The OT debate: 5 or 4

[DerringerEagle]

Keep it as is, 5 on 5. Or change it, 4 on 4?

From my end, I say keep it 5 on 5 all the way. The hockey media keeps saying that 4 on 4 is what us fans want, but as usual they mistake us. What we want in the postseason is more hockey and the current OT method gives us that chance to have it.

 

[PGH11286]

I want to watch real hockey (5 on 5). I also hate shootouts in the regular season. It should always be continuous OT.

 

[Destroydacre]

5 on 5. I remember watching the gold medal WJC game this year. Both Canada and the US were playing extremely conservatively and it still only took 3½ minutes before one team got an odd man break.

 

[dash]

As soon as they decide to go to 4-on-4, I'm afraid we're on a slippery slope towards shootouts in the playoffs. Another vote for 5-on-5.

 

[postmaster]

5 on 5. I think this will win by a landslide. They better not screw with Playoff Overtime ever.

 

[GagneFire12]

Four-on-Foreplay is always fun, but I prefer a 5-on-5 overtime session. Marathon OT games are part of the leagues history. If they changed the format, I doubt we'd ever see double overtime again.

 

[dare2be]

5 on 5. I think this will win by a landslide. They better not screw with Playoff Overtime ever.

Not just a landslide, but unanimous.

 

[buffhockey]

5 on 5 & I also hate the shootout for deciding games. Maybe try 10 minutes of OT before the shootout.

If the playoff OT format ever changes - huge mistake. I say leave that alone.

 

[dare2be]

Wait, I changed my mind. Make it like college football OT. Make it 5 on 4 with an empty net. The once a goal is scored (either empty net, or PP goal), then switch sides and do the same thing. The team that scores their goal fastest (or scores both goals), wins.

 

[PGH11286]

Wait, I changed my mind. Make it like college football OT. Make it 5 on 4 with an empty net. The once a goal is scored (either empty net, or PP goal), then switch sides and do the same thing. The team that scores their goal fastest (or scores both goals), wins.

The thing is I like the College Footbal OT a lot better than the Pro one.

 

[IPostedWhat]

They were saying that the 1st OT would be 5 on 5, then go to 4 on 4 for the 2nd OT and beyond. I say it should stay 5 on 5 for as long as it takes someone to score and win. That is what the PO's are all about. You have to earn every win.

 

[forty_three]

As soon as they decide to go to 4-on-4, I'm afraid we're on a slippery slope towards shootouts in the playoffs. Another vote for 5-on-5.

This. A thousand times, THIS

Go back to 5 on 5 for reg season too. Play til it's over.

 

[Comeds]

5 on 5 in the playoffs and regular season.

4 on 4 is as goofy as a shootout in my opinion.

 

[Burns80y]

5 on 5 is the only option. leave 4 on 4 to pick up basketball games at the local YMCA.

 

[dare2be]

5 on 5 is the only option. leave 4 on 4 to pick up basketball games at the local YMCA.

lol good one

 

[Squatchito]

5 on 5 no doubt. Regular season shenanigans is one thing, but playoff games are too important.

 

[The Q stache]

I say 4 on 4 for the first ot, then 3 on 3, then 2 on 2, then 1 on 1, and then we send out 2 monkeys dressed as clowns throwing poop at each other. In all seriousness does anyone actually think 4 on 4 is a good idea.

 

[quoipourquoi]

18 on 18.


I like the current Regular Season set up, though I'd rather it be 3 on 3 for five minutes before the shootout (because we never see it, and it would make the shootout more rare), but the Playoff set up is untouchable in my opinion.

 

[Larry N]

Another vote for five on five. Four on four proposals are bullshit (I generally don't use cusswords, but it feels so right in this instance) that have nothing to do with 'what the fans want'. They're designed to shorten OTs and minimize the chance that hockey will interfere with other network programming.

Go ahead....tell me I need a tinfoil hat...but every poster on this board is smart enough to know that the league does practically nothing without a marketing angle behind it.

 

[naslundfan19]

5 on 5. I think this will win by a landslide. They better not screw with Playoff Overtime ever.

This.