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Editor's note: This post was originally published in 2025 and has since been updated for 2026.
NHL overtime is quite dramatic these days, with 3-on-3 hockey for five minutes giving way to a shootout if games are still tied.
But in the NHL playoffs? The drama is tenfold ... and the rules are completely different. And if you're here, you might be wondering: What are those rules for the 2026 postseason?
Fear not. We have the answer.
The differences here: If the teams are tied after regulation, that leads to a 5-on-5 overtime period, with 20 minutes to decide the winner. First goal wins, so it's "sudden death."
And if there's no winner decided in that overtime? There's another 20-minute overtime period waiting and so on until a team scores and wins the game. Is it exhausting? Sure. But it's the most fun.
Now you know!
This article originally appeared on For The Win: What are the NHL overtime rules for 2026 Stanley Cup Final?
Continue reading...
NHL overtime is quite dramatic these days, with 3-on-3 hockey for five minutes giving way to a shootout if games are still tied.
But in the NHL playoffs? The drama is tenfold ... and the rules are completely different. And if you're here, you might be wondering: What are those rules for the 2026 postseason?
Fear not. We have the answer.
The differences here: If the teams are tied after regulation, that leads to a 5-on-5 overtime period, with 20 minutes to decide the winner. First goal wins, so it's "sudden death."
And if there's no winner decided in that overtime? There's another 20-minute overtime period waiting and so on until a team scores and wins the game. Is it exhausting? Sure. But it's the most fun.
Now you know!
This article originally appeared on For The Win: What are the NHL overtime rules for 2026 Stanley Cup Final?
Continue reading...
