Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
God damn.
So, I was thinking about this after AC posted the Gaudreau videos: the third goal of his hat-trick in the LA comeback glances off of Doughty's skate on a backhand "pass" (12:26 of the above video). Hrudey calling the replay says that Gaudreau is "looking for his team-mate, but after having watched the play now over and over dozens of times, I am quite convinced that this was an intended bank-shot:
· There is no Flames player anywhere in the vicinity of where Gaudreau places the puck. Hurdler is closest, and Monahan is a little past him on the left side, but Hudler is still several steps behind, and nowhere near where the puck is going.
· Follow Gaudreau's own line of sight. When he shovels the puck back, he is looking at Doughty's skates as it glances off of them.
He is such a special talent, I can't help but conclude that this was just another case of "Johnny doing Johnny things." Given that he never misplaces his line mates nor the puck; given how the play developed and his movement through it, this was all him.
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I thought this too, especially given the intensity of his celebration afterwards. Like, yes, it's his first career hat-trick and it tied the game, but it seemed to be a celebration that included a "I can't believe that actually worked!" element.
Of course, how do you ever convince others that you intended to do something like that? Having said that, if anyone could be convincing in this case, it's Johnny Hockey...