Overtime pays off in playoffs

Ottawa Senators coach Guy Boucher likes to say that rest is a weapon, and it certainly applies to handling the aftermath of overtime hockey. And there has been a lot of that so far in the 2017 postseason.

A record 18 games went to overtime in the first round with at least one in every series. The effects will vary drastically, from teams like the Washington Capitals and Senators that have played more than 40 extra minutes to the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks, which finished off their opponents in sweeps.

Ottawa defenseman Dion Phaneuf called the opening series against the Bruins (four overtimes) the toughest he has ever been through. His general manager, Pierre Dorion, isn’t concerned.

“I think we have enough depth that we’ll be able to sustain however long we go,” Dorion said as the Senators prepared to face the New York Rangers. “I think there’s been so many overtimes this year that every team is going through it.”

Maybe not. The Pittsburgh Penguins went to overtime just once in knocking out the Columbus Blue Jackets in five games. Washington, the Penguins’ second-round opponent, played the most OT (46:20) and total (406:20) minutes of any team that advanced.

Hockey players live for this time of year, so being physically fresh isn’t the problem. Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen, who played a team-high 156:31 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, brushed off the avalanche of overtime games with a wry smile.

“Sure,” Niskanen said. “Or we’re in great shape. Maybe we’re just getting in shape, I don’t know. Whatever. It is what it is. You’ve got to win, so it’s not like you’re throwing up the white flag just because you’ve played a little too long.”

Knowing the tiredness is coming is half the battle for all involved.

“It’s hard on the body, but that’s part of the playoffs,” center David Desharnais, the Edmonton Oilers’ Game 5 overtime hero on the way to a series win against the San Jose Sharks, said while prepping to face the Ducks. “We’ve got days in between to recover.”