NHL Standings: Shootout Wins and Losses

How Shootouts Impact NHL Standings

In the National Hockey League (NHL), standings play a crucial role in determining which teams advance to the playoffs and ultimately compete for the Stanley Cup. One aspect that can impact standings is shootouts. A shootout is a tie-breaking procedure used at the end of regulation and overtime in NHL games.

Significance of Shootout Wins and Losses

In NHL standings, a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for the winning team while a shootout loss counts as one goal against for the losing team. This means that shootout results can have a significant impact on team standings, particularly for teams that are close in points.

For example, if Team A wins a game in overtime, they receive two points in the standings. However, if Team A wins the same game in a shootout, they only receive one point in the standings. This difference can be crucial for teams vying for a playoff spot or a higher seed.

Conclusion

Shootouts are an important aspect of NHL standings and can significantly impact team rankings. A shootout victory counts as one goal for while a shootout loss counts as one goal against. Teams must therefore be aware of the potential consequences of shootout results and strategize accordingly.