Vegas Golden Knights: Hague makes history with first NHL goal

Although it was a tough loss in Boston for the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, it was still a memorable game for Nic Hague.

Despite winning the special teams battle and having taken a 2-1 lead into the third period, the Vegas Golden Knights failed to press their foot down on the throat of the Bruins and, as a result, they were dealt their sixth loss of January.

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Golden Knights who witnessed a special moment for one of their rookies.

Let’s set the scene.

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Midway through the second period with the Golden Knights on the power play, Nic Hague skated into the offensive zone before dumping the puck in along the boards.

Jonathan Marchessault got the puck and dished it to Nate Schmidt at the point who then slid it across to Hague.

With Boston goalie Jaroslav Halak screened, Hague let rip with an absolute thunderous one-timer and over the shoulder of Halak.

It was one hell of a release and a stunning way to record your first-ever career goal in the National Hockey League.

The celebration certainly told the story too as Hague fell to one knee before executing an emphatic fist pump in absolute sheer delight.

Good things come to those who wait.

And wait Hague did.

After forcing his way on the roster and eventually becoming a staple on the Vegas blueline, Hague went the first-half of the regular season without lighting the lamp.

He still produced, though, tallying 10 assists in 16:05 minutes of average total ice time this season.

But that elusive milestone goal continued to haunt Hague as he launched the puck against the post on a number of occasions, generating 54 shots on goal in total this year.

However, perseverance is eventually rewarded and rewarded Hague was against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.

And, in finally lighting the lamp yesterday, the 21-year-old Hague made a little bit of history after becoming the second-youngest player in franchise history to record his first NHL goal, with Cody Glass the youngest at 20 years, 184 days.

It was a highlight-reel goal to mark what was an incredible moment for the rookie, who certainly enjoyed the moment when reflecting on his first career goal in the NHL, per Vegas Golden Knights Twitter.

"“That is the great thing about this team, we’re all so close and it was just a lot of fun in that moment seeing it go in and being able to celebrate with the guys. It was nice to be able to share that with them. It is a moment I’ll never forget. It is a dream come true.”"

Hague, who was the 34th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, has progressed and matured the longer the year has gone on and he looks like he’s set to stay in the majors.

Through 38 games, the defenseman has recorded 26 blocked shots, 69 hits and 13 takeaways in addition to 11 points (one goal, 10 assists).

And, with a bomb of a shot in his arsenal as perfectly illustrated against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, Nic Hague is showing that he’s built to succeed in the NHL and we have a funny feeling his goal yesterday will be the first of many from the point.