In his 11th NHL game, Fabian Lysell finally scored his first goal, scoring his first career NHL goal in Boston’s 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday afternoon. The goal came on the power play in the second period and was a big one for the team and the young forward.
The Moment That Mattered for Lysell
It took 11 games but Fabian Lysell finally scored in the NHL. The 22 year old winger scored his first career goal in Boston’s 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The goal came on the power play at 8:42 in the second period. Lysell was parked in front of the net and got a nice pass from Pavel Zacha and wristed it past Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry to make it 2-0 Boston.
“Just a power play break-in and Pav did a great move and found me back door,” Lysell said in a team-provided video. “I was just trying to get it on net and I was lucky enough to see it go in.”
A Player to Watch
Taken in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Lysell has been considered an offensive player for a long time. His skillset fits in perfectly with Boston’s revamped forward group which has struggled all season with scoring depth. While results had eluded him early on, his effort and determination has been evident.
Since being recalled on March 22, Lysell is second on the Bruins in 5-on-5 shots per 60 (9.73), third in shot attempts per 60 (17.03) and tied for fourth in scoring chances per 60 (7.79). These numbers show his drive to create even with the challenges of adjusting to the NHL.
“He’s doing some good things with the puck offensively,” Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco said postgame. “He’s attacking. He’s attacking through the neutral zone, he’s attacking the offensive zone. There’s some things to like in his game, that’s for sure.”
Sacco added, “I think it means a lot for a guy like him. He sees himself as an offensive player and certainly when you’re in that position you want to produce offensively. And I think especially getting your first one in the National Hockey League, it’s always a weight lifted off your shoulder.”
Overcoming Challenges
It hasn’t been easy for Lysell to transition to professional hockey. After 50 points in the AHL last season, he had 34 points in 2024-25 and people were wondering if he was ready for the NHL. Even with key departures like Jake DeBrusk leaving via free agency last summer, Lysell couldn’t crack the Boston lineup during training camp and spent most of the season in Providence.
But recent games suggest he’s starting to get it. He has 2 points in his last 3 games.
“You just gotta play a very detailed game because, you know, they’re some of the most skilled players in the world,” Lysell said on the TNT broadcast. “If you turn it over or if you’re not in the right position, they’re gonna make you pay. So that’s probably the biggest transition.”
Looking Ahead
As the Bruins head into the offseason, Lysell could be in line for a bigger role next season. Though his journey hasn’t been smooth, Sunday’s goal was a big step forward for the prospect.
“They’ve been really good for the past couple years and obviously hard to crack the roster,” Lysell said. “But I’m just trying to enjoy it out there and work hard when I’ve been able to come up.”
With more development, Lysell could be a big piece for Boston, bringing much needed offense to the lineup.
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