Overtime will most likely be getting a form shift for next season.
Ahead of tomorrow night’s NHL Awards in Las Vegas, all of the league’s general managers met to discuss different facets of the game, overtime being one of the main points. The GMs previously discussed changing the format at their meetings in Boca Raton in March.
We’ll let Bob McKenzie take it away with the updates:
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Pending B of G approval, NHL will go to 3-on-3 overtime for 5 minutes in regular season games next season.</p>— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/613496824368877568″>June 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>NHLPA was adamantly opposed to AHL-tested model (4 mins of 4 on 4 and 3 mins of 3 on 3) so NHL choice was no change at all or 3 on 3 for 5.</p>— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/613499811321507840″>June 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>For those asking, no 4-on-4 OT at all. Right to 3-on-3. 5 minutes sudden death. No goal, it goes to shootout.</p>— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/613499436245909504″>June 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
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The AHL model has been working wonders to keep that league’s games from going to the shootout, and no doubt more games are going to be decided in overtime if the change is approved. Completely getting rid of 4 on 4 (and not adding the extra two minutes onto OT) is going to open more ice, and give coaches even more to think about when choosing which players jump over the boards.
Really, anything that decides the game in overtime instead of prolonging it to the shootout is welcome.
It’s interesting that the NHLPA is so vehemently opposed to the extra two minutes. They obviously feel something needs to change, but don’t seem to want to worry about taking a player off the ice halfway through.
Finally, there were a few updates on the other big issue: the coach’s challenge.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Coaches' challenge on goalie interference/offside goals – with on ice officials reviewing own work at p box monitor – coming, pending B of G</p>— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/613505046341394432″>June 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>If, after missed offside, puck clears offensive zone and then goal is scored subsequently, missed offside no longer subject to challenge.</p>— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/613506445380853760″>June 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Getting the call right is the most important thing, and there shouldn’t be too much of a worry about these slowing down the game. Given the inconsistent frequency these occur over a week of action, it should cause no more delay to the game than calling the War Room to see if a puck crossed the line.
These rules aren’t set in stone yet, but it looks like they may be inevitable. Get ready for (slight) change.