How do officials determine which player receives credit for scoring a goal?

The last offensive player to touch the puck before it goes into the opponent's net is given credit for the goal.

Who receives credit for an assist?

Assists are credited to the player or players taking part in the play by touching the puck immediately preceding the goal. No more than two assists can be given on each goal.

Who receives credit for a game-tying goal?

The last player to score a goal in a game that ends in a tie receives credit for the game-tying goal.

Who receives credit for a game-winning goal?

The player who scores the goal that gives his team one more goal than the final total of its opponent receives credit for a game-winning goal.

What constitutes a shot on goal?

A shot on goal is defined as a deliberate attempt by a player to shoot the puck in the opponent's net that, without intervention of the goaltender, would have scored a goal. A shot that hits the post or misses the net is not a shot on goal.

How is a player's plus/minus rating calculated?

For even-strength goals and shorthanded goals for a team, each player on the scoring team that was on the ice at the time of the goal is credited with a +1, while each player that was on the ice for the team that was scored upon receives a -1. Plus/minus ratings are not credited to either team if a power play goal is scored.

How are goaltenders credited with wins, losses and ties?

The "goaltender of record" is the goalie who is in net when the deciding goal (either game-winning or game-tying) is scored, regardless of whether they complete the game.

How are a goaltender's goals-against average (GAA) and save percentage (Sv%) calculated?

A goaltender's goals-against average is calculated by dividing the total number of goals allowed by the total number of minutes played and multiplying this number by 60. A goaltender's save percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of saves by the total number of shots against.

How long is a hockey game?

An NHL game consists of three 20-minute periods and includes two 15-minute intermissions (following the conclusion of the first and second periods). If the game is tied at the end of regulation, a five-minute sudden death overtime is played. If the score still is deadlocked, the game ends in a tie.

How many points are recorded when a goal is scored?

Unlike football (six-, three-, two- and one-point plays) and basketball (three-, two- and one-point plays), any goal scored during a hockey game counts only as one point toward the score.

How do the NHL standings work?

In the NHL, there are two points to be earned in every game. The winning team gets two points, while the losing team earns none. If, however, the two teams finish the game in a tie, they each earn one point in the standings.

How do they decide which team gets to start first?

Unlike football (coin toss) and baseball (visiting team), a hockey game starts off with the opening face-off. One player from each team lines up against each other at center ice with their sticks close to the ice. The referee leans in a drops the puck to start play as the players do battle to obtain possession (similar to basketball's tip-off).

How do they make the rink?

Water is sprayed over a concrete floor that contains freezing pipes. When the ice is built to a half-inch thickness, the lines and logos are painted on. Additional water is sprayed on to coat the markings and build the ice to the appropriate thickness (approximately 3/4 inch).

What are the dimensions of the rink?

Regulation size for an NHL rink is 200' by 85'.

What is the arena capacity for hockey?

The America West Arena can seat 16,210 for hockey.

What's the puck made of?

It's six ounces of solid vulcanized rubber, three inches in diameter and one inch thick. It's frozen before entering play to make it bounce resistant.

How fast can the puck travel?

Some slap shots travel at speeds of up to 100 mph. Pucks also frequently curve in flight, making them difficult to predict.

Miscellaneous facts

The following facts are standards for the NHL. Youth and adult hockey rules and regulations differ.

• 60 minutes (or three 20-minute periods) in a game
• Two 15-minute intermissions
• Two points for a win, one point for a tie
• 82-game regular-season schedule
• The ice surface is 85 feet wide and 200 feet long
• Six men (center, left wing, right wing, goaltender and two defensemen) can be on the ice at one time per team
• 20 players dress for each team every game
• The ice is approximately 3/4" to one inch thick