In the recent past I’ve been spouting the need for the NHL to revise the point system to reflect a more accurate landscape when it come to teams who win in regulation. My idea for a point system would be 3 for a win, 2 for an O.T. win, 1 for a shoot out win, and zero for losers. I did my research on this prior to last night’s games so they’re already outdated but I was surprised at a few things.
The standings going into last night in the west looked like:
1. Anaheim
2. St. Louis
3. Nashville
4. Chicago
5. Winnipeg
6. San Jose
7. Vancouver
8. Calgary
Once I put my formula in place I was a little surprised to see that the top eight remained the top eight. No one dropped out. The seedings amongst the top eight changed considerably however. After my formula was in place we had this:
1. Nashville
2. St. Louis
3. Anaheim
4. Chicago
5. Vancouver
6. San Jose
7. Winnipeg
8. Calgary
The big losers were Anaheim and Winnipeg dropping 2 places. Having said that, as little as it changes it does make the playoffs for the Flames look considerably different. The Flames haven’t won in Anaheim since (insert funny joke about Mickey Mouse being cutting edge cartoon) forever. The Flames don’t have a great record in Nashville either lately (haven’t won there in three years) but it may not be as in their head as Anaheim. The chances of the Flames ending in the 8th seed as of today are 78% as per sportsclubstats.com, the algorithm they use also puts the Flames in 8th seed with 35% they land there (next highest percentage is 6th seed). The site also predicts Nashville to take top spot with Anaheim in 2nd seed.
Interestingly Nashville was top team in my scoring system as well. The Flames are realistically battling it out with L.A. and San Jose to get into the playoffs and with games remaining vs both of them we finally, FINALLY get to care about “4 point games” again.
I should also note, for some of my more loyal readers who leave cuddly little messages for me, the only team under my point system to have less points than they do now is Edmonton. Hilarious.
Id rather see the 3 on 3 to reduce the shootout games though I suppose you could still use your formula. I HATE the shootout.
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Not the worst idea, but the writer has zero talent whatsoever.
5 points for a regulation win, 4 points for OT win, 3 points for SO win, 2 points for SO loss, 1 point for OT loss, 0 points for regulation loss. Every game is worth 5 points.
Who would be in last place?
The point is so that teams play harder in regulation (want to win during regulation more) to make the product better. Not just comparing the current stats (where the team did not try harder to win in final minutes of regulation). So I get what you are saying, but it really is not that easy.
How about this, 2pts for a win. Both teams go into overtime winner gets 2pts
How about this, 2pts for a Regulation win. Both teams go into overtime winner gets 2pts
OT is still real hockey. Just do 2 for a win 1 for a SO win.
A win in regulation is only a 2 point game, we need to get away from 3 point games, 2 for winner and 1 for loser (OT
Exactly. No game should intrinsically or extrinsically be worth more points than any other game - it makes no sense.
Bring back ties, get rid of the shootout gimmick.
SMSB- Will that be your feeling if your team is out of the playoffs despite winning more regulation games than a team that had 10 shoot out victories? Just food for thought.
Arg! Let me post!
The best thing to do is either bring back the tie and winner gets 2pts or go to 3pts where regulation win is 3 points while OT/shootout winner gets 2 points and loser gets 1. All games would be worth 3 points and you force teams to chase the extra point before OT. This would result in a more playoff like atmosphere for more of the reg season.
Also to mention fans that goes to the games does not get the feel that the were cheated out when games end in shootouts. While I have no data to back this up, but my belief Is we would see less games getting to OT and even less ending in a shootout