There are 5 supporting facts to answer the question, “How many overtimes are in hockey?”
1. Hockey games can have multiple overtimes: In professional hockey, there is no limit to the number of overtimes that can be played until a winner is determined. This means a game could potentially go on indefinitely until a team scores a goal.
2. Regular season overtime rules: In the NHL (National Hockey League), regular-season games that end in a tie after three periods of play proceed to a five-minute sudden-death overtime period. If no goals are scored in overtime, the game ends in a tie.
3. Playoff overtime rules: In playoff games, the rules for overtime are different. The sudden-death format still applies, but there are no shootouts during playoffs until a winner is determined. The overtime periods can continue indefinitely until a team scores a goal to win the game.
4. Longest NHL playoff overtime game: The longest playoff game in NHL history took place on March 24, 1936, between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons. It went into six overtimes and lasted a total of 176 minutes and 30 seconds.
5. Overtime format changes in recent years: In the past, before the 2015-2016 NHL season, the regular-season overtime lasted for 4-on-4 play for five minutes, followed by a shootout if no goals were scored. However, to reduce the number of shootouts, the NHL implemented a 3-on-3 overtime format to encourage more scoring chances before resorting to a shootout.
FAQs:
Q1: Can a hockey game end in a tie?
A1: In the regular season, if no goals are scored during the five-minute overtime period, the game ends in a tie. However, in playoffs, overtimes continue until a team scores a goal to win.
Q2: Has any NHL playoff game ever gone into multiple overtimes?
A2: Yes, several NHL playoff games have gone into multiple overtimes. The longest game in NHL playoff history lasted for six overtimes.
Q3: Are there shootouts in overtime during playoffs?
A3: No, shootouts are not used during playoffs until a winner is determined. Only sudden-death overtimes are played until a team scores a goal.
Q4: Why did the NHL change the overtime format?
A4: The NHL changed the overtime format before the 2015-2016 season to reduce the reliance on shootouts and provide more exciting 3-on-3 play, which increases scoring chances and adds more excitement for fans.
Q5: Are there any restrictions on the number of overtimes in a hockey game?
A5: In professional hockey, there is no limit to the number of overtimes that can be played until a winner is determined. Theoretically, a game could go on indefinitely until someone scores.
Q6: Can a team win the Stanley Cup with an overtime goal?
A6: Yes, a team can win the Stanley Cup with an overtime goal. If the game reaches overtime and a team scores, they would be declared the winner of the game and, if it’s a crucial game, they could go on to win the Stanley Cup if they’ve won enough prior games.
Q7: How is fatigue managed in multiple overtime games?
A7: Teams have strategies to manage fatigue during multiple overtime games. Coaches may shorten shifts, find ways to reduce the physical toll on players, and make line changes strategically to keep players as fresh as possible.
BOTTOM LINE: In professional hockey, the number of overtimes that can be played until a winner is determined is unlimited. Though regular-season games end in a tie if no goals are scored in a five-minute overtime, playoff games continue with sudden-death overtimes until a team scores the winning goal. The NHL has made format changes to reduce shootouts and increase excitement, and some games have gone into multiple overtimes, including the longest playoff game lasting six overtimes.
