Then in 1999, the league decided to award one point in the standings for each team if a game ended in a tie after 60 minutes of regulation time while an extra point was awarded to a team that won the game in overtime. If the game wasn’t decided in the extra session it would remain a tie.

The NHL then introduced a five-minute overtime period in 1983 to try and reduce the number of ties. After that, tie games were allowed and each team was awarded a point in the standings for a draw. History of NHL OvertimeĪlthough shootouts were introduced by the NHL less than 20 years ago, the league used a 10-minute overtime period to settle tie games up until 1942. You can just imagine how physically and mentally exhausted the players and coaches would have been. The game went to eight periods of overtime and was decided after an extra 157 minutes and 14 seconds of play. However, it’s believed the longest overtime game in pro hockey history was played in 2017 when the Storhamar Dragons edged the Sparta Warriors 2-1 in the Norwegian League playoffs. The winning goal was scored in the sixth period of overtime after an additional 116 minutes and 30 seconds of play.

The longest overtime contest in NHL history took place in the 1935/36 Stanley Cup semifinals when the Detroit Red Wings beat the Montreal Maroons 1-0. Extending the overall game time considerably compared with a regular win over 3 periods. This means contests could last several hours and periods until a winner is decided. The NHL plays full 20-minute overtime periods with an intermission between each stanza. Once the postseason begins, all tied games are decided by sudden-death overtime. While most league use a shootout system during the regular season, the NHL and other top leagues don’t implement one during the playoffs. A player may take only one shot unless all players have taken their turn.A goaltender may be changed before the shootout begins but not after the first shot is taken unless due to injury.The goaltender isn’t allowed to throw their stick or any other piece of equipment at the shooter.A shooter is allowed one shot only on an attempt and can’t touch the puck after releasing it.The home team chooses if it will shoot first or second in the shootout.Here are some of the key rules that apply during a shootout. The scenario then switches and the opposing teams players take an opportunity against the other goalie and so forth until a winner is declared. The player takin the shot skates forward with the puck and then attempts to score a goal against the goalie - no other players are present. The puck sits at center ice and the referee blows the whistle.

Nhl overtime rules