Who Has the Most Shootout Goals in NHL History
The Answer: A Deadeye from Minnesota
Zach Parise holds the all-time record. The former Wild winger buried 70 shootout goals in his career. That number stands alone at the top of the leaderboard. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and who has the most shootout goals in nhl history.
He wasn't just lucky. Parise built a reputation for reading goaltenders. He studied tendencies. He waited for the perfect moment to strike. His success rate in high-pressure, one-on-one situations was remarkable.
The Top Tier: Who Else Made the List
The record book is populated by skilled forwards who thrived under the bright lights of a tied game.
Legends of the Late Night Session
Justin Williams ranks second. The "Mr. Game 7" moniker applies equally to the shootout. He converted 48 times. Alex Ovechkin brings raw power to the list. The Russian superstar scored 46 shootout winners. His one-timer from the left circle is nearly unstoppable. Evgeni Malkin contributed 44 goals. The Penguin captain combined creativity with a fierce shot. Jaromir Jagr defied Father Time. The veteran sniper tallied 42 clutch goals well into his 40s.
The Closer Mentality
These players didn't just score goals. They delivered points when the season hung in the balance. A shootout goal means a win. In a league where every point matters for playoff positioning, that difference is significant.
How the Shootout Changed the Game
The NHL introduced the shootout to eliminate ties. It started in the 2005-06 season. The rule brought a new wave of excitement and anxiety.
Teams needed specific personnel for the job. General managers scouted for players with a high ratio of shootout attempts to goals. Coaches kept detailed notebooks on opposing goalies.
The pressure is immense. The entire arena falls silent. The shooter gets the puck at center ice. A single misread means a loss.
For a deeper look at how these records stack up against regular season overtime statistics, check out the official NHL Shootout Rules and History page.
The Unwritten Rules of the Shootout
Top scorers rely on more than just a quick release. Deception is the real weapon.
The Toe Drag
A sudden shift of the puck from the backhand to the forehand side creates hesitation. The goalie commits early. The goal opens up.
The Delayed Release
Holding the puck a beat too long builds tension. The goaltender drops to a butterfly. The shooter then lifts the puck over the pad.
The Backhand Tip
Many players prefer the wrist shot from the slot. A quick backhand flick catches the goalie moving the wrong way. It looks effortless, but the execution requires thousands of repetitions.
Why the Record Still Stands
Zach Parise’s total of 70 remains a benchmark. The league has seen many skilled shooters come and go. However, his consistency over multiple seasons with the Minnesota Wild cemented his legacy.
He retired in 2023 after a career filled with big moments. The shootout record is a small part of his larger body of work. Still, it defines his precision. It shows a player who mastered a specific, high-leverage skill.
The question of who has the most shootout goals in NHL history might eventually be broken. A young star is already working on that gap. But for now, Parise is the name that stands alone.