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Against the Caps, the third shooter was Derick Brassard, but that’s only because Erik Karlsson wasn’t in the lineup. Karlsson has five shootout goals, all game deciders, on 16 chances for a 31.3 per cent efficiency and will be back in the three spot when he returns to the lineup from injury.

Hoffman has had nine shootout chances, scoring just once. For those who remember the Peter Forsberg postage stamp move he made on Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask in the first round of the last spring’s playoffs, that’s probably hard to digest.

“Breakaways and shootout are not the same,” Boucher said. “When you’re in the middle of a game, you’re just reacting. When you go into a shootout, you have the thinking part and the pressure part and all that. All of a sudden, it changes.”

Hoffman understands his place in the shootout pecking order.

“There are other guys that are really good in shootouts,” he said. “They should be going.”

At the same time, Hoffman’s not intimidated by the shootout spot light, nor does he fear getting the coach’s shoulder tap.

“I think everyone likes shootouts,” Hoffman said. “You’ve got to have a good move or hit a good shot in the right spot. The goalies are so good these days, it’s tough to score. They are so good at reading you. I’ve never seen (Craig) Anderson get deked out of the net. You have to sneak one through him.”

Hoffman worked on some new moves during the summer, as most players do, but, going forward, he’ll continue to keep the same approach for in-alone chances on goalies.

“I don’t think you go into a shootout or a breakaway not knowing what you’re going to do,” Hoffman said.

“You have a couple of options. What side of the ice you’re coming down on changes things as well.”

Meanwhile, Boucher will also continue to treat shootouts the same way: by turning his back on them.

“I never watch,” Boucher said. “Not because I’m afraid of the result. It’s because I hate when I look and see something they could have done. Just do your thing.

“I’ve always disliked (the shootout) and I still do. It’s a team game decided with a one-man show.”