In hockey standings, OTL stands for “Overtime Loss.” It is a statistic used to track the number of games a team has lost in overtime during the regular season.
FAQs about OTL in hockey standings:
1. What does it mean when a team has an OTL in the standings?
When a team has an OTL, it means they have lost games in overtime during the regular season. These losses occurred after the third period ended and required additional time to determine a winner.
2. How is an OTL different from a regular loss?
A regular loss occurs when a team is defeated in regulation time, meaning the game ends after three periods without going into overtime. An OTL, on the other hand, indicates that the team lost the game during overtime play.
3. Do teams receive any points for an OTL?
Yes, teams earn one point in the standings for an OTL. This point is awarded regardless of whether the loss occurs in regulation or overtime. However, the winning team receives two points, whether they win in regulation or overtime.
4. How does the OTL affect a team’s overall record?
An OTL is factored into a team’s overall record as a regular loss but with an additional point gained. For example, if a team has a record of 20 wins, 10 losses, and 5 OTLs, their overall record would be 20-10-5.
5. Why is it important to track OTLs in hockey standings?
Tracking OTLs helps determine a team’s overall performance, especially in close games that require extra time to settle. It provides insight into a team’s ability to compete in tight situations and can make a difference in playoff positioning or tiebreaker scenarios.
6. Are OTLs the same as shootout losses?
No, OTLs and shootout losses are different. An OTL occurs when a team loses a game during the five-minute overtime period played with a full team on the ice. Shootout losses, on the other hand, happen if a team loses the game during the shootout that follows the overtime period.
7. What happens if two teams have the same number of points but one has more OTLs?
If two teams have the same number of points but one team has more OTLs, the team with fewer OTLs will be ranked higher in the standings. This tiebreaking rule encourages teams to push for a win in regulation time instead of relying on overtime or shootout play.
BOTTOM LINE: OTL in hockey standings stands for Overtime Loss. It indicates a loss by a team during the regular season that occurred in the additional overtime period after the third period ended. Teams receive one point for an OTL, and it contributes to their overall record. Tracking OTLs helps evaluate a team’s performance in close games and can affect playoff positioning or tiebreaker scenarios.
