When NHL games end regulation tied, the real excitement begins. Overtime delivers some of hockey’s most heart-pounding moments, with rules designed to create decisive winners and unforgettable highlights.
Regular Season Overtime
Since 2015, tied games have gone to a 3-on-3, five-minute sudden-death period. The reduced player count creates wide-open hockey with constant scoring chances. If a penalty occurs, play shifts to 4-on-3. When no one scores, a shootout decides the winner with three rounds (plus sudden death if needed). Both teams get one standing point, with the winner earning an extra.
Playoff Overtime
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The postseason eliminates gimmicks – no shootouts here. Teams play full 20-minute, 5-on-5 periods until someone scores. Marathon games sometimes stretch past midnight as exhausted players battle through multiple overtimes. Coaches shorten shifts, star players take over, and goalies become legends with season-saving stops.
Key Differences
The NHL’s system differs from other hockey leagues. The AHL follows the same 3-on-3 and shootout format in the regular season but switches to continuous 5-on-5 in the playoffs.
College hockey varies by conference. Some use 3-on-3 overtime, while others allow ties. The NCAA tournament, however, mirrors the NHL playoffs with unlimited 5-on-5 OT.
International play, like the Olympics, uses 10-minute OT in early rounds. Gold medal games get a full 20-minute period before resorting to a shootout.
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Why It Works
The NHL’s overtime system perfectly balances entertainment and fairness. The 3-on-3 format’s breakneck pace thrills fans while reducing shootouts. Playoff overtime remains pure hockey at its most dramatic – no shortcuts, just sudden-death tension where every shot could end a series.
From a quick 3-on-3 winner to a historic multi-OT playoff battle, NHL overtime delivers the sport’s most electrifying moments. The rules ensure every game has a winner while preserving hockey’s essence when it matters most.
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