Toronto Maple Leafs: James van Riemsdyk’s Top Goals

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.