The NHL postseason starts Monday with 16 teams beginning their quest for a Stanley Cup to complete the 2021-22 season. With the playoffs here, that means we’ll likely be seeing some overtime action.
The beauty of the playoffs is that the shootout is thrown out the window. That’s right, games are going to be decided by a goal so the overtimes are continuous.
Fans likely remember that just two years ago they were treated early in the postseason to the Lightning-Blue Jackets five-overtime thriller. It made for a tense four hours before Brayden Point finally sent Tampa Bay home happy.
Will we see another five-OT contest? Who knows with the postseason? For now, let’s look at the 10 longest games in NHL playoff history.
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10 longest playoff games in NHL history
10. Rangers vs. Canadiens: 128 minutes, 52 seconds (4 OTs)
Date: March 28, 1930 Score: Canadiens 2, Rangers 1 OT winner: Gus Rivers Round: Stanley Cup semifinal
9. Stars vs. Sharks: 129 minutes, 3 seconds (4 OTs)
Date: May 4, 2008 Score: Stars 2, Sharks 1 OT winner: Brenden Morrow Round: Western Conference semifinal
8. Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings: 130 minutes, 18 seconds (4 OTs)
Date: March 23, 1943 Score: Maple Leafs 3, Red Wings 2 OT winner: Jack McLean Round: Stanley Cup semifinal
7. Stars vs. Canucks: 138 minutes, 6 seconds (4 OTs)
Date: April 11, 2007 Score: Canucks 5, Stars 4 OT winner: Henrik Sedin Round: Western Conference quarterfinal
6. Capitals vs. Penguins: 139 minutes, 15 seconds (4 OTs)
Date: April 24, 1996 Score: Penguins 3, Capitals 2 OT winner: Petr Nedved Round: Eastern Conference quarterfinal
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5. Stars vs. Ducks: 140 minutes, 48 seconds (5 OTs)
Date: April 24, 2003 Score: Ducks 4, Stars 3 OT Winner: Petr Sykora Round: Western Conference semifinal
4. Blue Jackets vs. Lightning: 150 minutes, 27 seconds (5 OTs)
Date: Aug. 11, 2020 Score: Lightning 3, Blue Jackets 2 OT winner: Brayden Point Round: First round
3. Flyers vs. Penguins: 152 minutes, 1 second (5 OTs)
Date: May 4, 2000 Score: Flyers 2, Penguins 1 OT winner: Keith Primeau Round: Eastern Conference semifinal
2. Maple Leafs vs. Bruins: 164 minutes, 46 seconds (6 OTs)
Date: April 3, 1933 Score: Maple Leafs 1, Bruins 0 OT winner: Ken Doraty Round: Stanley Cup semifinal
1. Red Wings vs. Montreal Maroons: 176 minutes, 3 seconds (6 OTs)
Date: March 24, 1936 Score: Red Wings 1, Maroons 0 OT winner: Mud Bruneteau Round: Stanley Cup semifinal
