Reliving some of Drew O'Connor's best goals as a Penguin

Drew O'Connor's five seasons in Pittsburgh came with a lot of wondering at what his ceiling could be. In 2023-24 he displayed that he was a legitimate candidate to be a perennial 20-goal scorer.

While that potential never came to fruition in Pittsburgh, DOC did have some meaningful goals for the Penguins on several occasions in his five seasons with the team.

Beloved by many for his grittiness and relentless forecheck, let's take an opportunity to look back at some of O'Connor's biggest goals as a Penguin.

DOC's First Career Goal - Oct. 2021

Opportunity was Drew O'Connor's biggest friend. Go to the front of the net and good things happen. This time it came against an old friend's mishap. A quick stick-handle with defenders bearing down on him and DOC was on the board with his first NHL goal.

Power Forward Move vs Lightning - Mar. 2023

This one might be the most impressive individual effort in DOC's career so far, and that's not to say efforts like this are rare with him. In a tie game on the road in a must-win game, O'Connor beat Taylor Raddysh with an incredible power forward move in what ended up in a 5-4 OT win for the Pens.

Short-side Snipe Against Philly - Feb. 2024

This goal always gets me fired up. Huge rivalry game tied up in the 3rd period and DOC goes short-side shelf for the lead. I looked far and wide to find the extended version of this clip but came up empty. It's unfortunate, too, because this was one of the bigger goals of last season.

Shorthanded Goal vs Boston - Apr. 2024

This goal, however, was the biggest at the time. This Penguins/Bruins game was the only hope left for the Penguins in their mad scramble to make the playoffs in 2024. This game took years off my life.

Down a two goals in the third period and a man down, DOC took matters into his own hands. He beat Brad Marchand to come free and then went glove-side on Linus Ullmark to put the Penguins within one.

It was peak hope in this moment, and while the Penguins ultimately fell in this game, I'm willing to say this is the most meaningful goal in Drew O'Connor's five year career to this point.

Shorty to Spark Comeback vs Buffalo - Oct. 2024

Plenty of goals fit this bid for DOC, but this one is the most recent embodiment of what he brings to the team: a spark of energy.

Again shorthanded and down two goals, O'Connor picked his spot and connected in what eventually would be a historic comeback for the Penguins earlier this season. The overtime winner by Sidney Crosby for his first goal of the season likely never happens without DOC's shorty.

Final Stats for DOC in Pittsburgh

In 210 games since 2020, Drew O'Connor notched 30 goals and 36 assists (66 points) with his best season coming last year in 2023-24 with 16 goals and 17 assists.

His penalty killing was one of his best strengths, blocking 121 shots as a forward and using his speed to be a threat in transition.

As DOC moves on to Vancouver, I think Penguins fans will want to see him succeed. I personally do. His talent was teased but never truly realized in Pittsburgh.

Personally, my description of DOC has always been, "He's an incredibly hard worker, an amazing forechecker, and willing to put his body on the line for the team, but his hockey skills just aren't quite there yet."

Perhaps he finds his stride with the Canucks down the stretch this season. He is on the final year of his contract, so whether he remains in Vancouver is yet to be seen. Regardless, we wish DOC the best of luck in his new chapter.

Tell us on Twitter/X what your favorite DOC moment is @PensLabyrinthFS!