The phrase “NHL playoff ties” is not a widely recognized term in authoritative sports encyclopedias or official National Hockey League (NHL) documentation. While ties have occurred in regular‑season NHL games (particularly before the introduction of the shootout in the 2005–06 season), playoff contests have traditionally been decided by sudden‑death overtime, ensuring a winner is determined for each game. Consequently, the concept of a “playoff tie” is largely absent from formal NHL records.
Possible contextual usage
- Historical references: In the early decades of the NHL, certain playoff formats (e.g., two‑game total‑goal series) could technically produce a tied game, though the series outcome was still settled by aggregate scoring or additional games. Such instances are rare and are usually described in the context of specific historical series rather than as a general rule or phenomenon.
- Colloquial discussion: Fans or journalists might use the phrase informally when referring to games that remain deadlocked after regulation time, emphasizing the need for overtime to break the tie, but this usage does not denote a distinct category of playoff game.
Given the lack of dedicated encyclopedic coverage, the term “NHL playoff ties” does not constitute an established concept in the sport’s literature.
