Prior to the beginning of the 2013-14 NHL season, the league decided to make the nets smaller from front to back. This has been driving goalies nuts all season log, since the move has made it easier for players to circle the net and shove in wrap-around goals, paving the way for flashbacks to vintage EA Sports NHL ’94-type goals. Detroit Red Wngs forward Tomas Tatar had one such goal the other night against the Boston Bruins.
Tatar, who is in his first full season with the big club, has been a pleasant surprise for the Wings. His offensive skills and gritty playing style have proved impactful for the team, providing strong scoring depth on the team’s third line with occasional power play time. He currently has three goals and five assists in 18 games with the Wings this season.
His third goal of the year came on Wednesday night when the Red Wings handed the Bruins a 6-1 loss. Picking up a pass from Brendan Smith near the red line, Tatar makes a nifty move around Chris Kelly and continues to carry the puck down the right wing where he stumbles near the faceoff circle. Without losing the puck, Tatar picks himself back up and circles the net uncontested before stuffing a wrap-around shot past Tuukka Rask for the game-winning goal.
Outside of Kelly at center ice, Tatar moves into the offensive zone widely uncontested, with defenseman Matt Bartkowski giving Tatar plenty of room to move around the net. You can see forward Reilly Smith moving toward Tatar to stop the wrap-around attempt, but it’s too little too late for the Bruins, who looked a step behind the Wings for most of the game. Check out video below of Tatar’s goal.
