All right, everyone. You can now officially resume the debate about three-on-three overtime as a way to decide NHL games instead of the shootout.
It took 20 rounds - yes, you read that correctly - for a winner to be decided in Tuesday’s game between the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals. Finally, Nick Bjugstad scored the winner in the 20th round, which sets a new National Hockey League record and the Panthers eventually did come away with a 2-1 victory.
Bjugstad was also Florida’s second shooter, way, way back at the start of this lengthy skills competition.
Eventually something had to give.
#Capitas vs Panthers shootout figures
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) December 17, 2014
*20 Rounds (NHL record)
*Panthers trailed 5 times
*Shootout lasted exactly 17:43
The Florida Panthers defeat the Washington Capitals, 2-1, in an NHL-record 20-round shootout.
— Miami Herald Sports (@HeraldSports) December 17, 2014
The previous @NHL record for shootouts was 15 rounds when the @NYRangers defeated the #Caps on 11/26/05.
— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) December 17, 2014