What's better than playoff hockey? Overtime playoff hockey.
The NHL postseason never fails to bring excitement. From crazy comebacks to bone-jarring hits, to dramatic overtime game-winners, even casual and non-hockey fans can agree that playoff hockey does not disappoint.
So when teams are tied after 60 minutes of regulation in the Stanley Cup playoffs, it's must-see TV.
The 2022 NHL playoffs featured 22 games that needed extra time to decide a winner. The Stanley Cup Final between the Avalanche and Lightning had two of its six games go to overtime.
That number may be smashed this year. So far in the first round, 10 games have gone to overtime in the 2023 postseason.
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As the 2023 playoffs get set to begin, here is a refresher on the overtime rules for the NHL postseason.
NHL playoff overtime rules2022-23
When it comes to overtime in the playoffs, it's much simpler than the regular season: the game does not end until one team scores a goal.
If the game is tied after regulation, the two teams will play a full 20-minute period of overtime. Unlike the regular season, which features 3 on 3, the extra frames in the postseason are at 5 on 5.
It's sudden-death style, so the first team to score wins the contest.
If no one scores in the first OT period, the game continues into a second, and a third, and so on and so forth until a team scores to win it.
Are there shootouts in the NHL playoffs?
No, there are no shootouts in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
No matter the round, once the regular season is over, so are the shootouts in the NHL. The postseason features continuous periods until someone scores a winner.
What is the longest overtime game in NHL playoff history?
The longest overtime game in NHL history went six overtimes and accumulated over 176 minutes of playing time. It came during the 1936 postseason when the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons met in the Stanley Cup semifinal.
The matchup goes down as one of the greatest goaltending duels of all time. Detroit's Normie Smith and Montreal's Lorne Chabot refused to let anything in, as the game was 0-0 after 60 minutes of regulation. The result was the same after the first five overtimes.
The lone goal was scored during the sixth overtime when Red Wings rookie Mud Bruneteau beat Chabot to lift Detroit to a 1-0 win. While the official statistics from the game are not available, Smith reportedly finished the game with 92 saves as the winning goalie.
The game started on March 24 and did not end until 2:25 a.m. on March 25.
I'm an avid hockey enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies of the sport, particularly the NHL and its playoff dynamics. My passion for hockey extends beyond casual fandom, as I've closely followed the game for several seasons, keeping a watchful eye on various aspects such as player performances, team strategies, and historical milestones.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about overtime playoff hockey in the NHL:
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Overtime Rules for the NHL Postseason (2022-23): In the NHL playoffs, the overtime rules are straightforward. Unlike the regular season, where a shootout may determine the winner, playoff games continue until one team scores a goal. If the game is tied after the regulation 60 minutes, teams engage in a full 20-minute period of overtime. Notably, the format shifts from 3 on 3 to 5 on 5 during these overtime periods. It follows a sudden-death style, where the first team to score is declared the winner. If no goal is scored in the first overtime, subsequent periods continue until a team secures the victory.
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Absence of Shootouts in the NHL Playoffs: In the Stanley Cup playoffs, there are no shootouts. Once the regular season concludes, so does the use of shootouts in the NHL postseason. Instead, the games feature continuous overtime periods until a team scores and emerges as the winner.
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Longest Overtime Game in NHL Playoff History (1936): The article mentions the longest overtime game in NHL playoff history, which occurred during the 1936 postseason. The matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons in the Stanley Cup semifinal went an astounding six overtimes, accumulating over 176 minutes of playing time. The game ended in a 1-0 victory for the Red Wings, with the lone goal scored by Mud Bruneteau during the sixth overtime. The goaltending duel between Detroit's Normie Smith and Montreal's Lorne Chabot was legendary, with Smith reportedly making 92 saves as the winning goalie. The game began on March 24 and concluded at 2:25 a.m. on March 25, showcasing the endurance and determination of the players in a historic moment in NHL lore.
