Carson Anderson
As 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs in full swing, some exciting overtime action is in store – although it will look a little different than the regular season. Much like the Energizer Bunny, NHL Playoff overtime continues, at least until someone scores.
Some fans may be tuning in for their first real taste of playoff hockey and wondering exactly where the overtimes and three-on-three shootouts went. To be fair, they were in effect for the entire 82-game regular season and provide good drama when the game goes beyond regulation.
However, as fun as a one-on-one matchup between the shooter and the goaltender can be, it’s not necessarily the best way to decide the Stanley Cup champion. No one wants to shed blood, sweat and maybe a few tears just for a glorified competition of skills to determine their fate.
The same can be said for the five minutes of three-on-three overtime. This has been very popular since it was first implemented in the 2015-16 season, but is a bit gimmicky for postseason games.
Due to the mini-game nature of regular season overtimes, the NHL continues to adopt a tried-and-true method for determining winners when playoff games go beyond the regularly allotted 60 minutes.
NHL playoffs extension
The good news here is that there is not much to explain. The teams continue playing as normal – five skaters and a goalie on each side – while stacking a 20-minute period on top of each other. The only difference in regulation is that it concerns sudden death. The next goal ends the game.
This particular overtime format means that some games can turn into marathons. It’s not uncommon for playoff games to go two or three overtime periods before ending. During overtime breaks, players consume enough orange slices and Gatorade to rival a Saturday morning youth football team.
On a few occasions throughout the history of the NHL, games have extended to four, five or six overtime periods.
Longest playoff games in NHL history
Has the Stanley Cup ever been won with an OT goal?
Yes, the sport’s greatest trophy has been awarded after an overtime goal on 17 different occasions throughout NHL history. The first time this happened was in 1933, when Bill Cook of the New York Rangers scored on the Toronto Maple Leafs and won the Stanley Cup for his team.
The most recent example occurred a decade ago, when Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez beat Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to win the 2014 Stanley Cup Final in five games.
Hopefully the 2024 Stanley Cup Final can provide the same level of drama on the 10-year anniversary of Martinez’s fateful shot.
