How Many Stanley Cup Finals Have Seen Triple-OT Games? A Look at 3OT Thrillers in League History

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final has been a thriller for players, fans, and media alike.

Once again featuring the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, this year’s Final is a rematch of last season, marking the first time the same two teams have met in back-to-back Cup Finals since the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins did it in 2008 and 2009.

Three of the games so far have gone to overtime, including a double-OT classic in Game 2, which Florida won. While a triple-overtime game hasn’t happened yet this year, it’s far from rare in Stanley Cup Final history.

How Many Stanley Cup Final Series Have Had a Triple-OT Game?

While no Stanley Cup Final game has required more than three overtimes to settle a winner, there have been more than a few triple-overtime games in Cup Final history. Here’s a look at those historic marathons:

1) 1931 Stanley Cup Final Game 3: Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens

In the earliest example of a Stanley Cup Final game that required at least three overtimes to settle, Chicago’s Cy Wentworth scored the game-winner at the 15:31 mark of triple-overtime to give his team a 2-1 series lead.

However, the Habs won the next pair of games and won the Stanley Cup. This was also before the Cup Final was decided in a best-of-seven format.

2) 1990 Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Edmonton Oilers at Boston Bruins

The late Petr Klíma scored the game-winning goal in the third overtime following a total of 55:13 played, giving the Oilers a 1-0 series lead.

They win their fifth Stanley Cup championship, beating the Bruins in five games.

3) 1996 Stanley Cup Final: Colorado Avalanche at Florida Panthers

Playing in their first season in Denver after moving from Quebec, the Colorado Avalanche eventually put the finishing touches on their first-ever Stanley Cup win with a triple-overtime 1-0 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 4.

Uwe Krupp was the hero for Colorado, scoring on a long-range shot from just inside the blue line that beat goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck.

4) 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 6: Dallas Stars at Buffalo Sabres

Perhaps the most controversial moment in NHL history, Dallas Stars forward Brett Hull scored in triple overtime in Game 6 of the 1999 Stanley Cup Final against the Buffalo Sabres, giving the Stars their first and only Stanley Cup win to date.

The problem? Hull’s skate was in the crease, and the goal should technically have been disallowed.

5) 2000 Stanley Cup Final Game 5: Dallas Stars at New Jersey Devils

Making their second straight trip to the Cup Final, the Stars managed to stave off elimination and force a Game 6 thanks to Mike Modano’s redirection of a Hull shot in triple-overtime of Game 5 at Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey, moving the series back to Dallas.

However, the Devils won Game 6 in overtime thanks to Jason Arnott’s historic game-winning tally.

6) 2002 Stanley Cup Final Game 3: Detroit Red Wings at Carolina Hurricanes

The Detroit Red Wings, icing a roster with 10 future Hall of Fame players, got the dramatic triple-overtime game-winning goal from one of them in Game 3 of the series in Raleigh, N.C.

Igor Larionov, who was the oldest player in the NHL at the time, scored his second goal of the game by roofing a backhander past the sprawling Artūrs Irbe, giving the Red Wings the win and a 2-1 series lead.

They later captured the Stanley Cup in five games.

7) 2008 Stanley Cup Final Game 5: Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings

Back in the Stanley Cup Final for the fifth time in 13 years, the Red Wings had their sights set on winning in front of their home fans at Joe Louis Arena with a 3-1 series lead going into Game 5.

But after Maxime Talbot tied the score late in regulation for the Penguins, they eventually forced a Game 6 back in Pittsburgh after Penguins forward Petr Sýkora scored a power-play goal in triple overtime.

Detroit won the Stanley Cup with a 3-2 victory in Game 6.

8) 2013 Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks

The most recent triple-overtime game in the Stanley Cup Final featured a pair of Original 6 clubs, the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago earned the 1-0 series lead after Andrew Shaw deflected the puck past Tuukka Rask at 12:08 of the third overtime at United Center.

The Blackhawks win their second Stanley Cup in four years, beating the Bruins in six games.