Oilers’ Adam Henrique sets NHL record for longest span between playoff goals

Los Angeles Kings' Phillip Danault (24) skates past the Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97), Adam Henrique (19) and Evan Bouchard (2) as they celebrate a goal during first period of Game 1 first round NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Edmonton, Monday, April 22, 2024. (Jason Franson/CP)

The year was 2012, and Adam Henrique scored a goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals to give the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 lead.

Little did he know, but that would be the last post-season goal he would score for 4,333 days.

Thankfully for the Burford, Ont., native, he was able to make his return to the playoff scoresheet on Monday when he gave the Edmonton Oilers a 2-0 lead in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings.

His nearly 12 years between playoff goals set a new NHL record for the longest span between markers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The previous record was held by Craig Ludwig (4,079 days).

Before this season, Henrique’s only appearance in the post-season since that 2012 run was in 2017-18 when the Anaheim Ducks took on San Jose Sharks in Round 1. The Ducks were swept in four games and Henrique was held pointless.

The veteran centre was headed for another early off-season with the Ducks until the Oilers acquired him at this year’s trade deadline.

It looks like the move is already paying dividends for the Oilers at the most important time of the year.

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