How NHL overtime works in playoffs: Sudden death, format, rules explained

The NHL‘s Stanley Cup playoffs are underway, bringing a major change to the overtime format.

No more three-on-three play, no more shootouts after five minutes of scoreless play, as happens during regular-season overtime. There is sudden death, but it could last a very long time.

One of those games wasn’t that long ago. The Florida Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in Game 1 of the 2023 Eastern Conference final in a game that lasted nearly a full four overtime periods. It came close to going to a fifth overtime, but Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk scored the winner with 12.7 seconds left in the period. It was the sixth-longest playoff game in NHL history.

So far in the 2025 NHL playoffs, eight games have gone to overtime, including one double-overtime game.

Here’s a primer on playoff hockey overtime:

How does overtime work in playoff hockey?

If the score is tied after three periods, the teams go to the dressing rooms for 15 minutes while the ice is resurfaced. Overtime periods last 20 minutes or until someone scores. It’s five-on-five play (barring penalties). If no one scores in the first overtime, the process repeats and continues until someone scores. The teams change sides for each overtime period. The first overtime is the long change to get back to the bench.

The NHL Situation Room reviews all goals to make sure they are legally scored. In last year’s Stars-Avalanche series, the league upheld a no-goal call on an apparent score by Dallas’ Mason Marchment because referees ruled Matt Duchene had interfered with then-Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev. Duchene later scored the winning goal.

What is the longest overtime in NHL history?

• 1 – Six overtimes (116 minutes, 30 seconds of overtime) in the 1936 semifinals, March 24, 1935. Detroit 1, Montreal Maroons 0. Mud Bruneteau scored the winner.
• 2 – Six overtimes (104 minutes, 46 seconds of overtime) in the 1933 semifinals. April 3, 1933. Toronto 1, Boston 0. Ken Doraty scored the winner.
• 3 – Five overtimes (92 minutes, 1 second of overtime) in the 2000 conference semifinals. Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1. Keith Primeau scored the winner.
• 4. Five overtimes (90 minutes, 27 seconds of overtime) in the 2020 first round. Tampa Bay 3, Columbus 2. Brayden Point scored the winner.
• 5 – Five overtimes (80 minutes, 48 seconds of overtime) in the 2003 conference semifinals. Anaheim 4, Dallas 3. Petr Sykora scored the winner.
• 6 – Four overtimes (79 minutes, 47 seconds of overtime) in the 2023 conference finals. Florida 3, Carolina 2. Matthew Tkachuk scored the winner.

2025 NHL playoff overtime goals

April 27: Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl scored at 18:18 of the first overtime for a 4-3 Oilers win against the Kings.

April 26: Vegas’ Ivan Barbashev scored at 17:26 of the first overtime for a 4-3 Golden Knights win against the Wild.

April 26: Ottawa’s Jake Sanderson scored at 17:42 of the first overtime for a 4-3 Senators win against the Maple Leafs.

April 25: New Jersey’s Simon Nemec scored at 2:36 of the second overtime for a 3-2 Devils win against the Hurricanes.

April 24: Toronto’s Simon Benoit scored at 1:19 of the first overtime for a 3-2 Maple Leafs win against the Senators.

April 23: Dallas’ Tyler Seguin scored at 5:26 of the first overtime for a 2-1 Stars win against the Avalanche.

April 22: Toronto’s Max Domi scored at 16:51 of the first overtime for a 3-2 Maple Leafs win against the Senators.

April 21: Dallas’ Colin Blackwell scored at 17:46 of the first overtime for a 4-3 Stars win against the Avalanche.

April 21: Washington’s Alex Ovechkin scored at 2:26 of the first overtime for a 3-2 Capitals win against the Canadiens.

Which 2025 postseason players have the most playoff overtime goals?

• 5 – Corey Perry, Oilers; Carter Verhaeghe, Panthers
• 3 – Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers; Brad Marchand, Panthers; Brayden Point, Lightning; Jordan Staal, Hurricanes; John Tavares, Maple Leafs; Anze Kopitar, Kings; Matt Duchene, Stars

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