Clinging to a one goal lead late in the third period in Tampa Bay, Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry had the puck come right to his stick.
Without hesitating, Jarry took a chance, firing the puck all the way down the ice, as so many other Pittsburgh goaltenders have done before him.
But, unlike anyone who dawned those extra pads and mask for the Penguins, Jarry’s shot down the ice slid into the opposing net.
With Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy on the bench for the extra attacker, Tampa was sporting an empty net in the hopes of tying the game 3-3 and sending it to overtime.
Instead, much to their shock, Jarry sealed the game for Pittsburgh, scoring the first goal of his NHL career to make it a 4-2 score for the Penguins.
Jarry does have an American Hockey League goal under his belt, but never one at the NHL level prior to tonight.
Jarry’s teammates on the mobbed him to celebrate as Penguins fans down in Tampa went wild.
“It’s pretty neat, honestly,” Jarry said after the game. “It’s something that doesn’t happen often. There are very few that have done it. It’s something that’s definitely pretty cool, but honestly, the win means more.”
Sidney Crosby was very impressed by Jarry’s goal. “It’s cool. I mean, to be a part of that – you know, you see it happen, but I’ve never seen it live and been a part of it. I’m really happy for him. It’s pretty cool to see.”
His goal overshadows a dominant performance in the net against the Lightning. Jarry saved 39 of 41 shots he faced for a .951 save percentage. He routinely shut down Tampa Bay’s attack up front, and recovered from a semi-shaky first period to lock things down the rest of the way.
(Featured photo via the Pittsburgh Penguins)
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