5 Longest Games in NHL History

Hockey is the only sport where no time limit is imposed if the game remains tied in playoff overtime. 

The first-goal wins rule in NHL playoff overtime games has facilitated some of the most exciting and entertaining yet gruelling and exhausting encounters in professional sports. 

Three of the five longest NHL games occurred since 2000, with the longest happening almost 100 years ago in 1936. 

Here are the five longest games in NHL history: 

5 Longest Games in NHL History

NHL’s Longest Games Ever

5. Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars — April 24, 2003

In 2003, the then-named Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Dallas Stars played the highest scoring of the five longest games in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. 

The Ducks won 4-3 thanks to a Petr Sýkora goal in the fifth overtime. The game lasted 140:48.

Despite being the NHL odds underdogs and finishing the regular season 16 points behind the Stars, the Ducks won the series. Eventually, they made it to the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the New Jersey Devils in seven games. 

4. Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning — Aug. 11, 2020

The notorious bubble playoffs provided one of the NHL’s most thrilling playoff games. The Tampa Lightning outlasted the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 1 of their first-round series, winning 3-2 in the fifth overtime period in front of no fans. 

The game’s length (150:27) had nothing to do with the absence of fans. That was due to the COVID-19-implemented rules. 

Brayden Point scored the winner 10:27 into the fifth overtime to secure victory for the Lightning. 

The Lightning were the hockey odds favourites in the series and went on to win their second Stanley Cup.    

3. Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins — May 4, 2000

It took 12:01 of the fifth overtime for the Philadelphia Flyers’ Keith Primeau to get the decisive winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the 2000 Eastern Conference semifinals. 

The game lasted for 152:01, and the Flyers eventually prevailed in the series, winning in six games. However, the Flyers were ousted by the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference final, losing in a seven-game thriller. 

2. Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs — April 3, 1933 

The NHL’s longest two games happened three years apart in the 1930s, and both had only one goal. 

On April 3, 1933, the Toronto Maple Leafs prevailed over the Boston Bruins 1-0 in the sixth overtime in Game 5 of the semifinals.

Left winger Ken Doraty did the honours and sent the Maple Leafs to the final with a goal at 4:46 of the sixth extra frame. The game took 164:46 to complete. 

Toronto eventually lost to the New York Rangers in the final. 

1. Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Maroons — March 24, 1936 

Etched permanently into the annals of hockey history, the Detroit Red Wings eked a 1-0 win over the Montreal Maroons in the NHL’s longest game. 

It was Game 1 of the semifinal, and Red Wings right winger Mud Brunteau scored the overtime winner at the 16:30 mark of the sixth extra frame.

The game lasted for 176:30.

Detroit didn’t look back after that monumental victory, sweeping the Maroons in three straight en route to a Stanley Cup victory over the Maple Leafs.