You can well serve yourself, and your team, simply by putting the puck on net.
Just ask Karson Kuhlman.
Kuhlman was called to action Sunday night for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at Enterprise Center. Being thrust into a do-or-die tilt certainly was no easy task for the 23-year-old, who hadn’t suited up for the Boston Bruins since Game 3 of their second-round series on April 30. Bruce Cassidy’s lineup decision paid off and then some, as Kuhlman’s first career playoff goal provided the Bruins some insurance in their 5-1 win over the St. Louis Blues.
The rookie’s second-period tally was a thing of beauty. After making his way out wide, Kuhlman received a pass from David Krejci, squared himself up and rifled a wrist shot over Jordan Binnington’s stick-side shoulder. Having squandered a few chances earlier in the game, Kuhlman wasn’t going to let this one go to waste.
“First off, I was just thinking take it to the net,” Kuhlman said, per The Athletics’ Fluto Shinzawa. “I missed a few opportunities earlier in the game to net-drive. But I saw a little sliver on the far side. So I decided to put one on net.”
Kuhlman’s performance Sunday night all but solidified his spot in the Bruins’ lineup for Wednesday night’s Game 7 at TD Garden. With an impactful Cup Final game now under his belt, the young winger should have the confidence to let it fly as the B’s vie for hockey’s most coveted hardware.
