No issue with the 3 points at all - in fact it's a great motivator in the overtime and I'm all for that. But if that 5 minutes of 4 on 4 overtime is so exciting - which it is, why not add another 5 minutes of 3 on 3 with that same calibre of excitement. Do Americans like the shootout in soccer, or is it just a results oriented decision? My team scored - so I like it.
- Your_Mom
Shootouts are stupid but the league is convinced that it sells games in America. It's an All-Star game skills competition for an extra point. And they don't even do it right. They should have at least 5 shooters, if not 7. At least that way you can showcase the skill of the players, because that's what they really want; highlights.
The problem with overtime is that it's too short. Playing 5 minutes of 4 on 4 just allows coaches to split their top six into three lines. You almost never see the 3rd and 4th lines in OT and that's where you get mistakes that lead to game winning goals. If they played 10 minutes of 5 on 5, eventually one team would get a favorable match-up either a tired 1st line or the 4th line would have to take a shift.
It should be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes of 5 on 5 hockey. The NHLPA would block it because they don't want the players playing so much overtime but it's the right thing to do. Guys will try to end the game rather than play an extra full period every third or fourth game. And if the game isn't decided after overtime, it's a tie. Simple. You want the extra point? Do something about it. And no points for losing in OT either. It's all or nothing.
