Penalty shot In ice hockey , a penalty shot is a type of penalty awarded when a team loses a clear scoring opportunity because of a foul committed by an opposing player . One player is given an attempt to score a goal without opposition from any defending players except the goaltender . Unlike penalty kicks in football ( soccer ) and penalty strokes in field hockey , the player is allowed to skate with the puck before shooting . The penalty shot was added to the rule books of the National Hockey League for the 1934 - 35 season , allowing them to be awarded when a player was fouled while in " a good scoring position . " The first penalty shot was awarded to the Montreal Canadiens ' Armand Mondou on November 10 , 1934 ; he was stopped by the Toronto Maple Leafs ' George Hainsworth . On November 13 , Ralph " Scotty " Bowman of the St . Louis Eagles scored the first penalty shot goal in NHL history . Penalty shots are most commonly awarded when a player is fouled from behind on a breakaway and is not able to take a shot . Other fouls that result in penalty shots include throwing the stick in the defending zone or at a player on a breakaway , purposely dislodging the goal post to prevent a scoring opportunity , a defending player other than the goaltender falling on or picking up the puck while it is in the goal crease , and deliberate illegal substitution in the last two minutes of regulation time or in overtime . In the Southern Professional Hockey League , since its inception in 2004 , a penalty shot is automatically awarded for a minor penalty in the final two minutes of overtime . To start a penalty shot , the puck is placed on the centre faceoff spot , and the goaltender stands on the goal line . When the referee blows the whistle , the attacking player may take control of the puck and attempt to score . Once the attacker touches the puck , the goaltender may step away from the line for better positioning . The shooter is allowed one shot – a goal cannot be scored on a rebound – and once the puck crosses the goal line , the penalty shot is considered complete . Play stops immediately following a penalty shot . The time needed for the shot is not included in the playing time of the game . If the shot is unsuccessful , play is restarted with a faceoff in the zone where the penalty shot was tried . If the shot is successful , the faceoff is at center ice as with any other goal . Although most of the rule books do not specify a time limit , they do require the shooter to move the puck continuously toward a scoring attempt , once it is touched . The skater may also skate for a short time prior to touching the puck , to build up his momentum . At any point , the referee would have to judge whether the attacker is stalling , and thus nullify the play . Frequently , players will attempt to deke around the goaltender in an effort to score . Other players may simply shoot quickly in front of the goaltender , relying on the quick release of the shot to score a goal . If a penalty shot is awarded and the penalized team had pulled their goaltender in favour of an extra attacker , an automatic goal is awarded in lieu of the penalty shot . A penalty shot is considered by some commentators to be the most exciting moment in hockey . However , due to the circumstances necessary to trigger a penalty shot call , penalty shots are rare in the NHL , especially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs . Far fewer goals are scored on penalty shots compared to penalty kicks . In the long history of Stanley Cup play , only 46 penalty shots have been called , and only ten in the Finals since the first one in 1937 . The first eight resulted in no score . The first successful penalty shot in Stanley Cup Finals history occurred on June 5 2006 , when Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers beat Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes , following an illegal covering of the puck by a Carolina player . The most recent failed attempt occurred in the 2007 finals , when Antoine Vermette of the Ottawa Senators had his shot turned aside by Jean - Sébastien Giguère of the champion Anaheim Ducks Strategy . Strategy is considered to be very important during penalty shots and overtime shootouts for both the shooter and the goalie . Both shooters and goalies commonly consult their teammates and coaches for advice on the opposing player ' s style of play . Shooters often consider the goalie ' s strengths and weaknesses ( such as a fast glove or stick save ) , preferred goaltending style ( such as butterfly or stand - up ) and method of challenging the shooter . Goaltenders often consider the shooter ' s shot preference , expected angle of attack , a patented move a shooter commonly uses and even handedness of the shooter . Most shooters attempt to out - deke the goalie in order to create a better scoring chance . Minnesota Wild forward Mikko Koivu and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St . Louis are examples of players who commonly use this strategy . However , it is not uncommon for a shooter to simply shoot for an opening without deking . This is commonly referred to as sniping . This is most commonly performed when a goalie challenges a shooter by giving them an open hole ( by keeping a glove , pad or stick out of position or being out of sound goaltending position all - together to tempt the shooter to aim for the given opening ) . Very rarely a shooter may take a slapshot or wrist shot from the point or top of the slot . This is almost exclusively performed when a shooter either has a high level of confidence in their shot or they attempt to catch the goalie by surprise . Minnesota Wild forward Brian Rolston , Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek and Anaheim Mighty Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger have all used this strategy with success . In fact , Pronger succeeded in using this strategy in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward as a member of the Edmonton Oilers . Players sometimes use the rarity of point - blank shots as a deking method . Sheldon Souray , owner of one of the hardest slapshots in the league , has succeeded by faking a slapshot and simply flipping the puck in . Sometimes a player will even fake a wrist shot by lifting their opposite leg ( left leg for a right - handed shooter ) or just by flicking their stick directly above the puck . Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek also uses this technique .