low ROW total will ensure they lose any tie breakers for a playoff spot.

I hear you but that's a contradiction in itself...2 points should be worth 2 points. If the shootout is legitimate...Should a team winning that way be discounted??
As usual, one mistake leads to another...

US defeats Russia 3-2 as TJ Oshie wins it in a shootout. Controversy, but int'l rules are different-My Fox Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1bU6Hrg
- Al

The league answered that question when they adopted the ROW as a tiebreaker for playoff seedings. It wasn't that way initially.

What's laughable is teams at the bottom of the standings:

Buffalo - 9 ROW in 57 games is good for 38 points

NYI - 16 ROW in 60 games good for 52 points. Still have a chance.

Can they just stop messing with the game? How about that? Unless it involves player safety leave the freaking game alone for a bit.

FYI. The shootout in the Olympics is exactly why its in the NHL.
- Elbows15

Isn't that the beauty of this sport...Continually screwed with and still survives.

What sport would go from 1 to 2 refs after a regular season and then start the new 2 ref system in the playoffs??

I could go on but you know what I mean..

US defeats Russia 3-2 as TJ Oshie wins it in a shootout. Controversy, but int'l rules are different-My Fox Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1bU6Hrg

Two mistakes:

The SO itself, although I think it's here to stay - they need a way to avoid endless overtimes - and ties - for the networks.

Saying the while an OT/SO loss is worth more / better than a regulation loss, but an OT/SO win is the same as a regulation win.

If you give a point for an OT/SO loss, need to have a three-point system.
- StLBravesFan

3 point system - not likely to happen IMO. League doesn't want the kind of separation in the standings that exists in baseball or the NBA East. Would result in too many meaningless games by mid season.

By doing it the way they are doing it, the NHL provides a Faint Hope Clause for all its teams.

The league answered that question when they adopted the ROW as a tiebreaker for playoff seedings. It wasn't that way initially.

What's laughable is teams at the bottom of the standings:

Buffalo - 9 ROW in 57 games is good for 38 points

NYI - 16 ROW in 60 games good for 52 points. Still have a chance.
- RickJ

Like I said..one mistake leads to another...

The NHL knew the risk of shootouts...a few years ago Philly got into the post season defeating the Rangers and it took about 10 rounds....I was hoping it would keep going and that game would have been decided with the 3rd pairing dmen shooting.

US defeats Russia 3-2 as TJ Oshie wins it in a shootout. Controversy, but int'l rules are different-My Fox Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1bU6Hrg

Isn't that the beauty of this sport...Continually screwed with and still survives.

What sport would go from 1 to 2 refs after a regular season and then start the new 2 ref system in the playoffs??

I could go on but you know what I mean..

US defeats Russia 3-2 as TJ Oshie wins it in a shootout. Controversy, but int'l rules are different-My Fox Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1bU6Hrg
- Al

Yes, yes I do. The constant tweaking is just the Rules Committee justifying their own existence. You know, like all committees.

What I haven't seen mentioned is I thought it was pretty admirable the way the fans in the rink reacted. They must have been aware of the rule.

Yes, yes I do. The constant tweaking is just the Rules Committee justifying their own existence. You know, like all committees.

What I haven't seen mentioned is I thought it was pretty admirable the way the fans in the rink reacted. They must have been aware of the rule.
- Elbows15

Yes because it is not only in the Olympics but in Intl' play as well...

US defeats Russia 3-2 as TJ Oshie wins it in a shootout. Controversy, but int'l rules are different-My Fox Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1bU6Hrg

Like I said..one mistake leads to another...

The NHL knew the risk of shootouts...a few years ago Philly got into the post season defeating the Rangers and it took about 10 rounds....I was hoping it would keep going and that game would have been decided with the 3rd pairing dmen shooting.

US defeats Russia 3-2 as TJ Oshie wins it in a shootout. Controversy, but int'l rules are different-My Fox Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1bU6Hrg
- Al

As you know Al, mistakes or problems in this league are only corrected when Jeremy Jacobs or Ed Snider go berserk over something that happens to their teams that they don't like or hits them in the pocketbook. Or when Mario Lemieus starts whining.

As you know Al, mistakes or problems in this league are only corrected when Jeremy Jacobs or Ed Snider go berserk over something that happens to their teams that they don't like or hits them in the pocketbook. Or when Mario Lemieus starts whining.
- RickJ

...And in the shootout I mentioned Philly got in and made it to the Cup Final vs the Hawks...

US defeats Russia 3-2 as TJ Oshie wins it in a shootout. Controversy, but int'l rules are different-My Fox Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1bU6Hrg

Slovenia 3 Slovakia 1

Nuff said JJ. Crow?

I've seen many people jumping off bridges and buying expired lottery tickets, too.

I wonder if those people who are picking Slovakia for last place realize that this is essentially the same team that almost medalled in 2010. Oh, right.

Halak, Chara, Hossa. Especially Chara.
- John Jaeckel

Bump.

The issue shouldn't be disguised with avoiding ties. Ties were problematic before but now teams hang on to capture 1 point at the end of regulation.

Things would be better all the way around without a shootout imo.... But what needs to happen is a regulation win either has to be worth more than a shootout win or not give 1 point for a regulation tie.

The last part of the season teams still play for a tie albeit at the end of regulation.

Instead of changing the point system the NHL will placate owners by making a longer OT period or other modifications....For me 3 on 3 hockey is hokey as well.

Because the illusion of parity the current point system enhances makes the weak sisters look stronger than they are. That's tough for the league to move away from.

US defeats Russia 3-2 as TJ Oshie wins it in a shootout. Controversy, but int'l rules are different-My Fox Chicago:
http://bit.ly/1bU6Hrg
- Al

I really don't see this in games. And even if true, it's been going on forever. Before the shootout its not like teams would get reckless trying to win in regulation when they were tied. Maybe in the last couple games teams fighting for points do, but I wouldn't really say it waters down the product. They should go to a 3-2-1 point system, works fine in the Olympics.

PROSPECT BLOG COMING TOMORROW AM
- John Jaeckel

Hello ??? Did I miss it ?

I really don't see this in games. And even if true, it's been going on forever. Before the shootout its not like teams would get reckless trying to win in regulation when they were tied. Maybe in the last couple games teams fighting for points do, but I wouldn't really say it waters down the product. They should go to a 3-2-1 point system, works fine in the Olympics.
- rollpards19

Yes...Pretty much my point.

Can't complain about the format if you wanted to see Olympic hockey...

Also over the years it was ties as an issue....It still is but now the shootout decides the winner.

Point system needs to change but for reasons already mentioned that is a hard one for NHL hierarchy.

Slovenia 3 Slovakia 1

Nuff said JJ. Crow?
- Scooby_Doo

Win or lose to Slovenia, they would still be in the play-in round - and could still make the quarter-finals.

Given his history PRD, he will be concussed shortly.
- Elbows15

Then he'll get put on LTIR and provide some cap relief....we all win if that happens.

Slovenia 3 Slovakia 1

Nuff said JJ. Crow?
- Scooby_Doo

Don't look now, but the Slovaks are in OT with the Ruskies...

I am with you, Ogie...

Why play an entire game, then an overtime,if the one on one os they way you settle it?

The shoot-out has passed it's shelf life...
it now is SO prevalent and determines play teams over non playoff teams.

I just think if you had 3 on 3 there would be SO MANY MORE goals scored, that actually involved 3 attackers versus 3 defenders and goaltender and that is the RIGHT way a team sport should have an outcome.

Did either Russia or Canada DESERVE a loss?
(maybe Russia really don't deserve it after quick accidentally dislodged his own net....)

An aside is as hawk fans we are going to have many mant years of strong competition against the Blues in the future, and the fact that Oshie and Tarasenko are so good in the shoot-out, it is almost as if a team plays Hitch's style and just hangs around, get's a tie, and that is all they need to get a WIN...they only need to TIE...and then do the shoot-out.

I have never liked the shoot-out whether the hawks win it or not....and actually tuck them in my head as TIES...and have trouble remembering who had more one on one wins.

On another note:
My favorite part of the Russia USA game was when the the Russina defender and garbbed backus' stick after the check and the play went up ice and backus started punching the guy to the head AND THE RUSSIAN FANS were going CRAZY, thinking there should be a call...so funny!
- wiz1901

Spot on. All of it. Good post

Don't look now, but the Slovaks are in OT with the Ruskies...
- prd797

And in the SO.

Russians just totally completely dominated the 2nd and 3rd periods - couldn't get anything past Laco and a very good Slovak defense.

Russians won't get a bye into the medal round - will have to play a play-in game.

Our guy Handzus first shooter.

Missed.

And in the SO.

Russians just totally completely dominated the 2nd and 3rd periods - couldn't get anything past Laco and a very good Slovak defense.

Russians won't get a bye into the medal round - will have to play a play-in game.
- StLBravesFan

And 'Primetime' Radulov and Kovalchuk make Laco look pretty silly. All things considered, the Russians should've done a lot better.

To all young hockey players out there: "Elevation"

How can Handzus and Tatar not score after deking out the goalie?


Not much hope for Slovakia, Kessel having a real good tournament so far and Kaner not putting up much numbers. But great PP pass to the 2-1 yesterday and in general what a great promo for hockey the US - RUS game has been.

And
- prd797'Primetime' Radulov and Kovalchuk make Laco look pretty silly. All things considered, the Russians should've done a lot better.

Great elevation on the in-close backhand by Radulov - why can't Kane do that?

To all young hockey players out there: "Elevation"

How can Handzus and Tatar not score after deking out the goalie?


Not much hope for Slovakia, Kessel having a real good tournament so far and Kaner not putting up much numbers. But great PP pass to the 2-1 yesterday and in general what a great promo for hockey the US - RUS game has been.
- MDGHawk

Couldn't elevate the in-close forehand like Radulov did the in-close back hand.

Today's Team USA article....

US advances to quarterfinals with 5-1 win vs. Slovenia. Russian win controversy-Patrick Kane's play: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eEPdif

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

PROSPECT BLOG COMING TOMORROW AM
- John Jaeckel

Hello ??? Did I miss it ?
- mrpaulish

No you didn't miss it. It's coming tomorrow.