With the 2024 year coming to an end, it is a time of reminiscing over the year that was. It was certainly a memorable one for the Edmonton Oilers, making it to within one win of the Stanley Cup.
With that many games, and the star power the Oilers have, the team has not been lacking in goals, especially highlight reel ones.
But which was the best goal of the year? We asked Oil Country for your thoughts.
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Evan Bouchard versus Ottawa Senators
With 40% of votes, the winner is not one of Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid’s as one would have expected. Rather, it was Evan Bouchard doing what could only be described as his impression of one of those players.
Bouchard rushed the puck up the neutral zone, blowing past one Ottawa Senator before undressing another with a filthy toe drag that made the defender fall down, and then finishing it off with a great flick shot over the goalie’s glove hand. The fact that the goalie did not move for about three seconds after the puck went in shows even he wasn’t sure what just happened.
Generally, when one thinks of a Bouchard goal, it’s a slap shot from the point, or maybe a sneaky wrister. But silky mitts Bouchard would be a welcome addition to his repertoire
Connor McDavid versus Dallas Stars
In a very close second place is what was arguably the biggest goal of the 2023–24 season, being McDavid’s goal to open the scoring in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final. That led the Oilers to a win they probably didn’t deserve, pushing them into the team’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 2006.
It’s not just the situation that makes this a candidate for goal of the year though. Even in a vacuum this could be considered one of McDavid’s best goals of his career. After a quick weight shift to leave one defender in the dust, McDavid then toe drags around one of the best defencemen in the game in Miro Heiskenen, finishing it off with a slick backhand shot past one of the best goalies in Jake Oettinger.
Leon Draisaitl versus Minnesota Wild
Like Bouchard, this goal isn’t exactly the typical Leon Draisaitl score. But it is for that reason that it was one of the options.
After receiving a pass and loading up to shoot it in his usual Draisaitl fashion, the puck bounced up looking to be a whiff of an opportunity. Instead, Draisaitl had the wherewithal to then bat the airborne puck with his backhand into the net. The motion was so smooth that you have to watch it on the replay to see that he actually did that.
Was it by accident? Was it just reflex or instinct? Who knows, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive.
Jeff Skinner versus Calgary Flames
Coming in last place with only a few votes is Jeff Skinner’s goal against the Calgary Flames, his second time scoring in a Battle of Alberta game in just his first month as an Oiler.
While I can understand why some might choose the other three, I don’t think this goal is worthy of so little votes.
The stickhandling in a phone booth is impressive here, including twisting his body around the goalie from behind the goal line to tuck the puck in. Sure, it wasn’t one fluid motion and was a bit more a tap in, but it still doesn’t take away from the amount of skill required to finish this play off. Put some respect on it.
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Are there any other contenders that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
