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Projected standings using the 3-2-1-0 points system

Would teams treat the dying minutes of regulation differently if three points were on the line? AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo

How would the standings look if regulation wins were worth three points?

Here's a snapshot as of Dec. 1, using the 3-2-1-0 system (most recently discussed by ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun):

  • Three points for a regulation win

  • Two points for an overtime or shootout win

  • One point for an overtime or shootout loss

  • Zero points for a regulation loss

One important caveat as you consider these: These are a strict conversion using the above formula, and this does not take into account the altered incentive that teams would have to win games in regulation if this system were in place. Put another way: Under the current system, teams might play for overtime, whereas they'd be more aggressive to get a winning goal in regulation if they were awarded an extra point for the effort.

Note: Each team's points using the current system is listed in the "Pts Now" column.


Eastern Conference


Western Conference