Despite the NHL’s attempt to compress the season in the midst of an Olympic year, it still seems like 2009-10 has been one of the longest seasons in years. That probably has something to do with the fact that there have been a record-setting number of extra-time games. With the final weekend of games to be played, there have been 290 games that have gone past 60 minutes, and another record 177 that have gone to a shootout.

As for the shootout itself, NHL.com has a fan poll where 41.31 percent of fans think the shooter has the edge, while 36.33 percent believe the advantage goes to the goalie. 22.36 thought neither had a better chance than the other. Despite these guesses, goalies have made the save (or been helped by a wild shot) over 68 percent of the time this season, the highest total ever for netminders. Another record seven shootouts have lasted at least 10 rounds.

The previous highs were set in 2006-07, when 282 overtime games were played, 164 of which went to the shootout. Between that season and this season alone, 572 games have been played beyond regulation with 341 going past the overtime period. That’s almost 60% of the games that can’t be decided in four-on-four hockey. Is there something wrong with the five-minute, four-on-four style of hockey? Teams don’t practice four-on-four enough, because only five potential minutes of it per night is too little.

The NHL has made giant strides to improve the excitement of the game since the lockout. However, the five-minute overtime looks like it still needs some work. Too often broadcasters comment on how the ice really “opens up” in four-on-four. Obviously. What you don’t often hear is how five minutes isn’t long enough. If a team takes a penalty, their style changes to doing whatever it takes to not lose and just make it to the shootout. The argument that these guys will be too tired to play 10 minutes or more is ridiculous. These guys are athletes, and if they couldn’t win the game in 60 minutes, they deserve to be given a fair chance to do it in a realistically comparable extra frame.