How does overtime work in the Stanley Cup Finals? - FanSided
The NHL uses a whole different set of rules for overtime during the playoffs, maximizing the drama. Here's how it all works.
fansided.comHere’s the latest on Stanley Cup overtime rules as they relate to the playoffs.
Direct answer
- In the NHL playoffs, overtime is played as five-on-five hockey in 20-minute periods, and it is sudden death: the first goal ends the game. If a goal is not scored in a 20-minute overtime, another 20-minute overtime period is played, and so on, until a goal is scored. There is no shootout in the playoffs. This format has been in place since 2015-16 and remains the standard for Stanley Cup Final games as well as earlier rounds.[2][4][5]
Context and nuances
- Overtime is specifically designed to minimize the chance of a tie after regulation and to preserve the thrill of playoff hockey, which is why it uses multiple full 20-minute periods rather than a shorter, three-on-three format or shootouts in the postseason.[4][5]
- Penalty situations during playoff overtime can create temporary imbalances (e.g., a power play may temporarily make it four-on-three or five-on-three), but once penalties expire, the teams return to the standard five-on-five, and play continues until a goal is scored.[1]
Recent trends and notes
- There have been notes in recent years about discussions or changes to overtime formats for various competitions, but the official Stanley Cup Playoffs overtime rule is still five-on-five, 20-minute periods, sudden death, with no shootouts in the postseason. Some articles discuss historical overtime records or hypothetical scenarios, but they do not reflect a formal rule change for the current playoffs.[5][2][4]
- For historical context, the playoff overtime format has been consistently described as multiple sudden-death 20-minute periods, with no shootouts, since the policy was established, including explanations of how penalties impact play during an overtime period.[9][5]
Illustration
- Example: In a hypothetical playoff game tied after the first 20-minute overtime, the teams would immediately start a second 20-minute overtime period with the same five-on-five setup, continuing until a goal is scored; there is no shootout in the playoffs. This is a standard rule across Stanley Cup Final games and earlier rounds.[4][5]
Citations
- Overtime structure and sudden death in playoffs; no shootouts in postseason.[4]
- No shootouts in playoffs; multiple 20-minute periods until a goal ends the game.[5]
- Penalty adjustments during overtime (temporary four-on-three or five-on-three) and return to even strength after penalties expire.[1]
If you’d like, I can pull the exact current official NHL rule wording or summarize how recent playoff overtime games have played out this season.