dailyloe.com – The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs are now underway, introducing a significant change to the overtime format for postseason games. Unlike the Olympic tournament, which uses a 3-on-3 format, the NHL adopts a different structure when the games matter most. The shift involves moving to continuous 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime periods. This change eliminates both the 3-on-3 play and any potential shootouts.
During the regular season, tied games proceed to a five-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period. If no goal is scored, a shootout decides the winner. The postseason format is entirely different and more demanding. There will be no more 3-on-3 play or shootouts after a brief overtime. Instead, teams play full-strength 5-on-5 hockey until a goal is scored.
Overtime in the playoffs can last a very long time. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, three of the first four games required overtime. One of those games was a double-overtime contest. Overall, 20 games went to overtime during the 2025 NHL playoffs, including four double-overtime games.
This current postseason has already seen two overtime games. One of those games was a double-overtime contest. The format is a test of endurance and strategy for the teams involved. Here is how playoff hockey overtime works under the NHL’s rules.
If the score is tied after three regulation periods, teams go to their dressing rooms. They have a 15-minute intermission while the ice is resurfaced. Overtime periods then last for 20 minutes or until a goal is scored. Play is at 5-on-5, barring any penalties called during the action.
If no one scores during the first 20-minute overtime period, the process repeats. Teams return to their dressing rooms for another intermission before the next period. This cycle continues indefinitely until a goal is scored to end the game. The teams also change sides of the ice for each new overtime period.
The first overtime period features the long change for players returning to the bench. All goals scored during overtime are reviewed by the NHL Situation Room. Officials check to ensure every goal is legally scored according to the rules. This review process is standard for all playoff games.
The history of the NHL playoffs includes several marathon overtime games. The longest game occurred in the 1936 semifinals, requiring six overtimes. That game on March 24, 1936, saw Detroit defeat the Montreal Maroons 1-0. Mud Bruneteau scored the winning goal after 116 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime play.
Another six-overtime game took place in the 1933 semifinals on April 3, 1933. The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 1-0 in that contest. Ken Doraty was the player who scored the decisive goal. The overtime lasted for 104 minutes and 46 seconds.
A five-overtime game happened in the 2000 conference semifinals on May 4, 2000. The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in that marathon. Keith Primeau scored the game-winning goal after 92 minutes and 1 second of overtime. More recently, a five-overtime game occurred in the 2020 first round.
That 2020 game was played on August 11, 2020, between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets. Tampa Bay won the game by a score of 3-2. Brayden Point scored the winning goal after 90 minutes and 27 seconds of overtime play. Another five-overtime contest took place in the 2003 conference semifinals.
The 2003 game on April 24, 2003, featured the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Dallas Stars. Anaheim won the game with a final score of 4-3. Petr Sykora scored the decisive goal after 80 minutes and 48 seconds of overtime. A notable four-overtime game occurred in the 2023 conference finals.
That 2023 game was played on May 18, 2023, between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. The Florida Panthers won the game by a score of 3-2. The overtime lasted for 79 minutes and 47 seconds before a winner was decided. These historic games highlight the endurance required in playoff overtime.
