Prior to the 2015 NHL Awards ceremony, the league’s Board of Governors approved some rule changes.
Starting during the 2015-16 season, overtime will be played 3-on-3 (plus goaltender) for the five-minute period after formerly being played 4-on-4. The new rule was implemented with the objective to reduce the number of shootouts.
The Board of Governors also approved an expansion for the video review system to include a Coach’s Challenge. Here’s the explanation from NHL.com:
This expanded video review is intended to be extremely narrow in scope and the original call on the ice is to be overturned if, and only if, a determination is made by the on-ice Official(s) [in consultation with the Toronto Video Room] that the original call on the ice was not correct. If a review is not conclusive and/or there is any doubt whatsoever as to whether the call on the ice was correct, the on-ice Official(s) will be instructed to confirm their original call.
If you’re not a fan of shootouts or controversial calls, you should enjoy these new rules when the new season begins in October.