We're going to go ahead and assume this is the first time Sergei Kostitsyn has been compared to Gordie Howe by a hockey broadcaster; but he earned it with this one-handed, shorthanded goal in last night's 3-0 win for the Nashville Predators over the Detroit Red Wings:
Having watched this replay a dozen times, it's still hard to tell if it's Kostitsyn lifting the puck over Joey MacDonald or if the goalie's poke-check helps deflect the puck to the top shelf. Freeze it just right, and it looks like Kostitsyn may have gotten the shot off before MacDonald's stab at it.
Regardless, it was a fantastic pass by Ryan Suter and a superb power move by Kostitsyn past Jakub Kindl.
From Preds blogger Dirk Hoag at On The Forecheck:
Simply put, that's one of the best goals I've seen in recent memory. He had Kindl hanging on his back and lifted a backhanded shot up high with only one hand on his stick. Amazing.
Is it a Goal of the Year candidate? There are already a few worthy candidates from 2010 for best goal of the season, but this one's a keeper.