3 Point Games Standings

[Cartryn]

So for a few seasons now I've been thinking it's unfair that a game ending in regulation hands out 2 points (to the winner) and a game ending in OT/SO hands out 3 points (2 to the winner; 1 to the loser). So this season I've been running my own point systems to see how it lines up with the official point system. Here are the standings so far (through 3/17/25).

System A (No SO) (Any SO wins or losses are counted as a tie)
Regulation Win = 3 point
OT Win = 2 points
Tie = 1.5 points
OT Loss = 1 point
Regulation Loss = 0 points

[Team - Points]
East
Panthers - 118
Lightning - 117.5
Maple Leafs - 115

Capitals - 134
Hurricanes - 123
Devils - 113

Senators - 104.5
Rangers - 101.5
Canadiens - 94
Red Wings - 92.5
Bruins - 92.5
Islanders - 91.5
Blue Jackets - 91.5
Penguins - 87
Sabres - 80
Flyers - 80

West
Jets - 136
Stars - 121.5
Avalanche - 120.5

Golden Knights - 123
Kings - 113
Oilers - 110.5

Wild - 110.5
Canucks - 96.5
Blues - 95.5
Flames - 94.5
Utah - 94
Kraken - 87
Ducks - 85.5
Predators - 78.5
Blackhawks - 66.5
Sharks - 59.5


System B (With SO) (SO Win = OT Win; SO Loss = OT Loss)
Regulation Win = 3 points
OT Win = 2 points
OT Loss = 1 point
Regulation Loss = 0 points

[Team - Points]
East
Panthers - 120
Lightning - 117
Maple Leafs - 115

Capitals - 133
Hurricanes - 122
Devils - 113

Senators - 104
Rangers - 102
Canadiens - 94
Red Wings - 94
Blue Jackets - 93
Islanders - 92
Bruins - 92
Penguins - 85
Sabres - 81
Flyers - 81

West
Jets - 136
Stars - 122
Avalanche - 120

Golden Knights - 122
Kings - 112
Oilers - 110

Wild - 111
Canucks - 97
Blues - 97
Flames - 95
Utah - 93
Ducks - 86
Kraken - 86
Predators - 79
Blackhawks - 66
Sharks - 58

I'm actually surprised how little difference there is in the standings. I'm going to keep this going to the end of the season.

 

[Bileur]

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

I’m also surprised it didn’t change that much.

Another option would be :

System C (With SO)
Regulation Win = 3 points
OT Win = 2 points
SO Win = 1 point
Loss (regulation, OT, or SO) = 0 points

Would do away with teams playing patty cake in the last 10 minutes of a tie game to secure one point.

 

[Tawnos]

I'm actually surprised how little difference there is in the standings. I'm going to keep this going to the end of the season.

In placement, not much. OTOH, my Rangers wouldn't be in a dogfight for a playoff spot, but in very solid position.

 

[tailfins]

I'm actually surprised how little difference there is in the standings. I'm going to keep this going to the end of the season.

This is likely the reason why we won't see the NHL adopt either of these.

In theory, these may be more logical systems. But, if they don't produce significant change, what exactly is the problem that's being solved?

Meanwhile, the current standings have 5 teams within 4 points of WC2 in the East. In the standings you posted, the Rangers are more than two games up (+6 points) on their closest competition. Games for teams in the wild card hunt feel much more meaningful now - and that should boost interest / attendance. Similarly, the race at the top of the Atlantic is a bit closer using the NHL's current format. West is a bit more spread out - but again, the current format doesn't make things worse.

I'm all for a 3-2-1-0 format, but that's the OCD in me. The idea that you're not splitting a pre-determined number of points between teams is bizarre. But, I'd still rather my team be in the playoff "hunt" in mid / late March. Or, in the case of this year specifically, I love that the Rangers are very much on the bubble because of this stupid system!

 

[Faterson]

But, if they don't produce significant change, what exactly is the problem that's being solved?

You all are brutally oblivious and fail to see the main point: if the 3-point system were adopted (as it should), the games would be a thousand times more exciting to watch, because teams would be pressing for regulation wins.

That is not happening now, of course, with the monstrously forgiving current points system, so taking results of games played with the extremely forgiving system at the back of everyone's mind and reassess them using the 3-point system is patently flawed and cannot really say anything useful or provide any insight.

 

[Cartryn]

That is not happening now, of course, with the monstrously forgiving current points system, so taking results of games played with the extremely forgiving system at the back of everyone's mind and reassess them using the 3-point system is patently flawed and cannot really say anything useful or provide any insight.

Oh I know they would have more motivation to win in regulation in a 3 point system. All I wanted to see was how different the math would be. Also, it's just something fun to do imo. I'm not out to prove anything with this.

 

[Cartryn]

This is likely the reason why we won't see the NHL adopt either of these.

I agree, the NHL loves the close standings. That's the whole reason they implemented the current point system.

 

[King Woodballs]

Imagine missing by the playoffs by a 1/2 point haha

 

[9911]

I agree, the NHL loves the close standings. That's the whole reason they implemented the current point system.

I would like to think they'd love some more exciting games more than closer standings.

 

[Cartryn]

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

I’m also surprised it didn’t change that much.

Another option would be :

System C (With SO)
Regulation Win = 3 points
OT Win = 2 points
SO Win = 1 point
Loss (regulation, OT, or SO) = 0 points

Would do away with teams playing patty cake in the last 10 minutes of a tie game to secure one point.

This keeps the same issue of games being worth different points amounts. It's even a little more extreme than the current system. Right now we have 2 or 3 point games. That system would give us 3, 2 or 1 point games. I'll still do the math once I get home.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

So for a few seasons now I've been thinking it's unfair that a game ending in regulation hands out 2 points (to the winner) and a game ending in OT/SO hands out 3 points (2 to the winner; 1 to the loser). So this season I've been running my own point systems to see how it lines up with the official point system. Here are the standings so far (through 3/17/25).

System A (No SO) (Any SO wins or losses are counted as a tie)
Regulation Win = 3 point
OT Win = 2 points
Tie = 1.5 points
OT Loss = 1 point
Regulation Loss = 0 points

[Team - Points]
East
Panthers - 118
Lightning - 117.5
Maple Leafs - 115

Capitals - 134
Hurricanes - 123
Devils - 113

Senators - 104.5
Rangers - 101.5
Canadiens - 94
Red Wings - 92.5
Bruins - 92.5
Islanders - 91.5
Blue Jackets - 91.5
Penguins - 87
Sabres - 80
Flyers - 80

West
Jets - 136
Stars - 121.5
Avalanche - 120.5

Golden Knights - 123
Kings - 113
Oilers - 110.5

Wild - 110.5
Canucks - 96.5
Blues - 95.5
Flames - 94.5
Utah - 94
Kraken - 87
Ducks - 85.5
Predators - 78.5
Blackhawks - 66.5
Sharks - 59.5


System B (With SO) (SO Win = OT Win; SO Loss = OT Loss)
Regulation Win = 3 points
OT Win = 2 points
OT Loss = 1 point
Regulation Loss = 0 points

[Team - Points]
East
Panthers - 120
Lightning - 117
Maple Leafs - 115

Capitals - 133
Hurricanes - 122
Devils - 113

Senators - 104
Rangers - 102
Canadiens - 94
Red Wings - 94
Blue Jackets - 93
Islanders - 92
Bruins - 92
Penguins - 85
Sabres - 81
Flyers - 81

West
Jets - 136
Stars - 122
Avalanche - 120

Golden Knights - 122
Kings - 112
Oilers - 110

Wild - 111
Canucks - 97
Blues - 97
Flames - 95
Utah - 93
Ducks - 86
Kraken - 86
Predators - 79
Blackhawks - 66
Sharks - 58

I'm actually surprised how little difference there is in the standings. I'm going to keep this going to the end of the season.

You must be new here.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

I’m also surprised it didn’t change that much.

Another option would be :

System C (With SO)
Regulation Win = 3 points
OT Win = 2 points
SO Win = 1 point
Loss (regulation, OT, or SO) = 0 points

Would do away with teams playing patty cake in the last 10 minutes of a tie game to secure one point.

It’s not about the ordering of the standings.

It’s about the illusion of competitiveness, and having tight races. Keep those point spreads tighter so more people have a chance at playoffs.

That’s it.

 

[Romang67]

You must be new here.

View attachment 994972

I was gonna say, I feel like every time we go through this the finding is that it would make little to no difference.

 

[Cartryn]

I would like to think they'd love some more exciting more than closer standings.

You need to look at it from a business point of view. The more teams that are in the hunt the more fans they get buying tickets. If a team is out of the hunt the ticket sales drop drastically.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

I was gonna say, I feel like every time we go through this the finding is that it would make little to no difference.

Some poster posts this thread like twice a year.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I’ve still not heard a good reason that we can’t just go to W/L.

The points system exists because of ties. We haven’t had ties for close to 20 years.

 

[Cartryn]

I was gonna say, I feel like every time we go through this the finding is that it would make little to no difference.

Is there a system that would make each game the same amount of points while maintaining the tight standings? While I've not liked the uneven point system, I've long since stopped complaining about it. I just wanted to do the actual math this season to see the difference.

 

[Penguin Suited Up]

You should get negative points for losing in OT and one point for winning in OT. Incentive teams to stop playing for a free overtime point.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

I’ve still not heard a good reason that we can’t just go to W/L.

The points system exists because of ties. We haven’t had ties for close to 20 years.

Because OT is pond hockey rules as are shootouts.

They are effectively ties. With an extra point up for grabs.

 

[Jumptheshark]

So for a few seasons now I've been thinking it's unfair that a game ending in regulation hands out 2 points (to the winner) and a game ending in OT/SO hands out 3 points (2 to the winner; 1 to the loser). So this season I've been running my own point systems to see how it lines up with the official point system. Here are the standings so far (through 3/17/25).

System A (No SO) (Any SO wins or losses are counted as a tie)
Regulation Win = 3 point
OT Win = 2 points
Tie = 1.5 points
OT Loss = 1 point
Regulation Loss = 0 points

[Team - Points]
East
Panthers - 118
Lightning - 117.5
Maple Leafs - 115

Capitals - 134
Hurricanes - 123
Devils - 113

Senators - 104.5
Rangers - 101.5
Canadiens - 94
Red Wings - 92.5
Bruins - 92.5
Islanders - 91.5
Blue Jackets - 91.5
Penguins - 87
Sabres - 80
Flyers - 80

West
Jets - 136
Stars - 121.5
Avalanche - 120.5

Golden Knights - 123
Kings - 113
Oilers - 110.5

Wild - 110.5
Canucks - 96.5
Blues - 95.5
Flames - 94.5
Utah - 94
Kraken - 87
Ducks - 85.5
Predators - 78.5
Blackhawks - 66.5
Sharks - 59.5


System B (With SO) (SO Win = OT Win; SO Loss = OT Loss)
Regulation Win = 3 points
OT Win = 2 points
OT Loss = 1 point
Regulation Loss = 0 points

[Team - Points]
East
Panthers - 120
Lightning - 117
Maple Leafs - 115

Capitals - 133
Hurricanes - 122
Devils - 113

Senators - 104
Rangers - 102
Canadiens - 94
Red Wings - 94
Blue Jackets - 93
Islanders - 92
Bruins - 92
Penguins - 85
Sabres - 81
Flyers - 81

West
Jets - 136
Stars - 122
Avalanche - 120

Golden Knights - 122
Kings - 112
Oilers - 110

Wild - 111
Canucks - 97
Blues - 97
Flames - 95
Utah - 93
Ducks - 86
Kraken - 86
Predators - 79
Blackhawks - 66
Sharks - 58

I'm actually surprised how little difference there is in the standings. I'm going to keep this going to the end of the season.

With OT/Shoot out? just get rid of the loser pt

 

[tarheelhockey]

Because OT is pond hockey rules as are shootouts.

They are effectively ties. With an extra point up for grabs.

I’m fine with the logic behind awarding the point, I just don’t see what purpose it serves.

The core purpose of playing the game is to win. Not to win in a particular manner. Just to win. Why are we measuring style points?

 

[Bileur]

This keeps the same issue of games being worth different points amounts. It's even a little more extreme than the current system. Right now we have 2 or 3 point games. That system would give us 3, 2 or 1 point games. I'll still do the math once I get home.

But at least with this version everyone has the opportunity to get 3 points with a regulation win. With the current system, the 3 point games are kind of a product of luck and the game finishing tied.

The most definitive way to win (regulation) also gets the most points. Which makes more sense to me than having games that end in a tie being worth more.

Finally, only winning teams get points which I think is a positive.

 

[Bileur]

It’s not about the ordering of the standings.

It’s about the illusion of competitiveness, and having tight races. Keep those point spreads tighter so more people have a chance at playoffs.

That’s it.

Only logical explanation.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

I’m fine with the logic behind awarding the point, I just don’t see what purpose it serves.

The core purpose of playing the game is to win. Not to win in a particular manner. Just to win. Why are we measuring style points?

I understand your point, but now we are saying only winning matters and not the manner of the “win”. Instead of a shootout, what if we just flipped a coin - should that be the same as a regulation win?

I really do think we need to move to international hockey points (and soccer). Reg win - 3, OT/SO win - 2, OT/SO loss - 1, reg loss - 0.

If the manner of win doesnt matter, why not use reg season OT and shootout rules in the playoffs?

 

[Schennanigans]

My biggest request for change would just be to extend OT to another 5 min. This would eliminate 90% of the shootouts.