The proposed 3-2-1 point system — three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime win and one point for an overtime loss — was just one of the ideas that came out of a brainstorming session on Monday, Day 1 of the NHL general managers’ meetings in Florida. The 3-2-1 point system, which provides extra incentive for teams to close out games in regulation, was one of the more realistic ideas. But the problem is that regulation wins and overtime or shootout wins are lumped together, when the latter is often the result of being good at a skills competition. By making regulation wins count for more, the order of the standings wouldn’t change much. Teams play a certain way knowing that regulation wins are not worth more and that a loser point exists.

Source: National Post March 06, 2017 22:54 UTC