NHLOct 11, 2016 by Jacob Messing
Setting The Perfect NHL Shootout Lineup
Setting The Perfect NHL Shootout Lineup
Here's FloHockey's perfect shootout lineup among active NHL players.
With the introduction of 3-on-3 overtime ahead of the 2015-16 season, the NHL sought to kill the shootout.
The new overtime format was put in place to help curb the number of games decided through a shootout. The belief was fewer players on the ice would open up more space, allow more breakaways and showcase speed and skill.
Fortunately, the shootout survived the 3-on-3 change, and ultimately decided 107 NHL games last season. But the new overtime format dropped the percentage of overtime games decided in a shootout in 2014-15 by 16.66%.
Much like the shootout, 3-on-3 overtime has been highly criticized; Dustin Byfuglien simply said, "it ain't hockey."
But both have become a part of hockey and haunts some teams (see, Philadelphia or New Jersey) while it's embraced by others (see, fans; players; 2014 Olympic U.S. Team).
To make a case for embracing the shootout, it's easier to look at specific players than it is teams. So, without further ado, I give you the perfect shootout lineup--among active NHL players.
1. T.J. Oshie
Career: 65 attempts; 35 made, 30 missed, 53.8%
2015-16: 9 attempts; 4 made, 5 missed, 44.4%
Oshie made a name for himself when he became a one-man show to beat Team Russia during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. Already a strong player for the St. Louis Blues and a career 54.3% shootout scorer prior to Sochi, Oshie's name propelled through the hockey world when USA coach Dan Bylsma channeled Herb Brooks and said Oshie again, again and again.
His calmness, demeanor and expertise eventually wore out the Russians, and because of that, Oshie comes in at No. 1 on the perfect shootout lineup.
2. Frans Nielsen
Career: 78 attempts; 41 made, 37 missed, 52.6%
2015-16: 6 attempts; 4 made, 2 missed, 66.7%
Nielsen shares the record for most shootout goals in NHL history, tied with the soon-to-be-mentioned Jonathan Toews at 41. The underrated Nielsen has been a shootout king since his first opportunity during the 2008-09 season.
Nielsen's knack for the shootout is obvious, having scored in the shootout before recording his first ever NHL goal. Much like Pavel Datsyuk had his "Datsyukian Dekes" for the Red Wings, Nielsen is known for the "Danish Backhand of Judgment," which he is bringing to Detroit.
His smooth hands and 41 goals solidify him at the No. 2 spot in the perfect shootout lineup.
3. Jonathan Toews
Career: 82 attempts; 41 made, 41 missed, 50.0%
2015-16; 3 attempts, 0 made, 3 missed, 0.0%
While Toews' career percentage isn't as prolific as other players, his 82 attempts put him on this list. It also doesn't hurt that Toews is a natural leader and was a clutch performer for the Chicago Blackhawks for each of their three Stanley Cups since 2010.
Although Toews' shootout skills were off in 2015-16, being clutch means coming up big when your team needs you the most. That puts him at the No. 3 spot, anchoring the lineup of Oshie and Nielsen--in the event the shootout makes it to him.
Who makes your list for the perfect shootout lineup? Comment below.
The new overtime format was put in place to help curb the number of games decided through a shootout. The belief was fewer players on the ice would open up more space, allow more breakaways and showcase speed and skill.
Fortunately, the shootout survived the 3-on-3 change, and ultimately decided 107 NHL games last season. But the new overtime format dropped the percentage of overtime games decided in a shootout in 2014-15 by 16.66%.
Much like the shootout, 3-on-3 overtime has been highly criticized; Dustin Byfuglien simply said, "it ain't hockey."
But both have become a part of hockey and haunts some teams (see, Philadelphia or New Jersey) while it's embraced by others (see, fans; players; 2014 Olympic U.S. Team).
To make a case for embracing the shootout, it's easier to look at specific players than it is teams. So, without further ado, I give you the perfect shootout lineup--among active NHL players.
1. T.J. Oshie
Career: 65 attempts; 35 made, 30 missed, 53.8%
2015-16: 9 attempts; 4 made, 5 missed, 44.4%
Oshie made a name for himself when he became a one-man show to beat Team Russia during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. Already a strong player for the St. Louis Blues and a career 54.3% shootout scorer prior to Sochi, Oshie's name propelled through the hockey world when USA coach Dan Bylsma channeled Herb Brooks and said Oshie again, again and again.
His calmness, demeanor and expertise eventually wore out the Russians, and because of that, Oshie comes in at No. 1 on the perfect shootout lineup.
2. Frans Nielsen
Career: 78 attempts; 41 made, 37 missed, 52.6%
2015-16: 6 attempts; 4 made, 2 missed, 66.7%
Nielsen shares the record for most shootout goals in NHL history, tied with the soon-to-be-mentioned Jonathan Toews at 41. The underrated Nielsen has been a shootout king since his first opportunity during the 2008-09 season.
Nielsen's knack for the shootout is obvious, having scored in the shootout before recording his first ever NHL goal. Much like Pavel Datsyuk had his "Datsyukian Dekes" for the Red Wings, Nielsen is known for the "Danish Backhand of Judgment," which he is bringing to Detroit.
His smooth hands and 41 goals solidify him at the No. 2 spot in the perfect shootout lineup.
3. Jonathan Toews
Career: 82 attempts; 41 made, 41 missed, 50.0%
2015-16; 3 attempts, 0 made, 3 missed, 0.0%
While Toews' career percentage isn't as prolific as other players, his 82 attempts put him on this list. It also doesn't hurt that Toews is a natural leader and was a clutch performer for the Chicago Blackhawks for each of their three Stanley Cups since 2010.
Although Toews' shootout skills were off in 2015-16, being clutch means coming up big when your team needs you the most. That puts him at the No. 3 spot, anchoring the lineup of Oshie and Nielsen--in the event the shootout makes it to him.
Who makes your list for the perfect shootout lineup? Comment below.