3-on-3 OT strategy

We got our first taste of 3-on-3 OT for the 2015-16 regular season on Thursday night in a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers.

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After a series of odd-man rushes and a breakaway that ultimately led to a penalty shot by the Flyers Scott Laughton. He missed the penalty shot, and shortly after Tampa Bay D Jason Garrison was sprung for a breakaway where he slipped it between the legs of Flyers G Steve Mason.

The designed goal behind 3-on-3 OT was to make sure less games were decided by shootouts. In the preseason, the stats proved effective with 78% of games being decided in overtime.

It will ultimately hurt goaltenders stats a bit. But lets be honest, there’s no reason that half the league’s goaltenders should be putting up stats that guys like Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy had to work a lot harder to attain.

I’m also a huge fan of getting more goals out of that horrible shootout goals category that no one cares to follow or even realize exists. It won’t only put more goals and assists on the stats sheet, but as well should boost individual defenseman’s stats a bit. We saw it last night, as Jason Garrison walked away with two goals.

Sep 21, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal (12) passes the puck to Hurricanes Kris Versteeg (32) to score a goal on Washington Capitals goalie Dan Ellis (39) in an experimental three on three overtime period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The question surrounding 3-on-3 OT now is, what strategy should teams use? Can you play a zone-coverage similar to how you’d defend a 5-on-3? Do you play a more a defensive style and pounce on your offensive opportunities? Or do you have an all-out offensive attack? I think teams can find strategic advantages and disadvantages to both.

A more important factor less discussed is player personnel. When you’ve got 3-on-3 OT on a NHL ice surface, there’s a ton of room on the ice. Which makes the answer quite simple. The key is speed, regardless of whether or not you’re a forward or defenseman.

You need guys with that breakaway speed to open up passing lanes or accelerate himself in alone. But the speed also helps if you get caught deep or lose the puck and have to get back in quick transition. Speed will ultimately score you goals, and help break-up opportunities defensively.

What I’m most looking forward to with 3-on-3 OT this season is the separation it has the chance to create with goaltenders. Some goalies are major benefactors of excellent defensive teams. 3-on-3 OT forces goaltenders to have to make those game-saving type saves. The same type of saves that can win you a playoff series or take you deep on a Stanley Cup run. The true elite in net will reveal themselves during the 2015-16 season.

The idea behind 3-on-3 OT has certainly made a buzz in the hockey world, as you can find an article from sportsnet.ca here, or at JournalGazette found here. Something new that is designed to create more goals always draws interest from experts and fans alike. We just need to hope it doesn’t have negative impacts like some rule changes in the past designed to improve the game.

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