Ranking the Best Goals from the Past Week's NHL Games

NHL snipers are finding the range with greater frequency these days—and doing so in artistic fashion. All goals count, but this week saw more than the usual number of truly phenomenal markers.

Going wide, sniping shelf and cashing in on clear breakaways are all part of this week's fun.

Here are the eight best goals from the last week in the NHL.

8. Alex Ovechkin's Magic Leads to Marcus Johansson Goal

Date and Opponent: Saturday, November 1 at Tampa Bay Lightning

Goal: Marcus Johansson

Assists: Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov

The Washington Capitals break out of their own end on a lucky bounce, and Ovechkin is off to the races. As he drives to the net, he gets tangled up with the Tampa Bay defender. While on his knees, Ovechkin gets a shot off, and the rebound goes directly to teammate Johansson, who scores an easy goal.

7. Brad Marchand Snipes a Beauty

Date and Opponent: Thursday, October 30 at Buffalo Sabres

Goal: Brad Marchand

Assists: Reilly Smith, Dougie Hamilton

The play starts innocently with Hamilton rimming the puck along the boards to no one in particular. Smith retrieves the puck, the Sabres suffer a coverage breakdown and Smith has an easy pass to Marchand. The key to the goal is the quality shot by Marchand—a one-timer bullet that beat goaltender Jhonas Enroth in a heartbeat.

6. Gustav Nyquist Finishes off a Gorgeous Passing Play

Date and Opponent: Friday, October 31 vs. Los Angeles Kings

Goal: Gustav Nyquist

Assists: Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall

The Detroit Red Wings gain possession off the faceoff and take little time to get a shot at the net. They win the draw and get it back to the point, where Kronwall sends a dart to Zetterberg. He one-times a pass into the slot, where Nyquist cashes in. It was over in an instant.

5. Jonathan Toews to Patrick Kane a Thing of Beauty

Date and Opponent: Tuesday, November 4 at Montreal Canadiens

Goal: Patrick Kane

Assists: Jonathan Toews, Niklas Hjalmarsson

The Chicago Blackhawks are a devastating team offensively, and this goal featuring Toews and Kane is an example. Toews enters the Canadiens' zone and snakes around defender Andrei Markov. He eventually sends a perfect pass to Kane for the tip and the goal. This is a goal scored by two teammates who have spent many years together, and defending against them is nearly impossible.

4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Gains a Step

Date and Opponent: Tuesday, November 4 at Philadelphia Flyers

Goal: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Assists: Jordan Eberle, Justin Schultz

This goal is all Nugent-Hopkins. The young center gains a step on Flyers winger Zac Rinaldo and drives to the net with authority. He beats Steve Mason with a quick shot, and it takes no time at all for the puck to go in.

3. Martin St. Louis Multitasks for an Outstanding Goal

Date and Opponent: Wednesday, November 5 vs. Detroit Red Wings

Goal: Martin St. Louis

Assists: Matt Hunwick, Mike Kostka

New York Rangers winger St. Louis displayed exceptional skill in scoring against the Red Wings. Hunwick delivered a quick pass on a bad Detroit line change, and St. Louis managed to get the errant pass under control while staying onside. It's an exceptional moment, followed by a lovely goal by St. Louis.

2. Vladimir Tarasenko Is on Fire

Date and Opponent: Thursday, November 6 vs. New Jersey Devils

Goal: Vladimir Tarasenko

Assists: Jaden Schwartz, Ian Cole

In a week where he dominated the category of quality goals, Tarasenko scored a beauty against the Devils. The St. Louis Blues were dominating against the Devils, and Tarasenko rang one off the goal post. Seconds later, Schwartz tracked down the puck and passed it to Tarasenko, who beat a defender, drove to the net, waited out Cory Schneider and finished the play.

1. Vladimir Tarasenko Scores the Goal of the Year

Date and Opponent: Monday, November 3 at New York Rangers

Goal: Vladimir Tarasenko

Assists: Kevin Shattenkirk, Brian Elliott

It might sound crazy to be calling the goal of the year in November, but Tarasenko scored a goal so good that the claim holds water. Tarasenko gets the puck at center ice, dekes by two Rangers and then scores a stunning goal on Cam Talbot. It is a breathtaking sequence and a wonderful example of the game's beauty.