Greatest Moments of NHL Season … So Far: fourth round, matchup 1

The 2019-20 NHL season had many incredible moments before it was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, and now fans can decide which one was the best.

The Greatest Moments of the NHL Season ... So Far is down to eight entries from the original bracket of 64 with three rounds now complete. Fans will vote on one matchup per day, ultimately deciding the greatest moment up until this point.

Fans can vote on Twitter and Instagram each day from noon until 10 a.m. ET the next day. Each day, the winner of that matchup will be revealed, and a new set of moments will go head-to-head.

The matchup Tuesday pits Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne scoring a goal Jan. 9 against defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson bringing a special guest to the Arizona Coyotes' Hockey Fights Cancer night Nov. 16.

Though fans will have the ultimate say, NHL.com staffers have cast their vote for which moment should advance to the final four, with Rinne's goal winning 10-9.

Here is what some of the voters had to say about their pick:

Rinne's goal

"From one knee, in his goal crease, wearing boxy goalie gloves with 11 players in front of him, Rinne threading the needle to hit the empty Chicago net dead center with a fraction of a second left on the clock? Perfect." -- Dave Stubbs, columnist

"There is no denying the Oliver Ekman-Larsson moment during the Hockey Fights Cancer ceremony in Arizona was one of the most memorable moments of the season to date and would win many matchups, though it doesn't carry the day against the Rinne goal. I'm a goalie guy, and a goal from a goalie is the holy grail. A goalie had shot the puck into the opposing net seven previous times in the history of the League, and nobody had done it since Mike Smith for the Phoenix Coyotes on Oct. 19, 2013. Rinne's celebration after the puck went in told me all I needed to know about the significance of the accomplishment." -- Shawn P. Roarke, Senior Director of Editorial

"It had been more than six years since we'd seen an NHL goalie score a goal, and for Pekka Rinne it had been more than a decade of attempts before he was able to seize the moment. A fantastic moment for someone who has done nearly everything else at this level." -- Brian Compton, deputy managing editor

"Rinne was the 12th different goalie to score in an NHL game (regular season and playoffs), and the seventh different goalie to score with a shot. The fact this is one of the rarest occurrences in the game makes it one of the best moments of the season." -- David Satriano, staff writer

"A goalie goal, especially one that happens on an actual shot attempt, is among the rarest occurrences in hockey. Rinne's first career goal, especially with him being one of the best veterans at his position in the League, was undoubtedly one of the four most memorable moments of this season." -- Pete Jensen, senior fantasy editor

Ekman-Larsson Hockey Fights Cancer night

"A goalie scoring a goal is a sporting highlight; the Coyotes making 8-year-old cancer patient Leighton Accardo a part of their team is a life highlight." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

"Goalie goals are always fun, but Leighton Accardo's infectious smile and determination embody what Hockey Fights Cancer is about. No wonder the Coyotes players wanted to rub her head for good luck." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

"Sorry, Pekka. Your goal was outstanding, but 8-year-old Leighton Accardo's heroic fight is a clear winner for me." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

"Watching Rinne score his first NHL goal certainly was something special. But in a case such as this, I'll defer to the moment that touches the human spirit and has special meaning to those fighting so hard to live their life. The story of how the Coyotes honored Accardo on Hockey Fights Cancer night is an event that will always resonate with me." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

"How can you not vote for Ekman-Larsson here? This moment transcends the game." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist