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Boston Bruins: 3 steps to fix the NHL’s overtime and standings format

By Matt Hawkins

Apr 22, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) celebrates his goal with center Patrice Bergeron (37) during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) celebrates his goal with center Patrice Bergeron (37) during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) looks to pass the puck during the first period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) looks to pass the puck during the first period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

3 steps to fix the NHL’s overtime and standings format.
2. Extend Overtime

The NHL has now been using 3-on-3 overtime since the 2015-16 season. This change was made as 4-on-4 OT was resulting in too many shootouts.

From the 2005-06 season to the 2014-15 season, there were 2,789 games that went past regulation. Of these games, 1,583 of them ended in a shootout. That’s nearly 57% of the games that past regulation. Something clearly had to be changed.

Enter 3-on-3 OT.

During the 2015-16 pre-season, 3-on-3 OT was experimented with. The results were exactly what the NHL wanted — A high-paced, entertaining period of hockey.

In the 44 games that went to OT during that pre-season, just 11 of them went to a SO (25%). NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the average time to score a goal in these 44 3-on-3 overtime period was 2:49.

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Fast forward to 2021 and things are very different. 3-on-3 OT has taken a turn for the worst as it’s typically now a game of keep away with limited scoring chances.

As I mentioned earlier, the percent of OT games that have gone to a SO so far this season is at 38%, significantly higher than what it once was. So, maybe the problem wasn’t the number of players on the ice. Maybe the problem is the length of OT.

Now, I don’t know if the NHL should go back to 4-on-4 for OT, but I do know they should experiment with extending the period from five minutes to seven or 10 minutes.

This would give the teams more time to score and more of an opportunity to tire out their opposition.

Another idea is implementing a hybrid OT format. The period will be 10 minutes that will start at 4-on-4. However, if neither team scores within the first five minutes, play will go to 3-on-3. Of course, if play is going on after the five-minute mark, 3-on-3 rules won’t start until after the next stoppage.

While thinking of this, another thought popped into my head. Maybe it’s neither the length of OT nor the number of players, but the incentive. Which brings me to my next point.

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