Here is all you should know about how much overtime is allowed in the NHL and also the longest overtime game in history.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | National Hockey League (NHL) |
| Year Founded | 1917 |
| Number of Teams | 32 (24 in the United States, 7 in Canada, 1 in Seattle, WA) |
| Conference | Eastern Conference, Western Conference |
| Divisions | Atlantic, Metropolitan (Eastern Conference) |
| Central, Pacific (Western Conference) | |
| Regular Season | October to April |
| Regular Season Games | 82 games per team |
| Stanley Cup Playoffs | Best-of-seven elimination tournament |
| Notable Trophies | Stanley Cup, Presidents’ Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy |
| Notable Awards | Hart Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Calder Memorial Trophy |
| Vezina Trophy, Norris Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy | |
| Ted Lindsay Award, Maurice Richard Trophy | |
| Notable Rivalries | Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins |
| Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators | |
| Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks | |
| Notable Events | Winter Classic, All-Star Game, Stadium Series |
| International Tournaments | Winter Olympics, World Cup of Hockey |
The league is divided into two conferences, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, and each conference is further divided into divisions.
The NHL season typically runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 regular-season games. The top teams from each division, along with two wild-card teams from each conference, advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which is a best-of-seven elimination tournament to determine the league champion. The playoffs are known for their intensity and physicality, making it one of the most exciting postseasons in professional sports.
Throughout its history, the NHL has been home to some of the greatest players in the sport. From legendary names like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr to modern-day superstars such as Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Connor McDavid, the league showcases immense skill, speed, and athleticism. The NHL has also seen its fair share of rivalries, including the historic matchups between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, and the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.
In addition to the regular season and playoffs, the NHL also hosts several notable events. The Winter Classic is an annual outdoor game held on New Year’s Day, featuring teams playing in iconic outdoor venues. The All-Star Game brings together the league’s top players for a showcase event, complete with skills competitions and a game. Furthermore, the NHL participates in international tournaments such as the Winter Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey, allowing players to represent their countries on the grand stage.
Off the ice, the NHL is actively involved in various community and charitable initiatives. The league promotes youth hockey development programs, supports grassroots initiatives, and raises awareness for important social causes. Through the NHL Foundation, the league and its players have donated millions of dollars to charitable organizations.
With a rich history, a passionate fanbase, and a commitment to the growth of the sport, the NHL continues to captivate audiences around the world with its thrilling action on the ice and its impact off the ice.
In the NHL playoffs, there is no limit to the number of overtime periods that can be played. The sudden-death overtime format continues until one team scores a goal, resulting in an immediate victory for that team. Each overtime period in the playoffs lasts 20 minutes.
In the NHL regular season, the rules for overtime differ. If a game is tied after three periods, a five-minute sudden-death overtime period is played. However, if no goals are scored during this initial overtime period, the game proceeds to a shootout. Each team selects three players to take penalty shots, and if the score remains tied after the shootout, additional rounds are played until there is a winner.
The longest overtime happened on March 24, 1936, in a match between Detroit Red Wings versus the Montreal Maroons.
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