Brock Boeser scored a great shot from the circle against Colorado on November 2nd, but I loved the way he got the puck from E. Pettersson even more. Not only because it was a great play, but because it way such a smart play, especially considering how young Pettersson is.
Hockey is a lot about creating good quality shot opportunities, which often means finding open space in close proximity to the net, getting the puck to a team mate in that area, ideally free from any opponents.
As this issue of Puck Possession illustrates, Pettersson choose an interesting way to put the puck on Boeser’s stick in such a position. I addition, I can only imagine how hard it is for a goalie to see a puck come from more or less behind you, with an unpredictable bounce, especially into the stride of the on-storming opponent.
And for Boeser, despite his skills to receive a puck from anywhere, getting the puck from in front of you while in full stride must making taking a good shot slightly easier as well.
Lastly there is one more benefit I can think of: if the pass does not work out (weird bounce etc.) Boeser would still be fastest to the puck, avoiding icing, and put him in possession in a spot from where he can give a good pass. The other options would like end up in a turn over.
All in all, Pettersson chose the best solution, and in this case it worked out perfectly (unless you root for Colorado!).