Few moments in sports match the tension of sudden death overtime in the Stanley Cup Final. One mistake can end the game—and the series. With so much at stake, understanding how overtime works in the NHL playoffs, especially during the Finals, is essential for fans and players alike.
Here’s a full breakdown of the NHL overtime rules during the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, how they differ from the regular season, and what to expect when the score is tied after 60 minutes.
In the NHL Finals, overtime is played using a traditional 5-on-5 format with full-strength hockey. Each overtime period lasts 20 minutes, just like a standard regulation period, and continues until a goal is scored.
There is no shootout. Overtime continues for as many full periods as needed until one team scores. The game ends the moment a goal is scored—sudden death style.
Between each overtime period, there is a standard intermission and full ice resurfacing, giving teams a short break before returning to the ice.
Penalties carry over into overtime. If a player commits a minor penalty late in the third period, the team will start overtime short-handed. Likewise, if a penalty occurs during overtime, a standard two-minute power play is awarded.
There is no change in how penalties are enforced. Major penalties, double minors, and misconducts are handled the same way as they are during regulation.
A team that scores while on the power play wins the game immediately. If no goal is scored, play continues once the penalty time expires, with both teams returning to full strength.
Each team is allowed one timeout per game, and if it hasn’t already been used in regulation, it can be used during overtime.
Line changes are permitted on stoppages, and coaches will often shorten their bench in overtime—playing top forwards and defensive pairs more frequently. The pace of the game tends to slow slightly, with fewer risky plays and more careful puck possession.
Because fatigue becomes a major factor in extended overtimes, bench management plays a critical role in determining which team controls play late into the night.
Goalies cannot be substituted during live play but may be pulled during stoppages for injury or equipment issues. Teams cannot voluntarily pull their goalie during overtime for an extra attacker, since a single goal against would end the game.
Skaters can be subbed normally at any whistle or during on-the-fly changes, but every line change is closely monitored to avoid too many men on the ice—especially under sudden-death conditions.
Officiating crews remain consistent with standard playoff procedures. Video review is available for all scoring plays, and coaches are allowed one challenge per game—even in overtime, if not already used.
The league’s Situation Room in Toronto will automatically review all goals to confirm legality, especially when dealing with potential goaltender interference or puck placement near the goal line.
There are no expanded reviews exclusive to the Finals, but scrutiny is naturally higher due to the stakes.
The longer an overtime goes, the more tactical it becomes. Teams tend to play more conservatively, reducing aggressive forechecking and focusing on limiting turnovers in the neutral zone.
Shot selection often becomes more deliberate, with players prioritizing traffic in front of the net and rebound control rather than high-risk, low-percentage plays.
For fans, this translates to a tense, chess-match style of hockey where every pass, clearance, and zone entry has potential to swing the outcome.
Overtime in the Stanley Cup Final has produced some of the most iconic moments in NHL history—from Bobby Orr’s flying goal in 1970 to Patrick Kane’s cup-clincher in 2010. These moments are part of what makes playoff overtime so unforgettable: there’s no script, and any shift could become a game-winner.
In 2025, the rule structure remains unchanged, preserving the drama and unpredictability that fans have come to expect.
Overtime in the NHL Finals isn’t just an extension of the game—it’s a shift in tone. The rules emphasize fairness and endurance, but the sudden-death format adds a level of intensity that separates postseason hockey from anything else in the sport.
Understanding the mechanics of how overtime functions helps clarify the decisions teams make and deepens appreciation for what’s unfolding on the ice—especially when the Cup is on the line.
