The Thrill of the Shootout: NHL Trends & Moves for Youth Players ๐ฅ .
Dec 18, 2023
The Thrill of the Shootout: NHL Trends & Moves for Youth Players ๐ฅ
By Coach Lance Pitlick | Former NHL Defenseman
๐ Key Takeaways: Mastering the Breakaway
- It's a Mental Game: The NHL average shootout percentage is only about 32%. Even the pros miss 2 out of 3 times. Don't panic!
- Speed Kills (Usually): Coming in with speed backs the goalie up, but slowing down forces them to freeze. Variation is key.
- The "Royal Road": The best scorers change the angle of the puck right before shooting to mess up the goalie's tracking.
- Have a Plan: Don't make it up as you skate. Decide before you touch the puck if you are going to deke or shoot.
The buzzer sounds. Overtime solved nothing. The crowd stands up. It's time for the Shootout.
For a hockey player, there is no greater pressure—and no greater fun—than the one-on-one showdown. Whether you are Connor Bedard or a Peewee player in a weekend tournament, the physics of the shootout remain the same.
We dove into the stats from the last three NHL seasons to see what is working, what isn't, and how you can use this data to score more goals.
Freeze-Frame Showdown: The Numbers
You might think goalies are impossible to beat, but the numbers tell a different story. Here is the reality of the NHL shootout:
1. The 33% Rule
The average NHL shooting percentage in shootouts hovers around 32-34%. That means if you score one out of every three attempts, you are performing at an NHL level! This is a great reminder for youth players: don't get discouraged if you miss.
2. Lefty vs. Righty?
There is a myth that left-handed shooters have a massive advantage. The data shows they convert slightly higher, but it's statistically insignificant (less than a 2% difference). Your skill matters more than which way you hold your stick.
3. The Rise of the "Slow Down"
In 2026, we are seeing more players enter the zone fast, then hit the brakes near the hash marks. Why? It forces the goalie to stop moving, making them vulnerable to a quick deke.
Cheat Sheet: High-Percentage Shootout Moves
We analyzed the most successful shot types. Forget the fancy "between the legs" moves you see on Instagram; these are the moves that actually win games.
| The Move | How It Works | Success Rate (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| The "No Move" Snap | Skate in, look at the corner, and snap it quickly 5-hole or low blocker while the goalie is moving. | High (35%) |
| Forehand-Backhand Roof | Fake a shot on the forehand, pull wide to the backhand, and lift it over the pad. | High (32%) |
| The "Kucherov" (Fake) | Sell the shot with your body, but don't shoot. Let the puck slide through the 5-hole as the goalie reacts. | Med (25%) |
| The Slap Shot | Coming in with speed and winding up. (Rarely used effectively anymore as goalies simply cut the angle). | Low (<15%) |
How to Win the Mental Battle
The shootout isn't about hands; it's about brains. Here is how to outsmart the goalie.
1. Pre-Scout the Goalie
Before you even jump over the boards, watch the goalie. Are they staying deep in their net? If yes, Shoot (you have more net to aim at). Are they coming out way past the crease? If yes, Deke (they are vulnerable to side-to-side movement).
2. Change the Angle
Goalies are masters of geometry. If you skate in a straight line, you are easy to track. Try coming in slightly wide, then cutting towards the middle. This forces the goalie to shuffle, opening up holes under their arms and between their legs.
3. The "Look Off"
Look at the top left corner. Stare at it. Then shoot low right. Goalies read your eyes. If you can trick their eyes, you can beat their pads.
Practice Like You Play
The shootout is fun, but it requires practice. You can't just try these moves in a game for the first time.
If you want to build the "Silky Mitts" required to undress goalies, you need structured stickhandling reps.
Ready to light the lamp?
Check out our Elite-Weekly Online Hockey Training Drills. We have specific modules designed to improve your breakaway speed and deking ability.
About Coach Lance
Lance Pitlick is a former NHL defenseman (Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers) and founder of Online Hockey Training. He helps players worldwide build elite stickhandling, stronger shots, and greater confidence through structured off-ice training programs and tools.