After years of debate the NHL and its players have finally elected to make a change to the overtime format.
The NHL likes the shootout but felt too many games were decided that way. As such moving forward we will see a five-minute 3-on-3 overtime period rather than the 4-on-4 we're accustomed to seeing.
With that in mind in today's hotstove we'll look at which team could benefit most from the change.
Todd Cordell: Philadelphia Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Chicago are probably the sexiest picks to dominate overtime but I think the Philadelphia Flyers may be the team that benefits the most from it next season.
Last year the Flyers went to a ton of shootouts and struggled mightily to the tune of a 3-11 record.
With the new OT format more games will be settled prior to a shootout and that's good news for the Flyers.
Philadelphia isn't as deep as some of the teams mentioned above but when you send out the likes of Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek - and give them extra time/space to work with - good things are going to happen.
Tim Chiasson: Pittsburgh Hands down the Penguins. Crosby, Malkin, Kessel and Letang. Dear god. They can just send everyone else to the locker room when the period starts because it won't take five minutes for a rotation of these four to get the win. Even if they get real tired they can summon Hornqvist for a 30 second shift.
Seriously, though, 3-on-3 opens up the ice for the stars to make plays and the Pittsburgh Penguins are full of star talent. It's going to be extremely difficult for the opposing team to get the puck for any sustained amount of time and hem three superstars in their own zone.
I can't think of a single team that can match the Penguins 3-on-3
Ryan Wilson: Pittsburgh I have no shame picking the Penguins here.
Crosby-Malkin-Letang all in their prime years. At best you may find a trio that is on par with that, but no trio is better.
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