OK, here's a bit of a far-fetched scenario, but I think it's worth con-
sidering in the ongoing discussion on shootouts.
 
Suppose Hockey East implements the shoot-out as described in the BDN
article.  The league will have nine teams next year -- I don't know how this
will affect the playoff structure, but let's assume that it won't change
(i.e. the top eight teams will go to the playoffs).  Now suppose at the end
of the season, the bottom two teams in the league have identical league
records, say 5-18-1, with the one tie coming against each other.  (I believe
HE will still play 24 league games -- correct me if I'm wrong...)  Under
normal circumstances, they would be tied in the standings with eleven
points.  Ah, but we have the shoot-out here!  In this case, whichever team
won the shoot-out would have gotten an extra point, so they would have
*twelve* points instead of eleven... and thus would clinch eighth place and
a playoff spot, all on the basis of a shoot-out.  Again, this is far-fetched,
but I don't think it's too hard to envision situations where the extra
points awarded in shoot-outs could have noticeable, and potentially unfair,
effects on the league standings and playoff positions.
 
(By extension, this is the problem I have with awarding differing numbers of
points based on whether a team won in regulation, in overtime, or whatever.
In almost all the sports I can think of, a win is a win is a win, whether
the extra sessions were needed or not.  You don't see baseball teams being
credited with half a win when they prevail in extra innings, for example.)
--
Disclaimer -- Unless otherwise noted, all opinions expressed above are
              strictly those of:
 
Bill Fenwick
Cornell '86 and '94 (.5)
LET'S GO RED!!
"Know why 7-11 is open 24 hours?  They can't teach the help to lock the doors."
-- John Mendoza