Are there shootouts in the NHL playoffs?

The NHL playoffs, or Stanley Cup playoffs, are held every year after the regular season. They begin in April and end in June. Teams compete in best-of-seven series across four rounds. The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, the oldest pro sports trophy in North America.

The Montreal Canadiens have the most playoff appearances with 85. They’ve reached the finals 35 times and won 24 championships, the most in NHL history. Other frequent playoff teams include the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings.

Shootouts in the NHL playoffs

Shootouts are not used in the NHL playoffs, as per NBC Philadelphia. In the playoffs, if a game is tied after regulation, teams play full 20-minute sudden-death overtime periods at 5-on-5 until one team scores. This continues for as many overtimes as needed. There is no shootout in postseason games.

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Are there shootouts in the NHL regular season?

In the NHL regular season, if the game is tied after three periods, teams play a 5-minute sudden-death overtime with three skaters per side. If no one scores during overtime, the game goes to a shootout.

In the shootout, each team selects three players to take penalty shots. The team with the most goals after these three rounds wins. If still tied, it goes to sudden-death rounds until one team scores and the other doesn’t.

NHL playoff overtime rules

In the playoffs, if a game is tied after regulation, teams play a full 20-minute sudden-death overtime period at 5-on-5. The game continues with an additional 20-minute overtime until one team scores. There is no shootout in the NHL playoffs. The first team to score in any overtime period wins the game, as per NBC10 Philadelphia.

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