Overtime in NHL games is always intense. The pressure is massive because one goal means the game is over. Some overtime moments go down in history because they are wild, marathon battles, or because the goal meant everything.
In this article, you’ll learn about some of the craziest overtime games ever played. We’ll look at when they happened, what made them special, and why people still talk about them. Then we’ll answer some common questions before wrapping up with what we can take away from those unforgettable games.
Longest Overtime Marathon Games
Some of the most unbelievable NHL games are those that go into multiple overtimes. These games don’t end in the first 20-minute extra period but stretch far beyond. Here are some of the longest ones.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Maroons (March 24, 1936)
This is the longest NHL playoff game in history. Mud Bruneteau scored the only goal at 16:30 of the sixth overtime, giving Detroit a 1–0 win. In total, players battled through 116 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime on top of regulation. Goalie Normie Smith made 90 saves in the victory, though some reports list 92.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins (April 3, 1933)
Another six-overtime marathon. Ken Doraty scored at 4:46 of the sixth overtime, giving the Leafs a 1–0 win in Game 5 of their semifinal. The game featured 104 minutes and 46 seconds of overtime play.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (May 4, 2000)
This game went into five overtime periods. Keith Primeau scored the winner at 12:01 of the fifth overtime. That added up to 92 minutes and 01 second of overtime, with the game finally ending around 2:35 a.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (August 11, 2020)
In the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, this first-round game also went five overtimes. Brayden Point scored the winner at 10:27 of the fifth OT, for 90 minutes and 27 seconds of extra hockey. Played in the unique “bubble” environment during the pandemic, it added another layer of drama to an already grueling contest.
Anaheim Mighty Ducks vs. Dallas Stars (April 24, 2003)
Another five-overtime battle. Petr Sykora scored just 48 seconds into the fifth overtime, after 80 minutes and 48 seconds of extra time.
These marathon games stand out because of the physical and mental endurance required from players, especially goalies, and because fans had to stay locked in far longer than usual.
Famous Sudden-Death Overtime Goals That Meant Everything
Not all overtime moments are long; some are quick but unforgettable. These goals ended championships or decided legendary series.
Pete Babando, Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Rangers, 1950
In Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Pete Babando scored in overtime to win the Cup for Detroit. It was the first time a Game 7 in the Finals was decided in sudden death.
Bill Barilko, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1951
Barilko scored the Cup-winning goal in overtime of Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens. It became even more legendary because that was the last game he ever played. Tragically, he died in a plane crash later that summer.
Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins vs. St. Louis Blues, 1970
Orr scored one of the most iconic goals in hockey history to win the Cup. His flying leap after the puck went in has become one of the most famous images in sports.
Mel “Sudden Death” Hill, Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers, 1939
Hill earned his nickname by scoring three overtime goals in a single playoff series, the most ever by one player in a series.
Wild, Unexpected, and Record-Breaking Moments
Some overtime memories are wild not just because of the goals, but because of what surrounded them.
- Normie Smith’s 90-save performance in 1936 remains one of the most remarkable goaltending feats ever.
- The Flyers–Penguins game in 2000 ended close to 3 a.m., testing the patience and endurance of both fans and players.
- The 2020 Lightning–Blue Jackets marathon was memorable not only for its length, but also for being played in the surreal, fan-less playoff “bubble.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How does overtime work in the NHL?
In the regular season, if a game is tied after three periods, teams play a 5-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime. If nobody scores, the game goes to a shootout. In the playoffs, there are no shootouts. Teams play full 20-minute sudden-death periods of 5-on-5 until someone scores, no matter how long it takes.
Q2. What’s the longest overtime in NHL history?
The longest playoff game was Detroit vs. Montreal in 1936, which went into six overtimes before Mud Bruneteau scored. That added up to 116 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime. The next longest was Toronto vs. Boston in 1933, which lasted 104 minutes and 46 seconds of overtime before Ken Doraty scored.
Q3. Why do some overtime games last so long?
Because in the playoffs there is no shootout or time cap. The game keeps going with full periods until someone scores. As players get more exhausted, chances come slower, goalies face a flood of shots, and one mistake can decide everything.
Q4. What makes an overtime goal famous?
Usually, it’s the stakes. A Stanley Cup Final winner, a Game 7 clincher, or a goal scored deep into marathon overtime periods becomes legendary. Style and drama — like Bobby Orr’s flying goal — also help cement those moments in memory.
Q5. Are there any modern overtime moments worth noting?
Yes. The 2020 Lightning vs. Blue Jackets game was one of the longest and most unusual due to the playoff bubble. The 2000 Flyers vs. Penguins game is still remembered for going past midnight and pushing players to their absolute limits.
Conclusion
- Overtime is one of the most thrilling parts of hockey.
- It brings raw emotion, exhaustion, and sudden bursts of heroism.
- Some games last for hours, pushing players to their physical and mental limits.
- Others end quickly but stay legendary because of what’s at stake.
- From six-overtime battles in the 1930s to recent playoff marathons, overtime games are timeless.
- These moments show hockey is more than speed and skill; it’s about grit, patience, and the belief that one shot can change everything.
