Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I agree with those who see the merits for the introduction of a 3-point system for all games. I wanted to address Lamarillo's opinion, and why the League can never return to a 2-or-nothing system for awarding points. The shootout changes everything: in a league in which wins are occasionally awarded for gimmicky skills competition a team should never be penalized for their failure to come up short in a glorified coin-flip.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N-E-B
I don't like this because while it makes sense mathematically, it devalues an overtime win and makes it less exciting.
All or nothing. Use the "games back" system like Major League Baseball and the NBA. Part of the thrill of extra innings is it's still all or nothing. You win or you lose, no more in between.
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I used to think the same, that the NHL should just do a simple W-L system, because I felt a 3-point system would penalize teams for having to go past regulation, which I felt wasn't fair.
But now, I've flipped my opinion for three reasons:
One, the concept is that every game is worth 3 points. It eliminates the presence of a imaginary point after regulation.
Two, the structure of play for overtime and the shootout is not in the realm of regulation hockey anymore. So there shouldn't be the same type of reward as if the game was completed in regulation.
And three, this reduces the temptation for teams to play the final minutes of regulation safe if the game is tied. There's still a risk/reward decision to make, since you risk getting no points at all if you end up losing, but you gain an 'extra' point (or two) if you can pull off winning in regulation. This could lead to teams playing with more determination to close out the 3rd period of games; especially in the final stretch of the season when points become even more valuable. It's for this reason that I think the NHL would have the most to gain since it should make the product even more exciting, which is always the league's goal.
So even though the loser point would still exist, it's value is decreased. It would lessen it's impact on the standings, and encourage teams to play for the win in regulation, rather than trying to get into overtime, since they would lose out on 1 possible point. The value of regulation wins and OT/SO would be distinct, and more apportaitly recognized in the team's record and in the standings.