Why is the NHL point system so screwed up? A win is a win, and a loss is a loss, capiche?

Question

This overtime-loss-but-you-get-credit-for-not-quite-winning is crap! I just started working in Canada and haven't followed hockey closely since about '92 and I refuse as long as they have this system which makes no team look like they have a bad record. Why not give a team 1.5 points for an OT-win and 0.5 for an OT-loss if the OT is not to be taken that seriously?

Answer 1

Uh, blaming the commish ain't gonna get anything done. He has at least 30 co-conspirators. But I absolutely agree that points for a loss only promotes mediocrity.



In a time when parity is the rule, I choose not to spend money on a "product" I don't like.

Answer 2

It doesnt make sense to me either, to award a team, for losing in OT. But as soon as the league changes this rule, we will be seeing tons of questions here, saying " my team lost 12 games in OT, if the league didnt change the system, my team would be in the playoffs" I still think playoff should be based on points alone, and not winning your division putting you in the top 3. But our boy Gary has a plan, as fouled up as it may be...

Answer 3

Bring back the ties!!



Seriously....for an OT loss, it makes no sense to give a team a point.



In the Shoot-out, they have no choice, it is just a gimmick and it wouldn't be fair to not give a team something for losing a gimmick.

Answer 4

It's a pity point. It has always screwed the Leafs over! I like how we have shootouts and OT but a team should not get a point for a shootout or OT loss. Last year it's what prevented the Leafs from making the playoffs, this year it is what has prevented us from tanking.

Answer 5

i agree, the extra point awarded to loosing in overtime is just stupid. it gets crappy teams like the oilers into thee hunt for the playoffs, the NHL should give 2 points for a win 0 points for losses, that way only the good teams go to the playoffs.



a win is a win a loss is a loss...

Answer 6

Yeah if there was no point given out in OT then the teams would try harder to get the win.

Answer 7

created for teams that played for ties. the flyers led the league one season in ties. fans don't go to games to see ties and they are unexciting. the extra point is incentive. now, you see teams playing to end regulation in a tie just for one point.



for sure it's farked up the standings. some teams with 90 points DO NOT make the playoffs, and more than half the teams do.