Monday, September 08, 2014

T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews Ranked 1 & 2 Shootout Specialists



Brian Compton of NHL.com ranks the top 14 shootout specialists in the NHL. None of us should be shocked by T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews being ranked so high. Both players are very good in the shootout and I am sure Jeff Frazee still has night mares of Toews lighting him up in the shootout during the 2007 WJC.
1. T.J. Oshie, St. Louis Blues, 56 points (4 first-place votes)
2013-14: 9/12, Career: 27/48

Nobody will soon forget Oshie's heroics at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, when the Blues forward led the United States to a 3-2 victory against Russia by scoring four times on six attempts in the shootout. Why did U.S. coach Dan Bylsma elect to keep using Oshie? Because he excels in the breakaway competition; Oshie went 9-for-12 last season and is 27-for-48 (56.2 percent) in his career. Fourteen of Oshie's 27 goals have clinched victories for St. Louis, including five last season.
It's really nice to see the former UND hockey players being recognized for their efforts.
3. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, 43 points
2013-14: 7/13, Career: 34/68

Is there anything the Blackhawks' captain can't do? Toews scores timely goals, kills penalties, leads by example on and off the ice, and yes, excels in shootouts. He converted more than half of his attempts last season and four of his goals came on the road.

No comments:

Post a Comment