Breakaway Tip from Wayne Gretzky

This video covers stick handling basics, but also includes a key tip for breakaways:

Bring the puck back in close to your body to gain control before you shoot. If the puck is too far out in front of you, it will pick up speed, and bounce off the blade of your stick.

The video also includes footage Adam Oates and Pat LaFontaine, Andrachuk, and Messier deking out their opponents, again keeping the puck in close.