Hockey Points System – How NHL Standings Works?

What is Hockey Glass Made Of

The National Hockey League (NHL) has a unique digit system that is important in determining standing and playoff seeding. If you are new to the game or trying to understand how NHL standing works, this article breaks it all down.

We will detect the digit system and discuss how the NHL determines the playoff spot and tiebreaker. In addition, we will cover the questions asked a few times about the playoff format and wildcard system.

Hockey Points System

How Does the NHL Points System Work?

In the NHL, teams earn points during the regular season, which help determine their position in the standings. The points system works as follows: How many periods in hockey?

Regulation Win (RW):

2 points for a win in regulation time (60 minutes of play).

Overtime or Shootout Win (OT/SO):

2 points for a win in overtime or a shootout.

Overtime/Shootout Loss:

1 point for losing in overtime or a shootout.

Regulation Loss:

0 points for a loss in regulation.

Understanding the NHL Standings

The standings are sorted based on the total number of points a team has accumulated throughout the season. But there’s more to the standings than just total points—other stats are factored in, such as games played (GP), goals for (GF), goals against (GA), and goal differential (DIFF).

Key Metrics in NHL Standings:

  • W: Wins
  • L: Losses
  • OT: Overtime losses
  • PTS: Total points
  • DIFF: Goal differential
  • HOME/AWAY: Records for games played at home or away
  • S/O: Shootout record

 NHL Playoff Qualification: Divisional and Wildcard Spots

At the end of the regular season, the standings determine which teams will make the playoffs. The first step is to look at the divisional seeds. The top three teams in each of the NHL’s four divisions earn an automatic spot in the playoffs.

However, not all teams will automatically secure a divisional spot, which brings us to the wildcard system. In each conference (Eastern and Western), two wildcard spots are available for teams that didn’t make the top three in their division but still earned enough points to qualify.

 Wildcard System Explained

Wildcard teams are the next two highest-scoring teams in each conference that did not finish in the top three of their division. Wildcards can come from any division within a conference. This system allows a total of 16 teams to qualify for the playoffs—8 from the Eastern Conference and 8 from the Western Conference. Canadian teams in NHL.

For example:

The team with the highest points among the non-top-three teams in a conference secures the first wildcard spot.

The second-highest points holder secures the second wildcard spot.

How Does the NHL Playoff Seeding Work?

Once the 16 teams are determined, they are seeded based on their conference ranking. The first seed in each conference plays the second wildcard team, while the second seed faces the first wildcard team. The remaining teams, sorted by points, face each other based on their divisional position.

A unique feature of the NHL playoff format is that the divisional winners are not guaranteed to play the lowest-seeded wildcard team. Instead, the system aims to create a balance by considering wildcard spots independently of divisional rankings.

Tiebreaker System in the NHL

Tiebreakers come into play when two teams finish the regular season with the same number of points. The NHL uses several criteria to break the tie:

  1. Regulation Wins (RW): The team with more wins in regulation gets the higher seed.
  2. Row (Regulation + Overtime Wins): If teams are still tied, the next factor is the number of regulation and overtime wins (ROW).
  3. Head-to-Head: If teams are still tied, the head-to-head results during the regular season determine who gets the higher seed.
  4. Goal Differential: The team with a higher goal differential (GF minus GA) gets the higher spot.
  5. Total Goals Scored: As a last resort, total goals scored in the regular season are used.

What Is a 3-Point Game in the NHL?

A “3-point game” in hockey refers to a game that goes beyond regulation (i.e., overtime or a shootout). In this situation.

  • Winning team: 2 points for the win.
  • Losing team: 1 point for making it to overtime or a shootout.

This system ensures that teams still compete hard in regulation time, but it also keeps the standings tight by giving teams a point for their efforts even in a loss.

Criticisms of the 3-Point System

While the 3-point system creates excitement and tightens playoff races, it has been criticized by some fans and analysts. One major criticism is that teams can accumulate points without actually winning in regulation, leading to what some call “loser points.”

Some argue that this system skews the fairness of the standings and can keep mediocre teams in the playoff hunt longer than they deserve.

How Does the NHL Points System Affect Team Strategy?

The NHL points system influences team strategy throughout the season. Coaches may emphasize earning at least one point in games, especially against tough opponents.

Teams that find themselves in tight playoff races will often aim to push games into overtime rather than risk losing in regulation.

 NHL Player Points System: A Brief Overview

Unlike team points, individual player points are calculated based on goals and assists. Players earn 1 point for each goal scored and 1 point for each assist. The most notable individual achievements are the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the player with the most points in the regular season, and the Rocket Richard Trophy, awarded to the player with the most goals scored.

Why Understanding the NHL Points System Matters

The NHL points system is central to how teams battle for playoff spots and how the league determines who gets a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup. Whether you’re a casual fan or a dedicated follower, understanding this system helps you better appreciate the strategy, excitement, and drama that unfold throughout the season.

NHL point system

By following the points, standings, and playoff systems, fans can stay up-to-date and feel more connected to the action. So, next time you’re watching an NHL game, you’ll know exactly how those points are stacking up and why every win matters!

FAQ’s

How many points do you get in an NHL game?

2 points for a win, 1 for tie, and 1 for an overtime loss.

How do you calculate NHL points per game?

“Calculate average points per game by dividing the total points scored by the number of games played.”

Conclusion

This is a detailed article that describes the basics of the points system to provide more context and valuable information for fans to understand the full scope of the NHL standings and how the playoffs work.

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