I'm going to address some nonsense I'm tired of seeing in these threads.
The Isles currently have five+ guys with top tier shootout moves, including the highest scoring shootout player in NHL HISTORY. Their goalie is no longer a cripple with an eternal contract or an old man. Hence shootout wins.
As far as Historic Context:
The New York Islanders are 2nd(!) all time in NHL history in shootout win percentage.
They have had a LITTANY of guys who could light the lamp in the skills competition since it was created. Look at this list:
Nielsen (There is nobody better in NHL history)
Okposo
Bailey
Tavares
Vanek
Moulson
Parenteau
Blake
Kozlov (Punched their ticket to the playoffs with a shootout winner!)
Satan
Tambellini
ALL 30% or better in the shootout. Stop saying 'It's a coin toss'. It's not a ****ing coin toss. It's gimmicky, it's stupid, and it's not remotely real hockey, but it's not a ****ing coin toss.
They've had the shootout for NINE YEARS now, and the Isles have been good at it for the entirety of that time. That's not a coin toss. If you have guys in your allotment of dressed skaters who are good at the shootout, you will win shootouts. This **** ain't hard.
Yes, this won't help you in the playoffs, but I'd like my team to take advantage of EVERY POSSIBLE POINT THEY CAN to get to the playoffs then dismiss it as some organizations do as Irrelevant. Get the points.
Lastly:
The shootout is garbage and not real hockey. I understand, respect, and agree with that!
However, the dismissal of 4 on 4 OT seems like sour grapes to me. I guess any goals scored during a 4 on 4 in regulation should count less?
C'mon people. Explain that hatred to me.
thank you for bearing with me during my indignation. My team is finally GOOD (for the first time since 2002!) and people just can't accept or admit that.