The NHL has produced thousands of goals that mattered, and to a devoted fan, every one of them can matter. Though they all carry a special place in someone’s heart, only a handful seem to live permanently in the sport. These are the moments where the arena sound turns into a kind of legend, and even if you weren’t alive for them, you’ve probably heard the call or seen the replay.
Bobby Orr’s Flying Cup Winner (1970)
You know a goal is iconic when a single frame can summarize an entire era. That, or when someone builds a statue of it. Either way, you did something right! Orr’s overtime winner in the 1970 Stanley Cup Final ends with him airborne, arms out, as if the sport itself has lifted him. It still looks like the NHL’s most famous exclamation point.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s Playoff Heroics (1952)
Long before goals were packaged for social media, Richard delivered drama that didn’t need a filter. His legendary playoff moment in 1952—which he scored after being injured—cemented the idea that willpower can be a weapon.
Steve Yzerman’s Double-Overtime Dagger (1996)
Some goals are memorable because they end something that refuses to end. Yzerman did exactly that with his double-overtime blast against St. Louis, a sudden bolt that shut the door on an exhausting series.
Stéphane Matteau’s “Matteau! Matteau!” Winner (1994)
Occasionally, the call becomes inseparable from the goal, and this is the prime example. Matteau’s overtime score for the Rangers against the Devils arrives with a commentator’s repeat that feels like pure electricity. It was a moment that turned fans into storytellers for their friends.
Alex Ovechkin’s “The Goal” (2006)
Ovechkin’s famous finish looks like it should be impossible, which is exactly why everyone remembers it. The move was flashy without being frivolous, and more importantly, a reminder that athletic brilliance can show up mid-crash and take over the rink.
