Toronto Maple Leafs: James van Riemsdyk’s Top Goals
Toronto Maple Leafs James van Riemsdyk has scored enough beauties to get his own top goals article.
Now, it’s time for some veterans to get some love. James van Riemsdyk has scored a lot of goals this season, 20 to be exact. He’s piling them up and is also managing to net some gems in the process.
We’ve seen and graded The Triple Trifecta in regards to their top goals speaking of Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, and William Nylander. We even compiled a list out of their top 15 goals and ranked them. Goaltender Frederik Anderson has had a Top Saves article featured also.
I’m just going to say this here in order to not repeat myself countless times throughout this article. van Riemsdyk is the single greatest NHL player in close quarters with the puck. He’s amazing with it in and around the net. That being said, let’s count down to his best goal of the season.
5. v. Detroit Red Wings
At first glance, this goal seems harmless. I’m pretty sure that’s what James van Riemsdyk wants us to think. Watch it again. He’s in tight on Petr Mrazek’s right side. The puck is almost on the goal line when he shoots it in.
He’s just so good from that area. At a very sharp angle, he lifts is onto Mrazek’s arm via the backhand and it trickles in. I’m not sure how someone can score a goal when his feet are behind the goal line on the backhand.
I guess van Riemsdyk knows. It’s almost like he just chipped it over and in, making it look so easy. Like I said, harmless at first glance.
4. v. Washington Capitals
I’m not a fan of watching goals from the ref cam angle but, it’s the best I could do. At the very least, it gives us a different point of view on the goal. Although, it’s quite shaky. Back to the goal.
Notice James van Riemsdyk in front of the net. Eyes are front, observing the play in a meticulous fashion to get in the right position. He doesn’t battle for space, instead just sneaks away to be in his spot in and alone beside Braden Holtby.
van Riemsdyk gets the puck on his stick facing Nikita Soshnikov, meaning he doesn’t have an angle to take a good shot. Without haste, he dishes it to Shosh and he puts it on the net. van Riemsdyk sees the rebound and gathers the loose puck. He gets it up in a hurry from another tight angle for a goal.
Might look like an easy empty netter but, it’s the play in its entirety that makes this one special. He does everything right and is rewarded with a goal in the end.
Some players would miss that opportunity to tuck it in because of how fast the play is moving, not to mention how close they would be in on the net. Not this guy.
3. v. Florida Panthers
Poor Dylan Mcllrath. That’s not helping his career to take off. Bag skate kid. In all seriousness, van Riemsdyk excels at stickwork. He challenges Mcllrath, limiting his space and availability to turn away from the offensive pressure. That leads him to a rushed pass right to van Riemsdyk’s stick who now has a breakaway.
That leads him to a rushed pass right to van Riemsdyk’s stick who now has a partial breakaway.
Mike Babcock stresses that he wants his players sticks to block lanes when they don’t have the puck. I guess James van Riemsdyk paid attention. He doesn’t waste any time from gaining possession to having his name inked on the scoresheet, unloading the shot on a former teammate, James Reimer.
2. v. Boston Bruins
In most cases, when a player is all alone with the opposition’s goalie, it’s because they got hit and are still getting things gathered. This leads them to be behind the play. However, in this particular clip, we see van Riemsdyk rewarded with a goal. A nifty one at that.
All alone in front of Tuukka Rask, he receives the pass with all sorts of time – it kind of reminds me of P.K. Subban’s goal when he came straight from the penalty box and wrapped around the net. van Riemsdyk makes no mistake here.
Slowing down the play and a couple of head fakes later, the pucks in the back of the net. It’s very hard for goalies to track and stop a backhander, even one that’s just slapped in along the ice. Realizing that, van Riemsdyk opts for a simple slide.
1. v. Buffalo Sabres
I can’t remember, did I say that van Riemsdyk is the best player in the NHL in and around the net this close? Yes, I did. No need to reiterate that then. Here it is, a prime example of my point.
He scores this goal from standing at an almost impossible angle right beside the net, where he most of the time stands. The puck comes to him and instead of overreacting or trying to make a rushed play, he does something very few players can do.
He calms things down enough to get the puck where he wants it and roofs it over Anders Nilsson’s shoulder. Pretty much from two feet out. Just incredible that he could beat a goalie in that tight.
It even took him a couple seconds to realize he scored. Just pure unadulterated filth if you ask me.
Bonus
Bonus round. Settle in, this one’s pretty nasty. Streaking down the right wing, James van Riemsdyk pulls it through his legs to get passed the initial defender. A classic move that few try anymore with success.
He gathers the puck and attempts a wrap around. Too bad it didn’t go in. Had it been a goal, this would have contested for his best of the season. In the end, I think it would have been his second best, knocking out the goal he scored against the Red Wings.
James van Riemsdyk is a special player, I’m happy he’s a Leaf. Although, a lot could change if the Leafs get the right kind of offer for him in the near future. Time will tell my friends.