Nielsen's shootout strategy? Keep it simple

Keep it simple. Stick with what you know. Make your mind up early, and stay out of your own head. In case you were wondering what makes Detroit Red Wings center Frans Nielsen the best shootout performer in NHL history, that’s his strategy. “I’ve definitely stuck with the same couple of moves through the whole time, just doing stuff I’m comfortable with,… explained Nielsen, who beat Henrik Lundqvist through the pads for his 47th career shootout goal and 21st winner, both NHL records, in Friday’s 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. “I think for the most part I’ve kind of made up my mind before I even go in. If I change my mind at the last second, it kind of turns into nothing. I think I just worked a lot on a couple of things and I’ve stuck with it.… Nielsen’s money move remains his backhand deke, but as time wore on, he determined that being a one-trick pony wouldn’t allow to continue to run as the champion thoroughbred of NHL shootout competition. “In the beginning, probably for a couple of years, I went backhand every single time and they started figuring that out, so I had to start shooting,… Nielsen said. “I thought maybe they would start thinking a little bit, too. At least they didn’t know I’d do that every time. “I think it’s a little mind game, too with the goalies.… And yes, there are some goalies that are able to get inside Nielsen’s head. “Lundqvist I think was the one guy I’d never scored on, or one of them. We kind of went back and looked at Gus’ (Nyquist\s breakaway (chance) from the first period and saw how he opened up between his legs. “(Anaheim’s Ryan) Miller, he’s done a lot of scouting. He seems to know what I’m going to do every time. I haven’t even been close to scoring on him. So there’s been a couple of goalies I’ve struggled with.… Detroit coach Jeff Blashill marvels at Nielsen’s consistency in the shootout, taking into account how many elite scorers he’s seen freeze up and turn into stone hands when asked to convert a shootout opportunity. “I would say Nielsen’s got a couple moves and he doesn’t overcomplicate it,… Blashill said. “I think sometimes some guys, some real good scorers are bad at shootouts. Guys were talking about it today, we were watching (Friday’s) USA-Canada (world junior) game. It’s amazing how some really good players, especially good scorers, can be really bad shootout guys because they overcomplicate it. “Nielsen doesn’t, he keeps it simple. He’s got a couple go-to moves and he just reads the goalie and makes those moves.… Mantha Doubtful While the Wings remained tight-lipped on the nature of his injury, it would appear as if right-winger Anthony Mantha will miss his second straight game on Sunday due to this mysterious ailment as the Wings face the Pittsburgh Penguins. “It’s day to day for right now,… Blashill said. “I don’t think it’s anything I’m overly worried about, but he’s questionable for tomorrow.… Mantha leads the Wings with 13 goals. Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer