This is SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NHL. Each week, SB Nation sends out questions to the most plugged-in Blackhawks fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.
Through the first round of Stanley Cup Playoffs eight games went to overtime for a total of 13 OT periods. With all playoff games being played in one of two arenas, the extra play pushed back start times, even delaying games to the next day. The Blackhawks played one OT period against the Golden Knights in their 4-3 loss in Game 2.
Despite the delayed starts and concern over quality of the ice after overtime games, fans don’t want any changes to the five-on-five, 20-minute sudden death playoff overtime process.
According to SB Nation’s latest Reacts survey, nearly 90 percent of fans want the playoff overtime format to stay the way it is.
Fans especially don’t want any playoff game decided by a shootout, as they can be in the regular season. The Blackhawks went 5-4 in overtime games and 4-4 in shootouts during the regular season.
Those feelings come despite a much closer split on feelings about game quality. Only a slight majority of fans believe game quality isn’t being hurt by playing every game in the same arenas.
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