Congrats to the Anaheim Ducks, who after their 6-0 victory last night over the Vancouver Canucks, have set a new NHL record for playing the most consecutives games while recording a standings point.
The old record was set by the Edmonton Oilers back at the start of the 1984-85 season -- you know, back when we had ties, and the concept of the shootout and the OT loss were glimmers in Gary Bettman's eye.
Before the lockout, I said I was in favor of the shootout, and I still am. Anybody who's sat in the arena at the end of a game that's headed into a shootout knows that it's a hit with the fans.
But what I don't like is the NHL comparing apples to oranges when it comes to the record book.
The solution here is simple: Now that we've taken another step further away from the days when we only counted wins, losses and ties, why not just estabish a new set of records for the new set of circumstances?
Everybody knows that what the Ducks have achieved -- and the Sabres before them earlier this season -- isn't anything like what came before. Why not simply acknowledge that with a split in the record books that recognizes the changes that occurred in 1997? To not do that is simply a slight against the heritage of the game, and an insult to the intelligence of passionate hockey fans.
UPDATE: Matt at Battle of Alberta has a different view.
If every single one of their losses had been in a shootout, I would disagree with you, because that would mean that they would have earned a tie in the old days.
However, because they do have a couple of straight OTLs, that should mean their record only matters back the last few years when OTLs got you a point.
You can at least compare back that far, but no further.
Also, I have to point out that none of the players on that team have really given a crap about it, so it’s not like this is anything more than the normal media statmongering.