IS THE CURRENT NHL POINT SYSTEM CRAZY? LAST WEEKEND OF REGULAR SEASON MAY SAY SO!
Peter Andrew Sacco, Ph.D.
April 07, 2007
It has all come down to the last weekend. Can you say, “DO OR DIE” for Toronto and Montreal? The NHL got what it wanted…Suspense. Unfortunately, the eight and last playoff spot could in essence come down to a shootout when you factor in the New York Islanders playoff hopes and chances.
At the writing of this article, the Leafs and Canadians have yet to play their last game tonight. The Islanders still have 2 remaining games. I am not here to predict or prognosticate, but I am here to offer my 2 cents about the current point system. Some would say it works while others would say it cheats the better teams out of points who are capable of winning in regulation. If that is the case, then win in regulation and don’t let other teams grab the one point who hold on to collect points and hope for the best in shootouts. With that said, there is so much being said about revamping the point system. As it stands now, winners in regulation get 2 points, losers zero. If you win in overtime or shootout you get 2 points and the loser gets a point. Basically, no one really loses once the game goes to overtime, rather one team just benefits more by earning the extra point. This works great for trapping style teams who play for the point and collect them to run up their totals to make the playoffs.
What can be done to change things? Some have asserted giving the winning team 4 points if they win in regulation, 3 points for winning in overtime and 2 points if you win in the shootout. If you lose in regulation you get zero and if you lose in overtime or the shootout you only get a point. In theory it sounds good, but if you are a NHL traditionalist, it is scary when it comes to point totals in the end. You would have teams in essence raking up such inflated point totals that it would cheapen the game. Can you imagine a team finishing with 160-185 points? That sounds ludicrous. However, the concept is good. Let’s face it, fans love shootouts and 4 on 4 overtime. The NHL is thriving and no fans want to pay big bucks to attend a game just to see a tie. I sure as heck wouldn’t and I saw a heck a lot of them as a Buffalo Sabres fan in the 90’s when Dominic Hasek did his version of the Berlin wall while the Sabres played for 2 or 3 goal per games wins. I found ties just frustrating. It’s like reading a book that never begins but finishes without any climax. “Wow,” I assert as I roll my eyes sarcastically.
If I could change things, I would go with a four tier point system, but use halves. It is almost like Major League Baseball uses in its “Games Behind” column. In the end there are no halves, but why can’t the NHL incorporate something unique, right? I know there are halves, quarters and other scenarios in the real world on bank statements, cheques and bills. Why not in sports?
Something radical but sound might look like this:
2 points for a victory in regulation
1 point for winning in overtime/shootout (5 mins.)
point for losing in overtime or shootout
0 points for losing in regulation
In essence, everyone gets something if they make it to overtime, however the pretenders who play for one point and play the trap will now only earn a half point which means if they want to play that style, eventually it will start to catch up to them. More teams will let it all hang out in regulation and play for 2 points instead of ½ points. I really think this will force the pretenders to step up and bring it in the beginning, in the middle of the season and in the end. For it to come down to the last moment and possibly be decided by a shoot out is kind of crazy! Then again, when you think about it, shootouts have already decided the standings throughout the season. Just my two cents, or better yet…2 points!
At the writing of this article, the Leafs and Canadians have yet to play their last game tonight. The Islanders still have 2 remaining games. I am not here to predict or prognosticate, but I am here to offer my 2 cents about the current point system. Some would say it works while others would say it cheats the better teams out of points who are capable of winning in regulation. If that is the case, then win in regulation and don’t let other teams grab the one point who hold on to collect points and hope for the best in shootouts. With that said, there is so much being said about revamping the point system. As it stands now, winners in regulation get 2 points, losers zero. If you win in overtime or shootout you get 2 points and the loser gets a point. Basically, no one really loses once the game goes to overtime, rather one team just benefits more by earning the extra point. This works great for trapping style teams who play for the point and collect them to run up their totals to make the playoffs.
What can be done to change things? Some have asserted giving the winning team 4 points if they win in regulation, 3 points for winning in overtime and 2 points if you win in the shootout. If you lose in regulation you get zero and if you lose in overtime or the shootout you only get a point. In theory it sounds good, but if you are a NHL traditionalist, it is scary when it comes to point totals in the end. You would have teams in essence raking up such inflated point totals that it would cheapen the game. Can you imagine a team finishing with 160-185 points? That sounds ludicrous. However, the concept is good. Let’s face it, fans love shootouts and 4 on 4 overtime. The NHL is thriving and no fans want to pay big bucks to attend a game just to see a tie. I sure as heck wouldn’t and I saw a heck a lot of them as a Buffalo Sabres fan in the 90’s when Dominic Hasek did his version of the Berlin wall while the Sabres played for 2 or 3 goal per games wins. I found ties just frustrating. It’s like reading a book that never begins but finishes without any climax. “Wow,” I assert as I roll my eyes sarcastically.
If I could change things, I would go with a four tier point system, but use halves. It is almost like Major League Baseball uses in its “Games Behind” column. In the end there are no halves, but why can’t the NHL incorporate something unique, right? I know there are halves, quarters and other scenarios in the real world on bank statements, cheques and bills. Why not in sports?
Something radical but sound might look like this:
2 points for a victory in regulation
1 point for winning in overtime/shootout (5 mins.)
point for losing in overtime or shootout
0 points for losing in regulation
In essence, everyone gets something if they make it to overtime, however the pretenders who play for one point and play the trap will now only earn a half point which means if they want to play that style, eventually it will start to catch up to them. More teams will let it all hang out in regulation and play for 2 points instead of ½ points. I really think this will force the pretenders to step up and bring it in the beginning, in the middle of the season and in the end. For it to come down to the last moment and possibly be decided by a shoot out is kind of crazy! Then again, when you think about it, shootouts have already decided the standings throughout the season. Just my two cents, or better yet…2 points!