April 27, 2026, 3:06 p.m. ET
The NHL‘s Stanley Cup playoffs imply a significant change within the overtime format.
Unlike the Olympics, the place 3-on-3 overtime is performed even within the gold medal game, the NHL switches issues up within the postseason when the games matter extra.
There will not be any extra 3-on-3 play. It is 5-on-5 as a substitute, identical to in regulation play. There will not be any extra shootouts after 5 minutes of scoreless overtime play. There is sudden demise, and it may final a really very long time.
This postseason, there have been eight overtime games, together with two double-overtime games.
Here’s what to learn about playoff hockey overtime, together with the format, longest games and 2026 results.
How does OT work in NHL playoffs?
If the rating is tied after three durations, the groups go to the dressing rooms for quarter-hour whereas the ice is resurfaced. Overtime durations final 20 minutes or till somebody scores. It’s 5-on-5 play (barring penalties). If nobody scores within the first overtime, the method repeats and continues till somebody scores. The groups change sides for every overtime interval. The first overtime is the lengthy change to get again to the bench.
The NHL Situation Room evaluations all targets to verify they’re legally scored, such because the purpose that ended Game 4 of the Anaheim-Edmonton collection.
2026 NHL playoff overtime games
April 26: Ducks 4, Oilers 3. Ryan Poehling 2:29 into the primary overtime to offer Anaheim a 3-1 collection lead.
April 25: Wild 3, Stars 2. Matt Boldy scored at 19:31 of the primary overtime because the Wild tie the collection 2-2.
April 24: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2. Lane Hutson scored at 2:09 of the primary overtime, giving Montreal a 2-1 collection lead.
April 22: Stars 4, Wild 3. Wyatt Johnston scored at 12:10 of the second overtime, giving Dallas a 2-1 collection lead.
April 21: Avalanche 2, Kings 1: Nicolas Roy scored the profitable purpose on the 12:16 mark of the primary overtime, giving Colorado a 2-0 collection lead.
April 21: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2: J.J. Moser scored at 7:12 within the first overtime to tie up the collection at a recreation apiece. It was Moser’s first profession NHL playoff purpose.
April 20: Hurricanes 3, Senators 2: Jordan Martinook scored at 13:53 of the second overtime. He was stopped on a penalty shot within the first overtime.
April 19: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3: Juraj Slafkovsky scored at 1:22 of the primary overtime, finishing a hat trick.
What are the longest NHL playoff overtime games?
- 1 – Six overtimes (116 minutes, 30 seconds of overtime) within 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) within the 1933 semifinals. April 3, 1933. Toronto 1, Boston 0. Ken Doraty scored the winner.
- 3 – Five overtimes (92 minutes, 1 second of overtime) within the 2000 convention semifinals. May 4, 2000. Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1. Keith Primeau scored the winner.
- 4 – Five overtimes (90 minutes, 27 seconds of overtime) within the 2020 first spherical. Aug. 11, 2020. Tampa Bay 3, Columbus 2. Brayden Point scored the winner.
- 5 – Five overtimes (80 minutes, 48 seconds of overtime) within the 2003 convention semifinals. April 24, 2003. Anaheim 4, Dallas 3. Petr Sykora scored the winner.
- 6 – Four overtimes (79 minutes, 47 seconds of overtime) within the 2023 convention finals. May 18, 2023. Florida 3, Carolina 2. Matthew Tkachuk scored the winner.
Longest Stanley Cup Final games
Eight Stanley Cup Final games have gone to the third overtime. The Edmonton Oilers had been a part of the longest recreation when Petr Klima scored at 15:13 of the third overtime for a 3-2 win towards the Boston Bruins within the 1990 Final.
Which gamers in 2026 postseason have essentially the most playoff overtime targets?
- 5 – Corey Perry, Lightning
- 4 – Leon Draisaitl, Oilers (all in 2025 playoffs, an NHL report for one postseason)
- 3 – Brayden Point, Lightning; Jordan Staal, Hurricanes; Anze Kopitar, Kings; Artemi Panarin, Kings; Matt Duchene, Stars
