Welcome to the world of hockey, where a fraction of a point can make a huge difference in the standings. If you’re new to the sport or even a seasoned fan, you might have heard the term ROW thrown around in discussions about standings, but what does it actually mean? ROW, or Regulation plus Overtime Wins, is a statistic used in hockey to determine the ranking of teams in the standings. Understanding ROW is crucial to knowing how your favorite team stacks up against the competition and what their chances are for making the playoffs.
Why is ROW so important? Well, in the NHL, teams are ranked in the standings based on the number of points they have accumulated throughout the season. A team earns two points for a win, one point for an overtime loss, and zero points for a regulation loss. However, if two teams have the same number of points, the team with more ROW is ranked higher in the standings, making it a crucial tiebreaker.
So, how exactly is ROW calculated, and what’s the difference between a regulation win and an overtime win? What effect does ROW have on playoff seeding? We’ll answer all of these questions and more, so keep reading to become a ROW expert!
Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard hockey fanatic, understanding ROW is essential to truly understanding the standings and the playoff picture. So, grab a snack, sit back, and let’s dive into the fascinating world of ROW in hockey stats!
Table of Contents
What is ROW in Hockey Stats?
If you’re a hockey fan, you’ve probably come across the term ROW in NHL standings. ROW stands for Regulation plus Overtime Wins and it’s an important statistic used to determine team rankings. ROW is essentially the number of games a team has won in regulation or overtime, excluding wins that came in a shootout.
ROW is used as a tiebreaker when two or more teams have the same number of points at the end of the season. In other words, if two teams have the same number of points, but one has a higher number of ROW, that team will be ranked higher.
ROW is also important in terms of playoff positioning. Teams with a higher number of ROW are often seeded higher in the playoffs, which can give them home-ice advantage and an easier path to the Stanley Cup.
It’s worth noting that ROW only applies to teams in the NHL. Other hockey leagues, such as the AHL or European leagues, use different tiebreaking methods.
Now that you know what ROW is and why it’s important, let’s take a closer look at how it’s calculated.
The Definition of ROW in Hockey
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ROW | Definition | Explanation |
| ROW | Regulation Overtime Win | Refers to a win in a hockey game that occurs during the standard 60-minute regulation time or in the five-minute overtime period that follows. |
| Points | ROW | When two teams are tied in points at the end of the season, the team with more ROWs gets a higher seeding in the playoffs. ROWs are used to break ties in the standings. |
| Standings | Wins – Losses – Overtime Losses – Ties | ROWs are indicated in the standings to help determine a team’s overall performance in the season. |
| Overtime Period | 3 on 3 or a Shootout | If a game is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period of five minutes is played. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, a shootout is used to determine the winner. Any victory in the overtime period or shootout is considered a ROW. |
| Importance | Playoff Seeding | ROWs are important because they affect the playoff seedings. Teams that have more ROWs generally have a higher seed, which gives them a better chance to make a deep run in the playoffs. |
ROW stands for Regulation Overtime Win and refers to a win in a hockey game that occurs during the standard 60-minute regulation time or in the five-minute overtime period that follows. When two teams are tied in points at the end of the season, the team with more ROWs gets a higher seeding in the playoffs. ROWs are indicated in the standings to help determine a team’s overall performance in the season.
If a game is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period of five minutes is played. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, a shootout is used to determine the winner. Any victory in the overtime period or shootout is considered a ROW.
ROWs are important because they affect the playoff seedings. Teams that have more ROWs generally have a higher seed, which gives them a better chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Why was ROW Introduced in Hockey Stats?
Winning percentage has always been one of the most important statistics in hockey. However, with the rise of the shootout in the late 2000s, teams that won in regulation or overtime were rewarded with the same number of points as teams that won in the shootout. This caused an issue, as teams that won more games in regulation or overtime were not being properly recognized in the standings. This led to the introduction of the ROW statistic, which stands for Regulation and Overtime Wins.
The introduction of ROW allowed teams that won more games in regulation or overtime to be ranked higher in the standings. It also provided a tiebreaker in the event that two teams had the same number of points. ROW is now commonly used by analysts, fans, and teams to evaluate a team’s performance throughout the season.
ROW has also led to the introduction of other similar statistics, such as SOW (Shootout Wins) and SOL (Shootout Losses), which allow for a more detailed evaluation of a team’s performance. While these statistics may seem insignificant to some, they can often make the difference between making or missing the playoffs, and can have a significant impact on a team’s overall success.
Why is ROW Important in the NHL Standings?
ROW has become an increasingly important statistic in the NHL standings over the years. One of the main reasons for this is that it provides a more accurate representation of a team’s overall performance.
Since the introduction of the shootout in 2005, the number of games that have been decided by shootout has increased significantly. As a result, teams that win games in regulation or overtime are often at a disadvantage in the standings. ROW provides a solution to this issue, as it rewards teams that win more games in regulation or overtime.
Another reason why ROW is important in the NHL standings is that it serves as a tiebreaker in the event that two teams have the same number of points. In this case, the team with the higher number of ROW is ranked higher in the standings. This provides a fair and objective way of breaking ties, and ensures that teams are properly ranked based on their overall performance throughout the season.
How ROW Can Break Ties in the NHL Standings?
ROW has become an essential statistic in the NHL, especially when two or more teams are tied for a playoff spot. In the past, the total number of wins determined the tiebreaker, but this method did not consider the fact that some wins were achieved in overtime or shootouts.
Here is how ROW can break ties in the NHL standings:
- Teams are first ranked by their total points in the standings.
- If two or more teams have the same number of points, they are ranked by the number of games they have won, including those won in overtime or a shootout.
- If the teams still remain tied, they are ranked by their ROW, which only takes into account the games that were won in regulation.
- If the teams are still tied, the next tiebreaker is the number of points earned in the games between the tied teams during the regular season.
- If the teams are still tied after the above tiebreakers have been applied, they will play a tiebreaker game to determine who advances to the next round.
The introduction of the ROW tiebreaker has made the NHL standings much fairer and easier to understand. It incentivizes teams to win games in regulation rather than relying on overtime or shootouts. As a result, teams that are higher in the standings based on their ROW are generally more deserving of a playoff spot.
Why is ROW a Better Tiebreaker Than Other Statistics?
ROW or regulation and overtime wins is a statistic used by the NHL as a tiebreaker for teams that have the same number of points at the end of the regular season. But why is it considered a better tiebreaker than other statistics?
First and foremost, ROW takes into account both the number of wins a team has in regulation as well as the number of wins they have in overtime. This means that teams that are better at closing out games in regulation and those that are better at winning in overtime are rewarded equally.
Another reason ROW is a better tiebreaker is that it is a more accurate reflection of a team’s performance than other statistics like goal differential or head-to-head record. Goal differential doesn’t take into account the strength of a team’s opponents and head-to-head record doesn’t consider the performance of other teams in the league.
Moreover, ROW encourages teams to play to win in regulation, rather than relying on overtime or the shootout to secure points. This leads to more exciting and competitive hockey games, which benefits the league as a whole and the fans.
Finally, ROW is an objective statistic that doesn’t involve any subjective or arbitrary factors like the eye test or strength of schedule. It provides a clear and consistent way to determine which team is better in a tiebreaker situation.
How is ROW Calculated in the NHL?
Regulation + Overtime Wins: ROW is calculated by adding the total number of wins a team has in regulation time and in overtime. This means that shootouts do not count towards a team’s ROW total.
Tie Games: Before the 2005-2006 season, the NHL allowed games to end in a tie. In this case, neither team received a point towards their standings. After that season, the league introduced the shootout to determine a winner. However, a team’s total ROW is still calculated based only on wins in regulation and overtime.
Importance of ROW: ROW is an important statistic for teams because it can determine their position in the standings. It can also determine who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t. In the event of a tie between two or more teams, the team with the most ROWs is ranked higher in the standings.
Divisional Tiebreakers: In the event of a tie between two teams in the same division, ROW is used as the first tiebreaker. If the tied teams have the same number of ROWs, the tiebreaker moves on to the team with the higher total number of wins.
Conference Tiebreakers: If there is a tie between teams in different divisions but in the same conference, ROW is also used as the first tiebreaker. If the tied teams have the same number of ROWs, the tiebreaker moves on to the team with the most points in head-to-head matchups between the tied teams during the regular season.
The Formula for Calculating ROW in Hockey
ROW or Regulation plus Overtime Wins is a formula used in hockey to calculate a team’s standing in the league. This statistic is essential for tiebreakers, and it helps teams earn more points in the standings.
ROW is calculated by taking the number of games a team has won in regulation or overtime and subtracting the number of shootout wins. In other words, a team’s ROW total only includes victories achieved in regulation or overtime, excluding shootouts.
For example, if a team has 40 wins, and 5 of them were in shootouts, then their ROW total would be 3ROW helps determine which teams qualify for the playoffs, as well as which teams will have home-ice advantage in the postseason.
While ROW is a significant factor in determining a team’s standing in the league, it is not the only factor. Other factors, such as points percentage and head-to-head record, also play a role in the league standings.
Overall, ROW is a valuable statistic for both teams and fans alike, as it provides a more accurate picture of a team’s performance than simply looking at their win-loss record.
Why Does ROW Only Include Regulation and Overtime Wins?
Regulation and Overtime Wins (ROW) is an important statistic in hockey standings. But why does it only include wins that happen during regulation time or overtime? The answer lies in fairness and competitiveness in the league.
Firstly, games that go to a shootout are not considered in ROW because the shootout is not considered a true indicator of a team’s strength or ability to win. Shootouts are a skill-based competition that does not necessarily reflect the team’s overall performance during the game.
Secondly, including shootout wins in ROW would give an unfair advantage to teams that are good at shootouts. In contrast, teams that excel at scoring during regulation and overtime would be penalized if shootout wins were included in ROW.
Finally, not including shootout wins in ROW encourages teams to play more aggressively in regulation and overtime to secure a win. Teams would try harder to score goals and win the game outright rather than playing for a tie and hoping to win in a shootout.
In conclusion, ROW only includes regulation and overtime wins to maintain fairness and competitiveness in the league, and to encourage teams to play more aggressively during the game.
What is the Difference Between a Regulation Win and an Overtime Win?
Regulation Win: A regulation win is a victory achieved by a team during the three 20-minute periods of play in a regular NHL game. If a team scores more goals than their opponent in the first 60 minutes of play, they earn two points in the standings.
Overtime Win: If a game is tied at the end of regulation time, the teams play a five-minute, sudden-death overtime period. If a team scores a goal during this period, they are awarded two points, and the other team is awarded one point for making it to overtime.
Shootout Win: If the game is still tied after the overtime period, a shootout is held to determine the winner. The winning team is awarded two points, and the losing team is awarded one point.
While both regulation and overtime wins are worth two points in the standings, the NHL differentiates between them in order to better reflect the value of a win achieved during the course of regulation play.
How Are Regulation Wins Different from Overtime Wins in Hockey?
Regulation wins occur when a team wins in the standard three periods of play, which are each 20 minutes long. If a team wins during regulation, they receive two points in the standings.
Overtime wins occur when a team wins during the five-minute overtime period that is played if the game is tied at the end of regulation. If a team wins during overtime, they receive two points in the standings as well. However, the losing team in an overtime game receives one point in the standings for reaching overtime.
The difference between a regulation win and an overtime win is significant because a team that wins in regulation has a better chance of winning the tiebreaker based on ROW. Since ROW is the first tiebreaker, it is important for teams to strive for regulation wins when possible.
Why Do Overtime Wins Count in ROW But Shootout Wins Don’t?
Overtime wins are different from shootout wins because they require a full period of play and the use of the same rules as in regulation time. In contrast, the shootout is an artificial method of deciding a game that is not representative of the game’s flow or team play.
Another reason that shootout wins do not count in ROW is that they are not always a true indicator of which team played better. A team could play poorly for the majority of the game and still win in a shootout, which would give them a win but not a ROW.
Ultimately, the NHL values a team’s ability to win games during regulation time or overtime more than their ability to win in a shootout. This is because regulation and overtime wins are more indicative of a team’s ability to play well and compete at a high level throughout the course of a game.
ROW is an important statistic in determining playoff seeding, and it rewards teams that can win games in regulation or overtime. By excluding shootout wins, the NHL places a greater emphasis on the importance of playing well during regulation and overtime, which is more representative of a team’s overall ability.
How Does ROW Affect Playoff Seeding in the NHL?
ROW is a critical factor in determining the playoff seedings in the NHL. Teams with higher ROWs are given higher seedings, which can often be the difference between winning a series or being knocked out early.
Teams with the same number of points are first ranked based on the number of games played. If this is equal, the teams are then ranked based on the greater number of ROWs. If this is still equal, they are ranked based on their head-to-head record, then goal differential, and finally goals scored.
Having a higher seed in the playoffs often means a more favorable matchup in the early rounds, which can give teams a better chance to advance deeper into the postseason.
Why Can ROW Have a Major Impact on Playoff Seeding?
ROW can have a major impact on playoff seeding because it is the first tiebreaker used to determine the standings when teams finish the regular season with the same number of points. As previously mentioned, this is due to its ability to reflect a team’s strength and success in winning games during regulation time or overtime.
When two or more teams finish the regular season with the same number of points, the team with the higher number of ROW is ranked higher in the standings. This can have a significant impact on playoff seeding, as teams with a higher ranking will generally have a more favorable playoff matchup.
Furthermore, the importance of ROW increases as the season progresses, especially towards the end of the regular season. Teams that are vying for playoff spots or higher seeding will often have similar point totals, and a higher number of ROW can provide the necessary edge to secure a better playoff position.
How Do Teams Strategize to Improve Their ROW in the NHL?
Here are some strategies that teams can use to improve their ROW in the NHL:Aggressive Play: Teams that play aggressively and score more goals during regulation play have a better chance of winning games outright and earning a ROW. This means taking more shots, driving harder to the net, and putting more pressure on the opposing team’s defense.
Defensive Play: Teams can also improve their ROW by playing a strong defensive game. This means minimizing mistakes, blocking shots, and limiting the other team’s scoring opportunities. By keeping the game close, teams can often win in overtime or a shootout, which counts towards their ROW.
Special Teams: Teams can also focus on improving their special teams play, such as their power play and penalty kill. By scoring more power-play goals and preventing more shorthanded goals, teams can increase their chances of winning games outright or in overtime, which counts towards their ROW.
Goaltending: Having a solid goaltender is crucial for earning a high ROW in the NHL. Good goaltending can keep games close and give teams a chance to win in overtime or a shootout. Teams can also use a two-goalie system, where they alternate their starting goaltender, to keep both goaltenders fresh and maximize their chances of earning a ROW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the row used in hockey stats?
The row is an important element of hockey stats as it helps to visually represent a team’s or player’s performance in a table or chart. In the case of the standings table, the row is used to display a team’s overall performance in the season so far. This information can be used to evaluate a team’s position in the league and their chances of making the playoffs. Rows can also be used in other hockey stats tables, such as player performance tables, to display individual performance metrics.
How do hockey stats contribute to the game of hockey?
Hockey stats play an important role in the game of hockey as they provide valuable insights into team and player performance. Coaches, scouts, and team managers use hockey stats to evaluate player performance, identify areas of weakness, and make strategic decisions about game play. Fans also use hockey stats to follow their favorite teams and players and to engage in discussions and debates about the sport. Ultimately, hockey stats help to enhance the overall understanding and appreciation of the game of hockey.
What are some of the challenges associated with interpreting hockey stats?
Interpreting hockey stats can be challenging due to the complex and dynamic nature of the game. Many hockey stats are context-dependent and can be influenced by factors such as the quality of the opposing team, injuries, and playing style. Additionally, different stats can provide conflicting information about a team’s or player’s performance, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions. It is important to approach hockey stats with a critical and nuanced perspective, taking into account the broader context of the game and the specific circumstances surrounding each individual statistic.