Shockingly, we are a decade into the NHL adopting the ever-exciting 3-on-3 overtime to decide regular season contests. While teams have had 10 years to strategize, fans are ready for some revamped rules to improve the watchability post-regulation. The league can try to improve it and they will try with the path of least resistance. Here are our best suggestions on how to make the NHL’s post-regulation more fun again.
Expanded Overtime
Most fans want to expand the current 5-minute overtime period to allow more time. While it’s unlikely the league or players’ association would agree to 20 minutes like in IIHF Gold Medal games, there are middle-ground options they could implement. The largest suggestion is to double the period to make it 10 minutes. There could be more Marik Malik-like chances for players who might not always be on the ice in those situations. If you don’t get the reference or want just to reminisce, watch this.
If we are going by baby steps the ECHL adopted a 7-minute overtime back in the 2019-20 season and no team was in more than 8 shootouts and 19 of their 27 franchises participated in less than 5 shootouts over their 72-game schedule.
Now the 4 Nations Faceoff is taking the opportunity to implement a 10-minute overtime. But their short tournament format allows for this to work but is it viable for the rigors of the NHL schedule? As much as fans want to see the change it may be too hard on the players over 82 games. The league may want to find a middle ground and baby step their way to 10 minutes then 7 feels like a very viable option.
Stealing from the NBA
Most would agree that the main issue with the current overtime format is players deciding to regroup under no pressure. Teams will enter the zone and immediately circle back to the neutral or defensive zone. Colin Campbell had addressed these possibilities during last year’s GM meetings by potentially adding a shot clock or “eliminating the ability to pull the puck out of the attacking zone once you cross the blue line.”
The shot clock would be the easier option to implement but it doesn’t come without some flaws. How long would they make it? Would it be for shots on goal or shot attempts? When does the clock start?
The over-and-back rule would have to be implemented in a way to not slow down the game. If the unintended consequence of having a faceoff while trying to speed up the overtime not slow it down seems counterproductive. They can’t force these teams to play faster but something to improve the constant regrouping is necessary.
The breakaway contest improved
The other big reason for changes wanted among fans is to avoid as many shootouts. Having games decided by a series of breakaways is not quite the game we love. It is a necessary evil but there are ways we can improve it.
Now most probably remember the heroics of TJ Oshie or Jonathan Toews in international shootouts so the league should want to capitalize on that. The league’s current three-round shootout should allow anyone to shoot as many times as possible. Who wouldn’t want to see the superstars of the game face off shot after shot until there is a winner? Another added wrinkle would be another steal from international play is the shootout winner counting as an actual goal towards the season.
While it is not a detrimental issue to the league there are options for the league to tweak and improve these formats after 10 years. It doesn’t have to be an admission of guilt just a nod to the players and coaches for adjusting well. Whether we see improvements to the overtime or shootout any post-regulation change is more fun for this league. Check out more rule changes and league reactions at Area 51 here.
