SRSport Rules
Hockey

Overtime changes by competition and stage.

Hockey overtime is confusing because regular-season games often use a short overtime and shootout, while playoff games keep playing real hockey until someone scores.

Quick ruling: in the NHL regular season, tied games go to 3-on-3 overtime and then a shootout if needed; in the Stanley Cup playoffs, overtime is 5-on-5 sudden death with no shootout.
Decision path

How to read the format

  1. Identify the competition: NHL, IIHF, NCAA, youth, or another league.
  2. Check whether the game is regular season, tournament group play, knockout, or playoffs.
  3. Apply the overtime strength and period length for that stage.
  4. If the format allows a shootout, use it only after the overtime period fails to decide the game.
  5. If it is playoff sudden death, continue full overtime periods until a legal goal is scored.
NHL regular season

3-on-3, then shootout

The NHL regular season uses a short 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime. If no one scores, the game goes to a shootout. The winner gets the extra standings point, while the overtime or shootout loser still earns one point.

NHL playoffs

No shootouts

Playoff overtime is sudden death at full strength, played in full overtime periods until someone scores. There is no shootout, and there are no ties.

Shootouts

Not the same as penalty shots

  • Format device: a shootout is used to decide a tied game after overtime in competitions that allow it.
  • Scoring: the shootout winner gets the game result, but individual shootout goals are not treated like normal game goals for every statistical purpose.
  • Order and eligibility: shooter rules depend on the competition's shootout procedure.
Common argument

"Why no shootout in the playoffs?"

Playoff hockey is designed to be decided by normal team play, not a skills contest. That is why postseason games continue through additional overtime periods until a goal is scored.