How does nhl overtime work

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: NHL overtime works by playing a 5-minute sudden-death period with 3-on-3 skaters after regulation ends in a tie. If no goal is scored, the game proceeds to a shootout where each team gets 3 attempts. This format was introduced in the 2015-16 season, replacing the previous 4-on-4 overtime. Regular season overtime/shootout wins count for 2 points in standings, while playoff games continue with 20-minute sudden-death periods until a goal is scored.

Key Facts

Regular season overtime is 5 minutes of 3-on-3 sudden-death hockey
Shootouts follow if overtime ends scoreless, with each team getting 3 attempts
The 3-on-3 format was introduced in the 2015-16 NHL season
Playoff overtime uses 20-minute periods of 5-on-5 sudden-death
Overtime/shootout wins in regular season earn 2 points in standings

Overview

NHL overtime has evolved significantly since the league's founding in 1917. For most of NHL history, regular season games simply ended in ties if regulation concluded with equal scores. The first major change came in 1983-84 when the NHL introduced a 5-minute sudden-death overtime period with teams playing 5-on-5. This was modified to 4-on-4 in 1999-2000 to increase scoring chances. The current 3-on-3 format debuted in 2015-16 after successful testing in the American Hockey League. Playoff overtime has always been different - since the league's early days, postseason games have continued with full 20-minute periods until someone scores. The most famous playoff overtime game occurred on March 24, 1936, when the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Maroons played 176 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime across six periods. Today's system balances entertainment value with competitive fairness while maintaining the integrity of playoff hockey's traditional format.

How It Works

When an NHL regular season game ends regulation time tied, teams immediately begin a 5-minute overtime period with only 3 skaters per side plus goaltenders. This creates more open ice and dramatically increases scoring chances compared to 5-on-5 play. The period is sudden-death, meaning the first team to score wins immediately. If no goal is scored during the 5 minutes, the game proceeds to a shootout. In the shootout, each team selects three different shooters who take alternating penalty shots against the opposing goaltender. If still tied after three rounds, the shootout continues with sudden-death rounds until one team scores and the other doesn't. During overtime, teams change ends of the ice, and any penalties result in power plays with the non-offending team adding a skater (creating 4-on-3 or 5-on-3 situations). The entire overtime and shootout process typically adds 10-15 minutes to game time.

Why It Matters

NHL overtime rules significantly impact both entertainment and competition. The 3-on-3 format creates exciting, fast-paced hockey that keeps fans engaged and provides dramatic conclusions to tied games. From a competitive standpoint, the system affects team strategies throughout regulation, as coaches must decide whether to play conservatively to secure at least 1 point or aggressively pursue the regulation win. The points system (2 points for any win, 1 point for overtime/shootout loss) creates tight playoff races and influences late-season decisions about resting players versus chasing standings points. For players, overtime provides additional opportunities to showcase skills in high-pressure situations, while shootouts particularly highlight individual talent. The system also affects statistics and records, with overtime and shootout goals counting toward individual and team totals, making historical comparisons across eras more complex but adding to the game's strategic depth.