The World Cup of Hockey championship game will utilize standard NHL Stanley Cup playoff overtime rules, meaning the final will be decided by 5-on-5 sudden death rather than 3-on-3 play, per Pierre LeBrun.
According to the report from LeBrun, the tournament will strictly adhere to traditional NHL rules for its most critical matchup. While 3-on-3 overtime has become a staple of the NHL regular season and preliminary international tournament rounds to provide excitement and quick resolutions, the World Cup will prioritize the 5-on-5 format for the championship final. This ensures that the tournament winner is determined under the same conditions as a Stanley Cup champion.
The decision aligns the event with the highest stakes of professional hockey, avoiding the wide-open space of 3-on-3 play in favor of the traditional style synonymous with postseason success. Fans can expect continuous 20-minute periods of 5-on-5 hockey until a goal is scored to crown the tournament winner, should the game remain tied after regulation. This confirms that the experimental or regular-season overtime formats will not be in play for the tournament's conclusion.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting
