How Long Is Ice Hockey Overtime
Answer:
Ice hockey overtime consists of a sudden-death period played after the end of regulation time if the game is tied. Here are five supporting facts about the length of ice hockey overtime:
1. NHL Overtime Length: In the National Hockey League (NHL), ice hockey overtime lasts for a total of five minutes.
2. Regular Season Difference: During the regular season, if the game is still tied after the five-minute overtime, it proceeds to a shootout.
3. Different Rule for Playoffs: In the NHL playoffs, the overtime format changes. Overtime periods can last indefinitely, with regular intermissions between each period.
4. Length of Playoff Overtimes: In playoff games, each overtime period is also 20 minutes long, just like a regular period.
5. Sudden-Death Principle: In both regular-season and playoff overtime periods, the sudden-death rule applies, meaning that the first team to score wins the game.
FAQs:
1. Is there a difference between regular-season and playoff overtime length?
Yes, during the regular season, overtime lasts for five minutes, and if no team scores, it proceeds to a shootout. In the playoffs, overtime periods can last indefinitely.
2. How does the NHL determine the length of overtime in the playoffs?
Each playoff overtime period lasts for 20 minutes, the same as a regular period, and there are regular intermissions between each period.
3. What happens if a playoff game goes to multiple overtime periods without a goal?
If a playoff game goes into multiple overtime periods without a goal scored, the game continues with 20-minute periods until one team scores.
4. Are there any breaks during overtime in the regular season?
No, there are no intermissions or commercial breaks during the five-minute overtime period in the regular season.
5. Can teams make line changes during overtime?
Yes, teams can make line changes during overtime, just like in regular play. There are no restrictions on player substitutions.
6. How often do games end in overtime or shootouts?
Around 25% of NHL regular-season games end in either overtime or a shootout, according to historical statistics.
7. Can a team score multiple times in overtime to win the game?
No, since overtime is sudden death, the first goal scored by either team ends the game, and the scoring team is declared the winner.
BOTTOM LINE:
In the NHL, ice hockey overtime lasts for five minutes during the regular season. If no team scores, the game proceeds to a shootout. However, in the playoffs, there is no time limit for overtime periods, which are 20 minutes long. The first team to score in overtime wins the game, regardless of the number of periods played.
