When a NHL regular season game ends in overtime or the shootout, the loser of the game is rewarded with 1 point in the standings.

AKA the loser point.



We are coming close to the end of the regular season and every point matters.

Even points that were rewarded for losing.




Loser points make a difference in the following ways:


>>> For determining the standings.

>>> For determining the draft lottery odds for each team

>>> For determining the draft order after the lottery

>>> For clinching playoff spots

>>> For determining which team gets home ice advantage during the playoffs




But is losing something that should ever be rewarded by the NHL ?

Should there be such a thing as a "loser point" in the NHL ?




Let me know your thoughts.

Get the 3-2-1-0 point system, problem solved

Just keep it the same...

While an OTL is still a loss, it's not the same as a regulation loss. Games that go into OT are beneficial for both the business and fan point of view.
It's more exciting for the fans, it's longer (more fans buying merchandise, concessions, etc.) which benefits the teams, and more time for advertising (better for the owners).
The current system seems to be working, there are no loser points (or shootouts) in the playoffs, and most games end in regulation anyway.
If it becomes a problem that too many teams are playing for a tie (and get a guaranteed point), you could switch to the 3-2-1-0 format, but the problem with that is that it would mess with the NHL Records, and they would have to retroactively apply the 3-2-1-0 format to the current record holders or apply the 2-1-0 format to teams in the 3-2-1-0 format

I don’t think “it would mess with NHL records” is much of a consideration for a rule change, there’s so many more important factors than that

The OTL points make for a more interesting stretch. If you remove it you get more nothing games toward the end of the season.

The playoff race is more exciting with the extra point.

I would say no. A lot of teams are higher in the standings right now soley because they are OT merchants (for example, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas). In the playoffs, what is the reward for losing in OT? NOTHING. YOU LOSE. You're now down a game. However, I don't think that OT and shootout should be disregarded. It does help with tie breakers. But, just don't use the loser point.