An NHL hockey game typically lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours, including intermissions.
Ever wondered how long does a nhl hockey game last? It’s a common question for new fans and even seasoned viewers. You might be planning your evening or need to know when to schedule that post-game pizza.
The actual game play is 60 minutes, split into three 20-minute periods. However, that’s not all. There are also breaks between periods. These intermissions add extra time.
How Long Does an NHL Hockey Game Last?
Ever wondered exactly how much time you need to set aside to watch a full National Hockey League (NHL) game? It’s more than just the three periods you see on the clock! Let’s dive into the details of what makes up the total time of an NHL game and why it can vary.
The Core Game Time: Three Periods of Action
At the heart of every NHL game are three periods. Each of these periods lasts 20 minutes, which seems straightforward. But, here’s the twist: those are 20 minutes of actual playing time. This means that when the clock is ticking, the players are actively moving the puck, making passes, shooting, and skating around. It’s not a constant 20 minutes of the clock counting down. The clock will stop very frequently during a hockey game, as we will see.
How the Clock Works During Periods
The game clock stops many times during each period. Here are some examples of when the clock stops in an NHL game:
- Whistles: Whenever a referee blows their whistle to stop play, the clock stops. This might be because of a penalty, an icing call, offsides, or even just when the puck goes out of play.
- Goals: When a goal is scored, the clock stops to give the players a chance to celebrate (or recover!) and for the referee to confirm the goal.
- Puck out of play: If the puck leaves the playing surface entirely, like flying into the crowd, the clock stops.
Because of these frequent stops, each period actually takes longer than 20 minutes of real time. The actual length of a period usually ranges between 30 to 40 minutes, which depends upon the number of whistles and stoppages.
Intermission Breaks: Time to Rest and Refuel
Between each of the three periods are intermissions, periods of time for players to rest, change strategies, and grab a drink. There are two intermissions in an NHL game, and they are 17 minutes each.
What do they do during the intermissions?
- Rest: Hockey is a very physically demanding sport. These breaks give players a chance to get their breath back and get ready for the next 20 minutes.
- Strategy: Coaches use this time to talk with their teams and come up with new ideas to win the game.
- Equipment checks: Players also may adjust their skates or make any needed equipment changes.
- Fan Entertainment: The intermissions also give the home arena teams a time to entertain the fans with various activities, competitions and fan-focused events.
Total Regulation Time: Adding It All Up
Now, let’s put the period times and the intermission breaks together.
- Three 20-Minute Periods: These amount to 60 minutes of playing time.
- Two 17-Minute Intermissions: Adds 34 minutes of break time.
So, if you just add up the raw playing time and the intermission time, you get 94 minutes. But that’s not the full story. Remember those stoppages we discussed? Those cause the real game time to take much more than 94 minutes.
So, how much longer does it make the game?
Estimated Total Game Duration: More Than Just 60 Minutes
The actual total time for an NHL game, taking into account all the stoppages in play, is usually between 2.5 to 3 hours. This means that an NHL game is often around 150-180 minutes from beginning to the final whistle of the third period. While the core gameplay is 60 minutes, with two intermissions at 34 minutes, this additional 56-86 minutes comes from a variety of factors.
Factors That Increase the Total Time
Several things can make a game last longer than the average.
- Number of Penalties: If there are a lot of penalties, this can really stretch out the game because when there is a penalty, the clock is stopped. Penalty time is also played on the clock when the penalized player is in the penalty box.
- Many Whistles: Games that have lots of whistles for things like offsides, icing, or pucks going out of play will take longer.
- Review of Goals: With modern technology, goals can be reviewed on video to make sure they were legal. This can take a few minutes of time which contributes to the overall game length.
These elements can easily add extra time onto a game, making some games last closer to 3 hours than the 2.5-hour mark.
Overtime: When the Game Goes Beyond Regulation
Sometimes, after three periods, the game is still tied! When this happens, the game goes into overtime. In the regular season, overtime is sudden death, and a game usually ends quickly if a team scores the first goal of the overtime. However, in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, overtime is also sudden death, but the length of the overtime continues with 20-minute periods until a team scores. In either case, this added time can make a game go much longer.
Regular Season Overtime
In the regular season, if the game is still tied after three periods, the teams play a five-minute, three-on-three overtime period. This means each team has only three skaters on the ice at one time, instead of the usual five. This format can lead to quick goals and exciting hockey, with lots of open ice. If no one scores during this 5 minute period, the game goes to a shootout.
Playoff Overtime
In the playoffs, overtime is a bit different. If the game is tied after three periods, the teams play 20-minute overtime periods. In these periods the teams play five-on-five hockey and continue to play 20-minute periods until someone scores a goal. Some playoff games can go into multiple overtimes, so these games can last a very long time.
Shootouts: Breaking the Tie
If, after overtime, the regular season game is still tied, it goes to a shootout. Each team gets to pick three players to shoot at the opposing team’s goalies. If the game is still tied, the shootout continues, one player from each team takes a shot, until one team finally wins. While shootouts are fun for the fans, they do add on to the total game time.
Factors Impacting Game Duration: A Summary
Let’s summarize the things that can change the time it takes for a hockey game:
- Number of Penalties: More penalties mean more stoppages and clock time.
- Number of Whistles: Frequent whistles for offsides, icing, and other violations add more time.
- Goal Reviews: Video reviews can add several minutes to the game.
- Overtime: If the game is tied, overtime (and a possible shootout) can significantly increase total time.
- Playoffs Vs Regular Season: Playoff overtimes are much longer than regular season overtimes.
Planning Your Game Watch: Time Management Tips
Knowing that an NHL game usually lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours is great for making plans. Here are a few ideas for managing your time if you are going to watch a game.
- Plan Around 3 Hours: If you’re heading to a game or watching on TV, plan to dedicate about 3 hours for the experience. This allows for extra time, just in case there are a lot of stoppages or the game goes into overtime.
- Check the Schedule: Check the game time listed on the NHL schedule, as this will help you know when the game will start.
- Keep an Eye on the Clock: You can usually find the game clock on your television when watching at home. It’s handy to keep an eye on this if you have other plans for the day.
- Be Prepared for Overtime: Especially during the playoffs, be ready for games to last longer than usual. If you are planning to go to a live game, this can help to make sure that you aren’t rushed to leave.
So, next time someone asks, “How long does a hockey game last?” You can explain that it is more than just the 60 minutes of play time, it also includes the intermissions, all the stoppages of time, and maybe overtime and shootouts!
In conclusion, while the official playing time of an NHL hockey game is 60 minutes, with two 17 minute intermissions, the total duration of an NHL game usually falls between 2.5 to 3 hours. This fluctuation is dependent upon a variety of in-game factors like penalties, stoppages, and any potential overtime periods, especially during the playoffs. Being aware of these influencing elements can greatly help hockey fans better prepare for their viewing experience, both at home and in the arena.
Watch the expansion of the NHL through the years
Final Thoughts
In summary, a standard NHL hockey game lasts 60 minutes, divided into three 20-minute periods. However, stoppages for penalties, goals, and other plays extend the actual clock time considerably. Overtime periods, if needed, add further game duration. So, you might wonder, “how long does a nhl hockey game last” really? Expect it to be around 2.5 to 3 hours in total.
