Find out all you need to know about a typical NHL game’s structure in this comprehensive hockey breakdown.
Hockey periods shape the entire flow of a game, and knowing how they work can give you a winning edge in fantasy hockey. To answer the main question in black and white terms: hockey games typically consist of three periods. These periods are usually 20 minutes in length with an intermission between each one. This breaks the game down into three equal sections that contribute to the game’s structure and pacing.
While all three periods are 20 minutes in length, there are some notable differences between them. Most notably, the second period is the most difficult for some teams due to the “long change.” This means that the team’s bench is closer to their offensive zone rather than their defensive zone, making it harder to change players if a team is stuck in their own zone.
But let’s back it up a bit. This guide will help you grasp the impact of periods, overtime and intermissions when it comes to your fantasy hockey strategy and overall knowledge of the sport. It will break down everything you need to know about the structure of a hockey game, because whether you’re looking to boost your acumen or maximize fantasy points, understanding game timing is crucial.
Lace up those skates and let’s go.
Were NHL Hockey Games Always 3 Periods Long?
While the three-period game is now synonymous with hockey, that wasn’t always the case. Hockey games were initially split into two halves until Lester and Frank Patrick decided to change the game in 1910.
The Patrick brothers are known as pioneers of professional ice hockey, as they modernized the game by not only going from two halves to three periods but also changing the number of skaters on the ice, among other things.
Breaking the game down into three periods rather than two halves allows for more fast-paced action, as players get more resting time with intermissions between the first and second periods and then the second and third periods as well.
How Long is a Hockey Intermission?
A typical NHL hockey intermission is 18 minutes, although it may be shorter in other leagues. While it may just seem like a break in the action, there are a few key functions that occur during intermissions.
First and foremost, it allows the players and teams to rest as well as strategize for the next period. If a team is winning, it may choose to stick with the same strategy or play a more defensive style. On the flip side, a trailing squad will likely look to change things up to get something going offensively.
Intermissions allow for the ice to be resurfaced by Zambonis. After 20 minutes of players skating hard on the ice, the playing surface tends to get chipped up. These intermissions bring the ice back to optimal playing conditions.
Finally, intermissions are a chance for broadcasts to show ads as the constant nature of a hockey game could lead to many minutes between stoppages. It also allows for some fan entertainment in the arena in the form of T-shirt tosses, games on the ice and more.
NHL Overtime Rules Explained
If a game is tied after three periods, it goes to a sudden-death overtime period. There is a big difference in how overtime is played in the regular season and the playoffs, however.
In the regular season, overtime is just a five-minute period played at 3-on-3. Puck possession is crucial in these overtimes, as turnovers often lead to odd-man rushes the other way. And with it being sudden death, one mistake can be the difference between a win and a loss.
It’s worth noting that there is just a short break between the third period and overtime in the regular season.
If no one scores in the five-minute overtime, the game is decided in a shootout. Each team selects three shooters for a three-round shootout in the NHL, and shootouts can go as many rounds as needed to decide a winner.
Playoff overtime is a completely different beast. There is a full intermission between the third period and overtime, and then after any overtime periods that end scoreless. Overtimes are a continuation of 5-on-5 hockey for 20 minutes.
Due to the sudden-death nature of overtime in both the regular season and playoffs, teams tend to give their best players the most ice time. This is important to remember when deciding which players to roster on your fantasy hockey team.
Hockey Game Length Differences Across Leagues
While the NHL is the most popular hockey league across the world, it’s not the only one. And there are some differences in the length of intermissions.
In NCAA hockey for example, intermissions are only 15 minutes long compared to the 18-minute breaks in the NHL. Minor hockey leagues also have their own rules with some junior leagues changing the length of intermissions as well.
There are also differences in how games are decided in overtime. NCAA Hockey has a five-minute sudden-death overtime period that ends in a tie if no one scores.
How Hockey Basics Can Influence Fantasy Hockey Strategies
Understanding the length and structure of hockey periods is key to developing smart fantasy hockey strategies.
Some of the best players in the world are able to deal with fatigue better than others, and this allows them to play more both in regulation and overtime. Overtime rules, such as the 3-on-3 in the regular season, mean that a coach will only put his top players on the ice in the sudden-death period.
Intermission adjustments can also be key for some teams. Players may see their ice time increased or decreased depending on strategy changes during intermission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did hockey change from halves to periods?
Hockey changed from halves to periods to increase the pace of play with fewer players on the ice.
How long can an NHL game be?
A regular-season NHL game can be 65 minutes and as many shootout rounds as it takes to decide a winner. A playoff game can go on indefinitely, with the longest NHL game in history ending in six overtimes (after 116 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime alone).
What does SOG mean in hockey?
SOG stands for shots on goal in hockey. This is the amount of times that a player or a team has taken a shot that goes into the net or would’ve went into the net had the goalie not saved it.
Hit the Ice With Sleeper
Understanding game structures and periods in hockey may not seem too important but it can give you an extra edge in both real-world performance as well as fantasy hockey outcomes.
Sleeper’s app allows users to track in-game events and leverage insights about game structure to make real-time adjustments to their fantasy rosters. Make sure to join Sleeper by signing up on the website or downloading the app to stay updated with the latest NHL news. And while you’re at it, try your hand at Sleeper Picks, a DFS game where you can maximize your winnings by selecting whether you think players will outperform or fall short of their projected stats.
