NHL Hockey (National Hockey League) is a fast-paced, physical team sport played on ice. The objective is to score more goals than the opposing team by shooting a puck into the opponent’s net. Here’s how the game works:

1. The Objective

The goal in hockey is to score more goals than the opposing team by shooting the puck into the opposing team’s net. Teams play both offense (to score goals) and defense (to prevent the other team from scoring).

2. The Ice Rink • Dimensions: An NHL rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide.
   • Zones:
   • Defensive Zone: The area where a team defends its net.
   • Neutral Zone: The middle area between the two blue lines.
   • Offensive Zone: The area where a team tries to score in the opponent’s net.
   • Goal Crease: The semi-circular area in front of the net where the goalie operates.
3. Teams and Positions • Each team has 6 players on the ice at one time:
   • Goaltender (Goalie): Defends the team’s net and tries to stop the puck from entering the goal.
   • Forwards: Three forwards consisting of a center, left wing, and right wing who focus on offense and scoring.
   • Defensemen: Two defensemen protect the team’s defensive zone and help the goalie prevent goals.
   • Teams rotate players on and off the ice in “line changes,” keeping fresh legs on the ice at all times.
4. Game Structure • Three Periods: The game is played over three periods of 20 minutes each.
   • Intermissions: There is a break between the periods.
   • Overtime: If the game is tied after three periods, there is a 5-minute sudden-death overtime (3-on-3) where the first team to score wins. If no one scores, a shootout occurs.
   • Shootout: In regular-season games, teams take turns with penalty shots until one team scores more than the other.
5. Puck Movement and Play • Players move the puck by skating and passing with their stick.
   • The puck must stay in play, and players can use their stick to control, shoot, or pass the puck to teammates.
   • Players are not allowed to use their hands to pass the puck, except for goalies in their own crease.
6. Faceoffs • The game starts with a faceoff at center ice. Faceoffs also occur after stoppages in play.
   • The referee drops the puck between two players from opposing teams who battle for control of the puck.
7. Scoring • A goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar.
   • Each goal is worth 1 point.
   • The team with the most goals at the end of regulation time wins.
8. Key Rules • Offside: A player cannot enter the offensive zone (past the opponent’s blue line) before the puck. If they do, play is stopped, and a faceoff occurs in the neutral zone.
   • Icing: If a team shoots the puck from behind the center red line and it crosses the opponent’s goal line without being touched, icing is called. Play stops, and a faceoff occurs in the defensive zone of the team that iced the puck.
   • Penalties: Violations of the rules result in penalties, where a player serves time in the penalty box, giving the opposing team a temporary advantage. Penalties can last 2 minutes (minor penalties), 5 minutes (major penalties), or longer for more severe infractions.
9. Types of Penalties • Minor Penalties (2 minutes): Common penalties such as tripping, slashing, holding, hooking, or delay of game.
   • Major Penalties (5 minutes): More severe infractions such as fighting or serious boarding.
   • Power Play: When a player from the opposing team is in the penalty box, the team with more players has a power play and tries to take advantage of the extra player to score.
   • Penalty Kill: The team that is shorthanded due to a penalty focuses on defending to stop the opponent from scoring during the power play.
10. Offense • Shooting: Players use their stick to shoot the puck toward the goal. Common shots include:
    • Wrist Shot: A quick shot with precision.
    • Slap Shot: A powerful shot with a wind-up swing.
    • Backhand: A shot using the backside of the stick blade.
    • Passing: Teams pass the puck to move up the ice quickly or to set up scoring opportunities.
    • Cycling the Puck: In the offensive zone, teams may pass the puck along the boards to wear down the defense and create scoring chances.
11. Defense • Blocking Shots: Defenders often block shots by positioning themselves between the shooter and the goalie.
    • Stick Checking: Defenders use their stick to knock the puck away from opponents.
    • Body Checking: Legal physical contact where a player uses their body to stop an opponent from moving up the ice.
12. Goaltending • The goalie’s main role is to prevent the puck from entering the net.
    • Goalies wear extra padding and a mask, using their gloves, blocker, and stick to stop pucks.
    • They can use butterfly saves (dropping to their knees) or stand-up saves (staying on their feet) to stop shots.
13. Key Terms • Hat Trick: When a player scores three goals in a single game.
    • Assist: A pass that leads directly to a goal.
    • Power Play Goal: A goal scored by a team on a power play.
    • Breakaway: When a player gets past all defenders and has only the goalie to beat.
    • One-Timer: A direct shot taken immediately after receiving a pass.
14. Winning the Game • The team with the most goals after three periods wins.
    • If the game is tied after regulation, overtime is played to determine the winner.
    • In regular season games, if overtime doesn’t resolve the tie, a shootout takes place.

Hockey is a game of speed, strategy, and physicality, where players must work together to score goals and protect their net. Understanding these basic rules will help you follow the flow of an NHL game and enjoy the action.