Row Hockey: What is Row in NHL Standings?

Row Hockey: what is row in hockey?

Table of Contents:

Breaking Down the ROW Stat: What Does it Mean?

When you dive into the NHL standings, you’re on a mission to decipher who’s riding high and who’s teetering on the edge of playoff glory. Because let’s face it, the ultimate goal is the playoffs, right? But amidst this hockey jigsaw, there’s a vital piece of the puzzle that comes into play – the elusive ROW stat.

So, what exactly is ROW in hockey standings? Well, dear reader, ROW stands for Regulation plus Overtime Wins. This nifty number subtracts those shootout victories from a team’s total wins, ensuring a level playing field. It’s the tiebreaker secret sauce, determining who grabs a higher rung on the standings ladder.

Peeling Back the Layers: Unmasking the ROW Stat

Picture this: a win earned through a shootout isn’t quite as weighty as those other hard-fought victories. The ROW stat, my friend, takes that shootout success and gives it a touch less importance. The remaining wins? They’re the main act when it comes to breaking ties in the rankings.

Hold on tight as we delve into the ROW realm. Our starting point? The trusty NHL standings.

Scoring Points in the NHL: It’s Not as Simple as Win or Lose

In a game that’s all about two outcomes – victory or defeat – you’d think it’s a simple scorekeeping scenario. But guess what? The NHL likes to keep us on our toes, offering a variety of ways for teams to bag those all-important points.

Check out this handy chart breaking down the different game outcomes and the corresponding points:

Outcome	Points
Regulation Win	2
Regulation Loss	0
Overtime Win	2
Overtime Loss	1
Shootout Win	2
Shootout Loss	1

And here’s the scoop:

A regulation loss? That’s a big zero – no points to show for it.

Even in overtime or a shootout, the losing side walks away with a consolation point.
Winning outright, no matter how it’s achieved, guarantees a solid two points.

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Connecting the Dots: Where Does ROW Come Into Play?

Ah, but how did ROW make its grand entrance? Well, for those old-school hockey enthusiasts, not all wins are created equal. The ever-controversial shootout isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, often seen as a flashy individual showdown. After all, how fair is it to determine a team’s fate through a one-on-one skill showcase?

Is the shootout just a glorified coin toss?

While that might be a tad dramatic, the NHL bigwigs do agree somewhat. They don’t see a shootout victory on par with those hard-won regulation or overtime successes.

There’s a clear hierarchy – regulation and overtime wins hold more clout than those obtained in overtime itself.

Fans used to raise a ruckus when a playoff spot seemed imminent for a team with an excessive number of overtime victories, while another with sturdy regulation wins missed out. That just didn’t sit right! And thus, the birth of ROW – the tiebreaker master.

Demystifying ROW: Real-Life Examples in the Standings

Let’s put this ROW concept to the test, shall we? Imagine this fictional standings snapshot:

Position	Team	GP	W	L	OT	Points	ROW
6	Chicago Blackhawks	82	43	32	7	93	42
7	Dallas Stars	82	43	32	7	93	40
8	Colorado Avalanche	82	38	30	14	90	36
9	Edmonton Oilers	82	38	30	14	90	30

Now, here’s the kicker. Both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars are perched at the same spot in the standings. But look closer – the Hawks hold more ROWs. Out of their 43 victories, 42 were snagged during regulation time or overtime, with just one claimed in a shootout. As for the Stars? They bagged 40 regulation/overtime wins and three shootout triumphs. Despite the identical points total, the Hawks’ higher ROWs earn them a more favorable rank.

The story repeats itself with the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers. They share a point count of 90, but the Avalanche’s extra six regulation/overtime victories tilt the tiebreaker in their favor. And in this high-stakes scenario, the Oilers find themselves one step shy of the playoff dance – an agonizing miss!

When ROWs Clash: What’s the Plan?

But what if two teams boast an equal number of ROWs? Fear not – there’s a hierarchy in place to settle the score:

Head-to-head games: Teams will be weighed based on their points in direct clashes. If games played are odd, the first match at the arena with more home games doesn’t count.

Goal difference: A broader look at the entire regular season’s goals scored vs. goals conceded comes into play.

So there you have it – the ROW stat, a powerful tiebreaker that separates the champs from the nearly-theres. As you gaze at those standings, remember, it’s not just about the wins; it’s about how they were won. Until next time, fellow hockey aficionados!

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