Playoff hockey often brings heightened tension, and the Stanley Cup postseason is no exception. When games finish regulation time tied, they head to a unique overtime format known as "sudden death," where the next goal scored immediately ends the game. This high-stakes setup distinguishes the NHL playoffs from the regular season and other major sports leagues.
Unlike the three-on-three format used during the regular season, playoff overtime is contested at full five-on-five strength. Periods last a full 20 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission before each one, allowing teams to regroup and ice surfaces to be cleaned. There are no TV timeouts, keeping the action continuous and intense.
The tradition of sudden death playoff overtime dates back over a century. Following a 0-0 tie after two extra periods in the 1919 Stanley Cup Final due to player exhaustion, it was decided that subsequent games would be played until a winning goal was scored. This format has led to some historically lengthy contests.
The longest game in NHL history occurred on March 24, 1936, when the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Montreal Maroons in the sixth overtime period, logging 116 minutes and 30 seconds of extra time. Other lengthy marathons include the Toronto Maple Leafs' victory over the Boston Bruins in 1933, also in the sixth overtime period, and games in 2000, 2020, and 2003 stretching into the fifth overtime. Learn more about overtime in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The 2025 playoffs have already showcased this drama, with numerous games requiring extra time to decide a winner. Fans saw clutch performances, including Benoit rips in OT winner and Seguin buries overtime winner in recent matchups.
The sudden death format has also decided the ultimate prize, with the Stanley Cup being won by an overtime goal 17 times throughout history. The most recent instance was Alec Martinez's double-overtime winner for the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 Final.
Overtime games are a consistent feature of the postseason. The 2024 playoffs featured 16 such contests, with four extending beyond the first extra period. Betting markets often factor in the potential for lots of overtime bets in the NHL playoffs. These close matchups add an unpredictable element to the high-stakes environment.
As the playoffs continue, the possibility of lengthy, dramatic sudden death periods remains high, providing intense finishes to NHL Games and etching new moments into hockey history.
The decision for sudden death in 1919 came after "Players from each team had reportedly collapsed from exhaustion at the end of the second overtime period, and the tie result was ruled as final."
