Howdy do that!?#NYR @B_Howdy21 goes through the legs for the ? pic.twitter.com/Q19ymKJ2R6
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 11, 2018
Brett Howden has been nothing but impressive for the New York Rangers and that continued in his fourth career game.
This Brett Howden kid has been something else for the New York Rangers.
With the Blueshirts trailing 1-0 in the first period, Howden showed some of the raw skill that he has to tie things up at one.
.@B_Howdy21 puts the puck in the back of the net with his back to the net. pic.twitter.com/1DiyVXy3A3
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) October 11, 2018
Watch as Howden takes the pass from Mats Zuccarello and goes in between the legs to beat Aaron Dell five-hole.
Howden had been all over the place for the Blueshirts during that first period. Prior to the goal, he had just missed setting up Vladislav Namestnikov who had a wide open net. Then a few minutes after Howden scored, he made a nice play on Brent Burns and came within inches of scoring his second of the period.
The goal was Howden’s second career goal and it extended his points streak to three games. In that span, he has scored two goals and one assist.
Coming into this game, much had been made about head coach David Quinn moving Howden up to play with Chris Kreider and Zuccarello. Clearly, Quinn sees something in Howden that led him to believe he can handle those minutes, as he worked around one of the games best defensemen for the pretty goal.
The 20-year-old is a solid two-way player that is gaining confidence and the trust of the coaching staff. Not only has he moved up in the lineup, but he is playing on both the power play and penalty kill units.
Howden beat out top prospect Lias Andersson for the final spot on the Rangers roster as training camp came to a close. While it surprised many, Howden has done nothing but prove that he deserves every opportunity he gets to play at the NHL level.
