Overtime in ice hockey

When is there overtime?

If the score is tied after three periods, an ice hockey game goes to overtime, provided the competition requires a winner. In the regular season of most professional leagues, that is the case. Draws practically no longer exist in modern professional ice hockey, though they do in some youth and amateur leagues.

Sudden death: the next goal decides

Overtime is played in sudden death mode: as soon as a team scores, the game is over immediately. This creates enormous tension, because any lapse can cost the game.

Regular season: short and 3-on-3

In the regular season, overtime usually lasts five minutes. Many leagues, including the NHL, play 3-on-3 plus goaltenders. The extra space creates many counter-attacks and breakaways. If no goal is scored, the shootout follows.

In 3-on-3 overtime, penalties are not enforced by removing a fourth player but by adding a player to the opponent (4-on-3), because fewer than three skaters are not provided for.

Playoffs: ice hockey late into the night

There is no shootout in the playoffs. Instead, full 20-minute periods are played 5-on-5, interrupted by ice resurfacing and breaks, until a goal is scored. This produces legendary marathon games with several overtimes that end long after midnight. The DEL has had such games too.

Points and statistics

In many European leagues, an overtime win earns two points and the loser receives one. In statistics, the win is listed as "OTW" (overtime win) and the loss as "OTL". Results lists show "OT". On IceHub you can see these suffixes in the results view of the ice sports calendar.

Overtime at tournaments

International tournaments such as the IIHF World Championship have their own rules. In the preliminary round, a short overtime with fewer players is usually played, followed by a shootout. In knockout games, overtime is longer, and the final can be played until a goal decides it. The exact times and numbers of players are set by the tournament regulations.

Tactics in 3-on-3 overtime

Overtime with three skaters is a game of its own. Teams rely on their fastest and most skilful players and keep possession for a long time rather than taking risks. A turnover can immediately trigger a two-on-one counter. Teams can often be seen deliberately playing the puck back into their own zone to build a new, controlled attack. Line changes are risky, because the opponent can exploit the gap immediately.