ESPN.com In an effort to try to reduce the number of games decided by a shootout, the NHL’s general managers opted Tuesday to move next season to a five-minute overtime session with three skaters a side from four.

The plan will need the approval of the NHL’s Board of Governors, which will meet Wednesday in Las Vegas in advance of the NHL’s annual awards ceremony, but that approval is considered a formality.

Gimmick inception!! The original 4-on-4 gimmick has been surpassed by gimmick 2.0: 3-on-3 hockey!!

When the NHL returned from its locked out season in 04-05 they tweaked overtime into a 4-on-4 period for 5 minutes followed by a shootout. The thought was shootouts were exciting and people would tune in to them.

Fast forward a decade and now the powers that be want fewer shootouts, go figure.

The good news about this rule is the Pens could send out and overtime unit that’s two thirds Crosby/Malkin. The bad news is every puck head around here thinks trading Malkin will fix this team so he may not even be a Penguin to appreciate next season.

This is also sad news if the rumored TJ Oshie to Pittsburgh deal comes to fruition. The American hockey hero made his name against Russia in a shootout and it would be disappointing to limit his shootout opportunities next year.