NHL playoff overtime rules: Postseason hockey bracket brings big change to OT
The 2025 NHL playoffs mean true overtime hockey is back. Three-on-three play and shootouts are out and there could be some very long games.
www.usatoday.comHere’s the latest on Stanley Cup Playoffs overtime rules:
- In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, overtime periods are 20 minutes long, played at five-on-five, and ended only by a goal (sudden death). If neither team scores in an overtime period, the game continues with additional 20-minute overtime periods until a goal is scored. This format has been in place for several seasons and remains the standard for postseason games.[8][9]
- Penalties in overtime during the playoffs are handled the same as regulation: if a team goes on a power play, that team can keep an extra skater, potentially creating a 4-on-3 situation; once penalties expire, play returns to even strength. This continues to apply for the duration of the overtime period(s).[1][9]
Context notes:
- Regular-season overtime is different (3-on-3 for a single 5-minute period, with a shootout if still tied), but that does not apply to playoff games.[4][8]
- Some outlets have discussed changes in various years, but the current and widely adopted playoff format is the continuous 20-minute, sudden-death five-on-five model until a goal is scored.[9][8]
If you’d like, I can pull a couple of authoritative sources or recent league communications to confirm any recent minor nuances or updates for the current season.