“Crappy Way to End a Game”
Connor McDavid, the NHL’s brightest superstar, wouldn’t mind seeing shootouts replaced with an extra five minutes of 3-on-3 overtime.
The Edmonton Oilers captain might have an interesting take on it.
The 26-year-old appeared on Sportsnet’s Tim and Friends On Thursday, he discussed many topics, including his position on shootouts. Though he hasn’t always been willing to provide criticism, the two-time Hart Trophy winner didn’t hide his feelings about deciding games with a skills competition.
“No one loves the shootout,” McDavid said. “It’s a crappy way to finish a game.”
McDavid, offering to play devil’s advocate, also mentioned that playing 10 minutes of overtime could be hazardous for players’ health as it would add to their already-high regular-season workloads. But, this could still be worth it.
“At the end of the day, also, it’s about the players’ health and safety,” McDavid said. “It’s a long season. It taxes many guys because of overtime. You could also consider making the overtime longer.
“But I agree, no one wants to see the game end in a shootout.”
The Oilers’ franchise icon isn’t the only person advocating for extending the extra period, either, as former NHL skater and current hockey analyst Kevin Bieksa doubled down on No. 97’s idea. Bieksa even suggested that ties be returned to the NHL.
“It’s the first [time] I’ve actually thought about it, but I would love 10 minutes of 3-on-3 [overtime] and then axe the shootout,” Bieksa explained. “Shootout was exciting when it first came because before that, we were ending games in ties. And we were like, ‘No, this isn’t soccer. We want to see a winner.’
“And then the shootout was great — it served its purpose. It was a very offensive explosion. [we] I was able to witness some amazing moves. And now I think it’s kind of fizzled out and you got to keep evolving. I love the 10-minute 3-on-3.”
The NHL adopted 3-on-3 overtime in 2015-16, while the NHL continued 5-on-5 overtime in the playoffs.
Interestingly, 3-on-3 overtime in the East Coast Hockey League changed to a seven-minute format prior to the 2019-20 campaign but didn’t eliminate shootouts. It was a success, with more contests ending in the extra frame.
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