NHL Games See Increased Overtime Rates This Season

This NHL season has seen a remarkable increase in games going to overtime, with 27.3% of matches extending beyond regulation, according to ESPN. If this trend continues, it would surpass the previous high of 25% recorded during the 2013-14 season.

One theory for this phenomenon is the league's increasing parity, as noted by Dallas Stars coach Glen Gulutzan, who likened the situation to a 'squished can,' where top teams have lost key players while younger, rebuilding teams are catching up.

Currently, 28 out of 32 teams have a points percentage of .500 or better, compared to 23 teams at the end of last season. Players and coaches are also observing a trend of teams playing conservatively to secure at least one point, leading to more tied games.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek highlighted that no lead feels safe, with comeback victories becoming more frequent. Last season, 43% of games were comeback wins, indicating that teams are increasingly able to overcome multi-goal deficits.

The current season has already seen 68 comeback wins where teams were trailing in the third period, surpassing the numbers from previous seasons. Coaches are adapting their strategies, but there's debate about whether this uptick in overtime will normalize as the season progresses.

Meghan Chayka from Stathletes pointed out that the unpredictability of games has increased, complicating outcomes. Some fans and analysts are calling for a revised point system to discourage teams from aiming for overtime, but opinions vary on this potential change.

Overall, this season's overtime rate not only reflects the competitiveness of the league but also raises questions about the future dynamics of the game.