We’ve already had some incredible moments early on in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, from back-breaking overtime goals to spirited bouts. What Zach Parise did to the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, however, may top them all on the ridiculousness scale.
During the Minnesota Wild’s first period of Game 7 against the Golden Knights in the opening round, Parise got his team on the board with this incredibly skilled, between-the-legs goal to tie things at 1-1 with three minutes remaining. Not only was Parise’s tally an actual shot from between his legs, not a tap-in, he was also facing away from the net as he shot the puck in past Marc-Andre Fleury, completely no-looking the shot all the way to the back of the net.
It’s a stunning goal, one that put the Golden Knights on the back foot to end the first period.
ZACH PARISE! 🚨
The @mnwild with the equalizer late in period one. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/z5RUwVcJPq
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) May 29, 2021
And here are some more replays that do Parise’s goal justice as to how bonkers it was in real time.
Zach Parise no look, backwards, between the legs goal. Damn. 😳 pic.twitter.com/dCcdWq0Hxu
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) May 29, 2021
THIS ANGLE IS EVERYTHING. pic.twitter.com/qbvHyMmiUW
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) May 29, 2021
Fleury had no chance to stop that one, as Parise was able to quickly snap that shot home before the netminder had any idea what was going on. The Vegas defense, however, has to be kicking themselves for letting Parise behind them with so much room to work from the crease uncontested.
Just a wonderful showcase of skill by Parise here to even things up for the Wild in a do-or-die elimination game.
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