The Flyers went to yet another shootout Monday night as they took on the Toronto Maple Leafs up in Canada, and Trevor Zegras – along with Dan Vladar’s stellar goaltending – was the hero. His continued success in the shootout is something that could be a sneaky important skill for the Flyers as they look to move forward and compete for the playoffs.
Trevor Zegras has been one of the most electric players in the shootout over his six-year NHL career – scoring highlight reel goals after highlight reel goals. The 24-year-old is currently ranked fourth all-time in shot percentage – with a minimum of 10 attempts – in the shootout, with a 62.1 shooting percentage. In his 29 total shootout attempts, he has scored 18 times, seven of which were game-deciding goals, according to NHL Records.
Trevor Zegras is so automatic in the shootout…
— NHL (@NHL) March 3, 2026
Ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/1rAq6FdxEU
This season alone, the Flyers have gone to nine shootouts, tied for the second-most in the NHL, behind only the Los Angeles Kings, who have gone to 10. In those nine shootouts, the Flyers are 6-0-3, with an .833 winning percentage. Doing the math, the Flyers have gained an extra 6 points due to their success in the shootout, and Zegras has been a large contributor to that.
With the Flyers playing a more grind-it-out style under Rick Tocchet — and lacking true high-end offensive firepower — they’re naturally more likely to find themselves in overtime or shootout situations. They aren’t built to run teams out of the building, but they’re structured enough to avoid getting blown out, which keeps games close late in the game.
There’s always the argument that fans like to bring up that the shootout “isn’t real hockey.” And stylistically, you’d be right – it doesn’t resemble five-on-five play or even overtime. But as we’ve previously discussed when examining how the Flyers’ playoff hopes could hinge on overtime success, the standings don’t care how the point is earned. When wild card races are routinely separated by one, two, maybe even three points, those “skills competitions” suddenly carry real weight. The extra point or two gained beyond regulation can be the difference between sneaking into the postseason or falling just short.
What makes him so successful?
There’s a reason that Zegras is such a factor in the shootout. Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender – and former teammate of Zegras – Anthony Stolarz, was asked about what makes him so difficult to stop.
Stolarz didn’t hesitate
“Just how slow he comes in. He’s got quite the arsenal of tricks. Having played with him for three years in Anaheim, I’ve kind of seen it all. So, you never know what to expect with him.”
That unpredictability is a large part of what makes Zegras so elite. He doesn’t just rely on one signature move – he has a few different options that can lead to success. The slow approach forces goaltenders to hold their edges longer than they’re comfortable with, leading to them second-guessing their reads and anticipating something flashy. And when a goalie starts thinking instead of reacting, the shooter already has the advantage.
This is something Zegras has done a ton this season, leading to multiple highlight reel shootout goals.
Trevor Zegras converts AGAIN in the shootout 🚨
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 28, 2025
He's 4 for 4 on the season, and now 17 FOR 25 IN HIS CAREER (68%) 😵 pic.twitter.com/6G9ck1JP6a
As the Flyers try to establish themselves as a playoff regular, having someone like Zegras who can deliver in the shootout becomes increasingly important. In the Eastern Conference, where the standings are often separated by just a handful of points, converting a few extra shootout opportunities into wins can be the difference between earning a postseason spot and falling just short.
