If you’re new to the world of professional hockey or just a casual fan looking to better understand the standings, the NHL point system can seem confusing at first glance. Unlike many sports where a win simply equals a win and a loss equals a loss, the NHL awards points in a slightly more nuanced way.
Understanding how this system works is essential for tracking playoff races, predicting outcomes, and appreciating the strategy teams employ over an 82-game season. In this article, we’ll break down the NHL point system, explain how points are awarded, and discuss how they impact playoff qualification and tiebreakers.
The NHL points system is like the heartbeat of the league, keeping the flow of the game consistent and ensuring each team stays on their toes throughout the season. It’s pretty straightforward: teams get two points for a win, zero for a loss in regulation time, and one point for an overtime loss or shootout loss. But there’s much more to it than just those numbers.
In other sports, you might find it only wins or losses matter, but the NHL adds layers with overtime and shootouts. This keeps the games super exciting and gives teams a reason to push harder, even when things get into overtime territory. Each game carries implications, and this setup keeps fans guessing and glued to their seats.
Wins are the clear path to success, but the NHL has that quirky twist where losses don’t just mean zero. The possibility of earning an extra point in overtime or through shootouts means teams always have something to fight for, right up until the final whistle. Every game counts, and every point adds to the nail-biting drama of the entire season.
The Basics of the NHL Point System
The NHL point system is designed to reward teams not only for winning games but also for competitiveness in overtime or shootouts. Here’s the basic structure:
Regulation or Overtime Win (ROW): 2 points
If a team wins a game—whether in regulation, overtime, or a shootout—they earn two points in the standings. This is the most straightforward way to accumulate points.
Overtime or Shootout Loss: 1 point
If a team loses in overtime or a shootout, they still earn one point. This rule encourages teams to play aggressively in the final minutes of a tied game because even if they lose, they walk away with a point.
Regulation Loss: 0 points
A loss during regulation earns no points. Teams aim to avoid regulation losses, as they provide zero contribution toward playoff contention.
This points allocation system has been in place since the 1999-2000 NHL season, with overtime losses being awarded a single point to incentivize competitiveness and reduce “conservative” play in overtime periods. Later, the league introduced the shootout to ensure all regular-season games have a winner, further affecting how points are distributed.
Understanding the Standings
NHL standings are primarily determined by points, not wins or losses alone. Teams are ranked by total points, and the standings are updated after each game. The more points a team earns, the higher its ranking in the division and conference standings.
The standard columns you’ll see in NHL standings include:
GP (Games Played): The number of games a team has played.
W (Wins): Total number of wins, including overtime and shootout victories.
L (Losses): Total number of losses in regulation.
OTL (Overtime Losses): Total number of losses in overtime or shootouts.
PTS (Points): Total points accumulated based on wins and overtime/shootout losses.
ROW (Regulation + Overtime Wins): Number of wins excluding shootouts, used as a tiebreaker.
The PTS column is the key figure fans watch when determining playoff races. Two teams could have the same number of wins but different point totals because one team has earned more points from overtime or shootout losses.
Why the NHL Awards Points for Overtime and Shootout Losses
At first, it might seem unfair that a team earns a point for losing a game. However, this system is designed to reward teams for competitive performance and reduce excessively defensive play late in games. Before the introduction of the overtime loss point, teams often played conservatively near the end of tied regulation games to avoid losing outright. This sometimes led to dull, defensive hockey in the final minutes.
By awarding a point for an overtime or shootout loss:
Teams are encouraged to play for the win rather than settle for a tie.
Fans are guaranteed exciting overtime or shootout finishes.
Every game carries significance, as even a loss can provide a meaningful contribution to a team’s point total.
Regulation Wins vs. Shootout Wins: Why It Matters
In the modern NHL, Regulation plus Overtime Wins (ROW) are used as a tiebreaker if two teams have the same total points. This statistic excludes shootout wins and reflects a team’s ability to win games in “true” hockey play, not relying on the more random outcome of a shootout.
For example, if two teams have 90 points at the end of the season but Team A has 40 ROW and Team B has 38 ROW, Team A will be ranked higher in the standings. This emphasizes the value of winning games in regulation or overtime over shootouts, incentivizing teams to avoid leaving games in the hands of a shootout.
Playoff Qualification
The NHL point system is directly tied to playoff qualification. Currently, 16 teams make the playoffs: eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. Here’s how the system works:
Each division winner is awarded a playoff spot automatically.
The next three teams with the highest point totals in each conference earn the remaining playoff spots as wildcards.
Because the standings are based on points, every point gained during the regular season can make the difference between a playoff berth and an early offseason. Teams often calculate “magic numbers” late in the season, which represent the combination of points they need to clinch a playoff spot.
Tiebreakers in the NHL
When two or more teams finish the season with the same number of points, the NHL uses a series of tiebreakers to determine rankings:
ROW (Regulation + Overtime Wins) – As mentioned earlier, the team with more ROW is ranked higher.
Head-to-Head Points – The team with more points in games played against the other tied team gets the edge.
Goal Differential – The team with the higher difference between goals scored and goals allowed.
Total Goals Scored – If teams are still tied, the one with more goals scored throughout the season ranks higher.
These tiebreakers ensure fairness and reward teams for performance in key aspects beyond just total points.
Examples of Points in Action
Let’s consider a few hypothetical scenarios to illustrate the NHL point system:
Team A wins 2-1 in regulation – Team A earns 2 points; Team B earns 0 points.
Team C wins 4-3 in overtime – Team C earns 2 points; Team D earns 1 point for losing in overtime.
Team E wins 3-2 in a shootout – Team E earns 2 points; Team F earns 1 point for the shootout loss.
Over the course of an 82-game season, these points accumulate, and the small differences from overtime or shootout losses can add up, affecting playoff positioning.
Criticism of the NHL Point System
While the system has been in place for decades, it is not without controversy. Critics argue that awarding points for overtime or shootout losses can artificially inflate a team’s standing. A team that frequently loses in overtime may have more points than a team with fewer total wins but more regulation victories. This is why the ROW tiebreaker is crucial, as it helps differentiate teams that perform better in regulation play.
Some fans also debate whether the system discourages teams from playing aggressively in overtime, knowing that even if they lose, they still walk away with a point. Despite this, most analysts agree that the system has generally improved competitiveness and entertainment value in the NHL.
Season Dynamics: Navigating the Regular Season
The points system really steers how teams tackle the regular season. It’s not just about winning games outright; it’s about playing the long game, strategically managing every point possible. Every single point can impact the standings, making it crucial for teams to stay sharp in every match.
Because wins are precious and overtime can still offer a consolation, teams often adjust their strategies as the season progresses. You might notice some teams play more conservatively when in a tight game during regular time, hoping to secure at least one point in overtime. It’s all a chess game, balancing aggression with caution.
Watching how the standings evolve as teams jostle for every point becomes a storyline all its own. Those points can be the difference between making it to the playoffs or watching from home. It’s a rollercoaster, as a critical match during the season can suddenly shift the playoff picture.
Managers and coaches keep an eagle eye on the point spread, adapting their tactics as needed. They’re not just looking at today’s game, but at the big picture, factoring in every twist and turn the regular season brings. This approach becomes an ongoing narrative, revealing which teams have the grit and strategy to climb up the rankings.
Decoding Playoff Seeding: The Path to Glory
As the dust settles post-regular season, it’s time to talk playoffs. The points system plays a huge role in figuring out who faces off in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s all about those points racked up over the season, sorting teams from top to bottom based on their performance.
So, how does the seeding work? The top three teams from each of the four divisions automatically make it to the playoffs. After that, the next two teams with the highest points in each conference claim the wild card spots. This means it’s a battle not just within divisions but across conferences as well. Every point counts towards grabbing those coveted positions.
Higher seeds get the home ice advantage, adding another layer of motivation during the regular season. Playing at home can be a game-changer, with familiar rinks and roaring crowds boosting the home team’s morale.
The drama intensifies as teams realize that regular season successes and failures directly influence who they’ll battle in the high-stakes playoff rounds. A key takeaway here is consistency; teams aim to secure top seeds to bolster their chances in the postseason.
Whether you’re strategizing as part of a team or cheering from the stands, understanding this structure adds depth to every game and series. It shapes the narrative of the playoffs, making each playoff round a culmination of the season-long struggle for points.
Conclusion
The NHL point system is unique compared to many other sports, emphasizing not just wins but also competitive performance in overtime and shootouts. By awarding 2 points for a win, 1 point for an overtime/shootout loss, and 0 points for a regulation loss, the league encourages teams to play hard until the very end of every game. Understanding this system is critical for following standings, playoff races, and team strategies.
Whether you’re a new fan trying to make sense of the numbers or a seasoned follower calculating playoff scenarios, knowing how points work will deepen your appreciation of the game. Each point counts, every overtime loss matters, and every regulation win is a step toward hoisting the Stanley Cup at season’s end.