Jon Merrill lined up the pass after his skates nearly touched the end boards.
The defenseman, who once went a month without playing during the Golden Knights’ 2018-19 season, was ready to make a play against the NHL’s best team.
On Feb. 5 on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning the 27-year-old unleashed a gorgeous stretch pass that traveled almost 120 feet from behind the Knights’ net to the far blue line and the back of teammate Cody Eakin’s stick.
Merrill insisted he was always capable of that type of play, which led to an Eakin breakaway and goal.