NHL Playoff Overtime Rules: A Shift to 5-on-5 Sudden Death Format

The excitement of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs is upon us, bringing with it a significant alteration to the overtime format that fans and players alike should take note of. Unlike the Olympic model, where 3-on-3 play is the norm even in high-stakes games, the NHL opts for a different approach during its postseason.

Gone are the days of 3-on-3 overtime; in the playoffs, teams will return to 5-on-5 play in a format that emphasizes endurance and strategy. After five minutes of scoreless overtime, there will be no shootouts to determine the winner. Instead, the game enters sudden death, where the tension can stretch on for an extended period until one team finds the back of the net.

As a glimpse into the intensity of playoff hockey, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final featured the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, with three of the first four games extending into overtime, including a gripping double-overtime battle. Across the entirety of the 2025 NHL playoffs, 20 games reached overtime, showcasing the thrill and unpredictability that defines postseason hockey.

Here’s a closer look at how playoff overtime operates: When a game is tied after three periods, teams retreat to their dressing rooms for a 15-minute intermission, allowing the ice to be resurfaced. Overtime periods are set for 20 minutes or until a goal is scored, maintaining the 5-on-5 format unless penalties dictate otherwise. If the initial overtime period concludes without a goal, the cycle repeats with teams switching sides for each subsequent overtime, with the first overtime featuring a long change as players return to the bench.

The NHL Situation Room plays a crucial role during these high-stakes moments, reviewing all goals to ensure their legality. Historical context adds to the drama, with eight Stanley Cup Final games having gone into a third overtime. Notably, the Edmonton Oilers were part of the longest game in Stanley Cup history when Petr Klima scored at 15:13 of the third overtime, sealing a 3-2 victory against the Boston Bruins in the 1990 Final.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.