NHL overtime rules, explained: How the OT format works in hockey for regular season, playoffs
After three periods, there are different sets of rules for the regular season and playoffs in the NHL.
www.sportingnews.comHere’s the latest on NHL overtime rules as of 2026:
- Regular-season overtime: 3-on-3, five minutes, sudden death. If no goal in the extra period, teams go to a shootout. This format has been in place since 2015-16 and remains aimed at creating more open skating and fewer games ending in a shootout. Sources discussing ongoing debates and support for keeping the 3-on-3 format include NHL GM discussions from 2023–2024, which suggested the format was doing what it’s designed to do and that changes could have unintended consequences.[1][3]
- Playoffs: Full 20-minute, 5-on-5 overtime periods (sudden death) until a goal is scored. If still tied after OT, play continues with additional OT periods until a goal ends the game. This is consistently described across major outlets and league summaries.[5][6]
- Recent discussions and considerations: Throughout 2023–2025, there were conversations among GMs and league officials about optimizing OT for excitement and pace, including whether to adjust rules around crossing the blue line, clock usage, or potential restraints on possession resets. However, the prevailing trend has been to preserve the 3-on-3 regular-season format and the playoff structure, with changes framed as potential experiments rather than definitive rule changes.[3][1]
- Quick reference overview:
- Regular season: 5 minutes, 3-on-3, then shootout if tied.
- Playoffs: 20 minutes, 5-on-5, overtime continues until a goal.
- Key goal: The aim of 3-on-3 OT is to reduce games decided by shootouts; playoff OT remains full-period, goal-driven until resolved.
Illustration (example scenario):
- A game tied after 60 minutes ends regulation. In the regular season, teams skate 3-on-3 for five minutes; if no goal, it goes to a shootout. In the playoffs, the teams play additional 20-minute OT periods at 5-on-5 until a goal ends the game.
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent official NHL wording or summarize a specific recent article on OT rules and provide direct quotes. Please tell me which format you prefer (official rulebook vs. latest news article).[1][3][5]