NHL Rumors: Change in Overtime Format

Mar 13, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Jordan Eberle (14) attempts a shot on Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the shootout at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Every year we hear about NHL rumors, and this year has been no different. One of those rumors is about to become reality. If everything goes as planed look for a big change in how the NHL conducts their overtime.

Is there anyone who really enjoys the present NHL solution of a shootout following just five minutes of overtime hockey? Is that enough time to play 4-on-4 hockey before the shootout comes into play? Apparently there’s not that many people who would like to see this trait in hockey to continue. Rumor has it that some of those people who want to see changes in the league includes several general managers of the game who recently have proposed a new idea for the game of hockey.

Over a hundred games this season have been decided in the shootout alone after playing five minutes of overtime.

More from NHL News

Many general managers have recommended a change during their meetings in Boca Raton the past few days. The change that they would like to see is some amount of time of 3-on-3 overtime being played after the traditional 4-on-4 overtime format that we are all used to take place before the shootout.

Before this change can be made in the national hockey league, it needs to be approved and reviewed by the NHL-NHLPA competitive committee. Without the approval by this group, there will be no change. They usually meet in the month of June, therefore we would potentially see some sort of change for the upcoming season and not this one.

However it needs to be clear that with the new proposal of this idea, that the shootout would not just sizzle out and die completely. The shootout would still be very much part of the game but something a bit more extraordinary. If the game cannot be decided by this potential new overtime idea, then the shootout would be played.

Commissioner Bettman when asked about this said, “The consensus in the room, overwhelmingly, is we’re not getting rid of the shootout. It was, how do you reduce the number of games that go to the shootout, keep the shootout special?” With all the games that have gone into the shootout this year, it seems as if the shootout is beginning to lose some of its charm. Fans are growing way too used to seeing them played and to the familiar anxiety that bubbles in their chest with the shootout approaching on the horizon when the buzzer sounds to end the five minute overtime.

The next question that comes into play is how this could potentially take place? How would it all be played out? There are a few ways to look at this. The general managers are proposing a few different solutions at the moment that have gained some interest around the league.

One idea that has been recommended is to have overtime begin with 3-on-3 hockey for five minutes before going to the shootout if a goal hasn’t been scored.

The other idea would be one similar to what happens in the AHL for overtime. There would be 4-on-4 play for about three minutes of a seven-minute overtime period, then 3-on-3 overtime play for the last four minutes. In the AHL, many games have ended in this overtime period rather than the shootout and it has worked pretty well.

This year alone, 257 games have gone into overtime and about 110 of those have been decided before the shootout.

As these talks continue, it will be interesting to see what direction they will go. It will be interesting to see whether or not NHL-NHLPA competitive committee will want to move forward and try out this change. Only time will tell as they look to better the game of hockey.

Home / NHL News