Explained: Olympic Hockey Overtime Rules—What Fans Need to Know for the 2026 Winter Games

Fans tuning into Milan-Cortina 2026 are already asking the same question every time the score is level after 60 minutes: what exactly are the Olympic hockey overtime rules, and how do they differ from the NHL? Below is a quick-hit primer that answers the most-searched queries and keeps you from changing the channel when things get tense. Why overtime isn’t one-size-fits-all The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) tweaks the format round by round to balance fairness, TV windows and player fatigue. That means there are three distinct setups you need to know. 1. Preliminary (group-stage) games • Sudden-death, 5-minute overtime played 3-on-3. • If nobody scores, the game goes to a best-of-five shootout. • After five shooters, it becomes sudden-death shootout; the same skater can shoot repeatedly, a wrinkle that produced T.J. Oshie’s Sochi heroics. NBC reminds viewers that ends do NOT switch before OT, unlike the NHL. 2. Quarterfinals, semifinals & bronze medal game • Sudden-death, 10-minute overtime, still 3-on-3. • Same shootout format as above if the tie persists. • Coaches often shorten the bench to two forward pairs and one defenseman to maximize speed in the extra frame. 3. Gold medal game • Sudden-death, 20-minute periods of 3-on-3 until somebody scores—no shootout, no questions asked. • Ice is resurfaced and teams get a full 15-minute intermission between each OT period, turning the finale into true marathon hockey if needed. Biggest differences from the NHL • Length: Regular-season NHL OT is five minutes; Olympic medal games can stretch indefinitely. • Personnel: The NHL reverts to 5-on-5 in playoffs, but the Olympics stay 3-on-3 at every stage. • Shootout roster: Olympic coaches submit five shooters, then gain the strategic freedom to ride hot hands as long as needed. Strategic ripple effects to watch • Star skaters log massive minutes. A two-line rotation is common in sudden-death OT, so expect to see Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews on the ice every second shift. • Faceoff location matters even more. Because there’s more open ice, one clean draw can spring an immediate 2-on-1. • Goalie change option. Under IIHF rules a coach may swap netminders before the shootout—a gambit rarely used but legal. • Momentum swings. Teams that survive multiple shootout rounds in prelims often ride that confidence deep into the medal round. Quick reference cheat sheet • Group stage: 5-min 3-on-3 OT → shootout if needed. • Quarters/Semis/Bronze: 10-min 3-on-3 OT → shootout. • Gold: Unlimited 20-min 3-on-3 OTs until goal; no shootout. Bookmark or share this guide so you’re ready the next time Milan-Cortina serves up bonus hockey. Understanding the Olympic hockey overtime rules means you’ll know exactly when to hold your breath—and when it’s finally safe to celebrate.