Just over a quarter of the way through the 2025-26 NHL season, one trend has caused tired legs, frayed nerves and instant goal-scoring highlights:

Overtime games are being played at a record-setting rate.

In the season's first 425 games, 27.3% of them had the score tied after regulation, requiring a resolution in either the 3-on-3 overtime or in the shootout. If that trend holds, it would be the highest percentage of games going to overtime since the shootout was implemented in the 2005-06 season, topping the 25% of games that went to OT in the 2013-14 season.

What's accounted for this spike in overtime games? Could the trend last?

Here are five theories that have come up during conversations with NHL players, coaches and executives about how "extra" this season's been so far.

Theory:

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