Life-or-death penalty photographs: Would you see tomorrow for those who needed to depend on an NHL sharpshooter?

There’s a reasonably cool little time-waster going round on social media nowadays that has to do with hockey. And I’m not speaking about Twitter posts in regards to the standing of Mitch Marner’s contract stalemate with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
This one is much more enjoyable.
And it poses the next situation: The most effective hockey participant born in your birthday has to attain a objective on a penalty shot to save lots of your life. The goalie he’s dealing with is the starter of the Stanley Cup champs the 12 months you graduated highschool. Do you get to see tomorrow?
For me, that may be Pierre Mondou (Nov. 27) bearing down on Billy Smith (1981). I’m undecided if I see tomorrow, however I’d wish to assume that Mondou, who didn’t take a penalty shot all through his profession, can be good for a objective on Smith. I’d really feel loads higher if that penalty shot have been taken within the common season and never the playoffs, as a result of everyone knows how impenetrable Smith was when the video games mattered most. However Mondou was definitely no slouch offensively. Of all of the gamers taken within the 1975 draft, Mondou stands fifth in factors with 456 and sixth in targets with 194. A giant scorer in junior, Mondou had three 30-goal seasons throughout an eight-year profession that was minimize quick by a watch damage.
I’ve acquired to hope that Mondou used a few of his derring-do on that shot, coming down on Smith with the pace that made him one of many league’s premier penalty killers throughout his profession. Then, I’ve to hope Smith comes out of his crease in an try to cut down Mondou, with Mondou utilizing his smarts to learn the play and simply deking Smith out and depositing the puck into the empty internet earlier than taking a two-hander throughout the legs.
So, fortunately, I get to stay.
I canvassed different workers members at The Hockey Information and, provided that traditionally penalty photographs have favored goalies over shooters, listed here are the verdicts. Debate amongst yourselves whether or not they present up for work tomorrow. It’s a Friday in the summertime, so most likely not, so let’s go along with Monday as a substitute:
Jason Kay (Editor-in-Chief): Kyle Okposo vs. Grant Fuhr
Effectively, Boss, it was good realizing you. Okposo is a good offensive participant who has tailed off previously couple of seasons after a critical ailment that was introduced on by a concussion, however most likely not ok to beat probably the greatest cash goalies within the historical past of the sport. Okposo has been stopped on each penalty photographs he’s taken throughout his NHL profession and is Zero-for-1 in shootout makes an attempt.
Verdict: JK will not be OK.
Edward Fraser (Managing Editor): Evgeny Kuznetsov vs. Patrick Roy
This can be a robust one. Kuznetsov has a few of the finest one-on-one abilities within the league right now, however we’re speaking about Patrick Freakin’ Roy right here. Once more, we’d really feel loads higher about Ed’s possibilities in a nothing sport on a Wednesday night time in February than we might in a vital sport. Kuznetsov has failed to attain on the one penalty shot in his profession, however is Three-for-5 in shootouts, in order that places him at 50 p.c general.
Verdict: Clean up your resume for the massive chair, Ed, however you may not want it.
Brian Costello (Senior Editor): Marcel Dionne vs. Billy Smith
One other intriguing matchup that’s most likely a toss-up. However come on, you’ve acquired to present it to the sixth-highest scorer in NHL historical past, no? Dionne went 1-for-2 on penalty photographs throughout his profession, however we’d should assume he’d be capable to overpower Smith. Once more, we’ll take this one through the common season and never the playoffs as a result of Smith is without doubt one of the finest post-season goalies of all-time and Dionne was a perennial underachiever within the playoffs.
Verdict: Brian will get to stay for his subsequent garden bowling sport.
Sam McCaig (Options Editor): Mike Bossy vs. Invoice Ranford
One other mismatch in favor of the shooter. Surprisingly, Mike Bossy was by no means awarded a penalty shot throughout his profession, however we’d should assume he’d be capable to come down and rip considered one of his patented wrist photographs over Ranford’s shoulder. 9 50-goal seasons in 10 years? We’re fairly positive Bossy’s good for one on a penalty shot.
Verdict: Lengthy stay Sam McCaig.
Matt Larkin (Senior Author): Yanni Gourde on Dominik Hasek
Wow, that’s a troublesome draw. Because the president and founding father of the Yanni Gourde Fan Membership, your trusty correspondent would by no means promote this scrappy little man quick. However let’s face it people, a few of the finest gamers in NHL historical past couldn’t rating towards Hasek within the shootout within the 1998 Winter Olympics. In fact, the best goalscorer within the historical past of the sport was nailed to the bench, however that’s a rant for an additional day.
Verdict: My workload simply acquired that a lot heavier. Good realizing you, pal.
Ryan Kennedy (Senior Author): Willie O’Ree vs. Chris Osgood
Brock Nelson additionally shares Ryan’s birthday, however he went with O’Ree, who didn’t have a lot of an opportunity to ascertain himself as an offensive participant throughout his NHL profession. However he was a reasonably good offensive participant within the minors and we’re considering he’d profit from his alternative on the massive stage.
Verdict: Ryan continues to stroll amongst us.
Jared Clinton (Net Editor): Artemi Panarin vs. Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Effectively, you may have an extremely gifted shooter and one of many smartest offensive gamers of his technology towards the Michelin Man. We’ve acquired to go along with Panarin on this one. He’s 2-for-Three in shootouts over the course of his profession and he has a singular skill to promote one transfer and make one other.
Verdict: THN’s web site is secure.
Shea Berencsi (Artwork Director): Jiri Slegr vs. Ed Belfour
Powerful draw for Shea. Slegr scored one objective roughly each 10 video games and Belfour was, effectively, Belfour.
Verdict: You have been such a pleasant child and onerous employee.
Steven Ellis (Digital Content material Producer): Zach Werenski vs. Jonathan Fast
It’s actually robust for a defenseman, even one as proficient as Werenski, to attain on a penalty shot as a result of it’s not as if it’s a ability they follow a lot. Fast has definitely seen higher days as an NHLer and he’s not precisely a wizard in shootouts – giving up six targets on 13 photographs throughout his profession. We’re simply happening a hunch right here however…
Verdict: So tragic to lose you at such a younger age.
Samantha Fortomaris (Designer): Howie Morenz vs. Antti Niemi
This one might be slightly nearer than you would possibly count on. For no matter purpose, Finnish shooters and goalies are each nice in shootouts and Niemi isn’t any exception. He’s stopped all seven photographs he’s confronted in his profession within the abilities competitors. Morenz, although, is the NHL’s first true celebrity and his pace and ability have been legendary. We’re betting he’d be by Niemi and have the puck within the internet earlier than Niemi even had time to arrange.
Verdict: By design, you reside.
Graeme Roustan (Chairman and Writer): Invoice Flett vs. Ken Dryden
Yikes. ‘The Cowboy’ scored a career-high 43 targets in 1972-73, Dryden’s second full season with the Canadiens. So maybe if it have been going down in that season, Flett would have had an opportunity. However general, we don’t like his possibilities.
Verdict: I’m not in your will by any probability, am I?
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Tags: lists, nhlConnect: Concerning the AuthorKen CampbellKen Campbell, The Hockey Information’ senior author, is in his second tour with the model after an eight-year stint as a beat reporter for the Maple Leafs for the Toronto Star. The Sudbury native as soon as tried out for the Ontario League’s Wolves as a 30-year-old. Evidently, it did not work out.