How the NHL standings SHOULD look (a.k.a lose the 'loser point')

We've hit the quarter mark with all 30 NHL teams having played at least 30 games. Here's a look at how the standings would look if the NHL would right by its fans and take away the OT/SO bonus point.

The Hockey News

In my previous life as Web Editor at The Hockey News, when I did a lot more writing on THN.com, I was vocal in my opposition of the NHL’s “loser point,” which, for the plethora of reasons detailed by Michael Lopez, a Brown University biostatistics Ph.D. candidate, earlier this year, is detrimental to our game and should be abolished as soon as possible.

And now that I’m back blogging, let the insolence begin again.

While Michael argues for a three-point system – and I’d gladly accept that over what we have now – I’m sticking to my guns in my desire for a straight two-points-for-a-win, none-for-a-loss system.

Using the 2-0 system, here’s how the NHL standings would (should) look today, with each team having played at least 20 games.

Please do take note of the fact only four teams move three or more slots and, most importantly, the playoff picture wouldn’t change, with the top eight teams still in place.

The “loser point?” What’s the point?

Edward Fraser, The Hockey News’ Managing Editor, joined THN in 2005 after covering the Jr. B Stratford Cullitons. The London, Ont., native graduated from the University of Western Ontario – where he did campus radio color commentary for both men’s and women’s hockey – with a Master’s in Journalism. He really, really hates the loser point.