The NHL's introduction of 3-on-3 overtime is living up to the hype.
The league is introducing the new overtime format this season, and results from the preseason trial have been significant.
In 44 games that have gone to overtime - whether mandated to have an overtime period or due to a tied score at the end of regulation - 33 have been decided by a goal, commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters Tuesday.
That means 75 percent of games have been decided by a goal rather than a shootout. Last season, only 44.4 percent of games that went to 4-on-4 overtime were decided in overtime.
The average length of overtime in preseason games was 2:49, Bettman noted.
The shootout could become a rare sight this season.
