Jesperi Kotkaniemi snipes first NHL goal
Jesperi Kotkaniemi finally has his first goal in the NHL.
The speedy 18-year-old forward got on the board with a great snipe against the Washington Capitals.
The Finnish prospect had picked up four assists in his first 11 games, but failed to find the back of the net.
Kotkaniemi unleashed a perfect shot over the shoulder of Braden Holtby to open the scoring in Montreal:
Taking the puck with authority. Now that's how you grab your first NHL goal, @taikinajalka. #NHLFirsts #WSHvsMTL https://t.co/3TWRVHK3V2
— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2018
It was a lethal snipe from Kotkaniemi, who beat one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. The youngster had been credited with 17 shots on goal entering play Thursday — and finally made one count.
Selected by the Canadiens with the No. 3 pick of the 2018 NHL Draft, Kotkaniemi recently made history when he became the first athlete born in 2000s to play in a North American major pro league.
The Montreal forward has impressed with his speed and skill in the early-goings of the 2018-19 NHL season, and you knew it wouldn’t be long before he potted his first.
What a great first career goal by Kotkaniemi. Can’t draw it up much better than that.