{"id":582550,"date":"2026-05-24T10:47:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T10:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/582550\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T10:47:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T10:47:13","slug":"nhl-playoff-overtime-explained-longest-games-2026-ot-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/582550\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL playoff overtime explained: Longest games, 2026 OT results"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0NHL<\/a>‘s Stanley Cup playoffs mean a major change in the overtime format.<\/p>\n

Unlike\u00a0the Olympics<\/a>, where\u00a03-on-3 overtime<\/a>\u00a0is played even in the\u00a0gold medal game<\/a>, the NHL switches things up in the postseason when the games matter more.<\/p>\n

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There won’t be any more 3-on-3 play. It is 5-on-5 instead, just like in regulation play. There won’t be any more shootouts after five minutes of scoreless overtime play. There is sudden death, and it could last a very long time.<\/p>\n

This postseason, there have been 18 overtime games, including three double-overtime games. Game 7 of the Montreal-Buffalo series<\/a> was the 18th.<\/p>\n

Here’s what to know about playoff hockey overtime, including the format, longest games and 2026 results.<\/p>\n

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How does OT work in NHL playoffs?<\/p>\n

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 5-on-5 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.<\/p>\n

The NHL Situation Room reviews all goals to make sure they are legally scored, such as the goal that ended Game 4 of the Anaheim-Edmonton series or the\u00a0overturned goal<\/a>\u00a0in Game 4 of the Vegas-Utah series.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here’s who is in the running (listed alphabetically):<\/p>\n

(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here’s who is in the running (listed alphabetically):<\/p>\n

(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Jack Adams Award (coach) finalist: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jon Cooper<\/p>\n

(John E. Sokolowski, John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Jack Adams finalist: Pittsburgh Penguins’ Dan Muse<\/p>\n

(James Guillory, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Jack Adams finalist: Buffalo Sabres’ Lindy Ruff<\/p>\n

(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Vezina Trophy (goaltender) New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin<\/p>\n

(Alexander Wohl, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Vezina finalist: Boston Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman<\/p>\n

(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Vezina finalist: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/p>\n

(David Kirouac, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship) finalist: Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield<\/p>\n

(David Kirouac Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Lady Byng finalist: Los Angeles Kings’ Anze Kopitar.<\/p>\n

(Harry How, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Lady Byng finalist: Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson<\/p>\n

(Keito Newman, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player) finalist: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini<\/p>\n

(Eakin Howard, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Ted Lindsay finalist: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov <\/p>\n

(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Ted Lindsay finalist: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid<\/p>\n

(Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton Trophy (perseverance) nominee: Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso<\/p>\n

(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy<\/p>\n

(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin<\/p>\n

(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley<\/p>\n

(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall<\/p>\n

(James Guillory, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

19 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight<\/p>\n

(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

20 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog<\/p>\n

(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

21 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner<\/p>\n

(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

22 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn<\/p>\n

(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

23 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Detroit Red Wings right wing Dominik Shine<\/p>\n

(Thomas Salus, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

24 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Edmonton Oilers goalie Connor Ingram<\/p>\n

(Walter Tychnowicz, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

25 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand<\/p>\n

(Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

26 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar<\/p>\n

(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

27 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt<\/p>\n

(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

28 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson<\/p>\n

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

29 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Nashville Predators right wing Ozzy Wiesblatt<\/p>\n

(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

30 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon<\/p>\n

(David Kirouac, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

31 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: New York Islanders center Kyle Palmieri<\/p>\n

(Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

32 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: New York Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson<\/p>\n

(Danny Wild, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

33 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark<\/p>\n

(Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

34 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Philadelphia Flyers left wing Garrett Wilson<\/p>\n

(Robert Edwards, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

35 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

36 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington<\/p>\n

(Connor Hamilton, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

37 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: San Jose Sharks goalie Laurent Brossoit<\/p>\n

(Walter Tychnowicz, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

38 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle<\/p>\n

(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

39 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh<\/p>\n

(Keito Newman, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

40 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson<\/p>\n

(Stan Szeto, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

41 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller<\/p>\n

(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

42 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen<\/p>\n

(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

43 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid<\/p>\n

(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

44 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin<\/p>\n

(Danny Wild, Danny Wild-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

45 \/ 45<\/p>\n

NHL awards finalists: Who’s up for 2025-26 regular season awards?<\/p>\n

Masterton nominee: Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews<\/p>\n

(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)2026 NHL playoff overtime games<\/p>\n

May 18: Canadiens 3, Sabres 2<\/a>: Alex Newhook scored the winner<\/a> at 11:22 of the first overtime as Montreal ousted Buffalo in Game 7.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

May 13: Avalanche 4, Wild 3:<\/a> Brett Kulak scored the winner<\/a> at 3:52 of the first overtime as Colorado ousted Minnesota in Game 5.<\/p>\n

May 12: Golden Knights 3, Ducks 2<\/a>: Pavel Dorofeyev scored the winning goal just over four minutes into the first overtime period to give Vegas a 3-2 series lead over Anaheim.<\/p>\n

May 9: Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2<\/a>: Jackson Blake scored at 5:31 of the first overtime to sweep the Flyers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

May 4: Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2<\/a>: Taylor Hall scored at 18:54 of the first overtime for a 2-0 series lead.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

May 1: Lightning 1, Canadiens 0<\/a>: Gage Goncalves scored at 9:03 of the first overtime to tie the series.<\/p>\n

April 29: Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 4 (2OT):<\/a>\u00a0Brett Howden scored at 5:28 of the second overtime as Vegas took a 3-2 lead on Utah.<\/p>\n

April 29:\u00a0Flyers 1, Penguins 0<\/a>: Cam York scored at 17:32 of the first overtime as the\u00a0Flyers ousted the Penguins<\/a>\u00a0in Game 6.<\/p>\n

April 28:\u00a0Bruins 2, Sabres 1 (OT).<\/a> David Pastrnak scored at 9:14 of the first overtime to cut the Bruins’ series deficit to 3-2.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

April 27:\u00a0Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 4 (OT).<\/a> Shea Theodore scored at 19:08 of the first overtime to tie the series at two games apiece.<\/p>\n

April 26:\u00a0Ducks 4, Oilers 3 (OT)<\/a>. Ryan Poehling scored 2:29 into the first overtime to give Anaheim a 3-1 series lead.<\/p>\n

April 25:\u00a0Wild 3, Stars 2<\/a>. Matt Boldy scored at 19:31 of the first overtime as the Wild tie the series 2-2.<\/p>\n

April 24:\u00a0Canadiens 3, Lightning 2<\/a>. Lane Hutson scored at 2:09 of the first overtime, giving Montreal a 2-1 series lead.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

April 22:\u00a0Stars 4, Wild 3<\/a>. Wyatt Johnston scored at 12:10 of the second overtime, giving Dallas a 2-1 series lead.<\/p>\n

April 21:\u00a0Avalanche 2, Kings 1<\/a>: Nicolas Roy scored the winning goal at the 12:16 mark of the first overtime, giving Colorado a 2-0 series lead.<\/p>\n

April 21:\u00a0Lightning 3, Canadiens 2<\/a>: J.J. Moser scored at 7:12 in the first overtime to tie up the series at a game apiece. It was Moser’s first career NHL playoff goal.<\/p>\n

April 20:\u00a0Hurricanes 3, Senators 2<\/a>: Jordan Martinook scored at 13:53 of the second overtime. He was stopped on a penalty shot in the first overtime.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

April 19:\u00a0Canadiens 4, Lightning 3<\/a>: Juraj Slafkovsky scored at 1:22 of the first overtime, completing a hat trick.<\/p>\n

What are the longest NHL playoff overtime games?<\/p>\n

1 – Six overtimes\u00a0(116 minutes, 30 seconds of overtime) in the 1936 semifinals. March 24, 1935. Detroit 1, Montreal Maroons 0.\u00a0Mud Bruneteau scored the winner.<\/p>\n

2 – Six overtimes\u00a0(104 minutes, 46 seconds of overtime) in the 1933 semifinals. April 3, 1933. Toronto 1, Boston 0. Ken Doraty scored the winner.<\/p>\n

3 – Five overtimes\u00a0(92 minutes, 1 second of overtime) in the 2000 conference semifinals. May 4, 2000. Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1. Keith Primeau scored the winner.<\/p>\n

4 – Five overtimes\u00a0(90 minutes, 27 seconds of overtime) in the 2020 first round. Aug. 11, 2020. Tampa Bay 3, Columbus 2. Brayden Point scored the winner.<\/p>\n

5 – Five overtimes\u00a0(80 minutes, 48 seconds of overtime) in the 2003 conference semifinals. April 24, 2003. Anaheim 4, Dallas 3. Petr Sykora scored the winner.<\/p>\n

Longest Stanley Cup Final games<\/p>\n

Eight Stanley Cup Final games have gone to the third overtime. The\u00a0Edmonton Oilers<\/a>\u00a0were part of the longest game when Petr Klima scored at 15:13 of the third overtime for a 3-2 win against the\u00a0Boston Bruins<\/a>\u00a0in the 1990 Final.<\/p>\n

Which players in 2026 postseason have the most playoff overtime goals?<\/p>\n

5 –\u00a0Corey Perry, Lightning<\/p>\n

4 –\u00a0Leon Draisaitl, Oilers (all in 2025 playoffs, an NHL record for one postseason)<\/p>\n

3 –\u00a0Brayden Point, Lightning; Jordan Staal, Hurricanes; Anze Kopitar, Kings; Artemi Panarin, Kings; Matt Duchene, Stars<\/p>\n

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket overtime rules, 2026 results and longest games<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The\u00a0NHL‘s Stanley Cup playoffs mean a major change in the overtime format. Unlike\u00a0the Olympics, where\u00a03-on-3 overtime\u00a0is played even…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":582551,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5099],"tags":[633,2210,367,3039,193,154,95,5132,1332,1741,3592,530,4187,192,869,196,2178,1739,146,62,3309,149,5,6714,510,1448,1284,976,186,502,370,189,799,2876,94,161,264,4,1337,37053,2880,118,1467,1469,13110,1108,9,65009,104,1110,66,74,1531],"class_list":["post-582550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-boston-bruins","tag-alex-newhook","tag-anaheim","tag-anze-kopitar","tag-artemi-panarin","tag-avalanche","tag-boston","tag-boston-bruins","tag-bostonbruins","tag-brayden-point","tag-brett-howden","tag-brett-kulak","tag-bruins","tag-cam-york","tag-colorado","tag-corey-perry","tag-dallas","tag-david-pastrnak","tag-ducks","tag-edmonton-oilers","tag-florida","tag-gage-goncalves","tag-golden-knights","tag-hockey","tag-j-j-moser","tag-jackson-blake","tag-jordan-martinook","tag-jordan-staal","tag-juraj-slafkovsky","tag-kings","tag-lane-hutson","tag-leon-draisaitl","tag-lightning","tag-matt-boldy","tag-matt-duchene","tag-matthew-tkachuk","tag-minnesota","tag-montreal","tag-nhl","tag-nicolas-roy","tag-overtime-games","tag-pavel-dorofeyev","tag-penguins","tag-philadelphia","tag-pittsburgh","tag-ryan-poehling","tag-sabres","tag-shea-theodore","tag-shootouts","tag-stanley-cup-playoffs","tag-taylor-hall","tag-toronto","tag-vegas","tag-wyatt-johnston"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/582550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=582550"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/582550\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/582551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=582550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=582550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=582550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}