NHL Rule Changes Need Permanence for Offense to Thrive
NHL Rule Changes Need Permanence for Offense to Thrive: The 2016-17 season is past its quarter mark, and there has been plenty of offense. There have been multiple teams that have scored seven or more goals in a single game, providing immense entertainment to fans. Looking at the underlying numbers, has the season truly brought more offense, or is it all hidden behind the illusion of these high-scoring games?
With the recent bombardment by the Pittsburgh Penguins on the Arizona Coyotes, (a 7-0 game that featured seven different goal scorers), it seems that offense is on the rise this season. Meanwhile, in the background, we’re still discussing potential NHL rule changes to help increase scoring.
There have been two games this season where a team has scored 10 goals. November 4th was when the Columbus Blue Jackets scored 10 goals against the Montreal Canadiens. On December 10th, the Canadiens scored 10 against the Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets have also been one of the most explosive teams in the league, registering eight goals against the St. Louis Blues in a November 12th tilt. In another recent game the Calgary Flames exploded for five goals in the second period against the Anaheim Ducks; therefore winning by a score of 8-3. Looking at just a portion of the high-scoring games from in 2016-17, it’s easy to assume that goal scoring has increased over last season.
Underlying Statistics
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A quick comparison of the NHL averages, goals scored per game on average by a team are down. While last year has more games to draw from, 1,230 compared to 430, goals are currently at 2.70 for the 2016-17 season. Last season they finished at 2.71.
Teams are creating an illusion of offense through these high-scoring affairs. With the percentage of power play opportunities increasing, 3.22 per game compared to 3.11, the chance for more is there. Sadly, the chances are being squandered. Percentage of power play conversion is down from last season, 18.24% compared to 18.66%. This means that the penalty-killing percentage has increased from a year ago; players are adapting and learning how to be more defensively sound when needed.
Changes to be Made?
Changing goalie equipment, face-off structure, and adding coaching challenges were all rules implemented to help make the NHL more entertaining for fans. These changes have been minor at best, with coaching challenges actually taking away from goals scored more often than not.
Altering the size of the net has been taboo; taking away something from the game that has been there since the beginning is seen as heresy. The problem is that goaltenders have continued to increase in size. Ben Bishop is the tallest goalie in the NHL today, at 6′ 7″. The height of the crossbar is only 48 inches tall. With Bishop’s height, he can nearly cover the entire height of the goal when he is down on his knees. His height also adds to his area of coverage for the width of the net. At 72 inches wide, Bishop covers most of the net with slight movements.
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The underlying numbers prove that the offense this season may not last, and that in fact, the NHL may be in store for more radical changes. Those who believe that changing the size of the nets may be the only thing to compensate for the increasing size of goaltenders may have their way.