Watch: Devils’ Kyle Palmieri scores on ricochet off Braden Holtby
When approaching the goal line, most players will pass the puck or take it around the net for a wraparound shot—but not Kyle Palmieri.
In the final minute of the first period against the Washington Capitals on Saturday night, the New Jersey Devils right winger took the puck hard to the corner after picking it up from teammate Reid Boucher. His speed carried him right up to the goal line, where he turned and banked the shot off Capitals goalie Braden Holtby’s back for the second Devils goal of the night.
It was Palmieri’s 22nd goal of the season and it gave the Devils a 2–1 lead, but Washington went on to win 4–3.
New Jersey entered Saturday at 29–23–7 and just one point behind the Penguins for a wild-card spot. The Capitals entered sitting comfortably in first in the Metropolitan Division and league in general with a record of 42–10–4.
– Cait Platt