Zegras comments on highlight reel assist

On Tuesday night, Anaheim Ducks forward had one of the most unique assists the hockey world has seen at the NHL level in a game versus the Buffalo Sabres.

Since being drafted ninth overall in 2019, everyone has been well aware of the skill Zegras possesses, and that was on full display against the Sabres. In the second period, the 20-year-old grabbed the puck behind the net and picked it up on his stick. At first, it appeared he was about to attempt a lacrosse style goal, but he instead flipped it over the net perfectly for teammate Sonny Milano, who was able to bat the puck in out of midair to put his team up 1-0. Zegras' reaction immediately after said just how special the goal was, and he still appeared to be in shock when speaking with media postgame.

"I still can't believe it worked," Zegras told reporters. "I've tried it a couple times and haven't even come close."

"For him to whack it out of the air and keep it under the crossbar, it's pretty incredible."

While it was an incredible effort, there are some old school hockey mindsets who probably didn't enjoy the fancy and risky play from Zegras. Thankfully, his head coach in Dallas Eakins is not one of those types.

"It's who he is," Eakins said. "He's highly creative. He believes he can do anything with the puck. You're seeing it right across hockey. We're seeing these plays from behind the net because they can do it. The generation when I played, there wasn't a chance any of us could do it."

"I think it's great for the sport. We're in the entertainment business. That was a really special goal."

The goal from Milano stood as the game winner for the Ducks, who went on to take it by a final of 2-0. The assist continues a recent surge from Zegras, who is now up to 22 points in 25 games and has inserted himself into the Calder Trophy race.

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