Hockey
NHL overtime: How does it work? Regular season and postseason rules explained
Watch every game of the NHL season on DAZN
The 2026-27regular season is almost here, with pre-season games now well underway ahead of the October start, and DAZN is THE place to watch all the NHL action unfold.
DAZN is the home of the NHL, streaming every game of the 2026/27 season exclusively internationally, beginning on Tuesday, September 29, when the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, have their banner night as they host the team who won it back-to-back during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, the Florida Panthers.
With the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals included, that's over 1,300 games available live* and on demand on DAZN.
In addition, subscribers can enjoy features such as home and away commentary selection and access to NHL programming, including Puck Personalities and Mic Drop.
Ultimate customers can also enjoy enhanced broadcast features and a discount at NHLShop.com.
What happens if the Panthers and Blackhawks go overtime?
DAZN News provides all of that information for you below on how overtime works and what is different, if anything, when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.
What are the rules of overtime during the NHL regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs?
An NHL game lasts 60 minutes, broken up into three periods of 20 minutes each. After the first two periods, there is an intermission. If the game is tied after the third period, then the game has a five-minute sudden-death overtime. The first team to score wins the game. If neither team scores a goal, you then go to a shootout. Each team is given three shots. Whoever scores the most goals within those shots is the winner. If it is tied, the shootout will go to a sudden-death format.
The rules are a little different during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If the game is tied after three periods, there is a 15-minute intermission. Then, the game resumes, and overtime will be conducted in 20-minute periods. There is no shootout if the game remains tied. You play as many overtime periods as possible until a team scores a goal to win the game.
How to watch the NHL on DAZN: Live stream info
Every NHL game during the 2026/27 season, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs, is available worldwide on DAZN, excluding the United States and Canada.
With exclusive rights, DAZN is the only place internationally to watch NHL, with access to over 1,300 games per season, available live* and on demand.
You can watch the NHL via the DAZN App, available on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, game consoles, and web browsers.
If you do not have the App already, then just follow these instructions....
- Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
- On a laptop or PC, visit www.DAZN.com/home
- Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
- Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google, or Facebook options
- You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including the Matchroom boxing channel, LIV Golf, and FIFA+
- Then, find the NHL page and click 'buy now' to choose your subscription level
For more information and to sign up here.
What's included in an NHL.TV subscription?
As well as every game of the season live* and on demand, an NHL.TV subscription also provides access to home and away commentary options, highlights, pre-season match-ups, and exclusive NHL shows, including Mic Drop and Weird NHL.
- Every game live, including the playoffs and the Stanley Cup Final
- Full game replays, condensed games, and highlights of all games
- Option of home and away commentary (majority of games)
- Select pre-season games
- On-demand NHL content, including Puck Personalities and Mic Drop
