2) Michael Grabner vs. Tampa Bay
In the halcyon days of October and November 2016, the New York Rangers were unstoppable. The were scoring 5 or more goals almost every game, getting scoring up and down the lineup, and Michael Grabner was at the heart of it.
The Rangers jumped all over the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first meeting of the season, with Grabner scoring one goal early before breaking through in the third period.
While this goal goes on the scoresheet under Grabner’s name—and rightly so, as he made a nifty move in front of the net—this goal was the work of Kevin Hayes.
After receiving a breakout pass, Hayes entered the Tampa zone and simply undressed Tyler Johnson and Victor Hedman before setting up Grabner for the short breakaway. Hayes’ one-handed spin move, including a between-the-legs dance with the puck, was nothing short of ridiculous. He drew both Lightning players to him and left Grabner in the clear for the hat trick.