The ambiance, the do-or-die mentality and, ultimately, the reception of essentially the most iconic trophy in sports activities: there’s nothing fairly like playoff hockey.
All the way in which from Recreation 1 of the primary spherical to Recreation 7 of the Stanley Cup Remaining, the drama by no means appears to stop, and nothing heightens that drama like additional time.
Not like the common season, this additional time isn’t a five-minute interval of three-on-three hockey that may be settled by a game-deciding shootout. The groups play five-on-five till a winner is topped. As you’ll be able to think about, that may generally take some time.
The longest such recreation in historical past got here in 1936 between the Detroit Crimson Wings and Montreal Maroons. After three shutout intervals, the 2 groups entered additional time. 5 intervals later, the rating was nonetheless 0-0. After a whopping 116 minutes of additional time, Mud Bruneteau gained the sport for the Crimson Wings within the sixth further interval.
Prior to now 90 years, gamers have gotten quicker and extra expert. Resulting from this, video games are sometimes determined extra effectively, making even two or three additional time intervals a rarity.
Nonetheless, within the post-expansion period, there have been plenty of video games which have trickled into the early hours of the next morning. With out additional ado, listed here are the six longest playoff video games within the post-expansion period:
Longest Put up-Enlargement Playoff Video games
No. 6: Vancouver Canucks vs. Dallas Stars (Apr. 11, 2007) – 138:06
It was Recreation 1 within the first spherical of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs when Roberto Luongo acquired his first postseason begin. Little did he know, he would play greater than two video games’ price of intervals earlier than the evening was accomplished.
The competition took practically seven complete frames to resolve – and it was a back-and-forth battle all evening lengthy. Daniel Sedin opened up the scoring lower than 5 minutes into the sport. Nonetheless, simply over a minute later, Brendan Morrow tied issues up on the ability play.
Associated: “The Sedin Twins and the 1999 NHL Entry Draft”
Vancouver responded by way of Mattias Ohlund’s power-play aim to begin the second body whereas Dallas’ Trevor Daley potted a aim lower than 4 minutes later. This back-and-forth alternate continued till the Canucks nabbed a 4-2 lead 7:36 into the third interval. Lower than a minute later, Anti Miettinen made it 4-3 earlier than Ladislav Nagy tied the sport with simply over six minutes remaining in regulation.
With beneath two minutes to go within the fourth additional time interval, Henrik Sedin despatched the Vancouver devoted house drained, but glad. Dallas goaltender Marty Turco completed the night with 51 saves. On the different finish of the rink stood an elated Luongo who managed to cease a whopping 72 pictures.
The seven-game sequence featured two extra overtimes. After taking a 3-1 sequence lead, the Canucks misplaced Video games 5 and 6 earlier than saving their pores and skin by way of a decisive 4-1 victory in Recreation 7. Their second-round sequence in opposition to the Anaheim Geese noticed two video games that required double additional time. Although Vancouver was capable of earn a victory in a type of conferences, Anaheim took the sequence in 5 video games and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
No. 5: Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Apr. 24, 1996) – 139:15
Between the battle of Sidney Crosby versus Alexander Ovechkin, and the 2 groups getting collectively for 3 playoff sequence up to now 4 seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals have developed fairly the rivalry.
Nonetheless, the 2 golf equipment’ first-round sequence in 1996 was on one other degree. The Caps held a 2-1 lead within the sequence and after snagging a 2-0 lead midway by means of Recreation 4, they had been inside attain of a 3-1 sequence lead heading again to Pittsburgh.
The Penguins mounted a comeback, beginning with a short-handed aim from Jaromir Jagr with lower than two minutes remaining within the second body. Nonetheless, lower than a minute later, issues acquired out of hand.
Washington’s Todd Krygier and Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux had a disagreement of kinds: the 2 tied one another up within the Penguins’ zone. The Capital acquired his stick between the legs of Lemieux who was knocked to the ice. Krygier went after him, knocking off his helmet earlier than getting again into the play.
It’s protected to say Lemieux wasn’t proud of this as he proceeded to slash Krygier from behind. A wrestling match ensued as Washington’s Pat Peake dropped the gloves and pounced on Lemieux. When the mud settled, Lemieux and Peake had been handed recreation misconducts whereas Krygier merely obtained a roughing minor.
Associated: “Remembering What Made Mario Lemieux the Best”
From the third interval onward, 5 roughing and two slashing minors had been referred to as. In whole, there have been 75 penalty minutes handed out between the 2 groups.
Petr Nedved was capable of capitalize on one in every of Pittsburgh’s many energy performs within the seventh interval. He faked a slap shot from the purpose earlier than skating round a sprawling defenseman and despatched a blooper towards the web. Washington netminder Olaf Kolzig fought by means of a sea of Caps and Pens however couldn’t muster a save.
With 15 seconds remaining within the fourth additional time, the Penguins tied the sequence at two video games apiece and went on to win Video games 5 and 6 to maneuver on. Pittsburgh was ultimately knocked out by the Florida Panthers within the Jap Convention Remaining, however their seven-period purchased with the Capitals stays the third-longest postseason recreation within the post-expansion period.
No. 4: Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Could 18, 2023) – 1:39:47
The Florida Panthers certified because the eighth and last Jap Convention playoff staff, however they’re having a memorable postseason run. After rallying from a 3-1 sequence deficit to stun the Presidents Trophy-winning Boston Bruins in seven video games within the first spherical, they took down the Toronto Maple Leafs in 5 video games within the second spherical to advance to the Jap Convention Remaining in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes. If upsetting these groups weren’t sufficient recollections to make, then did it once more in Recreation 1 in North Carolina.
Florida gained their seventh consecutive highway recreation of the postseason and it took lots longer than anticipated. Carolina grabbed a 1-0 first-period lead on a Seth Jarvis power-play aim. The Panthers, as they’ve accomplished all postseason, rallied and took a 2-1 lead by means of two intervals with second-period objectives from Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe. After Carolina tied it on a Stefan Noesen third-period aim, the 2 groups settled in for an extended evening of hockey.
Via three overtimes, neither staff was capable of resolve the opposing goalies. Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves and Carolina’s Frederik Andersen stopped 26. Within the fourth additional time, the Hurricanes had eight pictures stopped by Bobrovsky, however the Panthers had been lastly capable of resolve Andersen. With simply 13 seconds remaining within the fourth further session, Florida took benefit of a clearing try hitting a referee and when Sam Bennett collected the puck alongside the wall, he handed it to Matthew Tkachuk and he ended the sport by beating Andersen from the face-off circle for a 4-3 victory.
“In all probability my favourite [goal] I’ve scored in my life,” mentioned Tkachuk. “It was large to not let it go to 5 overtimes there.”
What a option to open the sequence for the Panthers. It was their fifth additional time win within the playoffs, two in opposition to Boston in elimination video games and two in opposition to Toronto, together with the series-clincher in Recreation 5. Florida acquired Tkachuk in the summertime of 2022 from the Calgary Flames in a deal that included Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar going to the Flames. The aim in Recreation 1 was Tkachuk’s sixth of the postseason in 13 video games and he has given his new staff a makeover mentally within the playoffs.
For the sport, Bobrovsky made 63 saves and Andersen made 57. Florida defenseman Brandon Montour logged 57:56 of ice time and Carolina blueliner Brent Burns performed 54:43 to guide their respective groups. For the sport, the 2 groups mixed for 125 pictures on the web, 81 hits, and 77 blocks. Neither staff will overlook the sport that began at 8:10 p.m. Jap Commonplace Time and completed proper earlier than 2 a.m. the subsequent morning.
No. 3: Mighty Geese of Anaheim vs. Dallas Stars (Apr. 24, 2003) – 140:48
On the seventh anniversary of the epic battle between the Penguins and Capitals, the Stars confronted off in opposition to the Mighty Geese of Anaheim for Recreation 1 of their second-round sequence. It was the primary time the 2 franchises met within the postseason.
Dallas had simply rebounded from a 2-1 sequence deficit to the Edmonton Oilers within the first spherical with three-straight wins. On the different finish of the rink stood the Mighty Geese. The seventh-seeded staff shocked the second-seeded Detroit Crimson Wings with a sweep
Jason Krog opened up the scoring midway by means of the primary body earlier than Dallas’ Derian Hatcher responded to tie the sport 1-1. Within the second interval, Rob Niedermayer potted a short-handed aim and, 5 minutes later, Steve Rucchin handed the Mighty Geese a 3-1 lead.
Earlier than the top of the body, Jason Arnott drew the Stars inside one. Anaheim was on the verge of cementing the win when Brendan Morrow scored with lower than three minutes to go in regulation. The late tally compelled what would go on to be a complete of 5 overtimes.
After 4 further intervals, the sport was nonetheless undecided. After an extended wait, a move from Adam Oates discovered Petr Sykora to place an finish to the battle lower than a minute into the fifth additional time.
Oates went on to attain the opening aim of Recreation 2 which required only one additional time. Anaheim managed to say the victory and labored their option to a 4-2 sequence win. After sweeping the Minnesota Wild within the Western Convention Remaining, the Mighty Geese fell to the New Jersey Devils in Recreation 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Remaining.
No. 2: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Aug. 11, 2020) – 150:27
Coming off a Recreation 5 win-or-go-home recreation in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs two nights earlier within the qualifying spherical, the Blue Jackets didn’t have a lot time to have a good time or put together for Recreation 1 of their matchup in opposition to the Lightning. It didn’t matter. Completely nothing may have ready them for the five-overtime sequence opening thriller that was epic on each degree.
Pierre-Luc Dubois acquired the Blue Jackets on the scoresheet first with an influence play tally, simply 2:39 into the sport, however Brayden Level evened the sport lower than 4 minutes later. Oliver Bjorkstrand put the Blue Jackets forward with a late aim within the second interval, however simply 23 seconds into the third interval, Yanni Gourde knotted the sport at two. It was an Eagle Scout-worthy knot…lasting 5 overtimes.
Brayden Level lastly ended the sport within the fifth body of bonus hockey, launching a shot that discovered a sliver of house above netminder Joonas Korpisalo’s shoulder and beneath the crossbar. “I simply see a rolling puck and I simply throw it on internet,” Level mentioned after lighting the lamp and giving the Lightning a 3-2 victory. “I’m probably not aiming. Simply sling one there and fortunate sufficient it finds a nook.”
It was a troublesome tablet to swallow for the Finnish netminder who completed with 85 saves. He stood on his head all evening, making numerous save after save. The Lightning had a whopping 187 shot makes an attempt, peppering him all evening lengthy.
On the different finish of the rink, Vezina Trophy finalist Andrei Vasilevskiy registered 61 saves. The mixed 151 pictures had been essentially the most in an NHL recreation because the league started formally monitoring the statistic in 1955-56.
The mind-boggling stats from the odyssey on ice included Blue Jackets’ defenseman Seth Jones, logging an NHL-record 65:06 of ice time. Regardless of skating for over an hour, Jones mentioned he felt “nice” after the sport. Teammate Zach Werenski was the one different participant to prime 60 minutes of ice time (61:14).
“There was fatigue on all ends–psychological and bodily. It wasn’t too exhausting to fall asleep after the sport,” mentioned Kevin Shattenkirk with a smile.
“I keep in mind trying over at my salmon salad and eager to eat it the entire time in the course of the recreation, however pondering it would break up the karma, so I stayed hungry, mentioned smiling Bolts coach Jon Cooper.
In an fascinating little bit of trivia, each skater for each groups registered at the very least one shot on aim in the course of the recreation. The lone exception? Cam Atkinson. Regardless of practically 40 minutes of ice time, the ahead who has six seasons of 20 or extra objectives, did not take a single shot.
“It was an unreal efficiency by each groups, however particularly by each goaltenders,” mentioned Bolts blueliner Victor Hedman. “They don’t get to take a seat on the bench for a pair minutes, they need to be sharp the whole time.”
Within the locker room between intervals, there have been loads of laughs and joking round. “I don’t know if that’s simply because we had been so exhausted that was the one factor we may do or what it was,” mentioned Bolts ahead Tyler Johnson. “It’s a distinct recreation. I’m proud to be part of it, however on the identical time I don’t know if I ever need to do it once more.”
Whereas the sport might be remembered by followers, gamers and media alike, the unhappy half about it… due to COVID-19, there was nobody within the constructing to witness it.
No. 1: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Could 4, 2000) – 152:01
The Battle of Pennsylvania is an iconic rivalry in hockey, and it feels becoming that the 2 combatants maintain the file for the longest playoff recreation within the post-expansion period.
Associated: “Pennsylvania Hockey: A Lengthy, Proud Historical past”
The Philadelphia Flyers discovered themselves in a 2-0 gap in the course of the second-round sequence. Having dropped each Video games 1 and a pair of, the percentages had been stacked in opposition to them as they flew into Pittsburgh for Video games 3 and 4. The Flyers had been capable of take Recreation 3 by a rating of 4-3 in additional time, however Recreation 4 took a bit longer to resolve.
Pittsburgh’s Alex Kovalev opened the scoring lower than three minutes into regulation. For the subsequent 42 minutes of play, it was a basic goaltender duel. Penguins netminder Ron Tugnutt lastly gave approach within the 4:47 into the third interval. A John LeClair power-play aim knotted issues at 1-1.
Nonetheless, the goaltender duel resumed and lasted for an additional 5 intervals of play. Midway by means of the fifth additional time, there hadn’t been an influence play awarded to both facet for practically 40 minutes of play. It was a five-on-five battle to the end, and Philadephia acquired the final phrase.
12:01 into the fifth further body – and 152:01 into the sport as a complete – Keith Primeau claimed victory for his fellow Flyers. The boys in orange went on to win Video games 5 and 6 to ship the Penguins again house to Pittsburgh.
Philadelphia put up a battle within the Jap Convention Remaining. That they had earned a 3-1 lead within the sequence however collapsed, dropping Video games 5 by means of 7 to the Devils.
The Subsequent One?
The league has gone by means of an enormous transformation all through the previous decade. Groups have opted for a speedier, extra offensively gifted strategy versus constructing their rosters round physicality or protection – a standard theme within the Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s. This has appeared to make multiple-overtime video games a rarity as offenses are extra able to defeating opposing netminders. Nonetheless, hockey is arguably essentially the most unpredictable of the 4 main North American sports activities. Evidently each season onlookers are in for some kind of shock, whether or not that’s an astounding upset or an obscure file being damaged.
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