The Diminishing Appeal of NHL Shootouts
The appeal of the shootout in the NHL, introduced to settle tie games since the 2005-06 season, has diminished over the years. With teams playing 41 home games—soon increasing to 42—every season, there is a pressing need for a method to conclude games in a timely fashion rather than extending into marathon overtime sessions. Shootouts serve this purpose, providing fans a decisive winner within a sensible timeframe in the regular season.
Declining Enthusiasm for Shootouts
Despite this, the enthusiasm for shootouts has waned. This process, which pits a handful of players against a lone goalie, can feel disconnected from the team-oriented nature of hockey, leading many to wish for the game to end before escalating to a shootout.
The Thrill of Penalty Shots
However, the excitement surrounding another individual competition—penalty shots—remains as strong as ever, though they happen less frequently. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently highlighted a concerning trend regarding the NHL’s penalty shot calls, indicating officials might not be awarding enough of them. Data supports his claim; last season recorded only 32 attempts for penalty shots, marking the lowest figure in an 82-game season since the early 2000s. In comparison, the current season observed slightly more attempts, with 49 shot attempts this year and 52 last year. Historically, the league peaked at 103 attempts during the 2005-06 season, indicating a steady decrease, with an average of about 54 attempts per season since then.
Friedman recounted specific instances from a recent Saturday game that demonstrated missed opportunities for penalty shots. In a matchup between the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, Juraj Slafkovsky incurred a minor penalty for holding during a sequence when he and his teammates were active against Senators centerman Shane Pinto, who was on a breakaway. Meanwhile, another instance highlighted was Tim Stutzle‘s hook on Lane Hutson during his breakaway, leading to a penalty shot and excitement from the crowd.
Reassessing Penalty Shot Calls
One must consider whether the decline in penalties called is due to referees adopting a more conservative approach or if players are simply maintaining better discipline. Regardless, the events of that particular Saturday illustrated how we could have witnessed additional penalty shot attempts, which engage fans and could dramatically influence the outcome of the games.
It is essential to push for a reassessment of how referees are instructed to call penalty shots. According to NHL regulations, penalty shots are designed to rectify lost scoring opportunities due to infractions from the opposing team. For a penalty shot to be awarded, specific criteria must be met, including the location of the infraction, the nature of the contact, and verification that a scoring chance was indeed denied without any defender obstructing the player once possession was regained.
In Pinto’s case, he had only the goaltender in his way when Slafkovsky’s hold prevented him from continuing forward. There are likely countless similar scenarios regularly occurring that meet the requirements for being called a penalty shot but have been overlooked.
Enhancing the Viewing Experience
Allowing officials the leeway to award penalty shots for plays disrupted by obstruction could enhance the viewing experience. The NHL fundamentally exists to entertain, and few situations are as thrilling as the one-on-one clash of a penalty shot.
While opinions on shootouts vary, many fans find more satisfaction in team-based resolutions to games, since hockey fundamentally centers around team play. Nonetheless, penalty shots share the same thrilling dynamics, with the main difference lying in timing: they can arise at any moment, creating immediate drama. If we see an increase in penalty shots being called, we could even witness multiple opportunities in one game. Last season’s total of just seven goals scored from penalty shots represented the lowest output since the 1995-96 season—a worrisome figure that the league should take seriously, especially since penalty shots often highlight the best moments in hockey.
Stay Engaged with Hockey News
For those interested in exploring more engaging content and access to a full magazine archive, visit The Hockey News at THN.com/free for a complimentary issue. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and contribute your opinions by commenting on THN.com or participating in our community discussions.
