NHL's Overtime Surge: Analyzing the 2025-26 Season Trends

As the 2025-26 NHL season progresses, a notable trend has emerged: the frequency of overtime games is at an all-time high. In the first 425 games, 27.3% ended in ties after regulation, necessitating overtime or shootouts. This percentage, if maintained, would surpass the previous record of 25% set during the 2013-14 season. The increase in overtime games has been attributed to heightened league parity, with 28 out of 32 teams currently holding a points percentage of .500 or better, a significant rise from 23 teams at the end of the previous season. Dallas Stars coach Glen Gulutzan noted that the competitive balance in the NHL has led to more closely contested games.

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Interestingly, some of the league's rebuilding teams are performing better than expected, contributing to the uptick in overtime games. For instance, the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Anaheim Ducks have all seen a significant number of their games extend beyond regulation. This shift has been linked to the top teams losing key players due to salary cap constraints, while lower-ranked teams have matured and improved their rosters.

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The tight standings have prompted teams to adopt more conservative strategies, particularly in the final minutes of games. Players and coaches have observed a trend where teams prioritize securing at least one point by playing for a tie. New Jersey Devils coach Sheldon Keefe remarked that teams are becoming more cautious as they aim to avoid losing points in the standings. Additionally, the NHL has seen a rise in comeback victories, with 43% of games last season classified as such, indicating a growing trend of teams overcoming multi-goal deficits.

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Coaches are also adapting their tactics in response to the increased scoring in the third period. While some believe that coaching strategies have not fundamentally changed, others argue that there is a noticeable shift towards more conservative play, especially when backup goalies are in net. Meghan Chayka, a hockey data analyst, highlighted that scoring chances have decreased in the final ten minutes of games since 2015, suggesting a tactical evolution in how teams manage leads.

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Despite the current surge in overtime games, historical data suggests that this trend may normalize as the season progresses. Over the past nine seasons, the percentage of games going to overtime has remained relatively stable, typically ranging between 21% and 24%. Some analysts, like Chayka, have noted that the unpredictability of game outcomes has increased, complicating predictions for future matchups.

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The NHL community is divided on potential changes to the points system, with some advocating for a three-point regulation win to discourage overtime play. Former NHL GM Brian Burke expressed strong opposition to this idea, fearing it could lead to early playoff eliminations for teams. Conversely, players like Jason Robertson have voiced their preference for maintaining the current system, emphasizing their enjoyment of the shootout format.

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• “I think it's just a really competitive league right now," New Jersey Devils forward Connor Brown said.” — Connor Brown, New Jersey Devils Forward

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• “You get down two goals, it's not the end of the world.” — Pat Verbeek, Anaheim Ducks General Manager

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• “Just stick with your game a little bit," he said.” — Glen Gulutzan, Dallas Stars Coach

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• “I think that's great for hockey.” — Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars Forward

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The 2025-26 NHL season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with overtime games becoming a defining feature of the current landscape.

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