Andre Burakovksy scores between his legs in Goal of the Year candidate

Andre Burakovsky scored one of the most impressive goals of his career on Thursday night.

As the Chicago Blackhawks forward skated in front of the cage, Burakovsky caught a pass from Connor Bedard on his blade, but with his back to the net and with almost no space between two Winnipeg Jets defenders and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. So, he had to get creative.

In about a half-second of time, the 30-year-old forward pivoted onto his forehand and shot the puck between his legs, beating Hellebuyck for a sensational goal.

“It’s just instinct,” Burakovsky said postgame. “I mean, I was just trying to get a shot off somehow, and that’s what came out. That’s what happened. I wasn’t thinking about doing it. It just happened.”

The goal brought the Blackhawks to within two of the Jets, making the score 5-3 Winnipeg with 4:57 remaining. Chicago, however, went on to lose 6-3 after surrendering a backhand tally to the Jets’ Kyle Connor with 2:41 on the clock.

Burakovsky, in his first season with the Blackhawks, has posted 7 points (3g, 4a) in his first 10 games. Thursday, he skated on the right wing of the first line with Bedard at center and Ryan Greene on the opposite wing.

“I thought that line was pretty good to be honest with ya,” Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said when asked about Burakovsky’s tally. “I guess that would be the one thing I’d say. From a skill standpoint, I thought they were good. They need to make sure they each get to the net. That’s an important piece of it. I think his line, they were good.”

The Blackhawks acquired Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for 25-year-old Joe Veleno during the offseason. Burakovsky, who posted 37 points (10 goals, 27 assists) in 79 games last year, has two seasons remaining on a five-year, $27.5 million contract with an annual average value of $5.5 million.

“Andre was a valuable player for our organization during the three years he was here, and we wish him and his family the best of luck in Chicago,” Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement. “In return, we’ve acquired a young player with experience while also increasing our salary cap flexibility moving forward.”

Burakovsky, who won Stanley Cups with both the Washington Capitals in 2018 and the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, has 394 points (156g, 238a) in 706 career regular-season games with the Capitals, Avalanche, Kraken, and Blackhawks.

As for where the tally stacked up on his personal ranking board, Burakovsky was unsure.

“I don’t know. It was a good goal, but I mean, at the end of the day, we didn’t win the game, and that’s what’s most important, obviously. Would be better if we won.”