Why the NHL Needs to Adopt a 3-2-1 Point System

What Is the 3-2-1 System?

Currently, the NHL awards two points for a win, one point for an overtime/shootout (OT/SO) loss, and zero for a regulation loss. This system can unfairly boost teams in the standings despite fewer wins than their competitors.

For example, a team could lose 81 games in overtime, win one game, and be considered «above .500» despite winning only once. This skews the standings and the coveted .500 mark, as seen with the Buffalo Sabres' 39-37-6 record, winning only 47.5% of their games.

The 3-2-1 system would award three points for a regulation victory, two points for an OT/SO victory, one point for an OT/SO loss, and zero for a regulation loss. This system, already used by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and some European leagues, rewards regulation dominance and helps separate better teams from weaker ones.

How the 3-2-1 System Impacts Standings

The Toronto Maple Leafs led the league with five shootout wins last season, earning an extra ten points. Under the new system, they would still have left five points on the table, as the extra regulation point is no longer available.

Here's what the 2023-24 NHL standings would have looked like using the 3-2-1 system:

Atlantic Division

FLA - 42-10-6-24 (152 Pts)

BOS - 36-11-15-20 (145 Pts)

TBL - 37-8-8-29 (135 Pts) ⬆1

TOR - 33-13-10-26 (135 Pts) ⬇1

DET - 27-14-9-32 (118 Pts)

BUF - 33-6-6-37 (117 Pts)

OTT - 25-12-4-41 (103 Pts)

MTL - 20-10-16-36 (96 Pts)

Metropolitan Division

NYR - 43-12-4-23 (157 Pts)

CAR - 44-8-7-23 (155 Pts)

WSH - 32-8-11-31 (123 Pts) ⬆1

NYI - 29-10-16-27 (123 Pts) ⬇1

PIT - 32-6-12-32 (120 Pts)

PHI - 30-8-11-33 (117 Pts)

NJD - 33-5-5-39 (114 Pts)

CBJ - 21-6-12-43 (87 Pts)

Central Division

WPG - 46-6-6-24 (156 Pts) ⬆1

DAL - 40-12-9-21 (153 Pts) ⬇1

COL - 42-8-7-25 (149 Pts)

NSH - 38-9-5-30 (137 Pts)

STL - 31-12-6-33 (123 Pts)

MIN - 32-7-10-33 (120 Pts)

ARI - 28-8-5-41 (105 Pts)

CHI - 17-6-6-53 (69 Pts)

Pacific Division

VAN - 44-6-9-23 (153 Pts)

EDM - 39-10-6-27 (143 Pts)

LAK - 37-7-11-27 (136 Pts)

VGK - 34-11-8-29 (132 Pts)

CGY - 32-6-5-39 (113 Pts)

SEA - 28-6-13-35 (109 Pts)

ANA - 21-6-5-50 (80 Pts)

SJS - 14-5-9-54 (61 Pts)

Outcomes of the 3-2-1 System

The new system wouldn't dramatically change the standings but would correct certain imbalances. For instance, the Washington Capitals would have passed the New York Islanders with three more regulation wins, avoiding the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. The Winnipeg Jets would have finished first in the Central Division and second in the NHL, reflecting their six more regulation wins than the Dallas Stars.

This system encourages teams to play for regulation wins, making late-season playoff pushes more exciting. A twelve-point deficit could theoretically be made up in just four games.

Rule changes in other sports, like MLB's «pitch clock,» the NFL's «new kickoff,» or the NBA's «Play-In Series,» have allowed their games to flourish. It's time for the NHL to follow suit.