The Stanley Cup Decided by a Shootout

Did you shudder upon reading the above headline? Among hardcore NHL fans, no statement is more likely to inspire fear and loathing.

But Larry Brooks of the New York Post (free registration required) believes the Stanley Cup shootout is inevitable:

"...it is only a matter of time before, a) NBC and whoever has the NHL's cable rights in a couple of years insist that the shootout become part of the Stanley Cup playoffs; and, b) the league acquiesces in exchange for reasonable rights fees."

Regular Brooks readers know he enjoys nothing more than stirring up a stink on a Monday morning. This column is a sure bet in that regard. But it's hard to argue with him - playoff shootouts will surely be considered at some point, and the realities of television scheduling will surely be part of that discussion.

As everyone knows, the shootout has already been used to decide Olympic hockey titles and World Cup soccer finals. Such arguments mean nothing to dedicated NHL fans, who don't trust those quickie international tournaments and don't care how soccer goes about its business.

The hardcore fan would prefer the NHL make two arguments:

1. This is the NHL. We do things different here.
2. When Major League Baseball agrees to end an extra-inning World Series game with a home run contest, get back to us.

One suspects the hardcore fan doesn't stand a chance.

The Shootout Debate
How the Shootout Works

Update: Earlier this month, commissioner Gary Bettman declared sudden death overtime an integral part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, saying the shootout will never be used in the postseason. Eric McErlain of Off Wing Opinion was there. Eric also has more on the shootout debate.