Evaluating The Overtime

After watching the Rangers lose in a shootout to the Islanders last night I got to thinking about how awful it was for a game to be decided in the skill competition. While a fellow Ranger fan pointed out to me that the sloppy play by both teams showed how ties should still be allowed as neither team played well enough to win. But this is not a debate as to whether or not there should be shootouts, but rather is the value of overtime has lessened.

By my math, an astounding 125 out of the 217 extra-time games (as of the games finished on March 4th) have been decided in shootouts. The Edmonton Oilers won 14 of the 17 shootouts they participated in. Having seen a few of their games, after a minute or so into the overtime, they start playing not to lose rather than to win since they have a better chance coming out on top in the one-on-one competition rather than the four-on-four overtime.

And they aren't the only team. The Rangers are one of them as well. Disagree? Then how can you explain them putting slower skaters out on the ice *cough, cough, Marek Malik, cough* when there is more room to skate? Ryan Callahan, the fastest Ranger in yesterday's loss, was relegated to the bench (as was the red hot Nigel Dawes) for the slower - yet more responsible - Brendan Shanahan.

The league initially made overtime 4-on-4 to increase scoring with more room. That clearly is not happening as 58% of games that go beyond regulation remain even. Shootouts are certainly a fan-friendly device to decide games but the brass tacks of it is that hockey becomes an individual sport, which it is not. The shootout certainly isn't going to go away, so what is the solution?

Rather than turning to the idea of 3-on-3 play, how about a change to the offside rules? The league could make it a carry-over offsides where a player can already be in the offensive zone as long as the puck is carried over the blueline or can get rid of the blue line entirely. Do these sound familiar? They should, at least for folks who play(ed) roller hockey. There was a lot more scoring in Roller Hockey International and that wasn't necessarily a symptom of lesser-quality players. Having lax offsides rules opens up the ice surface even farther and allows longer home run passes and even cherry picking. The latter has some negative connotations but shouldn't.

Say a team wants to send one of their guys to camp out at the far crease. If the other team leaves a defender there, then its a 3-on-3 situation in the zone. If they leave the player alone with the goaltender, then its a 4-on-3 in deep. Say the three are able to get the puck out, then the goaltender can try to come out of his crease to challenge the goal hanger or stop the home run pass, which increases the odds of a good scoring chance even farther.

If the five minute extra period still doesn't produce a winner, then you can still have the skill competition declare a winner, but I would rather see games ended based on team play rather than individual. And by changing up the offsides, that increases those odds.

 Evaluating Overtime in the NHL: Strategies, Stats, and Excitement

Overtime in the NHL is a thrilling and often heart-pounding spectacle. In this article, we'll delve into the world of NHL overtime, exploring its strategies, statistical trends, and why it continues to captivate fans worldwide.

FAQ 1: How Does NHL Overtime Work?

In regular-season NHL games, if the score is tied at the end of regulation, teams play a sudden-death overtime period. Overtime features three-on-three play for a maximum of five minutes. If no goal is scored, the game proceeds to a shootout.

Strategies in NHL Overtime:

Puck Possession: Possessing the puck is paramount in overtime. Teams often prioritize controlled entries into the offensive zone.

Line Selection: Coaches choose lines that combine speed, skill, and chemistry, given the open ice in three-on-three play.

Defensive Responsibility: While offense is crucial, teams must remain defensively responsible to prevent odd-man rushes.

FAQ 2: Overtime Stats and Trends

Let's explore some interesting statistics and trends in NHL overtime:

Shootout vs. Overtime Goals: Overtime goals are often seen as more legitimate victories than shootout wins. Teams tend to value the extra point from an overtime win over a shootout win.

Goalie Performance: Goaltenders play a crucial role in overtime. Some goalies excel in three-on-three situations, while others struggle. This disparity can influence team strategies.

Early vs. Late Goals: Statistically, more goals are scored early in overtime, often within the first two minutes. Teams may be more aggressive at the start to secure the win quickly.

Home Advantage: Historically, home teams have a slight advantage in overtime. Familiarity with the home arena's layout and last change privileges can make a difference.

FAQ 3: Memorable Overtime Moments

NHL overtime has delivered countless unforgettable moments:

Stanley Cup Winning Goals: Overtime goals in the Stanley Cup Final, like Bobby Orr's famous "Flying Goal" in 1970, are etched in hockey history.

Playoff Heroics: Players like Patrick Kane and Martin St. Louis have made their mark with clutch overtime goals in the playoffs.

Longest Overtime: The longest NHL playoff game went into six overtime periods in 1936. Mud Bruneteau of the Detroit Red Wings scored the game-winner after 116 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime.

FAQ 4: Evolution of Overtime Formats

The NHL has experimented with overtime formats over the years:

Five-Minute Overtime: Prior to the 1983-84 season, ties were common in the NHL. Overtime was introduced to reduce the frequency of ties.

Four-on-Four: From 1999-2000 to 2015-16, four-on-four overtime was used. This format aimed to create more open ice and increase scoring.

Three-on-Three: In 2015-16, the current three-on-three format was introduced to maximize excitement and reduce the number of shootouts.

FAQ 5: Shootout vs. Overtime: Fan Opinions

The shootout, introduced in the 2005-06 season, remains a polarizing aspect of NHL overtime. Some fans love the one-on-one drama it creates, while others prefer the purity of overtime play.

Shootout Fans: Supporters argue that shootouts add a unique, skills-based element to the game and provide closure to games without a clear winner.

Overtime Purists: Purists believe that shootouts can be anticlimactic, favoring a return to more extended overtime play to determine a winner.

: Overtime's Enduring Allure

NHL overtime remains a captivating facet of the game, combining skill, strategy, and heart-pounding moments. Whether it's the thrill of a breakaway in a shootout or the sheer chaos of three-on-three play, overtime continues to keep fans on the edge of their seats. As the NHL evolves, so too will its approach to overtime, but one thing remains certain: the excitement it generates will endure for generations of hockey fans to come.