How Long Does An Average Nhl Game Last?

How Long Does an Average NHL Game Last?

Ever wondered how much time to set aside when settling in to watch a hockey game? The clock ticks differently in the National Hockey League (NHL) compared to some other sports. It’s not just a simple 60 minutes! Let’s break down what makes up the total time of an NHL game and why it often goes longer than the standard playing time you might expect.

The Core of the Game: 60 Minutes of Hockey

At its heart, an NHL game is divided into three periods, each lasting 20 minutes of actual playing time. This makes a total of 60 minutes of play. However, what most people don’t see on the clock is that the game doesn’t just go straight through those 60 minutes. The clock stops for different reasons, and these stoppages greatly add to the total duration of a game. These stops and starts, along with the intermissions, are the reasons why the average NHL game is much longer than an hour.

Intermissions: Taking a Break Between Periods

After each period of hockey, teams get a 15-20 minute break called an intermission. This time allows players to rest, coaches to give instructions, and, of course, for fans to grab some snacks or visit the restroom. The intermission between the first and second periods is typically around 17 minutes and the intermission between the second and third periods is generally 15 minutes. It is important to note that these times can sometimes vary slightly based on the arena or TV scheduling. These breaks are a crucial part of the game experience, both for the players and the fans, and significantly extend the overall length of an NHL game. These two breaks alone add about 32 minutes to the time you’re spending watching a game, bringing up the total time to almost 92 minutes.

Stoppages: When the Clock Doesn’t Run

The game clock in hockey is always stopping and starting. Unlike sports where the clock is constantly running, the NHL clock stops every time there is a stoppage in play. These stops can vary in length, but they all contribute to the total game time. Let’s look at some common reasons for these clock stoppages.

Pucks Going Out of Play:

If the puck goes out of the playing area and into the stands, the clock will stop. This is done for safety reasons and to give the teams time to bring a new puck onto the ice.

Penalties:

When a player breaks a rule, they are given a penalty. Depending on the penalty, the player has to sit in the penalty box for a certain amount of time. This causes a stop in play and a penalty clock that runs alongside the main clock. Sometimes, a penalty leads to a power play, giving one team an advantage with more players on the ice. This period of play also means the clock is stopped.

Injuries:

Whenever a player is injured, the play is stopped to allow medical attention. The amount of time the clock is stopped for an injury varies greatly depending on the situation. This is always a priority, and play only resumes when the player is either okay or has been taken care of safely.

Icing:

Icing happens when a player shoots the puck from behind their own half of the ice and it goes all the way past the goal line of the opposing team without being touched by another player. This results in a stoppage and a face-off in the offending team’s end.

Offsides:

Offsides occur when a player from the attacking team enters the offensive zone before the puck does. When offsides happens the play gets stopped, and the game resumes with a faceoff outside the zone.

Goals:

When a goal is scored, there is a brief pause for the crowd to cheer and for the game officials to record it. Sometimes, there may also be a video review to confirm the goal, which adds additional time.

TV Timeouts:

For games broadcast on television, there are scheduled TV timeouts throughout the game. These are usually longer stoppages in play that allow commercial breaks. TV timeouts can sometimes feel like they are dragging, but it helps make broadcasts accessible to fans across different places. These timeouts are typically not more than two minutes long, but still adds up.

Face-Offs:

After almost every stoppage mentioned above, play restarts with a face-off. Face-offs take a short amount of time, but these add up over the course of a game. These restarts happen in multiple areas of the ice and contribute to the total time.

The Impact of Stoppages

All of these stoppages mean the 60 minutes of playing time can be spread over a much longer period. These many stoppages, plus the intermissions, explain why a typical NHL game takes more than two and a half hours to complete.

Game Length: Factors That Can Influence the Duration

While the average game usually takes around two and a half hours, some factors can make the game shorter or longer.

Number of Penalties

A game with many penalties, or power-play goals will usually run a little longer because it results in more stoppages in the game. A game with few penalties will often flow a lot quicker.

Overtime

In regular season NHL games, if the score is tied after three periods, the teams go into overtime. Regular season overtime is a 5-minute period of 3-on-3 hockey. If the game is still tied after overtime, a shootout decides the winner. Overtime adds about 10-15 minutes to the overall game time. In the playoffs, overtime periods are sudden death, 20-minute periods of 5-on-5 hockey. If necessary, additional overtime periods are played, which can make some playoff games very long.

Number of Goals

While every goal is cause for celebration, more goals can mean a few additional seconds to make sure they are good. Goal reviews can also mean an extended stoppage of play while the refs review on the monitor.

Playoff Games

Playoff hockey tends to run longer than regular-season games. This is because playoff games have longer overtimes and generally more intensity, which sometimes results in more penalties. The stakes are higher, and every second counts. This will usually cause longer reviews and more physical play.

Average Game Length: The Numbers

While we talked about all the factors that affect a game, let’s look at the typical time. On average, an NHL game lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours. This time includes the 60 minutes of playing time, intermissions, and all the stoppages. It is a safe bet to plan on a 2 hour and 45 minute time commitment if you’re going to watch a hockey game. These time are general estimates though, so keep in mind some games can run a little bit shorter, or longer.

Keeping Time in the Game

To give you a clearer picture, let’s take a look at a typical breakdown of an NHL game’s length:

• 60 minutes of actual play time
• About 32 minutes of intermission time
• 45 to 60 minutes of stoppage time

These numbers add up to around 137 minutes, which is about 2 hours and 17 minutes, though it can easily go over 3 hours.

Why Does It Matter?

Knowing the average length of an NHL game is helpful for several reasons.

• Planning Your Time: If you are going to a game in person, you need to factor in travel time to and from the arena, parking, and buying snacks, while if you’re watching at home, you can properly plan your evening around the game.
• Scheduling Conflicts: You’ll know how long to dedicate to watch a game and if that will affect any evening plans you might have.
• Understanding the Game: Knowing how and why the game length varies can add to your understanding of the game’s flow and complexity.

In Conclusion

Understanding how long an NHL game lasts involves more than just the 60 minutes of playing time. It’s about the combination of intermissions, stoppages, and other factors that shape the total duration. By understanding these elements, you’ll gain a better appreciation for the rhythm of hockey and be ready to enjoy the game from start to finish. So, the next time you’re settling in to watch an NHL game, remember that it’s an experience that goes far beyond the clock.