Today In NHL History - Tristan Jarry's Goal

On November 30, 2023, Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry became the 14th goaltender to be credited with a goal in a NHL game and the 9th goaltender to shoot the puck into the net.

Defending a 3-2 lead against Tampa Bay with a minute remaining on the road, Jarry collected an Anthony Cirelli tip in and promptly fired it 175 feet into the Lightning's empty cage. The shot reached a maximum speed of 55mph and a height of 16 feet above the ice en route to history.After the game, Jarry described the moment as "the perfect scenario", noting "it was definitely pretty cool, but the win means more".Jarry's goal marked the 17th time a goaltender has been credited with a goal in an NHL game and the first Penguin, with only two netminders (Ron Hextall, Martin Brodeur) turning the trick more than once. The Penguins held on to beat the Lightning by a score of 4-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Thornton Trade (BOS-SJS)

On November 30th in 2005, Boston Bruins GM Mike O'Connell traded the jewel of the 1997 Draft to Doug Wilson's San Jose Sharks for first rounders Wayne Primeau (17th in 1994), Marco Sturm (21st in 1996), and Brad Stuart (3rd in 1998), stunning pundits from coast to coast.

Blindsided by the deal, Joe Thornton went on to win the Art Ross and Hart trophies in his west coast debut, cinching the Rocket Richard for linemate Jonathan Cheechoo en route.

The Bruins fired O'Connell four months later launching a successful rebuilding campaign that yielded the 2011 Stanley Cup, though none of the players from this trade were on that winning roster.  The Sharks skated in their first Stanley Cup Final in 2016, and have twice qualified for the Western Conference Final (2010, 2011) since the trade.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Ballard Slashes Vokoun

On November 30th in 2009, Florida Panthers defenseman Keith Ballard bloodied teammate Tomas Vokoun with a vicious slash to the head after Atlanta Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk scored halfway through the first period.

Vokoun exited on a stretcher after a 10 minute delay and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The Czech netminder escaped serious injury, needing only 10 stitches to repair his ear. An apologetic Ballard was neither penalized nor suspended for the act. Atlanta beat Florida that night by a score of 4-3.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Billy Smith's Goal

On November 28, 1979, New York Islanders netminder Billy Smith became the first goaltender to be credited with a goal in a NHL game.

Blindly playing the puck to the blueline, Colorado Rockies defenceman Rob Ramage watched his pass slide the length of the ice into his now empty thanks to an astute move by his goalie on a delayed penalty. Smith, being the last offensive player to touch, was credited with the marker.

It would be another eight years before a goalie scored a goal in the NHL by shooting the puck into an empty net. Ron Hextall holds that honor.

That's today in NHL history.