The best shooters in the NHL have various tricks up their sleeves whenever the puck is on their stick.
It can be a quick, unpredictable wrist shot like Auston Matthews, the heavy one-timer ability of Patrik Laine or Steven Stamkos, or perhaps the pinpoint accuracy of Nikita Kucherov, Vladimir Tarasenko or Elias Pettersson.
While those players arguably make-up the best shooters in the NHL, the king of the scoring goals has to be the Great Eight himself, Alexander Ovechkin, who stands alone on his pedestal. Whether it's with his rocket one-timer from his office on the powerplay or his quick snapper of a wrist shot, the 34-year-old Russian has already registered 5 goals in his first 7 games on the young season.
On Wednesday, Ovechkin and the Caps welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to D.C., who boast one of the best even-strength snipers in the game in Auston Matthews.
One way Matthews is hoping to make his shot even more dynamic this season and going forward is by adding a one-timer slapshot to his arsenal.
At Wednesday's morning skate, TSN's Mark Masters asked Ovi what advice he'd give Matthews on developing a one-timer. Ovi laughed and said that Matthews needs to take a few shots with his curve if he wants to find his sweet spot.
Now that's some sound advice. Ovechkin has tormented the Leafs more than any other Eastern Conference opponent he faced, scoring 39 goals in 48 career games, including 15 powerplay markers, working out to .81 goals-per-game.
Matthews has fared well in his time against Washington, notching 3 goals and 5 assists in eight career games.
