FiveThirtyEightSports had a great article today showing how more and more teams are playing not to lose in tie games in the 3rd period now instead of playing to win, resulting in record numbers of games going to overtime, just because getting that one guaranteed point for reaching overtime is so valuable.
It's an interesting read for any hockey fan.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/to-make-the-playoffs-hockey-teams-play-not-to-win/
I thought this graph was particularly fascinating. It shows the expected goal rate by minute, and it clearly drops off in the final few minutes of tie games.
It kind of ties into what we discussed in this thread a little while ago...
http://popmalt.com/forums/threads/should-a-win-be-3-points.106871/
And it really convinces me more than ever that teams should not be rewarded with a point for being tied at the end of regulation, and also that winning in regulation should have more value.
It's an interesting read for any hockey fan.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/to-make-the-playoffs-hockey-teams-play-not-to-win/
I thought this graph was particularly fascinating. It shows the expected goal rate by minute, and it clearly drops off in the final few minutes of tie games.

It kind of ties into what we discussed in this thread a little while ago...
http://popmalt.com/forums/threads/should-a-win-be-3-points.106871/
And it really convinces me more than ever that teams should not be rewarded with a point for being tied at the end of regulation, and also that winning in regulation should have more value.