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Re, overtime shootouts: Nice to see so many people passionate about the folly of introducing them to settle overly-long NHL playoff games. Just talked to Kelly Hrudey, the ex-Islanders' goaltender about the subject; he's on board with me. Never, ever decide a playoff game via the shootout. Up until last night/earlier today, he had faced more shots than any netminder in an NHL playoff game since they started keeping track of the stat in the mid-1950s - he was in goal for that memorable Islanders-Capitals' clash back in the 1987 playoffs and faced 75 shots, stopping 73. The Canucks' Roberto Luongo holds the new shots-faced record - 76; Hrudey retained the saves mark by one stop. Kelly clearly has a unique perspective on that event - what it's like to go through a game like that and then how to deal with its aftermath; I'll spin my column off that conversation. Mostly though, I'm interested in reading what the newest New York Islander fan, Christie Brinkley, has to say about the issue on her NHL.com hockey blog. Is she in the camp of the traditionalists? Or does she favor making shootouts a part of the new playoff landscape. Inquiring minds can't wait to find out.

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