The National Hockey League (NHL) is home to some of the most exhilarating and fast-paced sports action in the world. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the game, understanding the exact length of an NHL game—both in terms of regulation play and total viewing time—is crucial for planning your night or simply deepening your appreciation of the game.
TL;DR: A regulation NHL game consists of three 20-minute periods, totaling 60 minutes of game time. However, due to stoppages, intermissions, and potential overtime or shootouts, the full broadcast of an NHL game typically lasts between 2.5 to 3 hours. Postseason games can extend longer, especially when overtime is involved. Factors like television commercials and delays can play a big role in the total duration.
Structure of a Regulation NHL Game
At its core, an NHL game is broken down as follows:
- Three periods of 20 minutes each.
- Two intermissions of 17 minutes each (standard broadcast intermission time).
- Stoppage time for penalties, face-offs, offside plays, and video reviews.
So, while the actual “puck-in-play” time adds up to just an hour, the average length of a full NHL broadcast runs significantly longer. Let’s dive into each component to understand how it contributes to the game’s total duration.
Regulation Time: The Standard 60-Minute Game Clock
The game clock in professional hockey runs only while the puck is in play. Each of the three periods is 20 minutes long. When the whistle blows due to offside, icing, penalties, a goal, or any other stoppage, the clock stops.
This means that the 60-minute clock timer often takes nearly double that amount in real time to complete. Simply put, don’t expect to sit down at 7:00 PM and wrap up by 8:00; a normal game will extend well past that mark.
Intermissions: Time to Rehydrate and Regroup
There are two intermissions in every standard NHL game:
- First intermission: after the 1st period
- Second intermission: after the 2nd period
Each intermission is typically 17 minutes long (in broadcast settings), allowing time for player rest, ice resurfacing, and locker room coaching. If you’re watching on TV, this is also when commercials and commentary take place. Finishing those two intermissions alone adds another 34 minutes to the length of the game.
Stoppages in Play: Inevitable Time Extensions
Even beyond formal intermissions, an NHL game is frequently paused due to a variety of reasons:
- Face-offs: Conducted after most stoppages and play resumptions.
- Penalties: Infractions that lead to stop-time and game interruptions.
- Offsides and Icing: Often frequent and result in whistle stops.
- Coach’s Challenges and Video Reviews: These can take several minutes at a time to resolve.
- Injuries: Though thankfully not routine, they can delay the game considerably.
Depending on how clean or chaotic a game is, stoppage time can vary tremendously. On average, most NHL games feature dozens of whistles and subsequent face-offs that incrementally add to the total elapsed time.
Overtime: When Regulation Isn’t Enough
If the score is tied at the end of the third period, the game proceeds to overtime. The rules for overtime differ depending on whether it’s a regular season or playoff game.
Regular Season Overtime
- 5-minute overtime period played 3-on-3 (not including goalies).
- If no winner emerges, the game goes to a shootout.
- Most regular-season games end within 10–15 minutes after regulation due to this setup.
Playoff Overtime
- 20-minute sudden-death periods, played 5-on-5.
- No shootouts. Play continues until someone scores.
- Periods continue until a goal is scored—there is no time limit.
This can significantly extend the length of the game. Many playoff games, particularly in the Stanley Cup Finals, have extended deep into the night with multiple overtime periods. A tightly contested postseason battle may cross the 4-hour mark or beyond.
Commercial Breaks and Broadcast Timing
Like most professional sports, NHL broadcasts are supported by advertising revenue. This results in built-in commercial breaks throughout the game. In fact, there are typically three commercial timeouts per period, which occur if no other stoppages occur within a given time window.
These scheduled breaks are:
- After the first stoppage past the 6-minute mark
- After the first stoppage past the 10-minute mark
- After the first stoppage past the 14-minute mark
Each commercial break adds a few more minutes, and when multiplied over the full three periods (plus potential overtime), it’s no surprise that the actual broadcast runs considerably longer than the gameplay clock.
Pre-Game and Post-Game Shows
Broadcast networks often tack on pre-game ceremonies, player interviews, warm-up coverage, and expert opinions. Similarly, post-game wrap-ups span analysis, replays, and interviews with key players or coaches.
While these segments are technically separate from the game itself, they’re part of the viewing experience. If you’re recording the game or planning your night, it’s a good idea to account for an extra 30 to 45 minutes beyond the final whistle—especially if you’re watching featured or nationally televised matchups.
Total Viewing Time Summary
To estimate how long to set aside for watching an NHL game, consider the following breakdown:
- Gameplay: 60 minutes of actual playtime
- Intermissions: 34 minutes
- Stoppages, Replays, Challenges: ~30 minutes
- Commercial breaks: ~15–20 minutes
- Optional Overtime & Shootout: 10–40+ minutes
Total Typical Broadcast Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
Total for Long Playoff Games: 3.5 to 4.5 hours or more
Special Events and Exceptions
Some games, like the NHL Winter Classic or All-Star Game, may include longer pre-game ceremonies, special presentations, and unique features that extend broadcast time. Outdoor games are especially susceptible to weather delays, which can make durations unpredictable.
Concluding Thoughts
Despite only 60 minutes of regulation play, an NHL game is a full-fledged event lasting upwards of three hours. That time includes intermissions, stoppages, and potential overtime, as well as the pageantry of professional sports broadcasting. Whether you’re attending in person or watching from your couch, knowing what to expect in terms of duration helps you make the most of the experience.
So next time you’re wondering “How long are NHL games?”—you’ll know the 60-minute game clock is just the starting point of an action-packed few hours.