dailyloe.com – The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs are underway with a major change to the overtime format. Unlike the regular season and the Olympics, the postseason eliminates 3-on-3 play and shootouts. Overtime in the playoffs is played at full 5-on-5 strength under sudden-death rules. This format can lead to games lasting a very long time.
In the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, three of the first four games went to overtime. One of those games was a double-overtime contest. Overall, 20 games went to overtime during the 2025 NHL playoffs. That total included four double-overtime games.
This postseason has already seen one overtime game as of April 20, 2026. The playoff overtime format is a significant departure from other hockey competitions. It is designed for the highest-stakes games where results matter more.
If a playoff game is tied after three periods, teams get a 15-minute intermission. The ice is resurfaced during this break. Overtime periods then last 20 minutes or until a goal is scored. Play continues at 5-on-5, barring penalties.
If no one scores in the first overtime period, the process repeats. Teams will continue playing 20-minute periods until a goal is scored. The teams change sides for each new overtime period. The first overtime features the long change back to the benches.
The NHL Situation Room reviews all goals to ensure they are legally scored. This review process is a standard part of the league’s playoff protocol. It applies to every goal scored during the overtime periods.
The longest NHL playoff overtime game lasted six overtimes. That game occurred in the 1936 semifinals on March 24, 1935. The Detroit Red Wings beat the Montreal Maroons 1-0 after 116 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime. Mud Bruneteau scored the winning goal.
Another six-overtime game happened in the 1933 semifinals on April 3, 1933. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Boston Bruins 1-0. That game required 104 minutes and 46 seconds of extra time. Ken Doraty was the goal scorer.
A five-overtime game took place in the 2000 conference semifinals on May 4, 2000. The Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1. Keith Primeau scored the winner after 92 minutes and 1 second of overtime.
In the 2020 first round on August 11, 2020, a game went five overtimes. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2. Brayden Point scored the decisive goal after 90 minutes and 27 seconds.
Another five-overtime contest occurred in the 2003 conference semifinals on April 24, 2003. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks beat the Dallas Stars 4-3. Petr Sykora scored the winner after 80 minutes and 48 seconds of overtime.
A four-overtime game was played in the 2023 conference finals on May 18, 2023. The Florida Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. Matthew Tkachuk scored the winning goal after 79 minutes and 47 seconds of overtime.
The 2026 NHL playoffs have recorded one overtime game so far. That game occurred on April 20, 2026. The specific teams involved were not detailed in the source. The result of that game was also not provided.
