The Washington Post
Friday, October 1, 1999; Page D10

NHL games will have a slightly different look this season because of three rules adjustments:

New Overtime Format
If the score is tied at the end of three periods in a regular season game, both teams automatically get one point in the standings. They then play a sudden-death overtime period of five minutes or less. During overtime, each team has four skaters and a goaltender on the ice. If a team scores a goal in that time, the winning team gets another point and wins the game.

More Two-Ref Games
A total of 700 regular season games will have two referees, up from 270 last season. That equals 50 games per team: 25 at home and 25 on the road.

Revised Crease Rule
In a new interpretation, the presence of an attacking player in the crease will not by itself nullify a goal. The goal would only be disallowed if the player, either by position or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper or initiates more than incidental contact with the goalkeeper. Video review will not be used to enforce this rule.