The NHL season is nearly a quarter old and scoring being down is the talk of the town. Currently, the 2.68 goals per game is the lowest since 2003-04 and ranks as the 71st of the league’s 98 seasons.
Ideas are being thrown around from everyone who follows the sport on how to increase scoring, thus attracting more fans to a more exciting game. Offense doesn’t always mean the games are better – and it certainly won’t guarantee games like this Edmonton-Toronto classic from 1986 – but a few more goals can’t hurt the game’s image.
Three simple changes, none involve making the nets bigger or goalie pads smaller, should increase scoring. Change the goal posts and power play rules, and you should see an uptick in the goals per game.
First, let’s take the goal posts: Remove their tubular shape and instead angle them inward. When a shot rings directly off the post it usually stays out of the net. Players don’t even get credit for a shot on goal by ringing one off the iron.
Making 
the posts more triangular would help direct pucks toward the inside of the net when they are hit. This would reward players for picking the corners when the large goalies give them very little room to hit. Give the shooters credit for getting it past the goalie and banking it in. Think of this as the way the backboard is used in basketball.
Secondly, eliminate icing during power plays. This will allow the team on the power play to take more chances on long-distance passes. Offside will still be in play, thus cherry-picking the length of the ice can’t happen, but a missed 100-foot pass can still be tracked down and the play continues.
Finally, my favorite rules change: Make all penalties last their entirety. Give a team on the power play their full time. Let them score as many goals as they can. Start treating minor penalties like majors. More open ice often creates higher rate of scoring; just look at the new overtime format.
As long as the NHL is moving their All-Star Game to a three-on-three format, let’s see the new style nets in Nashville this season. Next year, let the AHL test out more rules to increase scoring, just like they did with overtime. Anything that will get more eyes to the TV and butts in seats, without messing up the game’s integrity is good for all.
Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_PHN and you can always reach him at adam.minnick@prohockeynews.com
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