Well, Vancouver Canucks fans didn’t have to wait long for the organization’s top prospect to get on the scoresheet as he scored his first National Hockey League goal just 2:40 into their game Thursday night against the New York Islanders.
After coming over the boards, Lekkerimäki heads to the defensive zone to help defend Islander forwards Bo Horvat and Oliver Wahlström. Once Quinn Hughes steals the puck, he tips it over to Filip Hronek, and it’s go time for Lekkerimäki as he picks up speed and heads up the ice.
Hronek sends a quick pass to J.T. Miller, who has a lot of room in front of him to skate. Through the neutral zone, Miller favours the right side, drawing both defenders to him. This gives Lekkerimäki so much space to wind up for a quick snapshot that he fires the puck past Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov for his first in the NHL on the first shift of his second game.
The 20-year-old has had a week of firsts. On Tuesday, he played in his first NHL game against the Calgary Flames. He failed to find the scoresheet but registered two shots on goal in 14:07 minutes of ice time. But what was most impressive was he didn’t look out of place playing on a line with Miller and Pius Suter.
Want a visual, more in-depth analysis of Lekkerimäki’s NHL debut? Watch our YouTube video below.
Lekkerimäki suited up in three pre-season games with the Canucks, scoring one goal and two assists, registering seven shots on goal. Although he didn’t make the opening night roster, he tore up the AHL with the club’s affiliate Abbotsford Canucks. There, he scored five goals and two assists while registering 39 shots on goal, averaging 5.6 shots per game.
With no timetable for Brock Boeser’s return, the Canucks might need to keep Lekkerimäki up in Vancouver until he returns – especially if he’s going to score goals like this one. If he impresses during this stint, get used to the sniper scoring goals like these, Canucks fans.
Congratulations to the rook on his first – hopefully of many – NHL goal.