When the NHL introduced 3-on-3 play in overtime nearly a decade ago, it was with the intent of showcasing the speed and skill that hockey has to offer. However, in recent years, the pace of 3-on-3 has slowed down, raising concerns among league officials. As a result, they have been considering rule changes to spice up the format, such as implementing a rule that would not allow the puck to go back past the center red line, similar to the 'over and back' violation in basketball.
This particular rule has been in place in the 3ICE league since its inception, and as the league prepares for its third season this spring and summer, it offers the NHL an opportunity to observe how this experiment works and evaluate its potential for future use.
