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Henrique flips puck over Vatanen, scores gorgeous goal in return to New Jersey

Adam Henrique made his former team pay Monday night. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Adam Henrique made his former team pay Monday night. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Last month, Adam Henrique was traded from the team that drafted him after a six-and-a-half year stint with the Devils.

On Monday, the Ducks forward got revenge on the club that dealt him away the only way that seemed logical: By flipping the puck over the guy he was traded for, blowing by said guy and going backhand to finish for his first goal against his former team in his first game back in New Jersey.

Henrique along with Joseph Blandisi and a third-round pick were flipped to the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 30 for Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-rounder. Both the Ducks, in need of a centerman, and the Devils, yearning for a quick, puck-moving defenseman, helped each other fill some short- and long-term needs.

On this play, however, it was Henrique clearly getting the best of Vatanen, as the usually slick-footed blueliner got turned completely inside out and beat clean to the puck before Henrique beat his old netminder to give his new club a 3-1 lead.

Another look:

In his return to the Prudential Center, Henrique received a tribute and standing ovation as he saluted the crowd during a stoppage of play in the first period. Vatanen and the Devils would go on to spoil the 27-year-old’s homecoming, as New Jersey scored four straight goals to beat the Ducks 5-3.