NHL Playoff Overtime Rules and Longest Games in Stanley Cup History The National Hockey League (NHL) has implemented significant changes to its playoff overtime format, altering the way games are decided during the Stanley Cup postseason. Unlike the Olympic Games, where 3-on-3 overtime is used in all rounds, including the gold medal match, the NHL now employs a 5-on-5 overtime format in the playoffs. This shift eliminates the use of shootouts after five minutes of scoreless overtime, replacing them with sudden-death scenarios that can extend beyond regulation time. The new rules emphasize continuity and intensity, as games can last for multiple overtime periods, with teams switching sides for each session. The 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers highlighted the impact of these changes. Three of the first four games in the series went to overtime, including a double-overtime contest. Overall, 20 games in the 2025 playoffs ended in overtime, with four of those requiring two or more extra periods. This trend continued into the 2026 playoffs, where four overtime games were recorded, including one double-overtime match. The NHL Situation Room oversees all goals scored in overtime to ensure they meet legal criteria, maintaining the integrity of the process. Historically, the longest NHL playoff overtime games have set records for duration. The 1936 Stanley Cup Semifinals featured a six-overtime contest lasting 116 minutes and 30 seconds, with Detroit defeating Montreal Maroons. Other notable games include a six-overtime match in 1933, a five-overtime game in 2000, and a five-overtime contest in 2020. The 2023 conference finals saw a four-overtime game between Florida and Carolina, with Matthew Tkachuk scoring the winning goal.#florida_panthers #stanley_cup #nhl #edmonton_oilers #nhl_situation_room
