{coyotes} NHL general managers to discuss three-on-three OT play

When NHL games are tied after regulation, 56.8% end up being decided by a shootout. The American Hockey League figure is 23.1%.

Those numbers will be the source of a lengthy discussion this week when NHL general managers look at the possibility of three-on-three overtime play during their annual spring meetings, starting Monday in Boca Raton, Fla.

The AHL plays a seven-minute overtime and switches from four-on-four to three-on-three at the first stoppage after the four-minute mark. The NHL has a five-minute overtime with four-on-four play only.

Some general managers want to see a reduction in the number of shootouts, and there appears to be growing sentiment for changing the overtime format , maybe as early as next season.

GMs could recommend a rules change that includes some three-on-three play, recommend trying three-on-three play next preseason or elect to study the format more.

For a rule to be changed, it would have be recommended by general managers and then passed by the competition committee, which includes players, plus the league's board of governors.

In the 170 AHL games decided in overtime, 97 have been decided in four-on-four time and 73 during three-on-three play.

General managers also are expected to look at the rules governing the use of emergency goaltenders. That became a talking point when the Florida Panthers almost had to use a forward recently when goalies Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya were hurt. Eventually, they settled on assistant coach Rob Tallas, 41, sitting on the bench as a backup.

Also on the agenda: whether video review could be used to determine goaltender interference.

The GMs also will hear reports on the new rule to discourage embellishment, on player and puck tracking and on the AHL's new California division.

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