If you’re a fan of the NHL and watching hockey at the Olympics, you might be wondering what happens if the game is still tied at the end of regulation? Does it work like the NHL? Is it 3-on-3? Does it follow playoff rules with 20-minute periods until someone scores?

Overtime at the Olympics isn’t so simple. The type of overtime played is determined by what stage in the tournament the game is taking place.

If the game is tied at the end of regulation in a preliminary game (group stage), then the two teams will follow the same rules as regular season NHL game. First, there will be a five-minute, 3-on-3 overtime. If a team scores during that period, they win.

If no team scores in the overtime period, a shootout will take place. First, each team must name five players to the shootout. If it’s still tied after five shooters have gone, then any player may take part in the shootout. The same shooter may go over and over. This is what created the stage for T.J. Oshie to become America’s hero in his infamous shootout performance in Sochi at the 2014 Games.  

Oshie became a household name when he scored four times on six shootout attempts in a preliminary game against Russia. It took until the eighth round of the shootout to deliver a 3-2 win for the U.S. men.

A 10-minute overtime period of 3-on-3 will be played in a semifinal game or quarterfinal game. If the game is still tied after overtime, the two teams will move to a shootout with the same rules as preliminary play.

If the game is tied at the end of regulation in the gold medal game, the two teams will play a 20-minute period of 3-on-3 hockey. If the game is tied after overtime, then the teams will keep playing until the winning goal is scored. There is no shootout. Between each period, there will be a 15-minute intermission during which the ice will be resurfaced.

The women's tournament has the same set as rules as the men. This is different from the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, where the women’s gold medal game came down to an epic shootout between the U.S. and Canada.