10 best NHL Stanley Cup Playoff overtime goals of the 2010s

PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 02: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores a goal against Antti Niemi #31 of the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime to win the game 4-3 in Game Three of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Wachovia Center on June 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 01: Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals reacts as Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins lets in a shot from John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 1, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Washington defeated Pittsburgh 4-3. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Evgeny Kuznetsov;Matt Murray /

3. Evgeny Kuznetsov – 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 6

In the 2018 Eastern Conference semis, the two top dogs of the Metropolitan met for the fourth time in ten postseasons.

To this point, the Pittsburgh Penguins had owned the Washington Capitals in the playoffs, winning the previous three series. This time would be different. With the Penguins looking to push the series to seven games, the Capitals overcame their arch rival in overtime, propelling them to their first conference final appearance since 1998.

After the Caps broke up a Penguins zone entry, Alex Ovechkin took the loose puck and forced it ahead to Evgeny Kuznetsov. The young Russian center quickly accelerated past the Penguins defenders and skated in alone on Matt Murray. With just a subtle move to the forehand, Kuznetsov slid the puck through Murray and broke into his bird dance.

Kuznetsov’s goal allowed the Caps get over the proverbial second round hump, a mountain they had been unable to climb to that point in the Ovechkin era. From there, the Caps defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference final and then topped the Vegas Golden Knights to capture their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Without Kuznetsov’s breakaway dangle, the hockey world never would have gotten the summer of Ovechkin.

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