A player isn’t necessarily a shootout superstar just because they are a sniper within the context of a hockey game. We hear that it’s a skills competition to determine a winner—and likewise we have players that have specialized skills. Here are some of the best players in the league. The list is a mix between guys that have the best percentages, the most overall shootout goals and skills that make opposing netminders have to change their goalie pants. Here are some of the best in the league—as well as some surprising players that are awful.
(To give a point of reference, the league average for shootout success rate is about 32%-33% every season.)
5. Paul Kariya: 48% (12 goals-25 attempts)—People forget that this guy was the go-to shootout guy for Team Canada for years on the international stage. Between his speed, smooth dekes and lightning quick wrist shot, he’s someone that I’d rather have on my bench than the opponents.
"You don't think I'm very good anymore? Would you want to face me with the game on the line?"
4. Pavel Datsyuk: 48.7% (19-39)—His percentages are good, but this is why he’s one of the best. Thank you.
3. Woltek Wolski: 56.7% (17-30)—Wolski has had some ups and downs in his young career, but the one constant has been his amazing stats in the shootout. If he could put together that kind of shooting percentage during the rest of the game, he might be onto something!
2. Slava Kozlov: 57.1% (24-42)—He’s been doing this since he was a superstar prospect in the former Soviet Union. I get the distinct impression that he could be 80 years old and still score on a breakaway.
1. Jussi Jokinen: 55.3% (26-47)—Sometimes its a great move and sometimes it is a subtle shot above the pad and below the blocker. Regardless, Jokinen is a legitimate shootout specialist. If for no other reason, he’s worth about 4 points in the standings just to have at the end of the game.
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Towes 60% (9/15); Joe Pavelski 56% (14-25)
Dishonorable Mentions (shots/attempts): Chuck Kobasew 0% (0-8); Dion Phanteuf 0% (0-6); Marian Gaborik 7.1% (1-14); Stephen Weiss 13.3% (2-15); Jeff Carter 17.6% (3-17); Daniel Sedin 18.8% (3-16)
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Who are the guys on your team that you feel most comfortable with in a shootout? Better yet, who are the players on other teams that absolutely scare the hell out of you at the end of a game?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
@Jessica: Its ok, Philly Phan doesnt know what those numbers mean either…
@Jen: Its kinda funny… if it wasn’t for Jokinen’s ability in the shootout, I’m not sure that Carolina would have even picked him up from Tampa!
I’ll be honest: I love a good shootout. Maybe it’s the mano-a-mano aspect, like two cowboys facing each other down. I don’t know much about hockey, though, and I have no idea what all those numbers in Philly Phan’s post mean.
Shooter/Team/GDG/Goals/Shots/ShootingPct/LongestScoringStreak/LongestScorelessStreak
Pyorala, Mika (C) PHI 1 1 1 100.00 1 0
Santorelli, Mike (C) NSH 1 3 3 100.00 3 0
Toews, Jonathan (C) CHI 2 9 16 56.25 3 2
I slowly scrolled down this list only allowing myself to see one at a time from 5 to 1. By the time I got to 2, I knew that I’d better see Jussi (YOUsee!) Jokinen when I got to 1. Well done! Bet you can guess how much the Stars are missing him NOW….