Tortorella: 'Get rid of the shootout, play 3-on-3 until a team dies'

If it were up to John Tortorella, the NHL would scrap its current method of deciding games that don't end after five minutes of extra time.

"Get rid of the shootout (and) just play the three-on-three until a team dies," the Columbus Blue Jackets head coach told reporters Friday, the day after his club defeated the Philadelphia Flyers on Seth Jones' overtime winner.

"I think that's the way it should be," Tortorella added. "(Three-on-three is) exciting."

The Blue Jackets are 8-2 in overtime this season, and they've played only one shootout, losing to the New York Rangers on Nov. 10.

"You know I'm not a gimmick guy. I think that it has to be determined within the game," Tortorella continued. "Three-on-three still isn't a total team (game), but it's still three-on-three. Let the games end there."

The Columbus bench boss acknowledged considerations like television and the length of games, but he believes continuous overtime would produce a result quickly.

"It's not going to last long, I'll tell you right now, so let 'em play," he said.

Tortorella also said he wouldn't change how games are determined in the playoffs.

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