Trevor Zegras scores Michigan goal against the Seattle Kraken
(Screenshot/ Root Sports)

After missing 20 games with a lower-body injury, Ducks star Trevor Zegras made his highly anticipated return on Saturday night against the visiting Seattle Kraken. And he certainly did not disappoint.

The 22-year-old wasted no time reminding fans of his dazzling talent, scoring an incredible Michigan-style goal to cut the Kraken’s lead to 3-2 late in the third period.

Skating behind the Seattle net, Zegras scooped the puck onto his stick blade and wrapped it top shelf over a helpless Joey Daccord, bringing the Honda Center crowd to their feet.

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The goal came on the same night 18-year-old phenom Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks also pulled off the rare move in a loss to St. Louis, making it the first time two Michigans were scored on the same night in NHL history.

It was Zegras’ third career Michigan goal, with his second coming last January against Arizona in arguably the goal of the year. His recent show-stopping tally Saturday might even be more impressive considering his lengthy absence due to injury.

While his heroics weren’t enough to lift the Ducks to victory, falling 3-2 to the surging Kraken, Zegras’ return injects some much-needed star power into an Anaheim lineup that has struggled mightily this season. His creativity and flair have been sorely missed.

Despite showing flashes of brilliance early in the season, Anaheim is now sitting near the bottom of the Pacific Division with a 13-21-0 record. They haven’t reached the playoffs since the 2017-18 campaign.

Zebras joins fellow young guns Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson in giving Ducks fans hope for the future. And if Saturday’s goal is any indication, Zegras appears poised to pick up where he left off last season when he tallied a whopping 65 points.

The loss overshadowed an otherwise tremendous return for Zegras, who fired five shots on goal in 18:32 of ice time. The Ducks were without the aforementioned rookie Carlsson due to a brutal injury he suffered last time out. With Zegras now back in the fold, the future is bright in Anaheim.

Welcome back, Trevor.