I still believe, now more than ever, that NHL teams deserve 3 points for a regulation win...(sorry I have to get that in whenever I can..)
Ok, as for the 3 vs 3 OT? What's not to love?
So far all but 1 (out of 11) three vs. three overtimes have been decided without a shootout. The Majority ending in under 3 minutes. The NHL has a hit on its hands, but will it last?
There is no doubting that space + talent =WOW. The question is this...When the games and points matter, how will coaches treat this? I guarantee you it will change. a lot. I have been talking to many people around the league and here are some future strategies to look for...
#1. No shots from outside on the rush. The risk of counter attack is just overwhelming should a hard shot be fired wide. I fully expect to see players carry the puck in on a 2-1 and make either a move to beat the goalie and tuck the puck in or pass across.
#2. Only defend with two players in your zone Teams will keep a player outside their own d-zone and take their chances 3 on 2 to create a breakaway the other way. It's almost like not having the two-line offsides in 3 v 3 is going to be an issue. (and that is coming from a guy who HATED the two-line offsides).
#3. Long shifts from forwards... If you have a speedy forward who is mainly circling in the neutral zone until an opening appears you might as well keep him on the ice.
#4. The Designed "Delay on the Boards" Line Change. If you have two tired defenders out there you will see a guy carry the puck in behind the opposing net and just pin it on the boards (like he is killing a penalty)..challenging the defense to take it away while his two teammates make the long change.
#5. MANY, MANY more intentional offsides. Part of me wonders if a rule needs to be established that allows the ref discretion here. If a team is tired and needs a a change all a player needs to do is skate himself off-sides with the puck. The result will be a defensive zone face-off, but 3 vs 3 that isn't really a big enough deterrent to getting the players you want on or off. If intentional offsides became like an icing (where you can't change your players) it would be far better. That change is coming. I am 99% sure of it.
#6. Goalies who can handle the puck being brought in.
Many of the goals being scored in this situation are the kinds of goals which no goalie is going to be able to stop...so why not bring in a goalie who can handle the puck if your backup is better at puck handling. A goalie who can handle the puck can make it almost impossible for an opponent to change and can start the rush. That holds enough value (vs. not being able to stop certain goals anyway) for teams to consider the change.
What say you?
We will discuss all this and more on today's Buzzcast live at 2pm ET.