Alexander Semin uses patience, slick deke to score gorgeous goal

Alexander Semin is having the worst statistical year of his career, but that doesn’t mean he’s lost his incredible skill with the puck. On a 2-on-1 break, Semin outwaited Anders Lindback before going around the Buffalo netminder to tuck the puck home for a gorgeous goal.

To say that Carolina Hurricanes winger Alexander Semin has had a down year would be an understatement, but when a player possesses the type of skill Semin does, there are going to be flashes of brilliance in even the worst seasons. His goal Monday night goes to prove that.

With the Hurricanes down 4-1 to the Buffalo Sabres early in the third period, Semin picked up the puck in the neutral zone and broke into the Sabres zone on an odd-man rush with Jordan Staal. With Staal loaded up for the one timer, Semin looked for an opening and checked out the passing lane before pulling the puck around Buffalo netminder Anders Lindback and using some slick puck handling for the tally:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEhTZbwjAUk[/embed]

The goal was Semin’s sixth of the season in 54 games, a far cry from the 40 he scored in 73 contests in 2009-10 as a member of the Washington Capitals.

Many have noted Semin’s struggles this year and his name has been a part of the rumor mill. However, with Semin locked up for three more years at a cap hit of $7 million, Carolina would likely have to retain a sizeable portion of his salary in order to make any trade work.

Last season, in 65 games, Semin registered 22 goals and 42 points, but his numbers have been in steady decline ever since his 40-goal, 84-point campaign five seasons ago.