Throughout NHL history, no Stanley Cup playoff game has ever concluded with a penalty shot goal in overtime, and Carolina’s Jordan Martinook had no desire to break that streak.
During Game 2 of their opening-round matchup with Ottawa, Martinook and his Hurricanes teammates believed they had secured victory when Mark Jankowski found the back of the net. However, a league review determined the play was offside, erasing the goal and resetting the game clock. On the following shift, Senators forward Warren Foegele hooked Martinook during a breakaway, resulting in a penalty shot award.
“I was trying to tell (the referee) we needed the power play, not the penalty shot,” Martinook explained. Linus Ullmark denied his attempt, but Martinook eventually netted the game-winner during double overtime.
Following Thursday evening’s contests, these playoffs have witnessed four penalty shots across 21 games — exceeding the combined total from the past three postseasons, which included none in 2025. Goaltenders have successfully defended against every attempt.
Just two additional penalty shots would match the all-time record for a single playoff run. While no clear explanation exists for officials choosing penalty shots over power plays more frequently, this trend has certainly provided exceptional entertainment during an already captivating first round.
“Everything’s very circumstantial,” Buffalo netminder Alex Lyon commented after stopping Boston’s Viktor Arvidsson during Thursday’s Game 3. Lyon remains uncertain whether he prefers the one-on-one challenge or enduring a two-minute penalty kill.
“To be honest with you, every player in this league has the ability to score on penalty shots,” Lyon stated. “So yeah, I guess it’s just more circumstantial, but I don’t really have a definitive answer one way or the other.”
Lyon successfully stopped Arvidsson, Ullmark denied Martinook, Philadelphia’s Owen Tippett shot wide against Pittsburgh’s Stuart Skinner, and Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood delivered such a spectacular save against Los Angeles’ Quinton Byfield that celebrating Denver fans actually shattered the glass behind the Kings’ bench.
“Never really seen the glass shatter behind the bench,” Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar remarked after repairs delayed the game for over 15 minutes. “That’s a different one. Stuff happens. Fans get excited. Our guys were excited.”
Could increased grabbing during play be occurring? More breakaway opportunities in a league emphasizing offensive production? Both scenarios seem plausible.
NHL rule 24.1 states that “a penalty shot is designed to restore a scoring opportunity which was lost as a result of an infraction being committed by the offending team, based on the parameters set out in these rules.” This language allows officials discretion in determining penalty shot situations when a player faces no impediment with clear access to the goal.
Nevertheless, four penalty shots before the first round concludes represents an anomaly. Only the 2019 playoffs (five) and 2008 playoffs (six) recorded more penalty shot attempts.
These moments carry game-altering potential while intensifying playoff pressure. Martinook compared his situation to being the heavy person on a seesaw, admitting he felt disappointed after missing his opportunity. The 33-year-old veteran redeemed himself with his subsequent goal to avoid becoming the scapegoat.
“It was going to be a long night if that penalty shot came back to bite me,” Martinook reflected. “Hockey’s crazy, sports are crazy and being able to score after that, I’ll tell my grandkids about that one, that’s for sure.”
