After watching the shootout between the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night and seeing Teemu Pulkinnen’s thrilling OT winner the night before for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL, I’m more than ready to see 3 on 3 overtime hockey in the NHL.

But before getting into how extra time has played out in both the NHL and AHL this season, here’s a quick recap of what happened last weekend in Pittsburgh and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Henrik Lundqvist was sensational in this one, including two beautiful saves on Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang breakways in overtime, so naturally he was thrilled with the extra point the Rangers stole from the Pens when Dan Boyle scored the winner in the shootout. Only, he didn’t. Moments after the Rangers and Pens left the ice, they had to be called back to finish this game because video review showed that Boyle had clearly double hit the puck which resulted in the goal being disallowed. The shootout resumed; Brandon Sutter scored; Rick Nash did not, and the Pens went on to win an incredibly odd and wildly entertaining game.

So what’s my issue with this game? Not a whole lot to be honest. I absolutely love drama in sports, and this game had plenty of it. But how many shootouts are this captivating, and, let’s face it, after both teams returned to the benches this game ended in a flash with a grand total of only 4 players (Sutter, Nash, Fluery, Lundqvist), and only two on the ice at the same time, participating in determining the winner. In short, the drama was in watching the replays of Boyle’s double hit, listening to broadcasters predict what would happen next, and waiting to see how it all would all unfold rather than actual hockey being played on the ice.

Compare the shootout in Pittsburgh Saturday night with the frantic last minute of 3 on 3 overtime between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Texas Stars of the AHL on Friday, November 14.

Teemu Pulkkinen scored with .08 seconds left in OT, though the official boxscore reads 6:59. That time may seem a bit strange to you if you’re unfamiliar with the AHL’s OT format this season. AHL games tied at the end of regulation are followed by a four minute 4 on 4 overtime just like in the NHL, but if the game is still knotted after four minutes of play, an additional three minutes of 3 on 3 is played, which in this case is why Pulkinnen’s goal is even more dramatic. It’s only after seven minutes of a scoreless overtime will games be settled in a shootout.

But what’s really special about this goal is that it showcases the creative use of space a skilled player can take advantage of during 3 on 3 play. The video below provides a great aerial view of the goal. You’ll notice that when Pulkinnen receives the puck in the corner, he has plenty of time and space to roam freely out to the blue line. Then when he gets into trouble at the top of the zone, he has great instincts to flip the puck to the half boards and use his speed to win a footrace to the puck. Once he wins that battle, the Stars all back off Teemu so they don’t leave anyone open in front of the net, allowing him to walk in unchallenged and to fire one home.

This is exactly the kind of game-winning play I’d love to see in the NHL rather than a shootout, and it seems to be quite commonplace in the AHL this season. Here’s two screenshots I took during an NHL game at the beginning of November which describe the impact 3 on 3 overtime has had on the AHL’s young season.

It’s not hard to see the difference 3 on 3 has made in the AHL this season with only 15% of games going to a shootout. The numbers are a bit different as of November 16 with 54 total games going to overtime, but the percentage of those being settled in OT remains the same at 66%. Furthermore, only once this season in the AHL have two games been settled in a shootout the same night. In short, the shootout has been a much rarer occurrence in the AHL this season.

Now let’s look at the NHL.

Again, these numbers were broadcast at the beginning of November. As of November 16, however, NHL games settled in shootouts have actually increased. There have been 33 OT games this season compared to 44 shootouts, meaning 57% of games requiring extra time have ended in the shootout, which is far too many. It’s possible the percentage of games settled in shootouts continues to decrease as seen above, but it’s hard to image the NHL getting to that same 15% without an extended overtime. Until then, the skills competition that is the NHL shootout will continue to determine playoff seeding and whether or not teams actually make the big dance come April.

I’m well aware of the argument that 3 on 3 isn’t “real” hockey, and I agree; it isn’t. This game was meant to be played 5 on 5. Furthermore, I’m perfectly happy with games ending in a tie, but that’s just not an option anymore in the NHL, so deciding between a shootout and an additional three minutes of 3 on 3 overtime is an easy one to make for fans who love to see skilled players shine but would also like to see more of a team element ultimately decide these games.

Besides, when you imagine the most talented players in the world like Crosby, Stamkos, Kane, or dare I say McDavid, taking advantage of all that space and scoring in the same fashion as Teemu Pulkkinen above, you’ve got yourself a case of the hockey feel goods.

So here’s hoping for 3 on 3 overtime in the NHL in 2016.