The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs have begun with a major overtime format change. Unlike the regular season, postseason games will not use 3-on-3 play or shootouts. Overtime will be played at full 5-on-5 strength with sudden-death rules.
This format differs from the Olympic gold medal game structure. The NHL switches to this method when games matter more. There will be no shootouts after five minutes of scoreless play.
Overtime could last a very long time under these rules. If the score is tied after three periods, teams get a 15-minute intermission. The ice is resurfaced during this break.
Overtime periods last 20 minutes or until someone scores. Play is 5-on-5, barring penalties. If no one scores, the process repeats until a goal is scored.
Teams change sides for each overtime period. The first overtime uses the long change to get back to the bench. The NHL Situation Room reviews all goals for legality.
In the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, three of the first four games went to overtime. This included one double-overtime game. Overall, 20 games went to overtime in the 2025 playoffs.
Four of those 2025 playoff games were double-overtime contests. This postseason has seen one overtime game so far. The game occurred on April 20.
The longest NHL playoff overtime game lasted six overtimes. It happened in the 1936 semifinals on March 24, 1935. Detroit beat Montreal Maroons 1-0 after 116 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime.
Mud Bruneteau scored the winning goal in that 1936 marathon. Another six-overtime game occurred in the 1933 semifinals. Toronto beat Boston 1-0 on April 3, 1933, after 104 minutes and 46 seconds.
Ken Doraty scored the winner in the 1933 game. A five-overtime game happened in the 2000 conference semifinals. Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh 2-1 on May 4, 2000, after 92 minutes and 1 second.
Keith Primeau scored the winner for Philadelphia. Another five-overtime game occurred in the 2020 first round. Tampa Bay beat Columbus 3-2 on Aug. 11, 2020, after 90 minutes and 27 seconds.
Brayden Point scored the winning goal for Tampa Bay. A third five-overtime game was in the 2003 conference semifinals. Anaheim beat Dallas 4-3 on April 24, 2003, after 80 minutes and 48 seconds.
Petr Sykora scored the winner for Anaheim. A four-overtime game happened in the 2023 conference finals. Florida beat Carolina 3-2 on May 18, 2023, after 79 minutes and 47 seconds.
Matthew Tkachuk scored the winning goal for Florida. The NHL playoff overtime format ensures games are decided by continuous play. This creates the potential for historic, lengthy contests.
