Are There Shootouts In Playoff Hockey
Playoff hockey is one of the most exciting times of the year for hockey fans. The intensity is ramped up, the physicality is at an all-time high, and every goal matters. But, what happens if the game is tied after three periods? Is there a shootout in playoff hockey?
The Regular Season Shootout
Before we dive into whether or not there are shootouts in playoff hockey, let's first take a look at how shootouts work in the regular season. In the NHL, if a game is tied after three periods, a five-minute overtime period is played. If no team scores during the overtime period, the game goes to a shootout. Each team selects three shooters to take turns attempting to score on the opposing team's goalie. If the score is still tied after three shootout attempts for each team, the shootout moves to a sudden-death format until one team scores and wins the game.
Shootouts in Playoff Hockey
Now, to answer the question at hand - are there shootouts in playoff hockey? The short answer is no. In the playoffs, if a game is tied after three periods, there are no shootouts. Instead, the game continues into 20-minute, sudden-death overtime periods until a team scores a goal and wins the game.
So, why doesn't the NHL use shootouts in playoff hockey? The answer lies in the nature of the playoffs. Playoff hockey is all about grit and determination. Teams are fighting tooth and nail for every goal, and the games are often decided by the smallest of margins. The NHL doesn't want to see a tight playoff game end on a shootout where a lucky bounce or a hot goalie can decide the outcome. Instead, they want the games to be decided by the players on the ice, in a true test of skill and determination.
The Most Famous Overtime Goal in Playoff History
While the shootout may be absent from playoff hockey, the excitement and drama are still very much alive. In fact, some of the most memorable moments in NHL history have come in playoff overtime.
One such moment is Bobby Orr's overtime goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals. In Game 4 of the series between the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues, Orr scored the game-winning goal in overtime, jumping through the air in celebration as he scored. The image of Orr flying through the air has become one of the most iconic images in NHL history, and the goal itself is considered one of the greatest in Stanley Cup history.
In Conclusion
Now that we know that there are no shootouts in playoff hockey, we can appreciate the true nature of playoff hockey even more. The games are intense, physical, and every goal matters. And while shootouts may provide excitement in the regular season, the NHL knows that the true test of a team's skill and determination comes in overtime during the playoffs.