NHL Tiebreakers: Settling the Score When Points Are Equal
In the highly competitive world of the National Hockey League (NHL), teams strive throughout the season to earn as many points as possible in order to secure a spot in the playoffs. However, it’s not uncommon for teams to finish the regular season with the same number of points, leading to the need for tiebreakers to determine their final standings.
How Tiebreakers Are Determined
The NHL has a set of rules to determine the winner when two or more teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season. These rules are designed to provide a fair and equitable method for determining which teams advance to the playoffs.
The first tiebreaker is head-to-head record. If two teams have the same number of points, the team that has won more games against the other team in the season series will have the higher standing.
If the teams are tied in the head-to-head record, the goal differential in games between the teams is used. The team with the higher goal differential will have the higher standing.
If the teams are still tied after considering the head-to-head record and goal differential, the regulation plus overtime wins (ROW) become the deciding factor. The team with more ROWs will have the higher standing.
If the teams are still tied after the ROW tiebreaker, the total number of wins in the season becomes the deciding factor. The team with more wins will have the higher standing.
If the teams are still tied after all of the above tiebreakers, a coin flip will be used to determine the higher standing.
Example of Tiebreakers in Action
Let’s say two teams, Team A and Team B, finish the regular season with 90 points each. To determine which team has the higher standing, we look at the tiebreakers:
- Head-to-head record: Team A won 2 games against Team B, while Team B won 1 game. Therefore, Team A has a higher standing.
- Goal differential: The goal differential in games between Team A and Team B is +2 for Team A. Therefore, Team A has a higher standing.
Since Team A has a better head-to-head record and goal differential, they would be awarded the higher standing, even though both teams have the same number of points.
Importance of Tiebreakers
Tiebreakers play a crucial role in the NHL standings, as they determine which teams qualify for the playoffs and which teams miss out. By establishing a clear and consistent set of tiebreakers, the NHL ensures fairness and transparency in the playoff race.
In the highly contested world of NHL hockey, even a single tiebreaker can make a significant difference in a team’s fate. By understanding the tiebreaker rules, fans and analysts can gain a deeper understanding of the NHL standings and the intense competition for a spot in the playoffs.