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In this upcoming season, the NHL will implement something it has never seen before: 3-on-3 overtime.
The hope is that the 3-on-3 overtime period will reduce the number of games decided by a shootout. According to The Hockey News' latest yearbook issue, 52.6 percent of five-minute 4-on-4 overtime games last year went to a shootout.
That's a bit too high for the NHL's liking, and they are taking a page out of the AHL's book. Last season, the AHL went to a 3-on-3 overtime period after the first whistle following the third minute of 4-on-4 play. What was the result? The Hockey News stated that only 67 of 268 overtime games reached the shootout. That's just 25 percent of the games.
But the NHL is going all in. The entire five minute overtime will be 3-on-3. Outside of that, the rules remain the same: It's a five minute overtime period, first goal wins, and if there isn't a goal, it heads to a shootout.
The 3-on-3 overtime period allows for a ton of offense. And it is yet to be seen how teams will handle the extra period. Will they go super defensive, fielding two defensemen and a forward? Will they go the more normal one defenseman, two forwards route? Or will a team go all out, fielding three forwards for a full out attack (we're looking at you, Patrick Roy, and your unconventional ways).
More than likely, teams will go with the standard one defenseman, two forwards system. But there's a certain player-type that will succeed in this type of play, and it should be pretty obvious: Two offensively-skilled forwards, and a puck-moving, offensive-minded defenseman.
Just about every team in the NHL can field two skilled forwards. But not every team has that pure, offensive-minded defenseman capable of chipping in offensively. Let's take a look at some of the more deadly combinations of three around the NHL.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Could you imagine facing any combination of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel? It would be brutal. Crosby is arguably the most offensively-intelligent player in the NHL, and partnered with either one of Malkin or Kessel should cause the opposition fits. Malkin's speed, Kessel's shot. It doesn't matter. The combinations would succeed no matter who the defenseman makes up the third man, so the fact that it is Kris Letang makes it even more unfair. Letang finished seventh in the league last season with 54 points in 69 games, the only defenseman in the top ten point scorers with less than 80 games played. These three can end the overtime period within their first shift.
Chicago Blackhawks
The craftiness of Jonathan Toews, the skill of Patrick Kane, the utter brilliance of iron man Duncan Keith. This combo may not be flashiest threesome of the bunch, but they will win overtime periods by simply outsmarting their opponents. Toews is among the best two-way, 200 foot players in the NHL, and his strong defensive abilities may allow him to spring frequent odd-man rushes during overtime. And the extra space on the ice allows Kane even more room to stickhandle all around the ice.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have reason to believe that Alex Galchenyuk will explode offensively next season. The 21-year-old third-overall pick in 2012 finished last season with career highs in goals and assists with 20 and 26, respectively. It would be wise to match him up with Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. Pacioretty has quietly averaged 38 goals the last two seasons, and Subban's booming shot from the point will be tough to stop. The three should feel comfortable with playing super aggressive if Carey Price is manning the pipes behind them.
Los Angeles Kings
There may not be a better two-way defenseman than Drew Doughty in the NHL, and he can really match up with any number of forwards on the Kings in the overtime period. Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik? Sure, that'll work. Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli? Of course, why not? No matter the combination, Doughty will be the key piece. His ability to find the open man will be further showcased in 3-on-3 overtime.
Washington Capitals
It's tough for Washington fans to say goodbye to their longtime offensive-minded defenseman Mike Green, but the departure should further open the door for defenseman John Carlson. Carlson already took over as the go-to offensive-defenseman last season, playing at the point on the first power play unit. Why has that power play been so successful for the last five year? Because it has had Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin on it. Giving those two even more room in a 3-on-3 overtime? Game over.
Tampa bay Lightning
Victor Hedman had his coming out party during the Stanley Cup playoffs, and everyone truly began to understand just how good of a player he has really become. He's vaulted himself from an underwhelming second-overall pick to a sure-thing Norris Trophy candidate. Hedman finished with 38 points in 59 games, and any combination of forwards he will get to play with should make him silly good. Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov, Ondrej Palat, whatever the combination, it doesn't matter. And even if it's not Hedman, it could be puck-moving defenseman Anton Stralman. Tampa Bay's second overtime unit is probably better than several teams' first unit.
Ottawa Senators
You can't include a list of 3-on-3 combinations and not include Erik Karlsson and his gang. Karlsson has led all NHL defensemen in points three of the last four seasons (and it likely would have been four out of four if it wasn't for an Achilles injury in the 2012-13 season). Sure, Karlsson's forwards won't be as skilled as some of these other teams, but he alone should be able to cause so much damage during the overtime period. Kyle Turris will certainly see some time, and if we are to believe that Mark Stone's 64 point campaign last season wasn't a fluke, it will likely be him joining those two. If, by chance, it was a fluke, Bobby Ryan has the skill set to succeed with extra ice.
