Phil Kessel is an elite winger for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he has contributed a lot to this team this last season.
Pittsburgh Penguins /
Pittsburgh Penguins
Although he may have only put up 23 goals last season, his lowest goal total in a full season since 2007-08, Kessel has sniped many important goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins. A lot of the goals he scored were actually quite marvellous.
Here’s my personal choices for his top five goals of the 2016-17 season.
5) December 3, 2016 Vs. Detroit Red Wings (second of the game)
Phill the thrill starts off the list with a beautiful positional play. He parks himself perfectly next to Detroit’s net and one-times a cross creaser perfectly. I just love watching this play over and over.
4) December 3, 2016 Vs. Detroit Red Wings (first of the game)
Kessel comes off the bench and never leaves sight of the puck. Immediately he’s past the blue line and the Penguins have a 2-on-1. Kessel receives the pass from Malkin and tips it in flawlessly. Overall just a beautiful play to rewatch.
3) November 23, 2016 Vs. New York Rangers
Kessel’s speed is just amazing here as he cuts into the offensive zone. We all know his shot is deadly and he shows it off here. He rips the puck right past Henrik Lundqvist who’s left wondering what happened.
2) January 26, 2017 Vs. Boston Bruins
Kessel’s positioning is perfect here. As he makes room at the faceoff dot on the powerplay, he receives the pass from Sidney Crosby flawlessly.
His accuracy on the one-timer is what really grabs your attention. With an open net he made no mistake putting that one up. Great goal.
1) December 31, 2016 Vs. Montreal Canadiens
And the number one goal on my list is this beauty right here.
What’s not to love about this goal?
Kessel’s shot is one thing, but here he shows that he’s got moves on the breakaway too. His speed as he breaks out and the way he carries the puck around Ryan Johnston so easily shows just how dangerous he is.
The deke and the backhand shot is amazing to begin with, but may I add that he scored this goal on Carey Price? All in all this was a beauty of a goal and my favourite from this season.
