Retain the played season and competition phase
The cited 2025/26 NHL rules distinguish regular-season and playoff procedures. Official 2026 playoff coverage also records second-overtime finishes. The same clubs can meet in both settings, so opponents alone do not identify which timing model applies.
For a replay label, keep season, regular-season or playoff status, series game number and played date. The current rules hub points to a newer 2026/27 edition for new appointments; do not silently mix its season with a historical recording’s record.
A second overtime is another period, not another fixture
In the playoff model discussed here, tied play can require another 20-minute sudden-death period. The earlier regulation and overtime action remain part of the same game. A reset period clock does not reset the score or series game number.
An illustrative 0–0 overtime score can therefore persist across a full scoreless period and its intermission. The next period is not necessarily a duplicate upload. The official final result and period of the decisive goal establish the played endpoint.
Game-clock minutes are not video minutes
Intermissions, stoppages and reviews add programme time without all counting as live playing time. A20-minute period can occupy much more than 20 minutes of a full recording. A condensed edit can occupy less.
Do not use a single standard runtime as a completeness test. Confirm whether the video is full game, one overtime period or highlights. A clip titled overtime can legitimately contain only the decisive sequence while omitting the preceding long contest.
The label 2 OT identifies the second overtime period, not Game 2 of the series. Keep that period marker beside the series game number to avoid an ambiguous archive filename.
A series can still require later games
Winning the overtime game adds one game win in the playoff series. It does not necessarily finish the series. Keep game outcome and series state separate when deciding the next appointment.
This article explains the cited historical-season rules and current official archive examples. It does not assert every hockey league shares that format, establish Canadian rights or claim IPTV Canada carriage. No physical playback test was performed.
Related questions
Does second overtime mean a second game?
No. It can be another period in the same playoff game.
Should a five-minute regular-season rule determine a 2026 playoff replay’s endpoint?
No. Match the played phase and applicable season rules.
Sources and scope
Scope notes distinguish published documentation, supplied information and editorial methods. They do not report a hands-on service test.
- NHL 2025/26 rulebook — Historicalplayedseason regularseason versusplayoff overtime
- NHL 2026 playoffarchive — Officialsecond-overtime playedexample
- NHLcurrentruleshub — New 2026/27 edition pointer;largePDFnot fullyretrieved
