Joe Thornton Video: Watch Sharks Star Send San Jose to Second Round

There's a Joe Thornton video making its way through the sports world today, after the Sharks captain sent San Jose through to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a beautiful overtime goal. 

With the game knotted up at 3-3 with less than three minutes gone in the overtime period, Thornton brought the puck into the offensive zone and fed winger Devin Setoguchi.

The speedy sniper carried the puck behind the net, bringing it out on the other side of the ice. 

He fed Patrick Marleau, whose shot deflected off goaltender Jonathan Quick and bounced to the feet of Thornton, who promptly pulled out one of the best moves we've seen in a game-winning-goal situation this season. He turned to his left and then back to his right, lifting his stick and delivering a perfect slap shot past Quick's lunging figure and into the back of the net. 

The delirious center's celebration was a bit unorthodox, as he slid down the ice on his back until running into his celebrating teammates. 

The goal represents a bit of retribution for Thornton, who has long carried a reputation for fading in the playoffs (whether that rep is actually deserved is another matter entirely). 

But after scoring the series-winning goal on Monday night, the Sharks captain is most certainly the hero of the series. He played exceptionally well in Game 6, chipping in an assist as well as the goal in overtime and earning the first star. 

All in all, it was just a great goal and one Thornton can (and should) be proud of. He certainly earned the first star on Monday and looks poised to have a stellar playoff campaign as a whole.

He and San Jose will take on the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Semifinals next.