, 2021
2. Kyle Palmieri vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
As Islanders’ announcer Brendan Burke would say, “Game 1 to the Island!” The Isles’ trade deadline acquisition received a pass from J-G Pageau while breaking towards the net, and found a sliver of space above Penguins’ goaltender Tristan Jarry. Palmieri’s placement on this shot was perfect, and it gave the Islanders a 1-0 series lead. They would go on to send the Penguins home in six games, clinching a series on Nassau Coliseum ice for the first time since 1993.
OT WINNER
OT WINNER
OT WINNER
OT WINNER pic.twitter.com/HpBCCgbSci— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 16, 2021
1. Brad Marchand vs. Washington Capitals
A powerful slapshot just 39 seconds into the extra period was the best of the overtime goals from this year’s First Round. After tying the game with less than three minutes remaining in Game 2, Boston looked to even their series against Washington. Matt Grzelcyk sent a cross-ice pass to Brad Marchand, who ripped a bullet past Craig Anderson from the right faceoff circle. They would win four straight against the Caps, setting them up for a second-round matchup against the Islanders.
Sending us home reaaallll happy.@Bmarch63's overtime winner is tonight's @JagermeisterUSA Shot of the Game!#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/HGKDSl3bYd
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 18, 2021