Here’s to John Scott: Top 10 NHL Enforcer Goals (Videos)

The San Jose Sharks beat the Capitals 6-5 in a shootout last night, but the real story was John Scott’s third career goal.

He picked up a pass from Adam Burish, who made a skillful play himself to kick the puck to Scott in the neutral zone, and proceeded to skate right past by the Capitals’ Brooks Orpik before sniping one past Braden Holtby, who I will obviously have to now trade from my fantasy team.

It was definitely one of the prettiest goals scored by an enforcer in a long time and a reminder that, amidst all the talk about banning fighting in the NHL, these guys can still play, apparently even Scott.

Here are the top 10 goals by an NHL enforcer. I narrowed it down to players who have less than 100 career goals (Sorry Tie Domi and Darren McCarty). Since this list honours John Scott, we don’t want TOO much skill.

Gino Odjick, Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames, October 19, 1991. Not only does Gino show enough offensive ability to earn a penalty shot, but he places it perfectly above Mike Vernon’s blocker for a goal.

Zenon Konopka, Ottawa Senators vs Edmonton Oilers, November 18, 2011. Konopka goes between the legs of Shawn Horcoff and backhands it five-hole against Devan Dubnyk to give the Senators a 5-1 lead.

Tony Twist, St. Louis Blues vs Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks, November 4, 1998 . Twist showing a goal scorer’s hands as he makes a nice move on Guy Hebert before finishing it off.

Jody Shelley, Philadelphia Flyers vs Minnesota Wild, November 24, 2010. Shelley takes a nice feed from Darroll Powe and does his best Patrick Kane impression as he freezes Niklas Backstrom.

Donald Brashear, Philadelphia Flyers vs Atlanta Thrashers, December 18, 2002. Brashear dekes Thrashers’ defenseman Andy Sutton at the blue line before scoring a diving goal against goaltender Pasi Nurminen.

Georges Laraque, Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings, February 21, 2000. Big Georges Laraque not only scores a beauty against the Kings, but it was his hat-trick goal to boot!

Ben Eager, San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars, March 31, 2011. Eager takes the pass, from Jamal Mayers no less, puts it between his legs towards his backhand and puts it home past Andrew Raycroft. Um, what?

Dan Carcillo, Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs, January 6, 2010. Carcillo takes a pass at the offensive blue line and then proceeds to skate around the defenseman before showing some great patience with the puck as he tucks it behind a sprawling Jonas Gustavsson.

Joey Kocur, Detroit Red Wings vs Philadelphia Flyers, in game 1 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Final (!). Considering the circumstances and the move he made, this has to be one of the greatest goals ever scored by an NHL enforcer.