Shootout

After the lockout the NHL decided to implement the shootout in the regular season to break ties. From what I can determine this was done for two reasons:

A) For some reason, which I still have yet to comprehend, tie games had become vilified in some hockey circles. The shootout would end them for good.

B) To make the game more exciting.

Personally I have no strong feeling either way about the shootout. Although I've never seen anything wrong with a regular season tie, I do appreciate the edge-of-your-seat thrill associated with the shootout.

Today's game might change my mind. The New York Islanders clinched a playoff spot by winning a shootout over the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from post-season contention. Now don't get me wrong, anything that hurts the Maple Leafs is a good thing in my books, but it does seem like a silly way to determine the last playoff spot.

Shootout detractors point to the fact that hockey is a team game, while a shootout is a battle of individual skills. I tend to agree with this, but always felt that since regular season games weren't as important it was OK. Today's game proved that isn't always the case.

I don't think the NHL should abolish the shootout, it still is very exciting. But I think the points system should be changed. Make a regulation worth three points, an overtime or shootout win worth two and an overtime/shootout loss worth one. That would give teams even more incentive to settle things playing real hockey.

In pool related news, the entry invitations have been sent out. If you somehow stumble on this site and haven't yet gotten one let me know in the comments.

The Devil is in the details

The biggest story in the hockey world this week has been the New Jersey's Devil's decision to fire Claude Julien with three games to go in the regular season. It's fair to say that pretty much every hockey observer caught off-guard by the news, including Julien himself.

Most of the mainstream media (here, here,here, here) as well as the bloggers (here, here and here ) have already had their kick at speculating as to why the move was made, but the Devil's organization hasn't shed much light on any rationale.

I'm more concerned about the impact the move will have on my pool picks. Before the surprise move, the Devils were one of the teams with all the ingrediants for a long Cup run. They have plenty of playoff experience, one of the best goaltenders in the league and a great penalty killing unit. They have enough snipers up front to score a few goals too.

I probably would have given the Devils an equal shot as conference-favourite Buffalo to advance to the Stanley Cup final. However, this move by Sweet Lou leaves me with more questions than answers. Is there something wrong in the dressing room that merited the firing? Did Devil's upper management believe the team was headed in the wrong direction? Or was it simply a difference of personality?

The bottom line is I have a lot less faith in New Jersey now than I did before and it will likely impact my decision come pool time.