Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Change The OT Format For Rounds 1 & 2 Of The Stanley Cup Playoffs

05/07/2022 at 12:30pm EDT

from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,

...begin OT games in Rounds 1 and 2 with the sides skating four on four. If it remains tied at the 70-minute mark mark (midway through the first OT), drop down another gear to three on three.

There remains the prospect games will still go to double and triple OT, but it’s not a very realistic prospect. All that open ice should lead to quick, and no less dramatic, endings. Shootouts are a gimmick. But play at four on four and three on three remains part of the game, and usually generates more fun and scoring chances.

In fact, it’s possible the tension and entertainment factor will be even greater, with skaters afforded more room to create plays as the ice opens up because of the change in manpower. Like the regular season, the team awarded a power play will be allowed to add a skater. All of it has to be better than exhausted five-on-five play.

Also in the final two rounds, including the conference finals and the Cup Final, the return to the old format in series-clinching games would bring back just enough touch of the old world to satisfy the traditionalists.

It isn’t the prospect of a midnight or 1 a.m. finish that separates the quality of Stanley Cup play from all the rest. Longer is not more. In fact, it is typically less.

more and other topics too...

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by damndogrevenge in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 59 seconds ago
Comment by RWHockey13 in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 16 minutes ago
Comment by TreKronor in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Seider's Year - 17 minutes ago
Comment by retrospecd in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 17 minutes ago
Comment by bigfrog in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 23 minutes ago