Ace High or Double Down? The Debate on Scoring in the NHL

When it comes to the NHL, one of the things that a lot (or at least it seems like a lot) of people want is high-scoring games. Talk of enlarging goal nets and shrinking goalie pads could easily be mistaken for a bad Viagra commercial. 

For me, the best kind of game is low scoring. When two goaltenders are playing absolutely incredible, stopping every shot that comes their way, it is like a chess game. It makes teams have to think of different ways to beat the goaltender, other than just getting a simple shot on goal. 

Defenses are constantly adjusting to the different strategies that offenses are employing. In essence, these low-scoring games become chess matches because one goal is going to decide things.

Let's look at the playoffs. For the most part, playoff games are tense, exciting, and have a caliber of play that separates them from the regular season. But if you look at most playoff games, they are low scoring.

Only two times in this past Stanley Cup final did a team surpass four goals in a game. In fact, 38 times in the past postseason did the winning team score three goals or less in the game. That is just under 45 percent of all postseason games. 

The reason the playoffs are the most exciting is because they are chess matches, where the play with the puck is very important. When teams are scoring five goals apiece, it all comes down to whoever scored last (that is usually the case, anyway). 

But with 1-0, 2-1, or 3-2 type games, the excitement level comes out and you sit on the edge of your seat. It is those types of games that show true teamwork. They aren't just trying to score goals like in 5-4, 6-5 type games.

They are trying to hold their opposition down, while trying to break through the intricate play of their defense or the brick wall that their goaltender has built in net.  

In a nutshell, a low-scoring game takes much more perseverance and determination to win. You have to outplay your opponent in every zone, not just the offensive. Defensive and neutral-zone play are just as, if not more, important than offense in low-scoring games. That is what makes them better games. 

Remember, less is more.