Time to make all games worth three points?

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

No way. It's bad enough that there are two kinds of losses. Now we make it so there are also two kinds of wins?

Just get rid of the loser point. Sport is all about winning and losing. Have a system that is all about winning and losing.

I don't disagree, because that approach would at least make all games worth the same number of points in the standings. But the NHL has always given points for a tie.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Because many of us believe that a skills competition shouldn't have that kind of impact in a professional league. I'd much rather have a system with a tie over one with a shootout, but I understand the futility of arguing against the shootout when the people at the top love it so much. So instead limiting it's impact or force teams to try to avoid it should be a high priority.

Ditching the otl is the best way to encourage teams to try to avoid the shootout. The OTL is ruining the entertainment value of regular season games. If they are worried about teams falling too far in the standings due to shootout variance, adding a play in round would take care of that.

[TurnedTheCorner]

The league will never implement a standings system where every game is worth three points. Take it to the bank.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

The league will never implement a standings system where every game is worth three points. Take it to the bank.

Maybe not in the forseeable future, but I'm sure somewhere in the annals of history someone said "they'll never make us wear helmets" or "why would goaltenders drop to their knees to make a save?" Adapt and evolve.

[JD]

It's hilarious to me that everyone on message boards hate shootouts yet everyone at the game seems to love them.

Personally, I hate ties. I hate going to games that end in ties, I was so happy to see the abolishment of them. A shootout is not ideal, but it's a pretty exciting way to get rid of ties.

To the topic at hand, I agree, 3 point games should have been implemented. Limp-wristed excuses like "what about the season point records!" are only smokescreens for the league encouraging a tight playoff race at the end of the year, just as folks have pointed out already. Mathematically, you should know how many points are available at the start of the year. The way things are, you can't. The system breaks the fundamental laws of thermodynamics.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Maybe not in the forseeable future, but I'm sure somewhere in the annals of history someone said "they'll never make us wear helmets" or "why would goaltenders drop to their knees to make a save?" Adapt and evolve.

Nope. This will never happen.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I can't see the league ever changing this.

It keeps more teams in the race longer, which is better for overall revenues.

Does it really? Can it be proven?

For markets where fanbase could be better. Does the difference of being several points out of the playoffs, compare to a few points out of it really make a difference in nightly attendance for those final weeks?

As for the question at hand, the league doesn't have any motive to make the change currently, but doesn't mean it can't happen down the road.

I'm so sick of the loser point though. So amateur and elementary. Why don't we hand out participant ribbons while we're at it?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

For the record I hate the shoot out but I also hate loser points. Ditch the shoot out for a 4 on 4 OT and then continuous 3 on 3 and I'd be down with that.

yup and just have wins and losses.

You can play 4 on 4 OT continuously, it won't take that long.

Although people would then complain about having a 3rd intermission.

[nfotiu]

A. 500 team that goes all out, takes chances and plays for a win every night, but never goes to ot gets 82 points. A team that puts 5 fat guys piled up in the goal and has some average shootout guys who win half their shootouts gets 123 points. Yeah, good system.

[You Need a Thneed]

Wins 3 points, Ties 1 point, Losses 0 points.


Works for the most popular sport on the planet, and it would work great for hockey too.

[You Need a Thneed]

If they must have shootouts, I suggest this point system:

Regulation or OT win: 2 points
Regulation or OT loss: 0 points
Shootout win: 1 point
Shootout loss: 1 point


Make shootout winning percentage the second tiebreaker, after wins.

[GirlySports]

and the shootout must be 5 shots.

[nik-]

Why can't they bring back real OT. How many games were really going to multiple OT's a year?

[Plett25]

Make all the games 2 point games... OTL or SOL gets ½ point and the winner gets 1½ points.

You want 2 points? Then win in regulation.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by nik-

Why can't they bring back real OT. How many games were really going to multiple OT's a year?

I agree that real OT is more competitive, but I think it has more to do with not having a pre-deterministic end time for the game. Some people would stay and watch, or keep watching on TV, but more would probably stop once it hit the 2nd OT and wanted to get home or to sleep before 1am. I would chalk it up to the logistics of having the games go on later.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by nik-

Why can't they bring back real OT. How many games were really going to multiple OT's a year?

What are you talking about? There was never multiple OTs in regular season.

[calgaryred]

Take away the 3 point system so more loser GM's and coaches can be fired.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by nik-

Why can't they bring back real OT. How many games were really going to multiple OT's a year?

I was just going to say, I have never seen a regular season game go more than 1 OT.

However if you are talking about the playoffs, keep in mind there are about 10 times the number of regular season games as playoff games- and that is assuming each playoff round goes 7 games. I would say every year there is at least 2 playoff games that go to double OT, so that would mean 20 times per year you could have double OT.

On a snowy Tuesday night; against Columbus..... no thanks. Just bring back the tie after OT, and get rid of the OTL point. Maybe keep OTL as a tie breaker, but that's about all it's worth to me.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Does it really? Can it be proven?

For markets where fanbase could be better. Does the difference of being several points out of the playoffs, compare to a few points out of it really make a difference in nightly attendance for those final weeks?

Hmmm. I don't know myself, to be honest, if it really does, or can be proven.

Just makes sense to me though.

More available points = more parity = more teams in the hunt longer = more interest from fans

[driveway]

I've been on the straight Win-loss bandwagon since '05. Get rid of the loser point, wins are wins and losses are losses.