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Few issues in hockey are worse than when an exhilarating three-on-three additional time offers option to a shootout. Even Connor McDavid, the perfect participant within the NHL, hates to determine video games that manner.
McDavid instructed Sportsnet’s ‘Tim and Friends’ that he could be open to extending the additional time interval from 5 minutes to 10. That could increase issues about participant security, however falling in a shootout is at all times a tricky tablet to swallow.
“I would really like that,” McDavid mentioned concerning the concept of prolonged additional time. “No one loves the shootout. It’s a crappy option to end a recreation. At the top of the day, it is concerning the gamers’ well being and security. It’s an extended season. The additional time taxes plenty of guys. Making that longer might have some results there, however I agree with you within the sense that nobody needs to see the sport finish in a shootout.”
Following the 2004-05 lockout, the NHL needed to finish ties and create a extra thrilling fan expertise. The league selected to do this by implementing shootouts within the 2005-06 season, and whereas it did present some intrigue for a number of years, the novelty has worn off.
The approval score for shootouts has solely fallen extra sharply because the NHL switched to 5 minutes of three-on-three additional time within the 2015-16 season. Going from frantic end-to-end motion to a glorified abilities competitors will be jarring, and it might probably go away followers and gamers feeling unhappy.
Thus far, 45 video games within the 2022-23 season have resulted in shootouts. If the league did determine to increase the additional time session, it might cut back that quantity whereas rising leisure worth.
