 The early 1980s saw many tie games . The 1982 – 83 North Stars and Capitals both finished with 16 ties in 80 games , while 17 of 21 teams tied 10 or more games . The season before , the North Stars recorded 20 ties . As a result of the frequent ties , the NHL reintroduced overtime for the 1983 – 84 season . The effect was immediate , as only seven teams had ten or more ties . Before its discontinuation during World War II , the NHL played a full 10 @-@ minute overtime period . The modern overtime format was set as a five @-@ minute , sudden death period ; the game ended when either team scored . 
