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From these eyes, it appears to be a no-brainer. From the eyes of Senators players, it would also be a positive step.

“I like it, I think it’s good for me, because I like to have a lot of ice,” says feisty centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has experienced the thrill of the extra room while playing with the Binghamton Senators this season. “It’s a good opportunity to have an odd man rush and a lot of chances. I think it makes the games exciting.”

Pageau says it creates a feeling like on the outdoor rink when sticks are tossed in the middle of the ice to pick teams. The NHL has experienced great success with its outdoor Winter Classic series – the latest installment comes on New Year’s Day when the Washington Capitals play host to the Chicago Blackhawks – and there’s also a throwback feel to the open ice of three on three play. It’s about raw instincts and spontaneous play. It’s all about scoring, not defending.

We saw that Saturday when Erik Karlsson grabbed the puck inside his own blueline, put blinders on to everything else, put his head down and sprinted all alone towards Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard. He didn’t score, thus creating an odd man rush the other way.

“It’s not half bad,” says Karlsson. “I think it’s fun for a short period of time, but I don’t think you could do it for a long time (in games). It’s fun that it happened yesterday, but unfortunately, I couldn’t capitalize on it.”

Senators coach Dave Cameron is a fan.

“The reason it’s wide open is because you’re going to get a chance,” he says. “And the way you’re going to get a chance is with three guys on the rush. If you miss that chance, somebody is going the other way. That’s what makes it so intriguing. You’re not going to sit back, because you would just be defending the whole time.”