Video Breakdown: A perfect forecheck allows Kevin Hayes to score first NHL goal
Kevin Hayes scored his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks and it came off of a perfect forecheck by the Rangers big top line
I was saving the first Video Breakdown of the 2014-15 season for when either Anthony Duclair or Kevin Hayes scored their first NHL goal, and thanks to Kevin Hayes I won't have to wait any longer to put this together.
If you're unfamiliar with the Video Breakdown, this is where I find a goal the Rangers scored (usually an important or visually appealing goal) and analyze how it went down with fancy screen caps and witty banter. You can see a few examples here, here, and here.
Let's check out the goal, shall we?
A great ending to a great night for the rookie out of Boston College, let's see how it happened.
The play began with a McDonagh chip in at the blue line and as the Sharks defense went to corral the puck, Rick Nash puts pressure on them to ring the puck around the back of the San Jose net. Hayes, being the 2nd forward in the zone reads the play perfectly and goes to meet Brent Burns (#88 in white) to gain control of the puck.
After a bit of a weak turnover by Burns, Hayes picks up the puck along the left wing boards and carries it around the back of the net with 4 Sharks players all trapped around the face off circle, letting the young center around the net unimpeded.
With his initial wraparound attempt stopped by Stalock, Hayes did a great job of following up his rebound and with a mass of humanity swarmed in front and around the Sharks beleaguered goalie, the former BC Eagle placed a perfect wrister over Stalock's shoulder for the goal.
I love this angle because it shows us how great of a screen Kreider set in front of Alex Stalock, also not sure why Mirco Mueller is facing his goalie and not the shooter here.
Here's another look at the video again. I just wish we got another look at the hug Kreider gave Hayes after he scored.
Thoughts, guys?
