|
The Simple System That Would Make the NHL Races 100% Better |
|
|
|
|
|
After last week, when all of you out there overwhelmingly agreed that the 3 point game was in fact KILLING the playoff races while at the same time making teams appear to be tightly stacked in the standings, I set out to take your suggestions and put a better idea on the table. So today I present to you "The Way it Ought to Be!"
First, here is the new system.
3 points for a win in regulationWR
2 points for a win in OT WO
1 point for a win in the Shootout WS
and most importantly, ZERO points for a loss. You lost. You don't get points.
After looking at all of your answers last week I decided the main concern the average NHL fan has with the current system is the three point games and how the existence of these three point games can make it almost impossible to make up ground in the standings...even a few points can be insurmountable unless the team you are trailing loses in regulation...
Furthermore, because teams are playing for the single point games we are seeing incredibly boring hockey in the the latter half of contests. The epitome of sport (a winner and a loser) has been replaced by teams playing "not to lose." Even when your team is facing off directly against a team you are chasing the excitement is lessened by the fact that unless you win in regulation you are looking at a single point gain at best.
In the new system teams that lose really lose, and teams chasing can really try and go for the three points in regulation and make up ground quickly.
The NHLS main concern (and why the NHL wants the current system) is the feeling that by taking away the points for an OTL teams will run away with their divisions and the races won't be as close as they at least appear currently...
I must admit, I felt that would be the case as well...until I did the numbers and as you will see the Conferences are every bit as close...I would argue they are MUCH closer, and MUCH more competitive because teams can gain ground in this set up by winning and teams can lose ground by losing..Here are what the current standings would look like
The Eastern Conference
1. NYR 67GP30WR6WO3WS25L114PTS
2. BOS 66GP31WR2WO7WS28L104PTS
3.WAS 67GP25WR7WO1WS34L90PTS
4.PHL 66GP31WR5WO2WS28L105PTS
5. PIT 67GP30WR2WO9WS26L103PTS
6. OTT 69GP27WR4WO5WS33L94PTS
7. NJD 67GP24WR4WO10WS29L90PTS
8. WIN 69GP25WR3WO4WS37L85PTS
9. FLA 67GP26WR1WO4WS36L84PTS
10.TBL 67GP21WR8WO2WS36L81PTS
11.TOR 67GP23WR4WO3WS36L80PTS
12.BUF 68GP22WR3WO6WS37L78PTS
13.CAR 67GP22WR3WO0WS42L72PTS
14.NYI 67GP20WR3WO5WS39L71PTS
15.MON 68GP20WR2WO4WS42L68PTS
Western Conference
1. STL 68GP36WR3WO4WS25L118PTS
2. VAN 68GP30WR5WO7WS26L107PTS
3. DAL 68GP27WR4WO6WS31L95PTS
4. DET 68GP34WR3WO7WS24L115PTS
5. NAS 67GP33WR3WO3WS28L108PTS
6. CHI 69GP30WR3WO4WS32L100PTS
7. SJS 66GP26WR1WO6WS33L86PTS
8. PHX 68GP25WR3WO5WS35L86PTS
9. CGY 68GP27WR1WO3WS37L86PTS
10.COL 69GP23WR5WO7WS34L86PTS
11.LAK 68GP24WR3WO4WS37L82PTS
12.ANA 68GP25WR1WO3WS39L80PTS
13.MIN 68GP21WR1WO7WS39L72PTS
14.EDM 67GP20WR2WO4WS41L68PTS
15.CBJ 67GP17WR2WO3WS45L58PTS
So, tell me what you think?
Join the Discussion:
»