Today In NHL History - Omark's Shootout Goal

On March 31st in 2009, the 97th pick in the 2007 NHL Draft scored a spectacular shootout goal for Sweden in a friendly with Switzerland.

Eight months later, Linus Omark was tapped for a shootout attempt in his NHL debut and beat Tampa Bay Lightning backstop Dan Ellis with a spin-o-rama move, cinching a 4-3 win for the Edmonton Oilers.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Patrick Eaves Shootout Miss

On March 27th in 2010, former first round draft pick Patrick Eaves of the Detroit Red Wings tripped and fell during a 9th round shootout attempt against netminder Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators.
Even Eaves enjoyed a laugh about the gaffe afterward the game.
The Red Wings eventually sealed a 1-0 shootout win over the Predators that night on the strength of Niklas Kronwall's 11th round score.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Wideman's Shootout Miss

On February 2nd in 2006, St. Louis Blues defenseman Dennis Wideman famously flubbed a shootout attempt against Chicago Blackhawks rookie goalie Corey Crawford, awkwardly falling before managing a shot on net.

The shootout miss remains a favorite among NHL hockey bloopers. The Blues eventually beat the Blackhawks that night by a score of 6-5.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Ott's Shootout No Goal

On January 16th in 2010, Dallas Stars forward Steve Ott was stopped on his first ever shootout attempt by Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard. Despite an emphatic no goal call by perfectly positioned referee Rob Martell, the ruling was reversed by the NHL on video review.

Appalled by the call, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock exclaimed "The video replay showed the puck didn't go in the net, I thought that's why we had video replay". Dallas beat Detroit that night by a score of 3-2 on the strength of the NHL's video review blunder in shootout's 6th round.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Malik's Shootout Goal

On November 26th in 2005, New York Rangers defenceman Marek Malik scored on Olaf Kölzig of the Washington Capitals ending the then-longest overtime shootout in NHL history.

The memorable marker, Malik's first in 21 months, came in the 15th round of the encore, giving New York a 3-2 win over Washington.

In 2014, the Capitals found themselves in the now-longest shootout in NHL history, losing to the Florida Panthers in the 20th round.  Sadly, Nick Bujstad did not mimic Malik's move to end the 18 minute affair.
That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Kovalchuk's Shootout Miss

On November 10th in 2010, New Jersey Devils star forward Ilya Kovalchuk fabulously flubbed a fourth round shootout attempt against Jhonas Enroth giving the Buffalo Sabres a 5-4 victory in Lindy Ruff's 1,000th game behind the Buffalo bench. The $100 million dollar man's miscue sealed his squad's fate as the league's worst through the first fifth of the NHL's 93rd offering, with only 4 wins and 10 points in 16 games. Since joining the Devils, the premier pick from the 2001 NHL Draft has been a healthy scratch and managed a modest 3 goals, 5 assists, and minus 7 rating in 15 games.

Two nights later, however, Koval-choke redeemed himself, drawing a Dustin Penner tripping penalty in overtime and scoring the winner on the ensuing powerplay, leading the Devils to a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers and their first home win in eight attempts this season.
From zero to hero in 48 hours. What a difference a game makes.

That's today in NHL history.