Quote:
Originally Posted by MattyC
Agreed, but I think this is treating a symptom of the disease. The reason games go to a shootout is because there is generally a better chance of winning during that than there is of winning in OT by potentially risking a chance against. And so once in overtime, it's only a 5 minute trip until the shootout. If I was a coach I'd be telling my team to rag the puck until the shootout too (depending on your opponent). It's the points system that causes games to go to shootout.
The reason you see much more exciting OT in the playoffs than the regular season is because the players just want to get it done as fast as they can. No point in holding anything abck if you walk away with nothing when you lose anyways. There should be no points for losing ever.
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Here's a more radical solution to the overtime/shootout issue. If there is a tie at the end of regulation, the game ends and neither team gets a point. It would make for a barn-burning third period as a tie would be an unacceptable outcome. Perhaps this line of reasoning explains why I don't have Bettman's job.
