Playoffs 2000:In the Corners: Fans want OT games

In the Corners: Fans want OT games
By Brian A. Shactman
ESPN.com

Starving. That's right, the fans are starving.

For what? Overtime.

As good as the playoffs have been, there haven't been enough exciting finishes, especially OT finishes. It's as if the hockey Gods threw all of this year's overtimes into one five-OT night in the conference semifinals when the Penguins and Flyers battled for about seven hours.

	OT THROUGH CONF. FINALS
	Year	OT Games
	2000	6
	1999	19
	1998	18
	1997	16
	1996	18

In some ways, there's good overtimes and bad ones. Five in one game may be historic but it more resembles a dance-contest marathon on "Happy Days" -- where the partners just lean on each other in exhaustion -- than compelling playoff hockey.

And the numbers, in this case, do not lie. In the four previous playoffs, there were an average of 17.8 overtime games through the conference finals. Thus far, only six games have gone more than three periods. That's a precipitous drop, but there's no real explanation for it.

Early on, lack of parity could be blamed, but once the conference semifinals roll around, that's not an issue. And to have a conference finals with no sudden-death is a real rarity, only happening twice since 1990 ('97, '90).

So as the two conference finals hit the late stages, let's give the fans some overtime sustenance.

The trouble with day games
Matinees aren't the norm in today's NHL, especially in the playoffs. So when ABC airs its NHL games during the day on weekends, it has a profound impact on the game.

Athletes are creatures of rhythm, and at 3 p.m. on most days, the NHL player is either napping or just waking up from one. If the body is accustomed to sleep six days a week but must skate, check and score with playoff tenacity the other day, it takes a while to adjust.

Since there's little choice in the matter, it may be a moot point, but it begs the question about throwing some pre-Stanley Cup finals games on ABC during primetime. Outside of sweeps, pick a night when the ratings stink and air an NHL game. Since it's at night, the players -- and fans -- will be at the top of their game, and it's the best bet of showcasing hockey at its highest level because some conference semifinals and finals matchups are the best games of the whole postseason.

The worst that can happen is poor ratings, but the number would be better than the weekend afternoon number so it wouldn't be a public-relations blow either way. Sounds like a win-win proposition.

Frozen Ponderings
Does anyone think Philly or New Jersey can beat the West representative in the West finals? ... Brian Boucher's incredible save on Patrik Elias' breakaway in Game 3 was complete survivalist instinct. Watching replays of the save, it shows a player who isn't thinking, someone who has the confidence and focus not to second guess anything. Boucher is not the most dominant goalie out there, but saves like that are a part of what people now call "the zone." ... Colorado has to bust out and score some goals. Joe Sakic, Chris Drury and Milan Hejduk haven't produced. They're overdue, and if at least two of them don't start taking pressure off Peter Forsberg, the Avs won't beat the Stars.

Brian A. Shactman is the NHL editor for ESPN.com.