Whether you like shootouts or not, they're a big part of today's NHL, and can be the difference between making the playoffs or missing them.
We saw this first hand last season when the Devils missed the playoffs by five points because of their abysmal 0-13 record.
It seems as if there's some appetite among NHL heads to change the overtime rules in hopes of trimming down the likelihood of going to a shootout, but it seems they're here to stay regardless.
So with that in mind, who are the Blue Jackets best shootout options, and who can we expect to see the most come October?
Note: those are the top-5 percentage shooters with a minimum of 10 attempts. GDG = game deciding goals.
Mark Letestu has a leg up for a spot on the 4th line, and I think his shootout numbers make him that much more valuable. He's been excellent in the shootout throughout his career, and should be the Blue Jackets' ace when it comes down to it. A couple extra points Letestu could help Columbus accumulate could be the difference in making the playoffs or missing them, getting home ice, etc.
After Letestu, there's several other options who've had success in the skills competition. Cam Atkinson has scored at a similar rate, though in half the attempts, and his mix of speed and skill should make him a mainstay in shootouts.
Fedor Tyutin is a better option than most realize, but I'm inclined to believe Todd Richards is more likely to go with a skilled forward like Artem Anisimov or Ryan Johansen (26.7%) or even Jack Johnson (27.8%) if he's pressed for a decision.
It'll be interesting to see if Richards elects to go with the numbers or bases his decision more so on how a player is performing on any given night. Regardless, he has the luxury of plenty talented players to choose from.
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