Empty net goal scoring is getting out of control

[StumpyTown]

Part of the reason is the parity in the league. I don't know the stats, but would not be surprised to find that there are a lot more one goal games entering into the last few minutes of the third period now than in the past. That, along with teams pulling goalies with 2ish instead of 1 minute, will play into inflated numbers as well.

 

[Ghost of Murph]

A stat as significant as goals scored should not be messed with. Obviously the strategy of pulling the goalie earlier than in the past when down multiple goals is the main reason for more empty net chances in today's NHL. Surprised this strategy took so long for coaches to implement.

There are many factors in different eras as to why more/less goals are scored -- defensive systems, goalie gear, stick composition, strategies, etc are all going to change from time to time. ENGs are up due to a change in strategy. Not a big deal in my book. Just a result of an evolution in the sport, like so many other changes that affected stats over the years.

 

[Romang67]

Actually, goal differential is the tie breaker when it comes to determining position in the standings and can be the difference between getting into the playoffs or not.

An interesting stat would be to look at teams who missed the playoffs due to goal differential vs. the number of empty net goals those teams allowed.

Edit:
I'll go a step further and say that if your team is allowing excess empty net goals at this point in the season, they do not expect to make the playoffs.

Goal differential is the sixth tie breaker after:

Point percentage
Regulation Wins
Regulation or Overtime Wins
Total Wins
Head-to-head matchups.

 

[Toby91ca]

Goal differential is the sixth tie breaker after:

Point percentage
Regulation Wins
Regulation or Overtime Wins
Total Wins
Head-to-head matchups.

Well....technically it's really the 5th tie-breaker because you only need to go to tie-breaker at the end of the season and by then, point percentage isn't a tie-breaker anymore.