Overtime hockey could look quite different next season in the NHL, with the league considering 3-on-3 for the extra five minutes during regular season games. The move, which would take effect in the 2015-16 campaign, is pending approval from the Board of Governors, per Bob McKenzie of TSN.
NHL close to adding 3-on-3 overtime in 2015-16, per report
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Trying to liven up the extra periods, the league has been considering changes to its overtime period, which is currently just five extra minutes with four skaters and a goalie for each side.
Another change considered for overtime was the American Hockey League model, which includes five minutes of 4-on-4, five minutes of 3-on-3, then a shootout. But that was shot down by the NHLPA per McKenzie, leading to the current 3-on-3 proposal awaiting approval.
With penalties, there have been occasional glimpses at 3-on-3 in overtime, such as the free-flowing action in this game between the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings in 2013:
In the 2015-16 season, 306 of 2,460 NHL games (12.4 percent) reached overtime, roughly 10 games per team, so this potential rule change could end up affecting a lot of hockey.
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