NHL playoff bracket additional time guidelines, 2026 outcomes and longest video games

Up to date Could 4, 2026, 9:53 p.m. ET

The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs imply a significant change within the additional time format.

In contrast to the Olympics, the place 3-on-3 additional time is performed even within the gold medal recreation, the NHL switches issues up within the postseason when the video games matter extra.

There will not be any extra 3-on-3 play. It’s 5-on-5 as an alternative, identical to in regulation play. There will not be any extra shootouts after 5 minutes of scoreless additional time play. There may be sudden loss of life, and it may final a really very long time.

This postseason, there have been 13 additional time video games, together with three double-overtime video games.

This is what to learn about playoff hockey additional time, together with the format, longest video games and 2026 outcomes.

How does OT work in NHL playoffs?

If the rating is tied after three intervals, the groups go to the dressing rooms for quarter-hour whereas the ice is resurfaced. Extra time intervals final 20 minutes or till somebody scores. It is 5-on-5 play (barring penalties). If nobody scores within the first additional time, the method repeats and continues till somebody scores. The groups change sides for every additional time interval. The primary additional time is the lengthy change to get again to the bench.

The NHL State of affairs Room opinions all objectives to ensure they’re legally scored, such because the purpose that ended Recreation 4 of the Anaheim-Edmonton collection or the overturned purpose in Recreation 4 of the Vegas-Utah collection.

2026 NHL playoff additional time video games

Could 1: Lightning 1, Geese (OT): Gage Goncalves scored at 9:03 of the primary additional time to tie the collection.

April 29:Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 4 (2OT): Brett Howden scored at 5:28 of the second additional time as Vegas took a 3-2 lead on Utah.

April 29: Flyers 1, Penguins 0 (OT): Cam York scored at 17:32 of the primary additional time because the Flyers ousted the Penguins in Recreation 6.

April 28: Bruins 2, Sabres 1. David Pastrnak scored at 9:14 of the primary additional time to chop the Bruins’ collection deficit to 3-2.

April 27: Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 4. Shea Theodore scored at 19:08 of the primary additional time to tie the collection at two video games apiece.

April 26: Ducks 4, Oilers 3. Ryan Poehling scored 2:29 into the primary additional time to offer Anaheim a 3-1 collection lead.

April 25: Wild 3, Stars 2. Matt Boldy scored at 19:31 of the primary additional time because the Wild tie the collection 2-2.

April 24: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2. Lane Hutson scored at 2:09 of the primary additional time, giving Montreal a 2-1 collection lead.

April 22: Stars 4, Wild 3. Wyatt Johnston scored at 12:10 of the second additional time, giving Dallas a 2-1 collection lead.

April 21: Avalanche 2, Kings 1: Nicolas Roy scored the successful purpose on the 12:16 mark of the primary additional time, giving Colorado a 2-0 collection lead.

April 21: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2: J.J. Moser scored at 7:12 within the first additional time to tie up the collection at a recreation apiece. It was Moser’s first profession NHL playoff purpose.

April 20: Hurricanes 3, Senators 2: Jordan Martinook scored at 13:53 of the second additional time. He was stopped on a penalty shot within the first additional time.

April 19: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3: Juraj Slafkovsky scored at 1:22 of the primary additional time, finishing a hat trick.

What are the longest NHL playoff additional time video games?

1 – Six overtimes (116 minutes, 30 seconds of additional time) within the 1936 semifinals. March 24, 1935. Detroit 1, Montreal Maroons 0. Mud Bruneteau scored the winner.
2 – Six overtimes (104 minutes, 46 seconds of additional time) within the 1933 semifinals. April 3, 1933. Toronto 1, Boston 0. Ken Doraty scored the winner.
3 – 5 overtimes (92 minutes, 1 second of additional time) within the 2000 convention semifinals. Could 4, 2000. Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1. Keith Primeau scored the winner.
4 – 5 overtimes (90 minutes, 27 seconds of additional time) within the 2020 first spherical. Aug. 11, 2020. Tampa Bay 3, Columbus 2. Brayden Level scored the winner.
5 – 5 overtimes (80 minutes, 48 seconds of additional time) within the 2003 convention semifinals. April 24, 2003. Anaheim 4, Dallas 3. Petr Sykora scored the winner.
6 – 4 overtimes (79 minutes, 47 seconds of additional time) within the 2023 convention finals. Could 18, 2023. Florida 3, Carolina 2. Matthew Tkachuk scored the winner.

Longest Stanley Cup Last video games

Eight Stanley Cup Last video games have gone to the third additional time. The Edmonton Oilers had been a part of the longest recreation when Petr Klima scored at 15:13 of the third additional time for a 3-2 win in opposition to the Boston Bruins within the 1990 Last.