Sheng Peng
How did Nikolai Knyzhov celebrate his first NHL goal? He put on…a wig?
This is how the 23-year-old defenseman, who scored the game-winning goal in the San Jose Sharks’ 4-2 victory over the Minnesota, came out for his press availability.
Knyzhov may not have had a choice to wear the wig, but it looks fantastic 😂 pic.twitter.com/6BMS5BTsGd
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 1, 2021
In an off-the-cuff moment, the San Jose Sharks rookie quipped, as bystanders laughed, “If I keep my mask on, they may not know who I am.”
Somebody grab that puck!
@NikolaiKnyzhov | #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/mKKVy67kLr
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 1, 2021
As for the goal itself, Knyzhov pointed out: “Great play by Tommy [Hertl] and Karly. I wasn’t even expecting that pass.”
Of course, that was the beauty of Erik Karlsson’s fake shot-pass – it bought the surprising rookie some extra time with the puck.
“Rudy [Balcers] got a pretty good screen there. Far side was open,” the San Jose Sharks blueliner said. “I just shot it and it went in.”
What about the wig? Knyzhov didn’t understand the why, but he gave up the who.
“I don’t know,” he said, laughing. “Tommy told me I have to wear this. I don’t have a choice here.”
This was something that Knyzhov was happy to get forced into: “It was nice to get the monkey off my back. Even better, to get the win with the boys.”