The ';12 Days of Christmas'; is a classic holiday song first published in its current form in 1908. In a nod to the classic carol, join The Hockey Writers as we count down the 12 Days of Hockeymas. Each day, we will provide you with a piece of hockey history as we eagerly await the start of the 2020-21 NHL season.
If we knew anything about Ryan Pulock before he was drafted by the New York Islanders, it was that he had an absolute rocket of a slap shot. From the moment the Islanders chose him with the 15th-overall pick in 2013, fans knew they were in for a treat. He';s shown he';s more than his slap shot, becoming a top defender on Long Island, but his offense continues to progress as he enters his fourth NHL season. Here are the top five goals so far in his career.5: Pulock All Alone
Pulock';s offensive prowess was clearly on display here against the Vegas Golden Knights. On the power play, he saw an opportunity to sneak down the middle and open himself up for a pass. Taking the space available, he stepped up to win the game in overtime.
After the Islanders'; 17-game point streak, the remainder of the shortened 2019-20 season was an up and down affair. Wins like this showed the team';s resiliency and helped the Islanders'; close out a decent December before a turn for the worse, as injuries added up in January and February. Luckily, they managed to bounce back and make it within two games of the Stanley Cup Final. 4: Pulock Pots a Pair
The Islanders'; 2018-19 season was one many fans will remember for a long time. A bounce-back season with new management and head coach rejuvenated the fan base, and it was a win like this one against the Colorado Avalanche that made it easy to believe.
Pulock';s two goals, including the overtime winner, came from nearly the same spot. The first one was the result of a casual give-and-go with Jordan Eberle and the second after some hard work and nifty moves by Casey Cizikas, who doesn';t often get the credit he deserves on a heavily defensive team. 3: Windy City Snipe
Pulock';s snipe against the Chicago Blackhawks wasn';t a typical laser-focused slap shot like we';re used to seeing. Instead, the goal showed us his ability to see offensive chances and jump into holes. After receiving a back pass from Alan Quine, Pulock took the puck down the half-wall, beat the Blackhawks'; forward to the net and roofed a short-side shot for his third point of the period.
2: Third Period Rocket
Pulock has a knack for heroics and is always in a position late in a game to help put the Islanders on top.
Against the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2019-20 season in what we would be a playoff series preview, Mat Barzal circled the wagons in the dying seconds of the third period, finding Pulcok above the right circle before blasting home the game-winner. 1: Pulock Opens Scoring
In what would be the last goal of the season for Pulock, he opened up the scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a must-win Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Final. From his signature spot on the point, Pulock set up on the power play and was fed a perfect pass from Nick Leddy before scoring the first goal of the game.
The game was eventually tied, leading to two white-knuckle overtimes. Luckily, the Islanders came out on top after Anders Lee picked up the puck just inside his own zone. Racing down the ice on a two-on-one with Eberle, he slid the puck over for a quick one-timer to win the game forcing a Game 7.
Pulock has become a leader for the Islanders and a go-to defender for head coach Barry Trotz. He';s found ways to contribute offensively despite a more defensive style of play implemented over the past two seasons. Islanders fans can expect more of the same for the 2020-21 season after Pulock signed a two-year deal earlier this year.
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