By How many periods in ice hockey? The answer is three. A standard hockey game consists of three 20-minute periods, and this structure applies across the NHL, international play, and most professional leagues worldwide. Whether you’re brand new to hockey or just brushing up on the basics, this guide covers everything you need to know from regulation time to overtime, shootouts, and how playoff rules differ.
The Basic Structure: How Many Periods in Ice Hockey
A typical hockey game is divided into three 20-minute periods. Each period involves live play on the ice, and the clock stops whenever the referee blows the whistle for icing, penalties, goals, or any other stoppage. Because of this, a 20-minute period on the clock often takes 30–40 minutes in real time.
Between each period, teams leave the ice for an intermission that lasts about 17–18 minutes. The ice surface is resurfaced during this break to keep conditions fast and fair.
So when people ask how many periods are in a hockey game, the short answer is always three regulation periods. But what happens after that? Keep reading.
What Happens After Three Periods?
If the game is tied after regulation, play doesn’t end there. The rules differ depending on the level of hockey being played.
NHL Regular Season Overtime
In the NHL regular season, if the game is tied at the end of three periods, teams play a 5-minute sudden-death overtime period with only three skaters on the ice per side (plus goalies). The first team to score wins the game.
If the game remains tied after the overtime period, it goes to a shootout. Each team selects three players to take penalty shots. Whoever scores more in the shootout wins. Overtime and shootouts are exciting for hockey fans and often decide tight divisional races during the NHL season.
Read more: What Is Icing in Hockey? A Simple Guide for New Fans
NHL Playoffs Overtime Rules
Playoff hockey is a different animal. In the NHL playoffs, there is no shootout. If the game is tied after three periods, teams play full 20-minute overtime periods under sudden-death rules meaning the first team to score wins the game immediately.
These 20-minute overtime periods continue until someone scores, no matter how long it takes. Playoff games can go two, three, or even four overtime periods. Some of the most memorable moments in hockey history came in long overtime playoff games.
How Overtime Works in Other Leagues
The NHL isn’t the only hockey league with its own rules. Here’s how overtime works in a few others:
- Kontinental Hockey League (KHL): Uses a 5-minute overtime followed by a shootout, similar to the NHL regular season format.
- College Hockey: Many college hockey games use overtime formats that vary by conference, but tie games are possible in the regular season.
- USA Hockey and amateur leagues: Rules vary, but most use a short overtime period or allow ties.
Ice Hockey at the Olympics
Olympic ice hockey follows rules set by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). In the 2026 Winter Olympics, both men’s ice hockey and women’s ice hockey will follow IIHF guidelines.
In IIHF tournament play, games during the group stage can end in a tie during regulation. But in knockout round including the gold medal game teams play sudden-death overtime until someone scores. The format ensures a winner is decided before the end of the hockey tournament.
Hockey Canada and organizations like the hockey association governing men’s hockey and women’s hockey worldwide all follow IIHF standards for international competition.
Why Three Periods? A Quick History
Hockey hasn’t always had three periods. Early versions of the game used two halves, similar to soccer or basketball. The switch to three periods happened in the early 1900s and was adopted widely because it allowed the ice to be resurfaced twice per game keeping the hockey rink in better shape and the game faster.
Today, the three-period structure is universal across professional hockey, national hockey league play, and nearly every level of the sport including league hockey at the amateur level.
Penalties, Power Plays, and Game Misconducts
Hockey rules add more complexity beyond just the clock. Here’s a quick look at a few key rules:
- Power play: When a player commits a penalty, their team plays short-handed. The opposing team gets a power play an advantage with an extra skater on the ice for two or five minutes.
- Game misconduct: A serious penalty that results in a player being ejected from the game. The player’s team still serves a five-minute penalty.
- Icing: When a team ice the puck from behind center ice and it crosses the goal line without being touched, the play is whistled dead. This is one of the core ice hockey rules and is called differently in the NHL versus other leagues.
NHL players and fans know these hockey rules well, but if you’re new to hockey, they’re worth learning to enjoy the game fully.
Quick Comparison: Regular Season vs. Playoffs
| Situation | Regular Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| Tied after 3 periods | 5-min OT, then shootout | 20-min OT periods (sudden death) |
| OT format | 3-on-3 skaters | 5-on-5 skaters |
| Can end in a tie? | No | No |
| Periods until someone scores | 1 OT + shootout | As many as needed |
Conclusion
So, how many periods in ice hockey? Three always. Every hockey game consists of three 20-minute regulation periods, no matter the league. What changes is what happens if the game is tied after regulation. The NHL uses a short overtime and shootout in the regular season, while NHL playoffs go to full sudden-death overtime periods until someone wins. International hockey follows IIHF rules, which vary by stage of competition. Now that you know the structure, you’re ready to enjoy every minute of the game.
FAQs
Is hockey 3 periods or 4?
3 periods.
How many periods are there in ice hockey?
Three, each 20 minutes long.
Is hockey a 3:20 minute period?
No it’s three periods of 20 minutes each, not 3 minutes 20 seconds.
Is hockey best of 5 or 7?
NHL playoff series are best of 7.
