The Shootout Can Really Spotlight Hockey's Greats

Many people debate the purpose of the shootout and some feel that it is outright gimmicky and shouldn't be a deciding factor in a hard-fought tied game. One thing is for sure though. The shootout is just another avenue for the true elite talents in the NHL to show their world class skill. And I'm not talking about behind-the-legs, scoop-up-the-puck type "wow" moves. I'm talking about the subtle manner in which the true greats can pick their spot and score. A few examples:

*In a late 1990's All Star Game Skills competition, the Eastern and Western Conferences were tied in points so the competition went to a shootout. Up came Mario Lemieux with a chance to win it for the East. Lemieux came down and lifted the puck right past the goalie's glove hand to score with ease. The goalie even lunged for it with his glove, but Lemieux put in the exact spot where the goalie would not be able to reach it. Had he shot the puck a fraction of an inch in any other direction, the puck would have been saved, would have hit the post or gone high. Lucky shot? I don't think so. Mario knew what he was doing.

*In the Islanders home opener this year, the Islanders and Penguins came down to a shootout. I was in the stands for this game, watching from the 200's section on the side of the Islander goalie. Sidney Crosby took his turn and shot the puck so leisurely, I could have sworn the guy was depositing the puck into an open net on an empty rink. He was simply able to pick a spot on Dwayne Roloson in a way that very few players that have ever played the game could, and throw it right past him with ease. "Dishes are done, Dwayne!"

*Last night, the Islanders were playing the Carolina Hurricanes, and when it came John Tavares' turn to take his shot, Tavares came down and put the puck past goalie Cam Ward's blocker side from what seemed an impossible angle and mind-bogglingly small amount of space. Ward actually stayed with Tavares' shot and moved to his right, and with any other player, he probably would have stopped the shot. But Tavares picked the sliver between goalie and post that few others can pick out, offering a glimpse into the talent in his hands.

When you think of fancy shootout moves, its usually the Steve Stamkos dangle that comes to mind, or Alexei Kovalev flipping the puck onto the back of his neck, or any one of Alexander Ovechkin's antics in the last few All-Star Games. But it's when these superstar players that simply have an eagle eye for open spots, that to me is the real treat to watch.