NHL overtime rules: what are the overtime rules of hockey?

NHL overtime rules: what are the overtime rules of hockey?

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM

Felger has expressed frustration over the NHL overtime rules demanding changes to the format to make the game more interesting in the last moments. This frustration was after the Boston Bruins against the Dallas Stars game. So, what is the format of NHL overtime? Read on to find out more about the NHL overtime rules.

NHL overtime rules
Carl Grundstrom celebrates his goal during Game Four of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena on May 8, 2022, in Los Angeles. Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein
Source: Getty Images

Can an NHL game end in a tie? No, it cannot. After the regulation time, the game goes into extra time, with the teams going into a period of 3 on 3. However, the rules differ depending on whether it is a regular season or during the playoff games. More on NHL overtime rules history is below.

NHL overtime rules

Pending NHL overtime rules change suggestion by Felger, they have been part of an ongoing discussion for a while. Some term the rules boring and remove the possible excitement from the game. The current rules are different from the old NHL overtime rules.

When did NHL overtime rules change?

The current extra-time rules were implemented in the 2015/2016 season. The rule suggested that only three skaters and a goaltender would play during extra time. This made the 3-on-3 format today that could turn into a 4-on-4 unpopular among fans. It also ensured coaches got a video review of offsides and goal interferences by goaltenders.

NHL overtime rules change
Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings lifts the Stanley Cup before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Crypto.com Arena on February 11, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Harry How
Source: Getty Images

The new NHL overtime rules saw the 3-on-3 turn into 4-on-4 or 4-on-3, depending on the number of minor penalties and the powerplays. The law remains that at least three skaters should be on each team during extra time. A team can use their goaltender as a fourth attacker during a game.

Overtime should take no more than five minutes; a three-round shootout would follow if the game still ends in a tie. The game goes into a sudden-death shootout if there is no clear winner after the shootout. Only three shots are allowed in the shootout, but in the sudden-death shootout, the first team to fumble the tie is knocked out.

playoff NHL overtime rules
Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers tracks the playoff face-off in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers on December 23, 2022, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Photo: Lawrence Scott
Source: Getty Images

However, playoff NHL overtime rules differ as the players are allowed an extra 20 minutes to play and additional minutes till one team scores. If the score is still tied, the players go for more extra time until a winner is found. This is one of the craziest NHL overtime rules ever, as teams can go on and on for more than the fifth round. A record extra time went for over 116 minutes before one team finally scored.

NHL overtime rules on points awarded are interesting, as the losing team also gets awarded. In regular time a loss meant the team gets zero points, and the winning team gets two points. However, when a team loses through overtime, they are awarded one point according to the new rules.

NHL overtime rules on 2 pucks

Two pucks were only dropped once in 1936. The second puck is only dropped if the game goes to the sixth round of extra time.

How many overtimes are there in the NHL playoffs?

There is no set number of overtime allowed. Playoffs have a different format compared to a regular season. In the playoffs, a 20-minute extra time round is added after the first 60 minutes are done with.

NHL overtime rules on 2 pucks
Claude Giroux celebrates after scoring a goal against Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Wells Fargo Center on October 29, 2016, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Patrick Smith
Source: Getty Images

If none of the teams score, another overtime is added with 15 minutes of intermissions for the players to rest, and the ice is cleaned.

What is the longest overtime in NHL?

The longest overtime happened between the Philadelphia Flyers versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers won 2-1 after a goal from Keith Primeau after going for five extra time rounds at 92 minutes. The game took place on 4th May 2000.

What is the longest NHL shootout in history?

The longest shootout in NHL happened in a game between the Florida Panthers and the Washington Capitals that occurred on 16th December 2014 at the BB&T centre. The game ended when Nick Bjugstad of the Panthers scored in the 20th round to guarantee them a 2-1 victory.

NHL overtime rules history
Joe Snively #91 of the Washington Capitals controls the puck during a game against the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena on February 16, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Photo: John McCreary
Source: Getty Images

What was the longest NHL game?

The longest match in the NHL happened in 1936. The game happened between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons. It went into five overtimes before finally, Mud of the Red Wings scored in the sixth extra period and won the game.

The intense match took a whopping 116 minutes of overtime before it ended. The rarity of such games in recent times has been attributed to players being faster and more skilled.

The NHL overtime rules are changed, especially when the need arises. An extra time round is normally a 3-on-3 affair, but the goaltender can join in as the fourth attacker. In a regular season, overtime only takes five minutes and goes for only one round before a shootout. In the playoffs, extra time continues for as many rounds until one team scores in sudden death.

READ ALSO: Who are the top 15 best right-wingers in the world as of 2023?

Sportsbrief published a list of the top 15 right-wingers in the world today. Right-wingers are an essential part of the game, and their main work is to assist the striker in scoring. They may also score goals which will make them great. They may also help in defensive duties and help each other with the right backs.

So, who are the best right-wingers in world football right now? Is your favourite right winger on the list? Click on the link above to learn more.

Authors
Sospeter Itolondo photo
Sospeter Itolondo
SEO Editor