Welcome to “My Favorite Goal,” a regular feature from NBC Sports where our writers, personalities and NHL players remember the goals that have meant the most to them. These goals have left a lasting impression and there’s a story behind each one.
Today, Patric Hornqvist of the Penguins remembers his Stanley Cup-winning goal during the 2017 Final against his old team.
A win was all the Penguins needed to become back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. Up 3-2 in their series with the Predators, Game 6 saw no goals scored through the first 58 minutes of the game. With 95 seconds left Patric Hornqvist, who was selected by Nashville with the very last pick (No. 230) of the 2005 NHL Draft, put home a rebound to break the 0-0 tie.
Fellow Swede Carl Hagelin would score an empty-net goal to seal the victory and the title for the Penguins and as the clock counted down emotions took over Hornqvist as he waited on the bench.
“That’s what you dream about when you go to bed, or what you think about when you go to bed,” Hornqvist said. “You’re wishing to score one of those goals that end up being the game-winner. That’s the one.”
PREVIOUSLY ON MY FAVORITE GOAL
• Darren McCarty shows off goal-scoring hands during 1997 Cup Final
• Alex Ovechkin scores ‘The Goal’ as a rookie
• Marek Malik’s stunning shootout winner
• Paul Henderson scores for Canada
• Mario Lemieux’s end-to-end masterpiece; Hextall scores again
• Tomas Hertl goes between-the-legs
• Chabot, Nylander remember Matthews’ four-goal night