Pittsburgh Penguins: The Top 10 Shootout Stars of the Season

The Penguins won seven straight shootouts on their way to an 8-2 record in games decided by a shootout round. These weren't consecutive games, but it was still an impressive streak and the Pens have continued their shootout success into 2010.

It seemed like every other game the Penguins played this season without their two superstars ended in shootout. While it is an uncanny way to decide a highly competitive contest, it is exciting and suspenseful nonetheless.

In late March, the Pens held four consecutive opponents even through the OT period and into the finality of a shootout. Even more impressive, they snatched two points in each of those four games, setting an NHL record.

Pittsburgh finished the 2010 season with 10 shootout wins in 13 appearances. Unfortunately there are no shootouts in the playoffs, but here is a tribute to the players that contributed greatly in the many decisive shootout rounds of the Penguins regular season.

10. Evgeni Malkin

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 06: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on November 6, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Penguins defeated the Coyo

Malkin had one shootout goal in a loss to the Islanders at the end of December. He only had three attempts before a knee injury ended his season.

Shootout Stats:

G 1

S% 33.3

9. Sidney Crosby

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 29: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on December 29, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 2-1 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett

Crosby also scored in that 5-4 shootout win over the Hurricanes. It was his lone shootout goal of the season and unfortunately, because of his concussion, he didn't receive too many opportunities.

Shootout Stats:

G 1

S% 25

8. Mark Letestu

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 06: Chris Kunitz #14 (R) of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammate Mark Letestu after Letestu scored the game winning shoot out goal against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on November 6, 2010

In a shootout with the Phoenix in early November, Pens' Rookie of the Year, Mark Letestu, notched his first game-deciding shootout goal to give his team the 4-3 victory.

Brent Johnson stoned all three of the Coyotes' shots in the shootout.

Shootout Stats:

G 1

S% 25

7. Pascal Dupuis

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Pascal Dupuis #9 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates after scoring the game winning goal during the shootout against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on December 23, 2010 in Washington DC. The Penguins won the

Dupuis' only shootout goal of the season was a big one.

It took seven shootout rounds to decide a preview of this season's Winter Classic, but Pascal Dupuis netted the game-deciding goal to give the Pens' the win over the rival Washington Capitals.

Shootout Stats:

G 1

S% 25

6. Dustin Jeffrey

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 05: Dustin Jeffrey #15 of the Pittsburgh Penguins is congratulated by teammates on the bench after he scored in the second period against the Boston Bruins on March 5, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Get

Dustin Jeffrey was the first star in a 4-3 shootout win over the Rangers in February. Not only did he notch the game-deciding goal in the seventh round of the shootout, but he had also scored a power play goal earlier in the matchup.

Jeffrey may have never gotten his time to shine had Jordan Staal not been thrown out due to an errant punch. It was his only shootout attempt, but he made it count.

Shootout Stats:

G 1

S% 100

5. Kris Letang

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 20: Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a save against Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the shootout at the United Center on February 20, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Penguin

Letang has always been thought of as a solid shootout scorer, but recently he's fallen into a slump. He may have been tied for the most shootout goals on the team, but his shooting percentage was pretty shaky.

His only game-deciding goal came in a shootout with the Carolina Hurricanes in mid-November.

Shootout Stats:

G 3

S% 23.1

4. Chris Kunitz

Lou Capozzola/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 24: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scoring the game winner in a shootout against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 24, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lou Capozzola/Getty Images)

Back when the Penguins were still in the race for first, they found themselves matched up with the in-state rival Philadelphia Flyers, who also happened to be the leaders of the Eastern Conference.

Chris Kunitz beat Bobrovsky to secure his team two points after Alexei Kovalev's shootout goal had been matched by Danny Briere.

He also scored in Pittsburgh's last shootout of the season as the Pens beat the Islanders 4-3.

Shootout Stats:

G 2

S% 40

3. Alexei Kovalev

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 20: Jordan Staal #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his first period goal with Alexei Kovalev #72 against the New York Rangers at Consol Energy Center on March 20, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller

After arriving back in Pittsburgh as a result of a trade from the Ottawa Senators, Alexei Kovalev had one monster of a outing in his second appearance following his return to the Pens.

He had one goal in regulation and the game-deciding shot to lead Pittsburgh to a 6-5 win over Toronto.

Kovi also scored in the Penguins' fourth consecutive shootout win, an NHL record.

Shootout Stats:

G 3

S% 50

2. James Neal

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 12: James Neal #18 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens on March 12, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

James Neal has made a positive impact on the Pens since he was acquired from the Stars at the trade-deadline, especially in shootous.

In the first of the Pens' four consecutive shootout victories, Neal knocked off the Red Wings with the only goal in the shootout.

He also helped the Pittssburgh defeat New Jersey in their third consecutive SO win after finally beating Brodeur in a scoreless game and scored in the NHL-record fourth consecutive SO win as well.

Shootout Stats:

G 3

S% 75

1. Marc-Andre Fleury & Brent Johnson

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 24: Marc Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the shootout on March 24, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lou Capo

It's somewhat unfair that the skaters who make goalies look foolish and score during shootouts are known as the game-winners and given the most attention.

When overtime ends in a tie, enormous pressure falls on goalies who must a remain a brick wall even when they are forced to stop every shot without help from a defense.

Teams count on their goaltenders to make the saves, but don't get too upset when a scorer fails to find the back of the net.

The Penguins goalies, Marc-Andre Fleury and backup Brent Johnson, have been the real superstars in each of Pittsburgh's eight shootout victories.

Fleury, the team's MVP, stopped 32 out of 38 shootout attempts this season as he's led Pens to eight SO wins. Johnson has two SO wins, only allowing one goal on 11 attempts.

Shootout Stats:

Fleury SV% .842

Johnson SV% .909