Theoretical longest possible overtime.

[Fugazy]

Which one? This one?

He was pretty clearly onside.

That's incredible

 

[NDiesel]

To answer the question, the guys would be so fatigued at some point that some sort of mental mistake would cause a scoring chance to end the game well before the longest possible game ever happened. I almost wonder if at some point during 10+ OTs teams would put in their backup goalies to save a weak one from going in.

 

[Night Shift]

I believe the answer is 42.

42 overtimes.

That's a lot of Pizza between intermissions.

 

[Mandar]

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Very good....wasn't sure if anyone was going to understand.

 

[SillyRabbit]

I feel like at some point the referees and linesmen would become so tired that they wouldn't be able to keep up with the play.

 

[Summer Rose]

I feel like at some point the referees and linesmen would become so tired that they wouldn't be able to keep up with the play.

That tends to take longer than it does as a player. I consider myself reasonably in shape, but back to back hockey games as a player just about kills me. In contrast, it took 6 games back to back as an official to feel roughly as tired. Of course, it varies by level and system, and working an NHL game is obviously considerably more tiring than working, say, a peewee game 2-man. The most tiring one is referee in 3-man, in my opinion.

 

[HowDoIHockey]

I could see them going to 4on4 after the first OT period in the near future.

1st OT - 5on5
2nd OT - 4on4
3rd OT - 3on3
4th OT - 2on2
5th OT - 1on1
6th OT - goalie v goalie

Make it happen.

 

[northeastern]

Imagine as a fan. How long would you stay? I've been to double ot games but I couldn't even imagine 4 ots not to mention 6...

 

[navyduck]

Imagine as a fan. How long would you stay? I've been to double ot games but I couldn't even imagine 4 ots not to mention 6...

I stayed up watching all the OTs in 2003 for anaheim, and I was on the east coast.....Man my command didn't like it that I was always so damn tired haha

 

[MoreOrr]

I'd say if goes beyond 6 Periods of OT it should be stopped. Just for pure health reasons, 6 Periods of OT is 3 games in one, and anything beyond that really wouldn't be hockey anyway, it would be a 'last man skaking endurance test'. Besides, would it really be that unacceptable to have the first goal scored in the next game as the winning goal of the previous game? Perhaps if we're talking the 7th game of the series then it could be an exception.

 

[bluesfan94]

I'd say if goes beyond 6 Periods of OT it should be stopped. Just for pure health reasons, 6 Periods of OT is 3 games in one, and anything beyond that really wouldn't be hockey anyway, it would be a 'last man skaking endurance test'. Besides, would it really be that unacceptable to have the first goal scored in the next game as the winning goal of the previous game? Perhaps if we're talking the 7th game of the series then it could be an exception.

Yeah that would be pretty unacceptable. Why should one goal count twice? What if there's a change in arenas? If someone got a match penalty, do they get to play? That's dumb

 

[Tage2Tuch]

D

I'd say if goes beyond 6 Periods of OT it should be stopped. Just for pure health reasons, 6 Periods of OT is 3 games in one, and anything beyond that really wouldn't be hockey anyway, it would be a 'last man skaking endurance test'. Besides, would it really be that unacceptable to have the first goal scored in the next game as the winning goal of the previous game? Perhaps if we're talking the 7th game of the series then it could be an exception.

Honestly I don't think we don't have to worry, the longest ever games seemed to end, all of them will at some point. There will never be a tenth overtime game, we haven't even seen a six overtime game in the NHL in what, over 75 years?

Either fatigue will lead to a goal or a power play and then a goal..

 

[Wo Yorfat]

1st OT - 5on5
2nd OT - 4on4
3rd OT - 3on3
4th OT - 2on2
5th OT - 1on1
6th OT - goalie v goalie

Make it happen.

Or after regulation the team captains could just play duck hunt to see who wins. Both good ideas.

 

[Flukeshot]

Make the game worth TWO wins! if it makes it to a 3rd OT Period, then worth 3 wins if it makes it to a 6th OT Period.

 

[Cashville]

Which one? This one?

He was pretty clearly onside.

Hah this is my favorite image of it:

We lost by one goal IIRC so it definitely mattered.

 

[BigEezyE22]

Not sure but it would probably involve the Sens and their boring brand of hockey

No, it just feels that way. Then the first period ends.

 

[The Lunatic Fridge]

It would run until the next time they need to "clean up" for an event.

Such as taking the ice down for a NBA game or a concert thats scheduled that day

 

[BigEezyE22]

I watched this game live; PIT v PHI 5OTs with the Keith Primeau winner:

I was there. Straka hit the post in OT twice I think.