Among the National Post's Michael Traikos' observations from the first week of the 2015-16 season:

The 3-on-3 is a “gong show” for goalies

There have been five games that went to overtime so far this season. Of those, only two have gone the distance and required a shootout to solve.

For the NHL, which predicted that 72% of games would end in the 3-on-3, it is an encouraging sign. Unless, of course, you happen to be a goaltender.

Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop called the 3-on-3 OT format a “gong show” and Calgary goaltender Jonas Hiller said “It’s kind of like an All-Star Game.” But you cannot argue with the entertainment value. Breakaways, odd-man rushes and scoring chances on nearly every puck possession has translated into the most exciting five minutes of the game.

“Definitely nerve-wracking,” Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau, who scored in a 3-on-3 overtime win against Vancouver. “With so much time and space and ice, one costly turnover or mistake and that’s the game. You’ve got to be smart out there. You have to be strategic about it, but it’s fun.”

Continued