<P> Alex Ovechkin has the record for most NHL overtime goals with 20 . </P> <P> In the Stanley Cup playoffs and in all one - game playoffs, overtime periods are played like regulation periods except for the golden goal rule--in an overtime period, the game ends when one team scores a goal; the teams are at full strength (five skaters, barring penalties), there is no shootout, and each overtime period is 20 minutes with full intermissions between overtime periods . Three of the game's legendary players, Mark Messier (109 playoff goals), Mario Lemieux (77 goals), and Gordie Howe (68 goals) never scored a playoff overtime goal . </P> <P> In many leagues (including the NHL for regular - season games since the 2005--06 season) and in international competitions, a failure to reach a decision in a single overtime may lead to a shootout . Some leagues may eschew overtime periods altogether and end games in shootout should teams be tied at the end of regulation . In the ECHL, regular season overtime periods are played four on four for one five - minute period . In the Southern Professional Hockey League, regular season overtime periods are played three on three for one five - minute period, with penalties resulting in the opponents skating one additional player on ice (up to two additional players) for the penalty for the first three minutes, and a penalty shot in the final two minutes . The AHL, since the 2014--15 season, extended the overtime to seven minutes, with the last three minutes reduced further to three men aside and teams getting an additional skater for each opponent's penalty . The idea of using 3 - on - 3 skaters for the entirety of a five - minute overtime period for a regular season game was adopted by the NHL on June 24, 2015, for use in the 2015--16 NHL season . </P> <P> In IIHF play, rules for overtime depend on the stage of the competition . For a round robin or preliminary round game that goes to overtime, the teams will play a maximum of five minutes of 3 - on - 3 hockey in the "golden goal" format . If no one scores in the five minute overtime, a three - round shootout will decide the winner . In the case of a playoff game or a bronze medal game, the teams will play a maximum of ten minutes of 4 - on - 4 hockey in the "golden goal" format . If there is no score in the overtime, a five - round shootout will decide the winner . If the gold medal game of a top category IIHF championship goes to overtime, the teams will play a maximum of twenty minutes of 5 - on - 5 hockey in the "golden goal" format . If there is no winner after the overtime, a five - round shootout will decide the winner . In all cases, the teams must change ends, and defend the same side that they did in the second period . </P>

When did nhl start 3 on 3 overtime