
The opening week of the National Hockey League (NHL) was as entertaining as ever, after videos of a hilarious mistake and a majestic solo run went viral.
The excitement never stops at the 102nd season of the National Hockey League (NHL).
For six months starting October, 31 teams from Canada and the United States will compete on the ice to reach the playoffs, after which only 16 will remain with a chance to lift the Stanley Cup.
During that time, fans can expect no shortage of electrifying moments at the rink from the occasional brawls to memorable goals. In fact, two of these buzzworthy goals scored last weekend circulated in social media for hours.
Mistake Gifts Debutant Easy Goal
Vorobyev is such a talent.
Look at how he was able to force both the defender and the goalie of their skates to bury his 1st career goal ? pic.twitter.com/rwO34s8Tar
— Jeremy Lyons (@JerLyons) October 7, 2018
What better way to score a debut goal than to send the puck into an empty net after a comical error?
That was how the Philadelphia Flyers’ Mikhail Vorobyev celebrated his first-ever outing in the NHL. Early into the second period at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly, the puck slid into the side of Colorado Avalanche.
In what was supposed to be a routine freeze by Avs goaltender Semyon Varlamov, defenceman Mark Barberio inexplicably crashed onto his teammates.
Both Varlamov and Barberio lost their balance, while Vorobyev faced an empty cage with the loose puck within range of his stick.
Mikhail Vorobyev holding up his first NHL goal. Congrats on #1 and hopefully many more. pic.twitter.com/82JAufBga5
— John Boruk (@johnborukNBCS) October 7, 2018
Congratulations to Mikhail Vorobyev of Philadelphia Flyers on 1st NHL goal! #AreYouGoldStar ? pic.twitter.com/iYRJHx20rn
— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) October 7, 2018
He scored to bring the Flyers level with the Avs. However, the hilarious goal was not enough as Vorobyev and the Flyers lost the match 2-5.
Solo Run Results in Game Opener
Just here to tell you that Viktor Arvidsson is absolutely disgusting.
That is all. #NHLFaceoff pic.twitter.com/oVc0ms2yn5
— NHL (@NHL) October 6, 2018
On the other end of the spectrum, a wonderful solo goal left fans—both those watching at the Barclays Arena in New York and those online—with their mouths agape.
Viktor Arvidsson opened the scoring for Nashville Predators in their 4-3 win over New York Islanders when he single-handedly beat a defender on his way to the goal.
Seconds after receiving possession at the left side of the rink, the Predators forward teased Islanders’ Ryan Pulock with the puck. Arvidsson then sent the puck behind him and then between his legs—completely breaking free from Pulock’s defense—before sending it through the legs of the goaltender for a goal.
“I tried to look like I was passing and went through my legs with it.” – Viktor Arvidsson with @LyndsayRowley in the first intermission after his highlight reel goal. #Preds pic.twitter.com/8kJ8R8nVRk
— Nashville Preds PR (@PredsPR) October 6, 2018
Look familiar?
Well, that's because Viktor Arvidsson has a habit of doing this. #NHLFaceoff pic.twitter.com/lMBLvBqJjC
— NHL (@NHL) October 7, 2018
Fans expecting more spectacular moments from Vorobyev and Arvidsson can catch both players’ games on Tuesday, October 9. Vorobyev and the Philadelphia Flyers will welcome the San Jose Sharks while Arvidsson and the Nashville Predators will defend their home from the Calgary Flames.
Meanwhile, interested bettors can visit US-friendly online sportsbooks like BetOnline.ag and Bovada to place wagers on both games, as well as other matches in the 2018-2019 NHL season.