You'll take a first NHL goal any way you can get it. For Bruins forward Oskar Steen, that milestone came in bizarre fashion Tuesday night at TD Garden.
With the game tied 1-1 early in the second period, Nick Foligno attempted a backhander from right in front that deflected up onto the top of the net.
Steen, whether through instincts or smarts, reached up and under the crossbar with his stick and whacked the puck off the top of the net, popping it back into play. The puck then proceeded to roll down New Jersey goalie Mackenzie Blackwood's back and into the net.
The refs talked the bizarre play over for a minute, and ultimately ruled that the goal stands. Because Steen hit the puck through the netting from below -- and therefore below the crossbar -- instead of reaching over the top, he technically didn't play it with a high stick.
The 23-year-old Steen was playing in his eighth NHL game Tuesday night, and fifth of this season. He has made a strong case to stay in the lineup even when the Bruins' forward corps gets back to full health, and the creative first NHL goal will only help his case.
Watch the goal here:
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