The introduction of shootouts in the NHL brought a new excitement to the game. Ties would no longer be a part of the standings, less talented teams would have a good chance of earning the extra point, and fans loved it.
It also gave unknown players the chance to get their name out there in a new part of the game. We all remember Marek Malik's between-the-legs goal against the Washington Capitals. A big defenseman pulling off a move like that just showed that anything could happen.
Without further ado, I give you my list of the 10 best shootout experts:
1) Patrick Kane
Many would put Jussi Jokinen as their No. 1 because of the fact that he scored in each of his first nine shootout attempts in the 2005-2006 season. However, in his rookie year, Kane showed the world what he could do in the shootout.
It's not just the fact that he led the league in shootout scoring; it's how he did it. Whether it was a quick wrist shot upstairs or a deke to the backhand, Kane always had something up his sleeve.
2) Jussi Jokinen
Like Kane, Jokinen's shootout stats aren't the only thing that make him a pick. Many times we have seen Jussi do the "Forsberg Deke" in the shootouts by sliding the puck around the goaltender's pad with one hand. It's an incredibly hard move to pull off, yet he makes it look so easy.
Last year, he wasn't quite himself, with just two goals in four attempts. We'll see if he can bring back some of the magic for the Tampa Bay Lightning this season.
3) Erik Christensen
Last season, Christensen usually took the first shot for the Penguins in shootouts. There's a reason: The kid has a number of unbelievable quick dekes in his bag and more often than not, he put the puck in the net.
Christensen is now with the Atlanta Thrashers, and he should be able to bring fans out of their seats like he did in Pittsburgh.
4) Joe Pavelski
"Little Joe" was big for the San Jose Sharks in shootouts last season. He scored seven times in 11 attempts. Speed is a huge factor in shootouts, and Pavelski normally burst down the ice, giving the goalie little time to make a decision.
"Big Joe" (Joe Thornton) may rack up the most points, but it's Pavelski that'll earn the Sharks extra points in shootouts.
5) Brad Richards
Richards has amazing talent, and he's finally utilizing it in the shootout. Richards only shot on four occasions this year, but he scored on three. Like Pavelski, he came down each time with great speed before firing the shot.
The shot I remember most was when he sped toward Martin Brodeur and beat him with a quick wrister. The whole sequence took about three seconds. It's not easy making the best goalie in the NHL look silly.
6) Petteri Nummelin
He's had a tough time getting a regular spot in the Minnesota Wild lineup, but this guy is "money" in shootouts. A defenseman with a slick set of hands and some creative moves, Nummelin can undress the goalie before you know it.
If he can learn to put those skills to work during the game, he'll have a regular spot in the Wild lineup.
7) Patrik Elias
20 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Chris Bouthillier 11 months ago
Nice list. Not necessarily the guys who can dangle but players who are good in the clutch. I like Jarkko Ruutu in the shootout too, and I'm glad he's on his way to Ottawa lol.
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Eric Renkema 11 months ago
Where is Sam Gagner?? You-tube his shoot-out goals and see what a mistake it was not to add him to the list.
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Alan Bass 11 months ago
i agree, gagner was prettty good, but i still think this list is pretty accurate
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Alan Bass 11 months ago
i have tried jokinen's moves during a game, and it has worked about 90% of the time...it fools a butterfly goalie every time!
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Chris Bouthillier 11 months ago
I pulled that off in a game about four years ago. It was hard not to celebrate, even if it made the score 9-1 haha.
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TJ Ferguson 11 months ago
i tried it in a game last night, but i couldn't get the goalie to commit to my forehand enough and he just had to kick his leg out, i felt like an asshole.
but i did get my goalie with it in practice before the game, oddly enough, the goalie on my team was way better than the other teams goalie, it wsa the first time i had ever tried it in a game though
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Benjamin Trottier 11 months ago
Have you seen Saku Koivu in shoutout ? And his little brother with the Wild ? Those two are great in this aspect, especially the oldest one... I remember some goals by Saku last year in shoutout that were amazing. He's on my top 10 list.
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Chris Hoeler 11 months ago
Pavel Datsyuk???
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Tyler Hill 11 months ago
Come on no Jonhathan Toews he's gotta be in there some where
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Rafal Ladysz 11 months ago
sam gagner was 5 for 17 this year gimme a break, he does the same move everytime (kicks his leg to fake the shot, fakes backhand and goes forehand), it worked the first few times then goalies got to know what he'd do. The Koivus are pretty good but they weren't used much this year. Pavel Datsyuk went 4 for 10 but we all know hes got the skills to be the best. Toews was injured and didn't see a lot of shootout action.
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Mikey Tolvo 11 months ago
That was really good, but i think that Chara's slapshot goes somewhere on that list.
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Mikey Tolvo 11 months ago
and kessel
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Eric K 11 months ago
Ruuuuuuuutuuu.
It's so sloppy it's good.
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Matt Eichel 11 months ago
Saku Koivu anywhere?
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J WILSON 11 months ago
I hate to say it due to the fact that I am not a fan at all of his but Phil Kessel should have made the list.
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Melissa Grissom 8 months ago
hmm....where is Zetterberg? Nash? Ovechkin?
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Rafal Ladysz 8 months ago
We're going by statistics here. Those guys don't have great numbers in shootouts.
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Melissa Grissom 8 months ago
yeah that's true but i do have one player that we need to add...Brad Richards of the Dallas Stars.
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Rafal Ladysz 8 months ago
Brad Richards is number five.
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Melissa Grissom 8 months ago
is there anyone else that we can think of as a top shootout skater
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