3s Eliminator Scoring

One of the best changes in NHL 25 is bringing periods back to 3s Eliminator. It feels like 3s again—more strategy, more rhythm, more momentum swings. But there’s still one big thing that needs to be fixed: the scoring system.

Right now, it’s still “first to 5” with money pucks. That kills the pacing and undercuts the whole point of playing full periods. Instead of letting games play out organically over three periods, we’re still stuck in a race to 5—no matter how it happens. That means a team can get lucky with a couple +3 and +2 money pucks and end the game before any real back-and-forth even gets going. 2 goals can win the game or you could score over 5 times and still lose with negative money pucks against you.

They need to go back to how it was before: play all three periods, keep the money pucks, and let the final score after regulation determine the winner. That’s what made 3s feel different from the usual modes. You could come back from a deficit with a smart play or a clutch money puck goal, and it wasn’t over just because someone got a quick lead. It allowed for crazy comebacks, highlight-reel moments, and made every second count.

Right now it’s halfway there. Periods are back, which is great—but the “first to 5” rule doesn’t belong in a game where we’re playing structured hockey again. Keep the chaos of money pucks, but let the score at the end of three periods decide who wins. That’s how you bring 3s Eliminator back to form.