NHL Seriously Contemplating Changing 3-On-3 Overtime Rules

NHL Seriously Contemplating Changing 3-On-3 Overtime Rules

I love the NHL overtime rules. Love them. You don’t even have to be a hockey fan to enjoy 3-on-3. It’s electric… except when teams play conservatively…

The NHL’s overtime policy is fantastic but it could use improvements. It turns out that the league is being proactive about this to stop teams from just hoarding possession. That’s really the only problem with overtime at things stand.

Frank Seravalli over at Daily Faceoff has reported the following news:

#NHL’s Colin Campbell says GMs discussed the idea of changing rule to limit teams from continually looping back and regrouping in 3-on-3 OT.

Potential solutions: Once you cross red or blue line, can’t go back out again. Or a shot clock.

Discussions ongoing, tabled to March.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 14, 2023

Brilliant. Let’s just go ahead and pass this right now. Personally, I think the blue line rule should be the one that gets enforced. The clock is fine but you don’t want a team to rush their offense. I think once the team enters the blue line you can’t re-exit the zone. Get a shot on net or give up possession. End of story, keep things moving. No more of this nonsense where a team holds onto the puck for three minutes and nothing happens. This would force the action and action is good. Especially for this up and down style that creates awesome hockey.

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Also, we’re never getting continuous until someone scores. Don’t even bother asking for that. Especially during the regular season. No reason to have guys play extra games during the regular year. A simple tweak to the already great overtime rules will only make the game better.

Think about it like this. Basketball has a backcourt violation. Hockey should have one too in overtime. Seems like a pretty easy fix that everyone should be able to agree to.

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