<P> For the 2004--05 AHL season, the AHL adopted a five - man shootout, which was first used in that league in 1986--87 . The standard five - man shootout is used after four - on - four overtime for all minor leagues in North America . The AHL switched to the NHL formatted three - man shootout for the 2014--15 season . </P> <P> The Central Collegiate Hockey Association added the shootout as of the 2008--09 season . </P> <P> Following the lead of minor leagues, as of the 2005--06 season, the NHL ends exhibition and regular season games still tied after a five - minute - length, three - skaters - per - side overtime period (as of the 2015--16 NHL season onwards) with a shootout . The NHL format is a three - round shootout with tiebreaker rounds as needed . All skaters (except goalies) on a team's roster must shoot before any player can shoot a second time . On December 16, 2014 the longest shootout in NHL history went to 20 rounds before Nick Bjugstad of the Florida Panthers scored to defeat the Washington Capitals; the previous record was 15 rounds . </P> <P> The shootout is not used in the playoffs for any North American league . Instead, full 20 - minute overtime periods are played until one team scores a goal . </P>

What was the longest shootout in nhl history