The Flames, Kraken, Flyers and Maple Leafs are where they are in the NHL standings because of shootouts so far. As last year showed, shootout success or failure can be the difference between playoffs and golfing in late April.

First things first, we understand the shootout isn’t the most popular part of the NHL.  

Fans rightfully want a team-based ending to games, and shootouts are more of an individual-based component of the product. 

But shootouts actually matter quite a bit. As we see virtually every season, they can be the difference between missing or making the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Last year, the Calgary Flames missed out on a post-season berth by two points. They were 2-5 in the shootout. A couple more made shootout shots, and who knows how much of a playoff run they could’ve gone on (see Panthers, Florida). 

At the other end of the spectrum, the Colorado Avalanche wouldn’t have won the Central Division by one point over Dallas were it not for the Avs’ 6-3 shootout record last season. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild would’ve been life-and-death to make the playoffs last year if they hadn’t gone 7-6 in shootouts. 

And the Edmonton Oilers – who finished two points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the top spot in the Pacific Division – went 0-4 in shootouts in 2022-23. Winning half of those shootouts could’ve drastically changed the Oilers’ playoff opponents.

There were similar stories in the Eastern Conference. The New York Islanders were a lousy 1-5 in shootouts last year, and though they likely still would’ve finished fourth in the Metropolitan Division, you can’t say for certain they wouldn't have built on a better shootout record. And the Buffalo Sabres, who missed out on the post-season by one point, were a mediocre 3-3 in shootouts. 

Those are the types of things that haunt NHL coaches, players and GMs after the year is over. One made shootout shot here or there, one saved shootout shot at the other end here or there, and we very well would be looking at a significantly different set of results for many teams.

This season, there are already teams either benefitting or suffering because of their shootout records. 

On the positive end of things, the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1 in shootouts), Philadelphia Flyers (3-0) and Golden Knights (4-1) all would be notably lower in the standings if they hadn’t played well in shootouts. While Vegas would still be in playoff position if it lost those shootouts it won, the same can't be said for the Flyers and Maple Leafs.

On the negative end, the Flames once again struggle in shootouts, going 0-4 already this season. The Seattle Kraken (1-3) and Montreal Canadiens (3-3) also would be in a better place if they were better in the skills competition. If either the Flames or Kraken won the shootout games they lost, they'd be in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Deja vu, Calgary?

In the hyper-coached modern-day NHL, you’d think teams would have one paid staff member devoted to making their team as potent in shootouts as possible. 

As it stands, the coaching staff of every team has an assistant coach whose tasks include shootout proficiency, but there may come a day when a coach on each team does nothing but focus on shootouts. It is that important in the grand scheme of things, and every point that’s lost when a team loses a shootout could be the difference between a shot at the Cup and a ticket to the draft lottery.

Obviously, you also need your goaltending to respond well in shootouts, but that area is covered by goalie coaches. There may even come a day when a skater earns a spot on an NHL roster solely because they’re a shootout specialist. Teams and players have all the practice time in the world to hone their shootout strategy, and when so much is riding on standings points – be it competitively or monetarily – there’s every likelihood a team that prioritizes shootout proficiency will benefit from it at season’s end.

You may not like shootouts as a way to end games, but the fact is shootouts aren’t going anywhere. All the more reason to focus on them. The alternative could spell doom for you.