Hockey is 60 minutes packed with hard-hitting, puck-flying action. Hockey is a long, tiring game for the players involved. As a result, the NHL enforces strict rules regarding regulation and overtime play. Time-outs are enforced to give players a rest and sudden death overtimes are designed for a relatively quick end to an action-filled game. However, playoff hockey games continue -- regardless of duration -- until a winner is determined.
Periods
A typical hockey game consists of three periods. Each period is 20 minutes long. During this time, each team has five players and one goaltender on the ice. Teams are also permitted to take one 30-second timeout during the game. The game can also be stopped for television timeouts, stoppages of play and for injuries.
Overtime Period
An overtime period begins immediately following a commercial break -- approximately one minute. An overtime period lasts five minutes. Overtime periods are sudden death -- meaning the first team to score is the game's winner. During overtime, four players and one goaltender are allowed on the ice for each team.
Playoff Overtime
During the playoffs, a regular intermission of 15 minutes occurs at the end of the 60 minutes of regulation play. Teams will then play another 20-minute period. Playoff overtime is sudden death hockey. Should there be no score at the end of the 20-minute overtime period, another intermission will occur. After intermission, another 20-minute period will be played. This pattern will continue until a winner is determined. The record for the longest playoff game was played on March 24, 1936. This game was between Detroit and Montreal. After 116 minutes and 30 seconds of play, Detroit emerged victoriously. The game's final score was 1 to 0.
Shootouts
Shootouts occur only during the regular season. If a game remains tied at the end of the overtime period, teams will begin a shootout. Prior to the game, coaches will have selected a line-up for the shooter. The goalie for each team takes position. Three players from each team will have the opportunity to score. The team who makes the most shots out of three is the winner. If no winner is determined, a shootout now becomes sudden death. The coach will continue through his line-up with each player taking shots as necessary. No player can shoot twice unless a team runs through its entire line-up. Hockey shootouts normally only take a few minutes. A game in 2005 -- Washington and New York -- went into 15 rounds, meaning 30 players had the opportunity to take shots.
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