NHL Playoffs: 25 Memorable Overtime Goals in Playoff History (Video)

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are the most exciting form of playoffs in all of sports.

What's more exciting than a regular playoff game? The answer is overtime.

Overtime is an enigma in which your team can go from the edge of oblivion to utter jubilation in a matter of mere moments.

In the history of the NHL, there have been many memorable playoff overtime goals that have been chronicled with video. With that in mind, lets take a look at 25 of the most memorable overtime goals in NHL history.

This is in no particular order so if you feel a goal was glaringly omitted, leave a comment in the section below and state your case.

Bieksa Banks a Bounce

This goal is memorable for the mere circumstances surrounding it.

No one on the ice but Kevin Bieksa knew where the puck was and, as a result, he delivered the Canucks a decisive win with this heartbreaking game-winner.

Ron Francis Breaks the Hearts of Thousands of New Yorkers

Ron Francis was one of the greatest players ever to step foot on NHL ice and this goal was a career-defining moment for Francis.

Francis scores a seeing-eye goal and the Penguins would go on to win the Stanley Cup.

Ray Whitney Scores a Clutch OT Goal

Phoenix Coyotes fans saw Whitney come through in some big spots earlier during this playoff run.

Way back when in 1995, Whitney scored a decisive game winner in double overtime of Game 7 for the San Jose Sharks.

The Wizard was as clutch in 1995 as he is now in the present.

Martin St. Louis Saves Tampa Bay's Season

The Tampa Bay Lighting were on the edge of defeat during Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Flames in Calgary.

However, Martin St. Louis saved the day when he scored a huge OT game winner and a goal that propelled Tampa to a Game 7 at home and their first and only Stanley Cup championship.

Daniel Alfredsson Sends the Senators to the Stanley Cup Final

The Ottawa Senators re-entered the NHL in 1992. Fifteen years later, Daniel Alfredsson—the face of the franchise—sent his team to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history.

This game is a major reason why playoff games start very early on national TV when it coincides with a leg of the Triple Crown.

Matteau....Matteau....Matteau

In recent memory, this is arguably one of the most memorable playoff overtime goals of all time.

Matteau had scored a clutch OT goal earlier in the series, but this moment sent the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Final and their first Stanley Cup victory in 54 years.

Keith Primeau Propels Flyers to Victory with 5-OT Theatrics

This was the first NHL game in the post-WWII age to go to a fifth overtime period. Ultimately, it ended when Keith Primeau beat Ron Tugnutt to make it 2-2 in the conference semifinals.

The Flyers went on to win in six games after initially trailing 2-0 against the Penguins. This goal was a huge turning point for the Broad Street Bullies.

The Easter Epic

Shot after shot was taken and save after save was made, but the game remained tied until Pat LaFontaine ended it with a shot from the point during this epic 1987 Stanley Cup playoff game.

It was a series clincher for the Isles and it was a very dramatic quadruple overtime for a Game 7.

Bobby Nystrom Goal Starts an Era

What if Bobby Nystrom doesn't score this goal? Have you ever thought about it?

This goal was the start of a dynasty for the Islanders en route to four consecutive Stanley Cups.

Jason Arnott and Devils Win Stanley Cup on Overtime Dagger

Jason Arnott scored one of the biggest goals in New Jersey Devils history when he clinched a Stanley Cup title with this overtime dagger against the Dallas Stars.

The Stars were looking for consecutive titles, but Arnott and the Devils denied them in Game 5.

Brett Hull Scores Controversial Game-Winning Goal

This goal will go down as one of the most controversial goals in NHL history.

In a season where skate in the crease goals were harshly enforced and disallowed, Hull conspicuously scored a Stanley Cup-winning goal while his skate was in the crease.

This remains a huge debate amongst hardcore fans even till this day.

Colorado Wins It's First Stanley Cup in Triple Overtime

What a great moment this was for Colorado considering they were in their infancy in the Mile High city.

It's hard to find a way to top remembering a first Stanley Cup considering it was a triple-overtime thriller.

Marian Gaborik Ends It in Triple OT for Blueshirts

The New York Rangers may not even be in a position to fight for a Game 7 if Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards don't connect for this goal against Washington.

It was a very memorable moment for the Blueshirts, but may be meaningless if the Rangers fail to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

Patrick Kane Ends Chicago's Drought

Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks ended a drought that went back to 1961 when he scored this unlikely goal minutes into the first overtime of Game 7.

It's a moment fans of both teams will remember for better or for worse for a very long time.

Brad Richards Propels Lighting to Victory

Brad Richards was the 2004 Conn Smythe recipient for his heroics and clutch play during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

This goal was one of the many memorable moments for Richards and the Lightning during their Stanley Cup run.

May Day! May Day! May Day!

There isn't much to say here so I will just let Rick Jeanneret do the talking for this slide.

Chris Drury Makes Impact During Avs Playoff Run

This overtime winner was one of many for rookie Chris Drury during the Stanley Cup playoffs and his NHL career.

Drury was so clutch he earned this compliment via SI.com's S.L. Price while speaking to Joe Sakic.

"

"You want a goal, you're in overtime – you want him."

"

The following year, Drury played a larger role and the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup.

Eric Staal Swings Momentum for Carolina

In Game 4, the Carolina Hurricanes were facing elimination. Superstar Eric Staal looked elimination in the face and willed his team to victory with this overtime goal.

Carolina went on to rally back from 0-3 and won the Stanley Cup.

Early-Round Heroics Propel Calgary to Eventual Cup Victory

The Calgary Flames have won only one Stanley Cup in their existence. However, it wouldn't have been possible unless Joel Otto scored this Game 7 series-clinching goal against the Vancouver Canucks.

Otto was an unsung hero in this game and ultimately propelled the Flames to greatness.

The Fog Game

This goal and game is memorable for the on-ice conditions surrounding it.

The arena didn't have air conditioning and, coupled with unseasonably warm weather conditions, the result was fog on the ice.

However, the fog didn't stop Rene Robert from propelling his team to victory in this memorable moment.

Bobby Orr and Boston Bruins End 29-Year Drought

Not a ton of overtime was required for the Bruins to complete the sweep of the St. Louis Blues.

Bobby Orr, arguably the greatest Bruin of all time, scored a goal that ended a 29-year Stanley Cup drought for the Boston Bruins.

Petr Sykora Ends Magical Marathon Game for Mighty Ducks

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks, now just the Ducks, had a magical playoff run that ended with a loss to New Jersey in the Stanley Cup Final in 2003.

However, along the way, Anaheim needed some help to get there and that's exactly what Petr Sykora provided in this quintuplet-overtime thriller.

Pavel Bure Lights a Rocket Past Flames

The Russian Rocket was an accurate sniper throughout his NHL career. In the midst of a Stanley Cup run, Bure scored this double-overtime goal against the Calgary Flames in the first round.

Bure was a huge player in this series and a big reason why the Canucks advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.

Dustin Penner Scores Controversial Goal to Send L.A. to Stanley Cup Finals

Moments before Dustin Penner scored this goal, Michal Rozsival was taken out by Dustin Brown after a delayed offsides call. Phoenix felt like they should've went on a power play.

No call was made on the play.

Moments later, Penner sent L.A. to the Stanley Cup Final and this goal will leave Phoenix fans wondering: what if Dustin Brown was penalized and we have a power play?

Steve Yzerman Wins It for Detroit in Double Overtime

Depending on what side of the fence you were on, you will remember this goal with joy or anguish. Yzerman and the Red Wings defeated the Blues and went on to be defeated by the Colorado Avalanche.

This is quite a memorable goal considering he stole the puck from Wayne Gretzky in order to score the game winner.