NHL Rules Question

[barman]

Was half listening to Lightning Night (Monday eve from 7-8pm in this market) earlier this week and if I heard right, the guy says that "new rule this year is that the faceoff will be in the offensive zone following a penalty"

1) Did I hear it right?

2) If so, what was the previous method? - Centre ice?

 

[artiesliver]

Good question B.

 

[GatorsLeafsBills]

Yes. After every penalty this year, the faceoff goes to the offensive zone. The old years it used to be where the penalty was. For Instance, if the penalty was in the neutral zone the faceoff would be in the neutral zone. If it was in the offensive zone it would go to the neutral zone and If it was in the defensive zone it stayed there

 

[barman]

right on...

Dude went on to say that "sooner or later, we're going to see some center smak the faceoff right into the net for a one second PP goal"

 

[goolas21]

I picked up on that tonight, interesting rule change. Adds more to the penalty and will help PP's set up quicker.

 

[Santo]

Does anyone have any idea whether it is expected to increase scoring, I would guess a fraction of a goal at most?

Was it used in preseason?

 

[rgorr]

one correction on the old penalty/faceoff rule:

when an offensive player took a penalty in the offensive zone, the faceoff would come out to the neutral zone (to the offside dot)

 

[megold]

Some have already said that this has contributed to so many games going over, but I think this one rule change by itself is having only a small effect. Rather, the league has told the refs to strictly enforce pretty much all the rules that lead to penalties. Last night in the Caps/Devils game the Caps had 8 power plays, including 2- 5 on 3 advantages. I have never seen a Devils team called for so many penalties.