Nashville Predators star Juuso Parssinen made a very late case for NHL goal of the year on Thursday night, as he scored an outrageous overtime winner to see off Minnesota Wild.
The 22-year-old scored a beauty when flicking the puck between his skates before lofting it over Filip Gustavsson in the Wild net, clinching a 4-3 win at Bridgestone Arena. If his goal wasn't cool enough, Parssinen proceeded to barely celebrate, shrugging his shoulders while skating over to his stunned team-mates.
The Predators have just one game remaining of the regular season as they take on Stanley Cup Champions Colorado Avalanche, but their season is already over after missing out on a play-off spot. But Parssinen did provide a piece of magic to end their campaign in style, with fans calling it "goal of the year".
"Goal of the year, easily," one fan wrote on Twitter as Parssinen's goal proceeded to go viral. "It's filthy, it's beautiful," said another as praise rolled in for the youngster.
"This kid is going places he’s amazing omg," one fan predicted after the goal capped off a stunning breakthrough season. "That goal is an awesome example of what is to come in the upcoming years," another added.
Parssinen's move isn't something fans haven't seen before, but to pull it off with such ease and to win the game in overtime is what's earned the respect across the NHL. Sure, the Predators don't have much to lose at this stage with their season already over, but Parssinen is making sure they end their campaign in style.
The season may end on Friday night for the Predators, and all NHL teams that haven't made the play-offs, but they can still have a major say in the Central Division. The Dallas Stars are currently holding onto top spot by a singular point, meaning that the Avalanche can clinch first place with a win over the Predators.
As it stands, the Avalanche will face Minnesota Wild in the first round of the Stanley Cup play-offs, with the Stars facing Seattle Kraken who have advanced as a Wildcard. If the Avalanche beat the Predators though then they will trade places with the Stars who currently occupy top spot.
The Stars and Avalanche are both favourites to advance to the Western Conference finals from their respected division, meaning they'll likely face one another further down the line. But the Avalanche will want to clinch top spot, setting up a tougher test for their rivals.
