Shots, snipes, dangles, the NHL has seen its fair share of snipers over the years. There have been some great goals in the history of the game. With today’s technology, there have been goals scored that we have never witnessed before. Dating back to the NHL’s first season in 1917-18, the very first goal in NHL history was scored by Dave Ritchie of the Montreal Wanderers on December 19, 1917, just one minute into the game versus the Toronto Arenas. The Wandrers would go on to win the game 10-9, with nineteen, yes nineteen goals scored in the first official NHL game.

Ask an AI model like Google’s Gemini about how many goals have ever been scored I the National Hockey League and you will get something like this:

“Based on official records and league-wide scoring averages as of early 2026, the total number of goals scored in NHL regular-season history is approximately 415,000 to 420,000.”

That’s a lot of goals. The total is heavily weighted toward the modern era. In the “Original Six” days, teams played fewer games and scoring was lower.

• 1917–1918: In the very first NHL season, only 274 goals were scored in total.
• 1980s: This was the “Golden Era” of scoring. In the 1983-84 season alone, the Edmonton Oilers set a team record by scoring 446 goals in a single year.

The NHL’s first super scorer was Phantom Joe Malone of the Montreal Canadiens. Malone scored a lot of goals in his day and still holds the record for most goals scored in one game with seven, when as a member of the Quebec Bulldogs versus the Toronto St. Patricks on January 31, 1920, Malone netted seven goals in a 10-6 Bulldogs win. (See the scoring summary at Hockey Reference)

Shots, snipes, dangles, the NHL has seen its fair share of snipers over the years. There have been some great goals in the history of the game. With today’s technology, there have been goals scored that we have never witnessed before. Dating back to the NHL’s first season in 1917-18, the very first goal in NHL history was scored by Dave Ritchie of the Montreal Wanderers on December 19, 1917, just one minute into the game versus the Toronto Arenas. The Wanderers would go on to win the game 10-9, with nineteen, yes nineteen goals scored in the first official NHL game.

Ask an AI model like Google’s Gemini about how many goals have ever been scored I the National Hockey League and you will get something like this:

“Based on official records and league-wide scoring averages as of early 2026, the total number of goals scored in NHL regular-season history is approximately 415,000 to 420,000.”

That’s a lot of goals. The total is heavily weighted toward the modern era. In the “Original Six” days, teams played fewer games and scoring was lower.

• 1917–1918: In the very first NHL season, only 274 goals were scored in total.
• 1980s: This was the “Golden Era” of scoring. In the 1983-84 season alone, the Edmonton Oilers set a team record by scoring 446 goals in a single year.

The NHL’s first super scorer was Phantom Joe Malone of the Montreal Canadiens. Malone scored a lot of goals in his day and still holds the record for most goals scored in one game with seven, when as a member of the Quebec Bulldogs versus the Toronto St. Patricks on January 31, 1920, Malone netted seven goals in a 10-6 Bulldogs win. (See the scoring summary at Hockey Reference)

Of course with list such as this, and with so many great goals having been scored in the NHL over the years, it becomes challenging to pick the greatest goals of all time. So we simplified the criteria for inclusion:

• how memorable was the goal?
• how important was the goal in the history of the NHL?
• how much impact did the goal (or goals) have on the NHL game?
• how much is the goal talked about in NHL folklore?

One caveat is that these goals are what The Hockey Fanatic feels are the greatest goals ever scored in the National Hockey League. that is an important statement as this list does not include goals from International play. Let’s get into the list shall we?

NHL’s Top 50 Goals of All-Time

Kicking it off is a more recent goal from a couple of west-coast teams. While we are not going to include all available clips here, you can find a number of these goals on YouTube or at NHL.com.

#50. Kevin Labanc (San Jose) vs. Marc-Andre Fleury (Vegas) – Apr 23, 2019: The fourth goal in the historic 4-goal power play in Game 7. In Game 7 of the First Round, the San Jose Sharks were down 3-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights with only 10 minutes left in the game. After a controversial five-minute major penalty was assessed to Vegas’s Cody Eakin, Labanc didn’t just score a goal—he became the first player in NHL history to record four points in a single period of a Game 7. Labanc was the engine of the Sharks’ comeback. During that single five-minute power play, San Jose scored four times in just 4:01, and Labanc had a hand in every single one of them. To cap it off, Labanc took a pass from Timo Meier, stepped into the high slot, and unleashed a perfect wrist shot that beat Marc-Andre Fleury. In a span of four minutes, the Sharks had gone from “dead and buried” to leading the game. The Sharks eventually won the game 5-4 in overtime. While Labanc’s goal wasn’t the “game-winner” (that belonged to Barclay Goodrow), his four-point outburst is widely considered the greatest “relief” performance in playoff history.

#49. Alex Ovechkin (Washington) vs. Adin Hill (Vegas) – June 7, 2018: His first and only Stanley Cup Final goal. The game’s greatest goal scorer has only scored a single goal in the SCFs.

#48. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh) vs. Pete Peeters (Boston) – Oct 11, 1984: Scored on his very first NHL shift. Wasting no time announcing his arrival in the NHL, Lemieux scored a goal on his first shot, on his first shift, in his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Though the Penguins lost the game 4–3, Lemieux finished his rookie season with 100 points and the Calder Trophy.

#47. Bobby Hull (Chicago) vs. Hank Bassen (Detroit) – Apr 16, 1961: The 1961 Stanley Cup Clincher; Hull was a driving force behind the Blackhawks’ first championship in 23 years. In the final game of the series against Detroit, he scored a pivotal goal that helped seal the Cup for Chicago.

#46. Jeremy Roenick (Philadelphia) vs. Ed Belfour (Toronto) – May 4, 2004: OT winner to send the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Final. In Game 6 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Flyers traveled to the Air Canada Centre looking to close out the series. The game went into overtime tied 2-2, setting the stage for Jeremy Roenick to play the role of the ultimate villain. At 7:39 of the first overtime, the play developed with incredible speed when Tony amonte spotted the trailing Roenick. Roenick didn’t hesitate. He caught the pass and, in one fluid motion, snapped a wicked wrist shot to beat Toronto tender Ed Belfour. Roenick was never one for subtle celebrations. After the puck hit the net, he famously skated toward the corner, sliding on his knees and mimicking a “heartbeat” or “shaking” motion with his hands, soaking in the stunned silence of the Toronto crowd. Roenick’s goal was pure “clutch” factor—no deflections, no controversies, just a world-class shooter beating a world-class goalie.

#45. Paul Kariya (Anaheim) vs. Martin Brodeur (New Jersey) – June 7, 2003: “Off the floor, on the board!” After being leveled by Scott Stevens. This is arguably the most “cinematic” goal in NHL history. It wasn’t just a goal; it was a display of sheer, terrifying resilience. In the world of sports, it is simply known as the “Off the Floor, On the Board” moment. In Game 6 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks were facing elimination against the New Jersey Devils. Midway through the second period, Paul Kariya was crossing the red line when he was leveled by a monstrous, late hit from Devils captain Scott Stevens. Kariya was knocked unconscious before he hit the ice. For several minutes, the arena was silent. He eventually regained consciousness—famously fogging up his visor with a sharp breath—and was helped to the locker room. Most assumed his season, and possibly his career, was over. In an era before modern concussion protocols, Kariya returned to the bench just eleven minutes later. At 17:15 of the second period, he authored a moment that felt scripted for Hollywood: Petr Sykora led the rush into the Devils’ zone and dropped the puck back to Kariya at the top of the left circle. Kariya didn’t look like a man who had been unconscious ten minutes prior. He leaned into a heavy slap shot with perfect technique. The puck screamed past legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur, ringing off the back iron of the net. Gary Thorne’s iconic commentary cemented the legacy: “Off the floor, on the board! Paul Kariya!”

#44. Pavel Bure (Vancouver) vs. Sean Burke (Hartford) – Oct 12, 1992: A soccer-style kick to his stick while at full speed.

#43. Alec Martinez (LA Kings) vs. Henrik Lundqvist (NY Rangers) – June 13, 2014: Double-OT winner to clinch the Cup. Alec Martinez’s goal on June 13, 2014, was about “the moment.” It is known simply as the “Jazz Hands” goal, and it ended the longest game in Los Angeles Kings history to secure their second Stanley Cup in three years. At 14:43 of the second overtime, the Rangers were caught deep in the Kings’ zone. Los Angeles transitioned the puck with clinical precision. Kyle Clifford carried the puck up the left wing and dropped it to Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli fired a hard, low shot from the right circle. Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who had been spectacular all night making 48 saves, kicked the rebound out to his right. Martinez settled the rebound and snapped a quick shot into the open side of the net before Lundqvist could slide across. The goal itself was dramatic, but the celebration became a meme. As the puck hit the net, Martinez let out a look of pure shock, threw his arms up, and shook his hands in a frantic, “jazz hands” motion before being tackled by his teammates.

#42. Esa Tikkanen (Edmonton) vs. Mike Vernon (Calgary) – Apr 16, 1991: Game 7 OT winner in the Battle of Alberta. If there was ever a goal that defined the “Battle of Alberta,” it was Esa Tikkanen’s hat-trick clincher in Game 7 of the 1991 Smythe Division Semifinals. It remains one of the most heartbreaking moments in Calgary Flames history and one of the most iconic for the Oilers. At 6:58 of the first overtime period, the game ended on a play that combined luck, persistence, and Tikkanen’s unique brand of chaos. Tikkanen picked up the puck in the neutral zone and crossed the Flames’ blue line on the right wing. From about 30 feet out, Tikkanen let a backhand shot fly. It wasn’t a rocket, but it had a strange, wobbling trajectory. The puck struck the skate of Flames defenseman Ric Nattress, completely changing direction. Calgary goaltender Mike Vernon, who had already committed to the initial shot path, was left stranded. The puck fluttered over his shoulder and into the top corner of the net.

#41. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh) vs. Jon Casey (Minnesota) – May 23, 1991: Split the defense in the Cup Finals for a legendary solo goal.

#40. Darren McCarty (Detroit) vs. Ron Hextall (Philadelphia) – June 7, 1997: A beautiful individual effort to clinch Detroit’s first Cup in 42 years. Darren McCarty’s goal in Game 4 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals is the ultimate “unlikely hero” story, and for Red Wings fans, it signaled the end of a 42-year championship drought. With Detroit leading 1-0 in the second period and looking to sweep the Flyers, McCarty picked up the puck at center ice and began a solo rush that no one saw coming. McCarty crossed the blue line and faced Flyers defenseman Janne Niinimaa. Instead of dumping the puck or trying to power through him, McCarty pulled a brilliant inside-out move, turnstile-ing Niinimaa and leaving him flat-footed. Now one-on-one with goalie Ron Hextall, McCarty didn’t panic. He faked a shot, causing Hextall to commit early and go down. With Hextall out of position, McCarty coolly pulled the puck to his forehand, skated around the sprawled goalie, and tucked it into the open net. The Joe Louis Arena erupted because the goal was so out of character for McCarty. It wasn’t just a goal; it was the Stanley Cup-clinching goal (Detroit won the game 2-1). “I still don’t know where those moves came from. I think I used up every ounce of skill I had in my body on that one play.” — Darren McCarty

#39. Connor McDavid (Edmonton) vs. Joonas Korpisalo (Columbus) – Feb 2, 2016: The “Welcome Back” goal. 1-on-3 inside-out move after injury. This was McDavid’s first game back after missing 37 games with a broken collarbone. He didn’t just return; he announced his arrival as the league’s new “Apex Predator” with this goal. Midway through the second period at Rexall Place, with the score tied 1-1, McDavid took the puck at center ice and turned a standard 1-on-2 into a defensive nightmare. With his acceleration, he picked up the puck with speed, crossing the Columbus blue line. He faced two Blue Jackets defenders: Justin Falk and Jack Johnson, instead of dumping the puck or passing, McDavid used his signature “crossover speed” to shift his weight. He dipped his shoulder, froze the defenders for a split second, and then sliced directly between them. He pulled the puck to his forehand, then backhand, and tucked it into the net. This goal is always part of any Connor McDavid highlight package. Connor McDavid has scored so many great goals that this one only made number three on our list of Connor McDavid’s Top Goals Thus far list from 2022.

#38. Yvan Cournoyer (Montreal) vs. Tony Esposito (Chicago) – May 18, 1971: Pivotal goal in Game 7 of the Cup Finals. If Henri Richard’s 1966 goal was defined by grit and a little bit of luck, Yvan Cournoyer’s goal on May 18, 1971, was a masterpiece of pure speed and timing. This was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Chicago Stadium, and the “Road to the Cup” went through the legendary Tony Esposito. The Montreal Canadiens had trailed 2-0 early in the game, but they had clawed back to a 2-2 tie. At 14:13 of the third period, Cournoyer took advantage of a missed assignment in the Chicago zone. Henri Richard picked up the puck and spotted Cournoyer streaking toward the middle. He zipped a perfect pass to the “Roadrunner.” Cournoyer burned past the Chicago defense. Because of his low center of gravity and powerful stride, defenders couldn’t close the gap once he hit the open ice. As he approached Tony Esposito, Cournoyer didn’t overcomplicate things. Esposito was a pioneer of the butterfly style, but Cournoyer knew he had to beat him with a quick release. Cournoyer fired a low, hard shot that beat Esposito clean. The goal gave Montreal a 3-2 lead—a lead they would hold until the final horn to win the Stanley Cup.

#37. Denis Savard (Chicago) vs. Grant Fuhr (Edmonton) – Feb 24, 1988: The quintessential “Spin-o-rama.” In a high-scoring 6-4 victory for the Chicago Blackhawks over the Edmonton Oilers, Savard put on a clinic. While he was known for the move, his goal on this night against Grant Fuhr is often cited as the definitive example of his flair. The “Savardian Spin-o-rama” became so iconic that the NHL eventually had to clarify rules regarding the move during penalty shots (it’s now restricted if the puck stops moving forward), but on that night in ’88, it was pure, legal artistry.

#36. Rick Nash (Columbus) vs. Vesa Toskala (Phoenix) – Jan 17, 2008: A 1-on-3 highlight reel where Nash pullls out all of the stops and deked though the entire team of players on the ice.

#35. Marek Malik (NY Rangers) vs. Olaf Kolzig (Washington) – Nov 26, 2005: The between-the-legs shootout winner as a stay-at-home defenseman. Malik had not scored a goal all year. You have to see it to believe it. How many minor hockey kids attempted doing the between the legs shot after this? The answer? All of them.

#34. Linus Omark (Edmonton) vs. Dan Ellis (Tampa Bay) – Dec 10, 2010: What another shootout goal? Even though it is a shootout goal, this is one of the most fun goals ever scored in the National Hockey League. Love the creativity and the swagger. A little cheeky but hey that’s entertainment isn’t it.

#33. Auston Matthews (Toronto) vs. Craig Anderson (Ottawa) – Oct 12, 2016: His 4th goal in his NHL debut. Auston Matthews scores four goals in his NHL debut.

#32. Stephan Matteau (NY Rangers) vs. Martin Brodeur (New Jersey) – May 27, 1994: Epic call on this goal… “Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!” The 2OT winner to send the Rangers to the Finals. The Rangers would win the Stanley Cup in seven games over Vancouver for their first championship win since 1940.

#31. Connor McDavid (Edmonton) vs. Jacob Markstrom (Calgary) – May 26, 2022: Connor McDavid’s scores the series-clinching goal against the Calgary Flames in 2022 which stands as the definitive “Battle of Alberta” moment of the modern era. The score was tied in the third period, Just minutes earlier, the Flames appeared to have taken the lead on a Blake Coleman goal, but it was controversially disallowed after a “distinct kicking motion” review. Leon Draisaitl zipped a pass to McDavid. Without hesitating, McDavid took a quick snap shot that beat Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom on the blocker side. The goal effectively “broke” the Flames’ core. Calgary had finished the regular season as the Pacific Division champions and were considered heavy favorites, but McDavid and Draisaitl combined for an absurd 27 points in just five games. The Flames have never been the same since. Jacob Markstrom has never been the same since. Both Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk departed the Flames organization.

#30. Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh) vs. Martin Brodeur (New Jersey) – May 2, 1998: The “Stay or Leave” Goal (1998 Playoffs); Jagr often cites this as his most important goal. The Penguins were facing bankruptcy and rumors of relocation to Kansas City if they didn’t advance. Playing on a badly injured groin, Jagr scored in overtime of Game 6 to save the series (and arguably the franchise).

#29. Henri Richard (Montreal) vs. Roger Crozier (Detroit) – May 5, 1966: The “belly-slide” OT winner to clinch the Cup. In Game 6 of the Finals at the Detroit Olympia, the “Pocket Rocket” scored one of the most debated championship-winning goals in NHL history. The game was tied 2-2 just 2:20 into the first overtime. The arena was sweltering (roughly 81°F/27°C), the ice was soft, and the tension was high.Henri Richard took a pass from Dave Balon and broke toward the Detroit net with speed. As Richard cut across the goalmouth, Detroit defenseman Gary Bergman tripped him. Richard didn’t just fall; he went into a full-speed slide, hurtling directly toward Red Wings goaltender Roger Crozier. While sprawled on the ice and sliding into Crozier, the puck struck Richard’s body (he later claimed it hit his knee/thigh) and caromed into the net just as he knocked Crozier over. Despite losing the Cup on that controversial play, he played so brilliantly throughout the series that he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP—becoming the first player ever to win it as a member of the losing team.

#28. Theoren Fleury (Calgary) vs. Bill Ranford (Edmonton) – Apr 14, 1991: OT winner followed by the famous sliding celebration. High drama, playoff magic.

#27. Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina) vs. David Rittich (Calgary) – Oct 29, 2019: The first “Michigan” (lacrosse-style) goal in NHL history. Lots of people don’t like the “Michi” goals, but the creativity of them makes them just a fun play to watch. Not to mention they are not that easy to execute in real time. This is a beauty.

#26. Alex Ovechkin (Washington) vs. Brian Boucher (Phoenix) – Jan 16, 2006: “The Goal” (The Sliding Backhand) Widely considered one of the greatest goals ever scored, a rookie Ovechkin was knocked down by a defender and, while sliding on his back and spinning, managed to hook the puck behind his head and past the goalie. What do you think was going through Wayne Gretzky’s head as he was behind the bench coaching the Coyotes at the time?

#25. Bobby Hull (Chicago) vs. Caesar Maniago (NY Rangers) – Mar 12, 1966: Breaking the “50-Goal Barrier” (#51) Before 1966, 50 goals was the absolute ceiling in the NHL, reached only by Maurice Richard and Bernie Geoffrion (and Hull himself once before). With this goal, Hull became the first player to ever score more than 50 in a single season, setting a new world record.

#24. Brett Hull (St. Louis) vs. (Minnesota) – Mar 31, 1991: Goal #86 (The Single-Season Milestone). In the final game of the 1990–91 season, Hull scored his 86th goal. This remains the third-highest single-season total in NHL history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky’s 92 and 87-goal campaigns. This performance earned Hull the Hart Trophy as league MVP. Brett Hull’s 86th goal on March 31, 1991, was the exclamation point on what many hockey purists consider the greatest “pure” goal-scoring season in NHL history. Hull scoredthe goal at 10:01 of the second period helping the Blues defeat the North Staers 2-1.

#23. Pat LaFontaine (NY Islanders) vs. Bob Mason (Washington) – Apr 18, 1987: The “Easter Epic” winner in the 4th overtime. The longest hockey game in decades was ended with an OT winner from La-La-La-LaFontaine.

#22. Pavel Bure (Vancouver) vs.Mike Vernon (Calgary) – Apr 30, 1994: Pavel Bure’s goal in Game 7 of the 1994 Western Conference Quarterfinals is its greatest masterpiece of pure speed. It is widely considered the most iconic moment in Vancouver Canucks history, often referred to simply as “The Goal.” The Canucks were heavy underdogs against the division-winning Calgary Flames. Vancouver had trailed the series 3–1 before clawing back to force a Game 7. Bearing down on goaltender Mike Vernon, Bure didn’t just shoot. He performed a sensational deke, shifting the puck to his backhand, then quickly back to his forehand, pulling Vernon completely out of his crease. At 2:20 of the second overtime period it was over, the underdog Canucks elimiated the Calgary Flames. Vancouver would go on to the Stanley Cup finals before losing in seven games to the New York Rangers.

#21. Ron Hextall (Philadelphia) vs. Reggie Lemelin (Boston) – Dec 8, 1987: Hextall was credited as the first goalie to score by actually shooting the puck. Here’s a clip of some of the goalie goals over the years including Hextall’s famous one against the Bruins.

#20. Teemu Selanne (Winnipeg) vs. Stephane Fiset (Quebec) – Mar 2, 1993: Rookie goal #54, breaking Mike Bossy’s record (the “glove skeet shooting” celebration).

#19. Maurice Richard (Montreal) vs. “Sugar” Jim Henry (Boston) – April 8, 1952: The “Concussion” Goal (The Icon). After being knocked unconscious earlier in the game and suffering a severe concussion, Richard returned to the ice with blood streaming down his face to score the series-winning goal in the semi-finals.

#18. Mike Bossy (NY Islanders) vs. Ron Grahame (Quebec) – Jan 24, 1981: Entering his 50th game of the season against the Quebec Nordiques, Bossy had 48 goals in 49 games. Mike Bossy’s “50 goals in 50 games” in 1981 is one of the most dramatic individual pursuits in hockey history. Before Bossy, the feat had only been accomplished once—by Maurice “Rocket” Richard, 36 years earlier in the 1944–45 season. With 4:10 left in the game Bossy scored his 49th goal of the season. With the clock ticking down and just 89 seconds left, Bryan Trottier fired a pass to Bossy in the left face-off circle. Bossy whipped a quick shot five-hole past Nordiques goaltender Ron Grahame.

#17. Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton) vs. Felix Potvin (Toronto) – May 29, 1993: Often cited as the “Greatest Game” of Gretzky’s career because of the sheer pressure and the narrative leading up to it. Gretzky’s performance in Game 7 of the 1993 Campbell Conference Finals was received with awe and bitterness. Toronto medi had been giving it to the “Great One” but in this game Gretzky would have the last laugh. Gretzky didn’t just play well; he controlled every inch of the ice. The Kings won 5–4, and Gretzky was responsible for most of the damage. His first goal was a shorthanded talley that gave the Kings a 1-0 lead. Early in the first period, Gretzky intercepted a pass while the Kings were on the penalty kill. He broke away and beat Felix Potvin to give LA a 1-0 lead. Late in the third period with the score tied 3–3, Gretzky fired a puck from a sharp angle that deflected off the skate of Leafs defenseman Dave Ellett and past Potvin. He finished the night with 3 goals and 1 assist, propelling the Los Angeles Kings to their first-ever Stanley Cup Final.

#16. Connor McDavid (Edmonton) vs. Martin Jones (NY Rangers) – Nov 5, 2021: Danced through all four Rangers defenders. It is a highlight reel goal for the ages. You just have to see it. Probably one of our favourite goals of all time. Absolutely outstanding indeed!

#15. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh) vs. Kelly Hrudey (LA Kings) – Dec 31, 1988: His 5th goal of the game, scoring 5 different ways (EV, PP, SH, PS, EN). His first goal of the game was at even strength as Mario tucked it past Bob Sauvé after a quick move in the offensive zone. Also in the first period, while killing a penalty, Lemieux broke away and slid the puck between the goalie’s legs for a short handed talley. Still in the first, Lemieux completed a first-period hat trick with a signature slap shot from the left circle scoring a powerplay goal. In the second period, after Chris Terreri (who replaced Sauvé) threw his stick to stop a pass, Mario was awarded a penalty shot and beat him cleanly. Lemieux’s final goal came in the third as with one second remaining on the clock, he fired the puck into the open net to seal an 8-6 victory. The emoty-netter was the fifth different way Mario Lemieux scored.

#14. Mark Messier (Edmonton) vs. Billy Smith (NY Islanders) – May 15, 1984: The 1984 “Dynasty Killer”. With the Oilers trailing in Game 3 and facing a potential 2–1 series deficit against the four-time defending champion Islanders, Messier took the puck end-to-end and scored a brilliant solo goal. This sparked a comeback that effectively ended the Islanders’ dynasty and started the Oilers’. We rank this goal this high out of respect to the Islanders who had won four straight Stanley Cups. It semed like nobody could beat them, but the leadership and drive of Mark messier proved to be whatr was needed as the Oilers started a dynasty of their own.

#13. Bill Barilko (Toronto) vs. Gerry McNeil (Montreal) – Apr 21, 1951: Bill Barilko’s goal is perhaps the most “mystical” in NHL history—not just for the skill involved, but for the eerie tragedy and “curse” that followed it. Barilko, nont known for his goal scoring, lunged forward from the blue line, diving through the air to backhand the puck past Canadiens goalie Gerry McNeil. Photographer Nat Turofsky captured the moment in one of hockey’s most famous images: Barilko is suspended horizontally in mid-air, while the puck is visible in the back of the net behind a sprawling McNeil. Four months after winning the Cup, the 24-year-old Barilko went on a weekend fishing trip to James Bay in Northern Quebec. Their small floatplane disappeared on the return flight to Timmins, Ontario. They didn’t find the plane until 1962. The story of Bill Barilko is immortalized in the Tragically Hip Song “50 Mission Cap”.

#12. Gordie Howe (Detroit) vs. Les Binkley (Pittsburgh) – Dec 4, 1968: Howe became the first player in NHL history to reach the 700-goal plateau. At the time, many experts believed this mark would be impossible for anyone else to ever reach.

#11. Mark Messier (NY Rangers) vs. Martin Brodeur (New Jersey) – May 25, 1994: The “Guaranteed” Hat Trick (Goal #2), after famously guaranteeing a Game 6 win to avoid elimination against the Devils, Messier delivered one of the most legendary performances in New York sports history. This specific goal was the game-tying tally in the third period that broke the Devils’ momentum. The Rangers go on to win the Stanley Cup for the first (and only) time since 1940. Here’s the background behind this epic performance.

#10. Darryl Sittler (Toronto) vs. Dave Reece (Boston) – Feb. 7, 1976: Darryl Sittler didn’t just have a “good night”—he produced a statistical anomaly that hasn’t been touched in 50 years. Facing the Boston Bruins at Maple Leaf Gardens, the Toronto captain recorded 6 goals and 4 assists for a total of 10 points. The Bruins arrived in Toronto with a rookie goaltender, Dave Reece, who was making a rare start. Sittler had two assists in the first period, he scored a natural hattrick in the second and in the third period he added another hattrick. His 9th point came on a goal where he picked up his own rebound and beat a shell-shocked Reece. His 10th point was almost comical—he attempted a pass from behind the net that hit the skate of Bruins defenseman Brad Park and deflected in. Even when he wasn’t trying to score, he was scoring. By the end of the night, Sittler had effectively ended Reece’s NHL career (he never played another game in the league). The Leafs won the game 11-4. Here’s the game sheet:
https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/197602070TOR.html

#9. Bob Nystrom (NY Islanders) vs. Pete Peeters (Philadelphia) – May 24, 1980: OT winner to start the Islanders’ 4-Cup dynasty. Images of Nystrom jumping up in celebration are just awesome!

#8. Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles) vs. Bill Ranford (Edmonton) – Oct 15, 1989: Breaking Gordie Howe’s Record (Oct 15, 1989): Scoring as an LA King against his former team (Oilers) to become the NHL’s all-time leading point leader. Leading up to this game Gordie Howe had been attending Gretzky’s games in preparation for his record to be broken. With just over a minute left in the game, the Kings were trailing 4–3. It looked like the record might have to wait for another night in another city… but the hockey gods delivered. With only 53 seconds remaining in the third period and the Kings’ net empty for an extra attacker. Defenseman Steve Duchesne fired a shot that deflected off Dave Taylor and landed right in front of the net. Gretzky, lurking in his “office” (the area behind the net), reacted with lightning speed. He skated around the post and flipped a quick backhand shot over the leg of Oilers goalie Bill Ranford. Wayne Gretzky scored his 1,851st point to eclipse Howe’s record. In true “Great One” fashion, Gretzky wasn’t finished. After the long emotional ceremony, the game went into overtime. Gretzky scored again—his second goal of the night—to win the game 5–4 for the Kings.

#7. Gordie Howe (Detroit) vs. Charlie Hodge (Montreal) – Nov 10, 1963: Goal #545, passing Maurice Richard.

#6. Joe Malone (Quebec) vs. Howard Lockhart (Toronto) – Jan 31, 1920: scored seven goals in one game in a 10-6 win over the Toronto St. Pats. His seventh goal of the game came at 19:15 of the third period.

#5. Maurice Richard (Montreal) vs. Harvey Bennett (Boston) – Mar 18, 1945: The first player to reach 50 goals in 50 games. He peppered the Bruins goaltender relentlessly and scored his 50th goal in his 50th game!

#4. Alex Ovechkin (Washington) vs. Ilya Sorokin (NY Islanders) – Apr 6, 2025: Goal #895, officially passing Gretzky for the all-time record. On April 6, 2025, Alex Ovechkin officially moved past “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, to become the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer. Ironically, the Islanders were the team Gretzky was playing against when he scored his final career goal (No. 894) in 1999. At 12:34 of the second period, with the Capitals on the power play, Tom Wilson found Ovechkin in the high slot. Ovechkin didn’t use his usual one-timer. Instead, he caught the pass, settled it, and fired a precision “laser” wrist shot that beat fellow Russian Ilya Sorokin. Ovechkin didn’t just celebrate—he dove onto the ice in pure exhilaration. Teammates mobbed him, and in a class-act move, the Islanders players stayed on the ice to shake his hand one by one. Last we checxked Ovie was sitting at 919 goals (and counting).

#3. Wayne Gretzky (LA Kings) vs. Kirk McLean (Vancouver) – Mar 23, 1994: Goal #802, breaking Gordie Howe’s all-time record.

#2. Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton) vs. Pete Peeters (Philadelphia) – Dec 30, 1981: 50 goals in 39 games (empty netter). December 30, 1981, remains one of the most storied nights in NHL history. Heading into a home game at Northlands Coliseum against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wayne Gretzky sat at 45 goals in 38 games. In his previous game, Gretzky had scored four goals versus the Losa Angeles kings. The “50 in 39” feat is widely considered one of the most “unbreakable” records in sports. It wasn’t just about the skill; it was the sheer mathematical absurdity of scoring 1.28 goals per game over nearly half a season. He opened the scoring early in the first period and added a second shortly after. The crowd began to sense something historic was brewing. He opened the scoring early in the first period and added a second shortly after. The crowd began to sense something historic was brewing. In the second period, he completed the hat trick. Later in the second, he notched his fourth of the night. With the Flyers trailing and their net empty in the final seconds of the game, Gretzky gathered the puck. He didn’t just dump it; he carried it toward the empty net and fired it home with seven seconds left on the clock.

#1. Bobby Orr (Boston) vs. Glenn Hall (St. Louis) – May 10, 1970: “The Flight.” The OT winner to sweep the Blues for the Stanley Cup. If there is one image that defines the sport of hockey, it is the sight of Bobby Orr flying through the air, arms outstretched, after scoring “The Goal.” It happened on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1970, at the Boston Garden. The Boston Bruins were facing the St. Louis Blues in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston led the series 3–0 and was looking for a sweep to claim their first Cup in 29 years. The game was tied 3–3 and headed into overtime. It took only 40 seconds for history to be made. Orr pinched in from the blue line to keep the puck in the zone. He passed it to teammate Derek Sanderson in the corner. Sanderson fed a perfect pass back to Orr as he crossed the top of the crease. Orr tucked the puck between the pads of Blues legendary goaltender Glenn Hall. As Orr followed through on the shot, Blues defenseman Noel Picard hooked Orr’s leg, sending him airborne. Because the goal was scored at the exact moment Orr was tripped, he was caught in mid-air by photographer Ray Lussier.

Some great goals. Epic talent, relentless attacks and beautiful stickwork have made for some all-time great scoring in the National Hockey League.

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