NHL to Weight Shootouts in Goal Differential Calculations

Effective Next Season

Goals Scored and Against to be Counted in Standings

In a move that will significantly impact the NHL's standings, the league announced today that, effective next season, goals scored and against in shootouts will be counted towards teams' goal differential.

Currently, a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against. This change will ensure that teams are rewarded (or penalized) for their performance in shootouts, just as they are for goals scored and against in regulation and overtime.

The NHL made this decision after extensive consultation with its Board of Governors and the NHL Players' Association. The league believes that this change will create a more accurate representation of teams' performance and will lead to more exciting and competitive games.