National Hockey League Rules - Table of Comparison

Table of Comparison

The following table lists some of the key differences between NHL and IIHF rules.

Rule or Term NHL IIHF
Game clock Counts down, showing the time remaining in the period Counts up, showing the elapsed time in the period
TV/Commercial timeouts 3 per period None
Rink dimensions 200 feet (60.96 m) by 85 feet (25.91 m) 60 to 61 metres (196.9 to 200.1 ft) by 29 to 30 metres (95.1 to 98.4 ft)
Radius of goal crease Truncated 6 ft. semi-circle Full 6 ft. semi-circle
Goaltender trapezoid Goaltender may only play the puck behind the goal line within the trapezoidal area behind the net No such rule (Goaltender may handle the puck anywhere behind the goal line)
Protection of Goalkeeper No such rule (An attacking player may stand in the goal crease) Play is stopped if an attacking player stands in the goal crease
Faceoffs Visiting team puts their stick on the ice first Attacking team puts their stick on the ice first
Icing Icing is called after the puck crosses the goal line and is first touched by a defending player. Icing is not called if the linesman determines that there was a reasonable chance to touch the puck before it crosses the line. Icing is automatic immediately after the puck crosses the goal line
Penalty shot The player fouled either must be in control or could have obtained control of the puck. Only the player fouled must take the shot; if he cannot due to being injured on the play, another player that was on the ice at time of penalty must take it. The player fouled must be in control of the puck. Any player from the non-offending team may take the shot.
Game misconduct penalty 10 minutes 20 minutes
Match penalty 10 minutes 25 minutes

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