The NHLPA’s preference and brainchild of Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland to change the format of overtime is one step closer to being implemented.
Pending B of G approval, NHL will go to 3-on-3 overtime for 5 minutes in regular season games next season.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015
Contrary to the current format of 4-on-4 play for five minutes then having a shootout to decide the 2nd point, the period will be 3-on-3 for the whole five minutes, including a shootout if the open-ice play is not enough. This was contrary to other ideas being tossed around, including the AHL’s method.
NHLPA was adamantly opposed to AHL-tested model (4 mins of 4 on 4 and 3 mins of 3 on 3) so NHL choice was no change at all or 3 on 3 for 5.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015
The Swedish Elite League adopted the format the NHL is pending approval on from the Board of Governors, and a dramatic decrease in shootouts was seen last season. The AHL-tested model saw the percentage of games decided by a shootout go from 15.6% to 5.7%. With a jump right to 3-on-3, those numbers will just increase.
Going into an All-Star format topic, 3-on-3 overtime could have a domino effect and set another idea in motion.
Speaking of 3on3, NHL may consider – nothing firm yet by any means – re-formatted NHL All-Star Game that could be multi-team 3-on-3 tourney.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015
Tell me you wouldn’t pay to see something like that involving the NHL’s biggest stars.
Another addition that is pending approval is a coach’s challenge.
Coaches’ challenge on goalie interference/offside goals – with on ice officials reviewing own work at p box monitor – coming, pending B of G
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015
Getting the close calls right is obviously something the league is high on, and for years the gray area seems to be in the two situations mentioned above. Goalie interference is nothing new, but offside calls seem to be highlighted more recently. The league has the technology to get the close calls right, and it was just a matter of time before this was implemented.
Of course, the situation must have an impact on the scoreboard to be reviewable.
If, after missed offside, puck clears offensive zone and then goal is scored subsequently, missed offside no longer subject to challenge.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015
All in all, the Board of Governors should have nothing much to consider. The 3-on-3 format ends games in more of an actual hockey-oriented way versus a skills competition breakaway setting. Goals scored would count towards player statistical charts, just padding the point totals of the league’s players versus scoring goals in the shootout that don’t count towards their season scorecard. A 3-on-3 tournament that could change the fabric of how the All-Star Game is covered and watched just adds to the incentive to implement the rule change.
The coach’s challenge will help NHL officials who have to make calls watching a game that gets faster every year get the close calls right. That’s beneficial for both them and the teams involved ensuring the game is without controversy in certain situations.
Pending approval, the NHL and their fans should see a lot of high-speed intensity when the game is on the line and the right call made in the situations that could go either way without the benefit of video review.
Which is how it should be.
(Tweets courtesy of @TSNBobMcKenzie)
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