Morozov Rules Out KHL Return to Three-Point System

Alexei Morozov, the KHL president, has ruled out a return to the three-point scoring system the league dropped in 2018.

The league canvassed clubs on the question two years ago, and the response went against a change. "Two years ago we raised this question in conversations with the clubs. Most of them supported the current two-point system. The main argument is that it creates tightness in the regular-season table," Morozov said.

He was asked whether the two-point system, which awards the same two points for a win in overtime or a shootout as for one in regulation, blunts the incentive to finish games inside 60 minutes. Morozov does not accept that a third point would change behaviour. "It cannot be said that a three-point system would be an extra motivator to win in regulation. In any system, clubs try to avoid going to overtime, and try not to let an opponent pick up a point from a loss in the extra five minutes or in a shootout. That shows up especially at the end of the regular season, when teams from the same conference meet and one has to finish above the other without letting it pick up extra points," he said.

Morozov also pointed to a structural reason the current system still rewards winning in regulation: from the second round, the KHL playoffs reseed teams according to the points total built up over the regular season. "There is motivation to fight for a win in regulation even though it brings the same two points as a win in overtime or a shootout," he said, adding that the two-point system "suits us for now".