NHL changes shootout tie-breaker rules

[TSUCookieMonster]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=333792

The NHL has decided that when it comes to breaking ties in the standings, not all wins will be considered equal.

The league's Board of Governors approved a change on Tuesday that will see shootout victories excluded from win totals when a tie-breaker takes place between clubs who are tied in points at the end of the season.

Previously, total victories - including shootout wins - were counted in a tie-breaker situation.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that the rule change was not a step toward the league eliminating shootouts, which were introduced for the 2005-06 season.

Last year, the Phoenix Coyotes led the league with 14 shootout wins, followed by the Bruins and Kings with 10 each. The Columbus Blue Jackets had the fewest, with two.

[dmiles2186]

I like this idea. Make it more important to win when there are actually 5 to a side (plus a goalie each) on the ice instead of 1 goalie, 1 shooter. Maybe it will make the 5 minutes of OT a bit mre exciting with teams trying to get as many wins as possible prior to the shootout.

[Winning Unlimited]

This is good for the NHL!

[stlbluz]

A step in the right direction.

[Mrdcblue]

...The league's Board of Governors approved a change on Tuesday that will see shootout victories excluded from win totals when a tie-breaker takes place between clubs who are tied in points at the end of the season.


...Last year, the Phoenix Coyotes led the league with 14 shootout wins, followed by the Bruins and Kings with 10 each. The Columbus Blue Jackets had the fewest, with two.

But lets say the Coyotes won the 14 wins that occured in shootouts this next season. The wins still count as 14 in the standings unless they tie with Dallas, or who ever. So would the goal to be to tie a team in the standings to break down their record wins?

My thought would be to eliminate the automatic point for making it to the overtime period. If you win in the regulation OT peried, then you get two point, otherwise you get one point for winning in Shootouts. It could be a seperate column on the standings sheet.

You would still get your excitement of overtime because teams will go for that extra point in overtime. You'll still get the excitement of shootouts for a last ditch effort for one point. Also, the NHL will get the point across that Shootout wins are less than regular wins.

ok just my two cents!

[thedoc]

...The league's Board of Governors approved a change on Tuesday that will see shootout victories excluded from win totals when a tie-breaker takes place between clubs who are tied in points at the end of the season.


...Last year, the Phoenix Coyotes led the league with 14 shootout wins, followed by the Bruins and Kings with 10 each. The Columbus Blue Jackets had the fewest, with two.

But lets say the Coyotes won the 14 wins that occured in shootouts this next season. The wins still count as 14 in the standings unless they tie with Dallas, or who ever. So would the goal to be to tie a team in the standings to break down their record wins?

My thought would be to eliminate the automatic point for making it to the overtime period. If you win in the regulation OT peried, then you get two point, otherwise you get one point for winning in Shootouts. It could be a seperate column on the standings sheet.

You would still get your excitement of overtime because teams will go for that extra point in overtime. You'll still get the excitement of shootouts for a last ditch effort for one point. Also, the NHL will get the point across that Shootout wins are less than regular wins.

ok just my two cents!

I like this idea. Teams are not automatically going to "not play for the Point". OT and shootouts still contribute to the point total, so the more points your score the better your chances of post season play are. Teams are not going to go balls out and risk not getting the points just because they want to be able to have a tie breaker.

[DaDitka]

WOW, the league actually got something right.

I'm not sure teams will concern themselves too greatly with the difference early in the year, but they will wish they had if they are in the running late in the season, and it should (in theory) reward the 'better' teams.

[kodos]

The Blues are going to miss the playoffs this year because of this rule. I'm calling it now.

[DaDitka]

The Blues are going to miss the playoffs this year because of this rule. I'm calling it now.

If we're close enough for it to make a difference, I'll be shocked (and satisfied).

[stlbluz]

The Blues are going to miss the playoffs this year because of this rule. I'm calling it now.

BTW - Nice post/idea Mrdcblue.

[STLADOGG]

The Blues are going to miss the playoffs this year because of this rule. I'm calling it now.

That would mean the blues would have to actually win games in a shootout...lol but yeah we never win in overtime.

[Mrdcblue]

The Blues are going to miss the playoffs this year because of this rule. I'm calling it now.

BTW - Nice post/idea Mrdcblue.

thank you!