The General Managers of the National Hockey League have recommended that the league change over to a 3 on 3 based format for regular-season overtime. As you all know the 4 on 4 format increases the number of goals and odd-man rushes, but it’s simply leading to too many shootouts as far as everyone is concerned.
It would be as early as next season that the change would come into effect. Less shootouts the better seems to be the going consensus around the league. According to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, this will keep the shootout “special…. By no means will changing the format from 4 on 4 to 3 on 3 completely remove the shootout, it will just have more games decided in overtime as opposed to decide in a shootout.
There are two options being debated at this time for the overtime change:
1. Overtime starts 3 on 3 and if no player has scored a goal than it goes to a shootout.
2. Would be to use the AHL’s model and have 4 on 4 for the first three minutes of a seven minute overtime, and then if nobody has scored at this time they change over to 3 on 3 after the first whistle after the three minute mark of overtime.
At this point of the overtime discussions there seems to be Managers who are for option one and two, so things are somewhat split at this time. The good news seems to be that everyone is on the same page in terms of changing the current overtime system. So it sounds to me like it’s quite positive that we will see a different format next season, I’m happy with either; but the first option seems to be quite simple and easy to follow.
Picturing all of the odd man rushes in a 3 on 3 format seems like it would certainly get the job done in five minutes. It could quite possibly be more exciting hockey than a shootout, which no doubt have their moments of glory.
Which option do you feel would be the best for the NHL going forward?