Logan Couture had scored 19 goals heading into Monday’s game against the Seattle Kraken. Some prettier than others. But none as unique and crazy as his 20th goal of the season.
11 minutes into the second period, Couture faced off against Kraken center Yanni Gourde in the offensive zone. Nobody could imagine what was going to happen.
Couture actually lost the faceoff, but just a second later, he had scored the nuttiest goal all year. As Gourde won the faceoff, he swiped at the puck to get it to one of his teammates behind him. But the puck went right by Seattle defenseman Vince Dunn, and goalie Martin Jones didn’t react in time to stop the puck.
The ultra-rare own goal gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead, and it was the game-winning goal as the Sharks won the game 4-0.
Gourde actually got awarded a faceoff win in the box score, and Couture got the unassisted goal. Postgame Couture had a hilarious quote about the goal.
“I got the puck. I turned, I shot, and went off the crossbar,” Couture jokingly said per Sharks insider Sheng Peng.
And nobody on the Sharks team was surprised. Sharks forward Noah Gregor said postgame he had to watch the replay a couple of times, and then:
“I’m sure Couture will take those.”
Logan Couture now has ten 20-goal seasons in his career. His No. 20 goal this season wasn’t his prettiest, but hey, they all count the same.
The Seattle Kraken is still on for the Wild Card, but with just two points margin to the chasing Edmonton Oilers. San Jose Sharks is on an 18-29-11 record, and it will take the comeback of a lifetime for them to reach the playoffs.
