Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk recently made a surprising choice about who he would trust to score a critical shootout goal if his life depended on it. Contrary to what many might expect, Tkachuk selected former Washington Capitals winger TJ Oshie over the legendary Wayne Gretzky.
Speaking ahead of the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament last week, Tkachuk shared his thoughts during a podcast interview with Jon “Stugotz” Weiner. His decision was based on a memorable moment that has become one of the most iconic in recent hockey history.
Tkachuk explained, “That’s so tough… I feel like I saw somewhere once Gretzky said he didn’t like breakaways, which I find that’s not true, but one of my favorite moments in sports history was watching Oshie in the four-shootout-goal game, so I’m going to take Oshie.”
Why Matthew Tkachuk chooses TJ Oshie over Gretzky
The moment Tkachuk referred to was Oshie’s remarkable performance during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Oshie, then 27 years old, scored four shootout goals against Russia in the group stage match, effectively carrying Team USA to victory. This feat remains one of the most celebrated shootout performances in hockey history.
Oshie’s prowess in shootouts is well documented. With 49 shootout goals in his 16-season NHL career, he is tied for the third-most all time. His clutch performances have earned him a reputation as one of the NHL’s most reliable shootout specialists.
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Oshie’s shootout era vs. Gretzky’s greatness
It is challenging to compare Oshie and Gretzky directly in shootout situations, as the NHL only introduced the shootout format in the 2005-06 season — well after Gretzky had retired. While Gretzky never played under these conditions, he did excel in breakaways and scored a penalty shot goal during his illustrious career.
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Still, for a high-pressure, life-or-death shootout moment, Tkachuk’s vote goes to Oshie, a player known for his calmness, skill, and composure when it matters most.
