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Devils’ Nathan Bastian channels Tommy DeVito in viral celebration

NJ’S EAST RUTHERFORD — Forward Nathan Bastian of the New Jersey Devils isn’t well-known for his goal scoring ability; going into the Stadium Series game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night, he has only three goals in 51 games this season.

Nevertheless, Bastian had scored two goals in the Devils’ 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in front of 70,328 people at MetLife Stadium as the final horn sounded. During the game, one of his goal celebrations went viral.

New Jersey was up 4-1 in the second period when Bastian’s shot beat Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson.

Bastian pulled off his right glove, laced his fingers together, and gestured to the spectators as he skated around to the side boards.

The identical motion, which has now become “The Passing Paisano” and gained New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito cult hero status, was used to celebrate a three-touchdown performance against Washington last season.

According to DeVito, the gesture was inspired by Phil Buzzerio, the assistant athletic trainer with the Giants, and it was meant as an homage to “the old Italians” who “when they talk, they start doing this” with their hands.

Bastian claimed that Tommy DeVito was actually his inspiration.

Before the game, Bastian said that he and Devils player Chris Tierney—who was left out of the lineup for the Stadium Series match—were “cooking up” some possible goal celebrations.

It was simple to choose that specific celebration because the quarterback who started it was playing in the same stadium as the Devils