This BLOG comes with a warning. There’s a lot of information in here but there has to be to decide what we’re trying to figure out. And don’t worry we’ll be back to rumors tomorrow….
Let me throw a crazy concept at you for a second……
“In every game there is a winner and a loser”There’s nothing more boring in sports and nothing more bad habit forming in sports then teams playing “not to lose.” As opposed to playing a game to win.
For years, hockey fans and analysts have debated the NHL’s point system.
The current format—awarding two points for any win and one “loser point” for overtime or shootout losses—has been criticized for rewarding teams that lose close games and potentially discouraging aggressive play in the third period. But what if the NHL changed its approach?
Would a system that emphasizes regulation wins create better hockey?
Would eliminating loser points make standings more fair? Or would a completely different approach work best?
Perhaps more importantly, would another system enable a team that’s in a playoff race to be able gain in the standings as opposed to treading water as “three point games” are happening to all of the teams they are chasing. A team/fanbase being six or seven points out with a month to go shouldn’t be thinking they have no chance.
Unfortunately there’s only one way to analyze this and that is by going off of last season’s final numbers. Well that is helpful the reality is the whole concept of this is to make teams work harder to get wins and regulation to get Wenz and shit ass and do not depend on the loser point. I have very little doubt that this whole thing plays out incredibly differently if the reality was there that these teams could actually gain by winning a regulation or have to fight to win…
We analyzed the entire 2024-25 NHL season under **five different point systems** to find out. The results reveal dramatic differences in playoff races, point spreads, and competitive balance.
**The Five Systems Explained**
Here’s a quick reference guide to the five systems we tested:
System Name RW OTW SOW OTL SOL Philosophy
**#1****Current NHL** 2 2 2 1 1 All wins equal; rewards close games
**#2* Regulation Priority** 3 2 1 0 0 Heavily rewards finishing in regulation
**#3****Win-Only** 2 2 2 0 0 No loser points; pure W-L record
**#4****Reduced Value** 2 1 1 0 0 Moderate regulation preference
**#5****Shootout Mercy** 3 3 2 0 1 Rewards decisive wins; soft on SO losses
• **RW** = Regulation Win
• **OTW** = Overtime Win
• **SOW** = Shootout Win
• **OTL** = Overtime Loss
• **SOL** = Shootout Loss
**System Comparison: Point Spreads and Competitive Balance**
One of the most important questions: does each system create tighter races or bigger gaps between teams?
**Point Spread Analysis (1st Place to 16th Place)**
System 1st Place Points 16th Place Points Point Spread Average Team Points Competitive Balance
**#1 (22211)** 116 (WPG) ~85 **31 pts** ~93 Moderate
**#2 (32100)** 149 (WPG/VGK) ~115 **34 pts** ~125 Moderate-Wide
**#3 (22200)** 112 (WPG) ~74 **38 pts** ~85 **Widest Gap**
**#4 (21100)** 99 (WPG) ~68 **31 pts** ~75 **Tightest Race**
**#5 (33201)** 164 (WPG) ~121 **43 pts** ~135 Wide
**System #4 (21100 — Reduced Value) creates the TIGHTEST races:**
• Smallest point totals overall (average ~75 points per team)
• Only 31-point spread from 1st to 16th
• Makes every game critical—no “easy” points available
• Playoff races would be decided in final weeks
**System #3 (22200 — Win-Only) creates the WIDEST competitive gap:**
• 38-point spread between top and bottom playoff teams
• Eliminates loser points, so losing teams fall further behind
• Clear separation between contenders and pretenders
• Rewards winning decisively
**System #5 (33201 — Shootout Mercy) inflates point totals dramatically:**
• 43-point spread but everyone gains points
• Average team has ~135 points (vs. 93 in current system)
• Historic-looking totals (Winnipeg: 164 pts, Vegas: 160 pts)
• Makes 100-point seasons commonplace
**System #2 (32100 — Regulation Priority) moderate spread, rewards skill:**
• 34-point spread—similar to current system
• But dramatically changes WHO makes playoffs
• Teams that finish games in regulation leap ahead
• Discourages defensive shell play in 3rd period
**Benefits and Drawbacks of Each System**
**System #1 (22211) — Current NHL System**
✅ Familiar—no adjustment needed
✅ Rewards competitiveness in close games
✅ Creates drama with overtime/shootout play
✅ Keeps more teams in playoff hunt longer
❌ Teams with losing records can make playoffs (Boston: 33-39-10, made playoffs)
❌ Penalizes teams that win decisively (Ottawa: 45 wins, missed playoffs)
❌ Encourages defensive play late in tied games
❌ Three-point games (OT/SO) distort standings
**Point Disparity:** Moderate (31-point spread top to bottom playoff teams)
**System #2 (32100) — Regulation Priority**
✅ Incentivizes aggressive play for full 60 minutes
✅ Rewards skill and decisiveness
✅ Reduces reliance on coin-flip shootouts
✅ Teams like Vegas (46 regulation wins) properly rewarded
❌ Complicated three-tier point system
❌ Could create blowouts if trailing teams press too hard
❌ Devalues exciting overtime play
❌ Point totals inflate significantly (avg ~125 pts)
**Point Disparity:** Moderate-Wide (34-point spread)
**Biggest Winners:** Vegas (+39 pts), Toronto (+45), Washington (+37)
**Biggest Losers:** Vancouver (+10), Calgary (+14), teams with few regulation wins
**System #3 (22200) — Win-Only, No Loser Points**
✅ Simplest system—mirrors other major sports
✅ Every game truly matters (no consolation points)
✅ Pure meritocracy: win or go home
✅ Eliminates “losing your way to the playoffs”
❌ ALL teams lose points vs. current system
❌ Creates widest gap between good and bad teams (38 pts)
❌ Could discourage competitive games late in season
❌ Teams might tank harder if out of contention
**Point Disparity:** WIDEST (38-point spread)
**Impact:** Vancouver drops 14 pts, Calgary drops 14, Columbus drops 9. Ottawa, St. Louis gain playoff spots by having more total wins.
**System #4 (21100) — Reduced Value**
✅ Creates TIGHTEST playoff races (31-pt spread, lowest point totals)
✅ Every single game matters enormously
✅ Moderate regulation win incentive without extreme inflation
✅ Most exciting down-the-stretch battles
❌ Lowest point totals could seem “unimpressive” (99 pts wins league)
❌ Could feel punishing—hard to accumulate points
❌ OT/SO wins worth only 1 point may feel underwhelming
❌ Teams lose 10-24 points vs. current system
**Point Disparity:** TIGHTEST (31-point spread, but with compressed totals)
**Impact:** Vancouver hit hardest (-24 pts), Calgary (-22), Buffalo (-22). Every team loses significant points.
**System #5 (33201) — Shootout Loser Point**
✅ Rewards regulation/OT wins heavily (3 pts each)
✅ Recognizes shootouts as “coin flips”—gives consolation point for SO loss
✅ Creates impressive-looking point totals (historic season vibes)
✅ Incentivizes teams to avoid shootouts
❌ Point inflation extreme (avg ~135 pts per team)
❌ 164 points for first place seems inflated
❌ Complicated four-tier system
❌ Could devalue regular season accomplishments
**Point Disparity:** WIDE (43-point spread with highest totals)
**Biggest Winners:** Vegas (+50 pts), Winnipeg (+48), Toronto & Tampa (+44 each)
**Bubble Teams That Benefit from Alternative Systems:**
• **Ottawa** — Makes it in 4 of 5 systems (only misses current)
• **Columbus** — Makes it in 4 of 5 systems
• **St. Louis** — Makes it in 3 of 5 systems
**Teams Hurt by Alternative Systems:**
• **Calgary** — Only makes playoffs under current system
• **Minnesota** — Makes it in 4 of 5, but drops out in System #5
• **NY Rangers** — Makes it in only 2 of 5 systems
**Which System Creates the Best Hockey?**
**If You Want the Fairest System: System #3 (Win-Only)**
• No “loser points” propping up mediocre teams
• Win and you’re rewarded; lose and you fall behind
• Most similar to other major sports
**If You Want the Most Exciting Races: System #4 (Reduced Value)**
• Tightest point spreads
• Every game has massive implications
• Playoff races decided in final days
^ No three point games. Easier to make up ground
**If You Want to Encourage Aggressive Play: System #2 (Regulation Priority)**
• Incentivizes teams to push for regulation wins
• Reduces defensive shells in 3rd period of tied games
• Properly rewards teams that dominate (Vegas, Toronto)
• Rewards winning early
**If You Want Maximum Drama: System #5 (Shootout Mercy)**
• Huge point totals create historic-feeling seasons
• Rewards decisive wins while softening shootout loss blow
• Creates clear separation between elite and good teams
• Every team gains points—feels more positive
**If You Want Tradition and Familiarity: System #1 (Current)**
• Keeps overtime/shootout excitement
• Maintains historical continuity
• But perpetuates known flaws
**Conclusion: Time for a Change?**
Our analysis of the 2024-25 season reveals that the current NHL point system isn’t the best option. Depending on your priorities—fairness, excitement, simplicity, or incentivizing aggressive play—there are compelling alternatives.
22211 32100 22200 21100 32101
Fairness 3/5 4/5 5/5 4/5 4/5
Simplicity 4/5 2/5 5/5 3/5 2/5
Tight Race 3/5 3/5 2/5 5/5 2/5
Teams Go4 2/5 5/5 3/5 4/5 5/5
SKILL 3/5 5/5 4/5 4/5 5/5
Histor 5/5 2/5 3/5 2/5 2/5
(1st-16th )31 pts 34 pts 38 pts 31 pts 43 pts
TOTAL 20/30 21/30 22/30 22/30 20/30
**System #3 (Win-Only)** is the fairest and simplest, but creates the widest gaps between teams.
**System #4 (Reduced Value)** creates the most exciting playoff races with the tightest point spreads.
**System #2 (Regulation Priority)** best incentivizes attacking hockey and rewards skill.
**System #5 (Shootout Mercy)** creates impressive-looking seasons and rewards decisive play.
The question isn’t whether the NHL *should* change its point system—it’s *which* alternative would create the best version of hockey. With teams like Ottawa (45 wins) missing the playoffs while teams like Boston (losing record) making it, the case for reform has never been stronger.
What do you think? Should the NHL stick with tradition, or is it time to revolutionize how we award points?