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NHL teams, players and records.

95 guides, records and explainers.

File photo from November 24, 2021: Cole Caufield playing for the Montreal Canadiens. It does not show Tuesday's game against San Jose. The cropped 16:9 derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

Montreal Blows a Fourth Two-Goal Lead, and Caufield Says the Penalties Are on Them

Cole Caufield said Montreal shot itself in the foot after a fourth blown two-goal lead, a 4-3 overtime loss to San Jose built on two penalties.

File photo from February 4, 2024: Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in his Iowa Wild AHL jersey at the 2024 AHL Skills Competition. Wallstedt was in goal for Minnesota on Tuesday. It does not show Tuesday's game in Edmonton.
Ice Hockey

A Hot Mic Caught a Slur About Goalies on the Wild Broadcast, and Nobody Knows Who Said It

A voice on the Wild+ broadcast of Tuesday's Wild-Oilers game used an ableist slur about goalies as a referee's mic opened. The speaker has not been identified.

File photo from November 8, 2014: Nikita Kucherov in Tampa Bay's white away uniform in front of the Columbus net, eleven seasons before he tied the Lightning points record. It does not show Tuesday's game in Las Vegas.
Ice Hockey

Kucherov Ties Stamkos for the Lightning Points Record at 1,137

Nikita Kucherov tied Steven Stamkos for the Tampa Bay points record at 1,137 in a 6-2 win at Vegas, reaching the total in 888 games, 194 fewer than Stamkos.

File photo from March 9, 2023: Brady Tkachuk playing for the Ottawa Senators at Seattle, during his time as Ottawa's captain. It does not show Wednesday's game, his first in Ottawa as a Florida Panther. The cropped 16:9 derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

Brady Tkachuk Scores on a First-Period Power Play in His First Game Back in Ottawa

Brady Tkachuk's first game in Ottawa as a visitor brought boos, a Brady sucks chant, a booed tribute video and a first-period power-play goal. The reception, the goal, and the night Ottawa answered with a 5-1 win.

File photo from January 22, 2022: Ottawa Senators defenceman Thomas Chabot in a white road jersey at Washington. It predates his captaincy and does not show Saturday's game in Philadelphia. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

Captain Chabot Is Out, Sanderson Is Back, and Tkachuk Returns to Ottawa on Wednesday

Ottawa captain Thomas Chabot is out one to two weeks, Jake Sanderson returns Wednesday, and the night he picks is Brady Tkachuk's first game back in Ottawa.

File photo from January 28, 2024: Kirill Marchenko in a Columbus Blue Jackets jersey, number 86, in front of the Seattle net, with Daniil Tarasov in goal behind him and Tomas Tatar at the right edge. It is a file photo from his Columbus years and does not show Tuesday's game in Columbus. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

Marchenko Scores on His Columbus Return After Fantilli Called Keeping Him a Nightmare

Adam Fantilli said keeping Kirill Marchenko in Columbus would have been a nightmare. Hours later Marchenko scored on his return as Toronto won 6-2 and Matthew Knies went scoreless again.

File photo from January 10, 2026: Ben Kindel on the ice in a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey with his name and number 81 visible. It is a file photo from January and does not show the team flight or the hospital. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

Penguins Say Ben Kindel Is Stable After a Medical Episode on the Team Flight

The Penguins say Ben Kindel, 19, is conscious, alert and stable at University of Utah Hospital after a medical episode on the team flight turned the plane back to Salt Lake City.

File photo from February 2024 of Cole Knuble playing for Notre Dame against Wisconsin. It does not show his NHL debut for the Flyers. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY 4.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

Cole Knuble Makes His NHL Debut for the Flyers Against Colorado

Cole Knuble debuted for the Flyers on Monday, the team his father Mike scored 118 goals for. The recall, the injuries behind it, and his first-game line.

File photo from January 2026 of Gavin McKenna playing for Penn State against Wisconsin at the Kohl Center, shooting on goal as he completes his first collegiate hat trick. It does not show Monday's Maple Leafs game against San Jose. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

McKenna Scores the Winner as Leafs Beat Sharks 3-1 in First Meeting With Stenberg

Gavin McKenna scored his first power-play goal, the winner at 4:56 of the third, in his first NHL meeting with No. 2 pick Ivar Stenberg as Toronto beat San Jose 3-1.

File photo from November 2025 of Carter Verhaeghe of the Florida Panthers waiting for a faceoff against the Vancouver Canucks. It does not show the Seattle game in which he completed the record. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

Panthers Set an NHL Record With Natural Hat Tricks in Three Straight Games

Brady Tkachuk scored natural hat tricks in two straight games, then Carter Verhaeghe added a third as Florida set an NHL record in an 8-3 win over Seattle.

File photo from 6 December 2022: Cole Caufield in a Montreal Canadiens jersey on the ice. It does not show the October 2026 game against Buffalo at the Bell Centre. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

Caufield's 14th Overtime Goal Sets a Franchise Record and Beats Buffalo Again

Cole Caufield scored twice, including a breakaway winner 54 seconds into overtime, as Montreal beat Buffalo 4-3. It was his franchise-record 14th overtime goal.

File photo from 2 February 2022: Connor McDavid skating for the Edmonton Oilers in Washington. It does not show the Utah game. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

McDavid Ties Lemieux and Gretzky's Eight-Game Assists Mark With 17

Connor McDavid's five points at Utah took him to 23 in eight games. His 17 assists tie Lemieux and Gretzky for the most through eight games of a season.

File photo from 27 January 2023: Nikita Zadorov, in the Calgary Flames' No. 16, battling Seattle's Jamie Oleksiak. It does not show the Bruins, the Anaheim game or the Los Angeles game. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

Zadorov Is Scratched for Discipline, Then His Agent Teases Toronto

Marco Sturm made Nikita Zadorov a healthy scratch on Saturday over his penalty discipline. Hours later his agent told a fan on X that Toronto would not treat him this way.

File photo from 17 December 2024: Ottawa goaltender Linus Ullmark. It does not show Thursday's game against the Islanders. The cropped 16:9 derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

Senators Have Two Goals Wiped Out in One Period, Then Beat the Islanders in a Shootout

Ottawa had a goal-line call reversed and a second goal killed by an offside challenge inside eight first-period minutes on Thursday, then beat the Islanders 2-1 in a shootout.

File photo from 6 February 2023: Jesper Wallstedt at the AHL All-Star Classic in Laval. It does not show the Minnesota game against St. Louis. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY 2.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

Wallstedt Calls Hofer's Hit on Kaprizov a Dirty Play After the Goalie Fight That Wasn't

Blues goalie Joel Hofer bodychecked Kirill Kaprizov behind the net in St. Paul, took a two-minute minor, and Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt called it dirty.

File photo from 13 October 2017: Arizona State playing Air Force at Cadet Ice Arena, years before the programme moved into its current home. It does not show Matthew Mayich, the August workout, or this week's announcement.
Ice Hockey

Arizona State Parts Ways With Greg Powers and Hires Dave Hakstol as the Mayich Review Continues

Greg Powers is out at Arizona State and Dave Hakstol is in, while the independent review of Matthew Mayich's August collapse is still running.

File photo: Gavin McKenna playing for Penn State against Wisconsin at the Kohl Center in Madison, completing his first collegiate hat trick. It does not show the Maple Leafs game against Buffalo. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

Hiller Says Benching McKenna Was His Mistake as the Leafs Blow a 4-2 Lead

Gavin McKenna played 6:36 and sat the final 32:54 of Toronto's overtime loss to Buffalo. Coach Jim Hiller says the benching was his error, not the rookie's.

File photo from 6 December 2013: Gabriel Landeskog captaining the Colorado Avalanche. It does not show the Dallas game in Denver on October 14, 2026. The cropped 16:9 derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

Landeskog's Goal Is Wiped Out for a Kicking Motion as Colorado Has Two Goals Disallowed

Gabriel Landeskog had a goal overturned for a distinct kicking motion, Colorado's second disallowed goal in ten minutes, in a 3-2 shootout loss to Dallas.

AI-generated illustration: two generic hockey players with their gloves dropped on the ice in front of the boards, while a worried mother behind the glass holds both hands on her head and a father beside her cheers. It is an illustration of the moment type, not a photograph of the Ottawa game.
Ice Hockey

Dylan Peterson Fights in His NHL Debut and His Mom's Reaction Steals the Night

Blues rookie Dylan Peterson dropped the gloves in his first NHL game in Ottawa. The broadcast found his parents in the front row, and his mother went viral.

File photo from March 28, 2024: Trevor Zegras on the ice. It does not show Tuesday's game against Seattle, and the cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

Flyers' Worst Start in Franchise History Reaches Eight Games After a Shootout Loss

Philadelphia came back from 2-0 down against Seattle, tied it in 73 seconds, then lost the shootout to fall to 0-5-3, extending the worst start in Flyers history.

File photo from April 24, 2023: Nathan MacKinnon, centre, in a Colorado Avalanche uniform during a playoff game in Seattle. It does not show the Dallas game, and the cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

MacKinnon Leaves Bloody, Then Returns With Two Assists After Fighting Hintz

Nathan MacKinnon fought Roope Hintz in Dallas, left with a cut on the bridge of his nose, missed nearly eight minutes, then set up two goals in a 3-2 win.

A generic hockey captain seen from behind in a plain dark jersey with a captain's C, stepping from an arena tunnel onto bright ice with his stick in hand, editorial graphic. AI-generated illustration, not the United Center or any real player.
Ice Hockey

Bedard Returns a Month Early for His Captain's Debut Against the Penguins

Connor Bedard is expected to make his season debut as Blackhawks captain against Pittsburgh on Tuesday, 97 days after shoulder surgery and a month ahead of schedule.

File photo from February 2026: Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Jeremy Lauzon in warmups before a game against the Washington Capitals. It does not show the Minnesota game. The cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.
Ice Hockey

McCarron Calls Out Lauzon for Fighting Rookie Lorenz in His Second NHL Game

Vegas defenceman Jeremy Lauzon challenged Wild rookie Rieger Lorenz to a fight in Lorenz's second NHL game, and Lauzon's former Nashville teammate Michael McCarron said he did not like it.

A referee raising one arm to signal a major penalty beside an open penalty-box door, a discarded stick and glove on the ice near the boards and a trainer by the bench, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Mantha's Boarding Major Knocks Matinpalo Out as Ottawa's Blue-Line Crisis Deepens

Anthony Mantha's five-minute boarding major drove Nikolas Matinpalo head-first into the boards on Monday, knocking out a fourth Ottawa defenceman.

Two generic hockey players at a centre-ice faceoff, one raising his stick toward the other's neck area as a striped referee reaches in to intervene, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Rodrigues Fined $5,000 After His Stick Jab at Rossi Is Downgraded From a Spear to a Double Minor

Evan Rodrigues jabbed Marco Rossi in the throat area at a faceoff, saw a spearing major downgraded on review, and was fined the maximum $5,000 on Sunday.

A hockey puck resting on a goal line in front of a referee's video review monitor glowing at the boards of an arena, with a goaltender watching from the crease, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Canadiens Have Three Goals Disallowed, Then Win 1-0 in a Sixth-Round Shootout

Montreal had three goals called back for three different reasons against Detroit on Saturday, then won 1-0 when Zach Bolduc scored in the sixth shootout round.

A generic hockey defenceman in an unbranded teal jersey smiling and waving off a row of microphones and television cameras at an arena media scrum, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Darnell Nurse Fires Back at Reporter Mark Spector With a 'Low IQ' Jab Before Facing the Oilers

Sharks defenceman Darnell Nurse used a Friday media scrum to settle a score with Sportsnet reporter Mark Spector, whose column called hockey sense his great weakness.

A generic hockey defenseman in a plain white and blue unbranded uniform driven into the boards while the puck lies several feet away and a referee watches with his arm down, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Ekman-Larsson Leaves on a Lauzon Hit With No Penalty, Then Practices a Day Later

Oliver Ekman-Larsson left Toronto's loss in Vegas late on a Jeremy Lauzon hit that drew no penalty. He was back on the practice ice on Friday.

A generic hockey goaltender in a plain white unbranded uniform with large leg pads being helped off the ice toward the bench by two teammates, one leg lifted clear of the ice, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Shesterkin Is Out for the Season, and the Rangers' Net Belongs to a 24-Year-Old

The Rangers announced Saturday that Igor Shesterkin's season is over after a lower-body injury in Washington, with backup Joonas Korpisalo also out for four weeks.

An empty hockey goal crease under a spotlight in a dark arena, plain white goalie pads and a mask left beside the net, with a glowing blurred dollar counter on the scoreboard above, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

A Fan Website Now Counts Connor Hellebuyck's Holdout Losses at About 45 Cents a Second

A fan-built site, hellebucks.com, tracks Connor Hellebuyck's forfeited Jets salary in real time: about $38,660 a day on a $7.5 million base salary.

A generic hockey forward in a plain black jersey delivering a high shoulder check beside the boards as a referee raises an arm and players converge, with an empty net at the far end of the ice, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Frank Nazar Gets a Match Penalty for a High Hit on Bo Horvat as the Islanders Captain Is Evaluated

Frank Nazar was given a match penalty for a shoulder to Bo Horvat's head on an empty-net goal, and Horvat was evaluated for a possible concussion.

An empty blue arena seat with a folded plain blue flag left on it while two security officers escort a generic fan in an orange hockey jersey up the aisle of an ice hockey arena, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Oilers Say the Viral Rogers Place Ejection Had Nothing to Do With an Alberta Flag

A viral video claimed an Oilers fan was ejected for waving an Alberta flag. The Oilers say he was removed for disruptive conduct and language, not the flag.

A generic veteran hockey goaltender in a plain white and navy uniform with large leg pads raising his glove in the crease as a crowd stands behind the glass, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Varlamov Starts After 676 Days and Two Knee Replacements in Islanders' 5-2 Loss

Semyon Varlamov made his first NHL start in 676 days at Madison Square Garden after two partial knee replacements, believed to be a first for an NHL goaltender.

A generic hockey player in a plain red jersey raising his stick to a cheering home crowd, one fan holding a crossed-out jersey sign, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Dylan Larkin Turns Boos to Cheers With a Goal in His Red Wings Return Against Ottawa

Former Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, booed at the home opener after his trade request, scored in his season debut as Detroit beat Ottawa 5-3.

Two young boys in generic red hockey jerseys at a rinkside microphone introducing the home team as a veteran player in a generic red jersey, seen from behind with no name or number, skates into a spotlight, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Ovechkin's Sons Introduce Him at His Final Home Opener as Washington Beats Pittsburgh 5-3

Alex Ovechkin's sons Sergei and Ilya introduced him at his 22nd and final home opener, and Washington beat Crosby's Penguins 5-3 to open the farewell season at home.

A generic hockey player in a dark jersey gesturing in confusion at an open penalty box gate while a striped referee points toward a teammate down the ice and a broadcast microphone hangs overhead, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Fraser Minten Sent to the Box for a Teammate's Slash, Then Talks the Referee Out of It

Bruins forward Fraser Minten was given a slashing penalty committed by James Hagens, told the referee on a hot mic, and watched the officials reverse it.

A smartphone with headphones resting on an ice rink surface showing an empty audio playlist, under red arena lights with empty seats behind, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

NHL Pulls 'Hot for Hockey' Romance Audio Series From Spotify Less Than a Week After Launch

The NHL has removed its 'Hot for Hockey' romance-style audio stories from Spotify and will make no more, less than a week after launching the series.

An anonymous family seen from behind on a living-room couch staring at a television showing a cricket match instead of hockey on a Saturday night, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

First Saturday Without Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Since 1952 Leaves Fans Fuming

Sportsnet's Saturday Night Hockey debuted on October 3 as CBC aired no NHL game on a Saturday for the first time since 1952, and fans refused the new name.

File photo from October 24, 2024: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck in his crease during a game against the Seattle Kraken. It predates the holdout by two years. The 16:9 cropped derivative is offered under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 licence as the original.
Ice Hockey

ESPN: Three Teams in Trade Talks for Hellebuyck as Friday Deadline Nears

ESPN reports at least three teams are in trade talks for Connor Hellebuyck before his Jets suspension ends Friday, while coach Scott Arniel says the club is open to his return.

A veteran hockey captain in a plain red jersey, seen from behind, addressing seated teammates in a locker room before a game, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

Alex Ovechkin Says 2026-27 Will Be His Final NHL Season After 22 Years in Washington

Alex Ovechkin told his Capitals teammates on Monday that the 2026-27 season will be his last in the NHL. The all-time goals leader starts his farewell year on 929 goals.

Frustrated hockey fans in plain red jerseys chanting toward an empty ice rink in an arena, one holding a blank white sign, editorial graphic
Ice Hockey

'Sell the Team' Chants Return in Detroit as Edvinsson Reportedly Prefers a Trade

Detroit fans chanted 'sell the team' again on Sunday as a report said unsigned defenseman Simon Edvinsson would prefer a trade from the Red Wings.

Records & Money

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NHL players celebrating on the ice after a historic win
Ice Hockey

Best NHL Season Ever: Ranking the Greatest Regular Seasons

No NHL team has ever finished undefeated, but the 2022-23 Boston Bruins came closest to perfection with a record 65-12-5, 135-point season. Here is the full ranked leaderboard.

NHL forward celebrating a goal as the crowd rises behind the glass
Ice Hockey

Art Ross Trophy Winners (NHL Scoring Leaders)

Wayne Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy a record 10 times as the NHL's top scorer. The recent winners list and every multiple winner, explained.

NHL player skating with the puck under arena lights
Ice Hockey

Hart Trophy Winners (NHL MVP by Year)

Wayne Gretzky holds the record with nine Hart Trophies as NHL MVP. The recent winners list and every multiple winner, explained.

NHL defenseman skating the puck out of his own zone under arena lights
Ice Hockey

Norris Trophy Winners (NHL Best Defenseman)

Bobby Orr holds the record with eight Norris Trophies, all in a row. The recent winners list and every multiple winner, explained.

NHL rookie skating up the ice during a game under arena lights
Ice Hockey

What Is the Calder Trophy?

The Calder Memorial Trophy is the NHL's Rookie of the Year award. What it is, who is eligible, how the vote works, and the recent winners.

Silver NHL playoff MVP trophy on an ice rink
Ice Hockey

Conn Smythe Trophy Winners (NHL Playoff MVP)

Patrick Roy holds the record with three Conn Smythe Trophies. The full list of recent NHL playoff MVPs and every multiple winner, explained.

Goaltender's mask and pads beside an NHL trophy on the ice
Ice Hockey

Vezina Trophy Winners (NHL's Best Goaltender)

Jacques Plante holds the record with seven Vezina Trophies. The list of recent NHL best-goaltender winners and every multiple winner, explained.

Ice hockey arena with players skating under bright lights
Ice Hockey

Longest Winning Streak in NHL History

The 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins won 17 straight games, the longest winning streak in NHL history. The full leaderboard of team streaks, explained.

Hockey player passing the puck across the ice with an arena in the background
Ice Hockey

Most Assists in NHL History

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL assists record with 1,963, more than any other player's total points. The full leaderboard, explained.

Hockey player firing a shot on goal as the puck heads toward the net
Ice Hockey

Most Goals in NHL History

Alex Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky in 2025 and holds the NHL goals record with 897. The full all-time goal-scoring leaderboard, explained.

Ice hockey puck and stick on a fresh sheet of ice
Ice Hockey

Most Hat Tricks in NHL History

Wayne Gretzky scored 50 career hat tricks, the most in NHL history. The full leaderboard of the league's top hat-trick scorers, explained.

Hockey puck and stick on the ice with an arena scoreboard glowing above
Ice Hockey

Most Points in NHL History

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL career points record with 2,857. The full leaderboard of hockey's all-time scoring leaders, explained.

Ice hockey puck resting on a rink beneath arena lights
Ice Hockey

Most Stanley Cups Won by a Player

Henri Richard won a record 11 Stanley Cups as a player. The full leaderboard of hockey's most decorated champions, explained.

Ice hockey rink with a goal net under bright arena lights
Ice Hockey

Most Stanley Cups by a Team

The Montreal Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups, the most of any team. The full leaderboard of NHL franchises by championships, explained.

NHL coach behind the bench directing players during a hockey game
Ice Hockey

The Winningest Coaches in NHL History

Scotty Bowman holds the record with 1,244 wins as an NHL coach, far ahead of Joel Quenneville's 969. The full leaderboard, explained.

Most NHL goals in a season: Wayne Gretzky scored 92 in 1981-82
Ice Hockey

Most NHL Goals in a Season

Wayne Gretzky holds the record for most NHL goals in a season with 92 in 1981-82. The full ranked list, the team single-season record, and era context explained.

Rules & How It Works

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Diagram of a hockey rink showing NHL 200 by 85 foot dimensions, goal lines, blue lines and IIHF width range
Ice Hockey

Hockey Rink Dimensions: NHL, IIHF and Youth Sizes

Official hockey rink dimensions for NHL, North American, IIHF and Olympic ice, with rink lines, zones, goal lines, boards and a fit calculator.

Ice hockey scoreboard showing period and time remaining above a rink during an NHL game
Ice Hockey

How Many Periods Are in a Hockey Game? NHL Rules Explained

How many periods are in a hockey game: three 20-minute periods, how long intermissions last, and how NHL overtime and shootouts settle ties.

Hockey player winding up for a slap shot on the ice
Ice Hockey

Types of Shots in Ice Hockey: Every Shot Explained

The main types of shots in ice hockey are the wrist shot, slap shot, snap shot, backhand, one-timer, wraparound, and deflection. Full breakdown here.

A hockey forward pulling the puck across his body with a toe drag deke to slip past a defender
Ice Hockey

What Is a Deke in Hockey? Meaning, Types, and Examples

A deke in hockey is a fake move used to skate past a defender or goalie. Learn the term's origin, the main types of dekes, and how they're used.

A hockey player firing a one-timer off a cross-ice pass on the power play
Ice Hockey

What Is a One-Timer in Hockey? Definition & How It Works

A one-timer in hockey is a shot fired directly off a teammate's pass with no puck control first. How it works, why it's hard to stop, and how to practice one.

Hockey defenseman winding up for a slap shot with the stick raised above shoulder height at the blue line
Ice Hockey

What Is a Slap Shot in Hockey? Mechanics, Speed & Records

A slap shot in hockey is a full wind-up shot built for maximum puck speed. Learn the technique, how it compares to a wrist shot, and NHL speed records.

A trailing team's net sits empty as an opposing forward skates in alone to score an empty net goal
Ice Hockey

What Is an Empty Net Goal in Hockey? Rules, Strategy, and Records

An empty net goal in hockey is scored when the net has no goaltender in it. Learn when teams pull the goalie, the delayed-penalty rule, and NHL records.

A hockey forward skating hard back toward his own defensive zone to backcheck an opposing rush
Ice Hockey

What Is Backchecking in Hockey? Meaning, Purpose & Technique Explained

Backchecking in hockey is when a player skates hard back to their own zone to defend after losing the puck. Learn the rules, technique, and why it matters.

Hockey player cross-checking an opponent with both hands on the stick shaft in front of the net
Ice Hockey

What Is Cross-Checking in Hockey? NHL Rule Explained

Cross-checking in hockey is using the stick shaft with both hands to shove an opponent; learn the NHL rule, penalties, and how it differs from slashing.

Diagram of hockey forwards pressuring a defenseman behind the net during a forecheck
Ice Hockey

What Is Forechecking in Hockey? Systems and Roles Explained

Forechecking in hockey is pressuring the puck carrier in the offensive zone to force a turnover. Learn the F1-F2-F3 roles and the 1-2-2, 2-1-2, and 1-3-1 systems.

Referee raising an arm to signal a high-sticking penalty as a player's stick blade rises above shoulder height
Ice Hockey

What Is High Sticking in Hockey? The Rule Explained

High sticking in hockey is contact above the shoulders with the stick blade. Learn the minor vs. double-minor penalty, exceptions, and the puck-height stoppage rule.

Overhead view of a hockey goal crease, the blue semicircle with red outline in front of the net, with a goaltender set inside it
Ice Hockey

What Is the Crease in Hockey? Rules, Size, and Goalie Interference

What the crease in hockey is, its official 8x4.5-foot dimensions, who can legally stand in it, and how NHL goalie interference rules actually work.

Diagram of a hockey neutral zone trap showing defenders spread across the neutral zone between the blue lines
Ice Hockey

What Is the Neutral Zone Trap in Hockey? Rule and Strategy Explained

The neutral zone trap in hockey is a defensive system that clogs the neutral zone to force turnovers, run as a 1-2-2 or 1-3-1 formation.

Linesman raising an arm at the faceoff dot to signal a hybrid icing call as two players race for the puck
Ice Hockey

Icing in Hockey Explained: The Rule, Simply

What icing in hockey means, how the NHL's hybrid icing race-to-the-dot call really works, when it's waved off, and how NHL, IIHF, and NCAA rules differ.

Hockey power play diagram showing an umbrella formation with five attacking skaters against four defenders and one penalty box
Ice Hockey

Power Play in Hockey Explained: The Rule, Simply

What a power play means in hockey, how long minor, double-minor, and major penalties last, and when a power-play goal ends the penalty early.

Hockey players contesting the puck near the boards
Ice Hockey

What Is a Check in Hockey? Body Check and Legal Contact

A hockey check is legal contact used to separate an opponent from the puck, but league rules limit where, how, and when contact is allowed.

Diagram of an ice hockey referee demonstrating arm signals for common penalties like hooking, tripping, and slashing
Ice Hockey

Hockey Referee Signals Explained: Every Penalty Arm Signal

Hockey referee signals decoded: the exact arm signal for hooking, tripping, slashing, cross-checking, high-sticking, holding, interference, and more.

Illustrated ice hockey rink diagram labeled with terminology like blue line, crease, and neutral zone
Ice Hockey

Hockey Terminology Glossary: 60+ NHL Terms Explained

A complete hockey terminology glossary covering NHL rules, positions, penalties, and slang terms every fan needs to know.

The Stanley Cup on display with a playoff bracket concept in the background
Ice Hockey

How Do the NHL Playoffs Work?

The NHL playoffs are a 16-team, best-of-seven bracket: three division-based rounds plus wild cards lead to the conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final.

NHL arena during a game with an out-of-focus scoreboard, representing hockey finances
Ice Hockey

NHL Salary Cap Explained: The Hard Cap & Floor

The NHL has a hard salary cap with no luxury tax — teams cannot exceed it. It rises and falls with league revenue and comes with a salary floor teams must meet.

NHL players racing up the ice during a three-on-three overtime period
Ice Hockey

Overtime Rules in the NHL: How OT Works (2026)

NHL regular-season overtime is a 5-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death period; if still tied it goes to a shootout. Playoff overtime is full 5-on-5 sudden death until a goal.

Two hockey centers battling for the puck as an official drops it at a faceoff dot
Ice Hockey

What Is a Faceoff in Hockey?

A faceoff starts and restarts play in hockey: an official drops the puck between two opposing players at one of nine faceoff dots, and they battle to win possession.

Short-handed hockey players in a defensive box formation during a penalty kill
Ice Hockey

What Is a Penalty Kill in Hockey?

A penalty kill is when a short-handed team defends against the opponent's power play after taking a penalty, trying to survive the two minutes without conceding.

A hockey player skating in alone on the goalie during a shootout attempt
Ice Hockey

What Is a Shootout in Hockey?

A hockey shootout decides a tied NHL regular-season game after overtime: teams alternate penalty-shot attempts, best of three, then sudden death, for one standings point.

A hockey player crossing the blue line as a linesman watches for offside
Ice Hockey

What Is Offside in Hockey?

Offside in hockey means an attacking player crosses the offensive blue line ahead of the puck. Play stops and a faceoff is held outside the zone.

Ice hockey rink diagram showing center, wings, defensemen and goaltender positions
Ice Hockey

Hockey Positions Explained: Every Role

Hockey positions explained: the center, wings, defensemen and goaltender, what each role does on the ice, and what F, D and G mean on a lineup.

An NHL forward celebrating a goal in front of a packed arena crowd
Ice Hockey

Highest-Paid NHL Players: Ranked by Cap Hit (2025-26)

The 12 highest-paid NHL players by cap hit for 2025-26, ranked and verified: Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid and more, plus why Kirill Kaprizov's record deal isn't #1 yet.

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