[GranteedEV]

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.

I third the suspecting it was never a pass bit. we'll never know for sure sure.