the Patrick Division formed part of the Wales Conference through the 2026-11 season; it was renamed the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference starting with the 2026-11 season.
a mid-season exhibition game featuring selected stars from the Campbell Conference versus selected stars from the Wales Conference; from 2026-11 onward, these games will pit the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference.
the pass or passes directly leading up to a successful scoring play; up to two assists are recorded for a single goal.
the zone located between the opposing team’s blue line and their goal.
an effort by a player returning to their defensive zone to take the puck from the opponent through checking or by harassing the player in possession of the puck.
a shot or pass executed with the stick from the left side by a right-handed player, or from the right side by a left-handed player.
to skate past one or both of the defensemen.
to outwit the goalie and score a goal.
the ice surface positioned behind the goal cage is considered legal playing area.
to pass the puck without looking.
two blue lines, 12 inches wide, run parallel across the ice, situated 60 feet from each goal; these lines split the rink into three zones: the attacking, defending, and neutral (or center) zones. The defending blue line is the one nearer to a player’s own net, while the attacking blue line is the one further away; these are used to determine offsides.
a minor penalty assessed when a player uses any technique (body checking, elbowingor tripping) to drive an opponent hard against the boards; should an injury result, it escalates to a major penalty.
a wooden barrier, ranging from 3 1/2 to 4 feet in height, that encircles the rink to prevent the puck and players from exiting the playing area and harming spectators; every rink features shatterproof glass extending above the boards for extra safety.
the act of a hockey player striking an opponent with their hip or shoulder (the only permitted methods) to impede their movement or disrupt their balance; this is only legal against an opponent possessing the puck or the last player to have controlled it.
an opportunity to launch a rush when the opposing forwards are positioned poorly.
a rapid offensive play where an attacker carrying the puck skates alone toward the goalie, having evaded or bypassed the defensemen, leaving the opponents trailing behind the play.
a pass directed to a teammate who is attempting a breakaway.
a minor penalty imposed when an opponent is struck by the upper portion of a player’s hockey stick.
one of the two divisions within the NHLthat included the Norris and Smythe Divisions up until 2026-11; the counterpart was the Wales Conference; beginning in 2026-11, these will be rebranded as the Easternand Western Conferences.
a bounce of the puck back from the boards or any other surface.
the central player on the forward line who typically directs the team’s offensive efforts when aiming to score a goal; he participates in the majority of face-offs; he manages the puck, attempting either to score himself or pass to a teammate in a superior scoring position.
a 30-foot diameter circle located at the center of the ice, used to drop the puck for a face-off to commence the game and to resume play after a goal is scored.
the section located between the two blue lines, which is also referred to as the neutral zone.
a pass directed by an offensive player toward the center of the ice to a teammate who has a superior angle on the goal.
a red line, 12 inches wide, that runs across the ice halfway between the two goals.
a minor penalty assessed when a player takes more than two steps during a deliberate body check on an opponent; if this results in blood or serious injury, it is upgraded to a major penalty.
defensive tactics where players use their bodies to strip the puck from an opponent; the two primary forms of checking are the stick check and body check; these moves are permitted only against a player controlling the puck or the last one to do so; using excessive strides constitutes charging.
moving the puck out of one’s own defensive zone.
if a defender clears the puck out of the attacking zone, all offensive players must exit or clear the area to prevent an offsides call when the puck returns.
staying in close proximity to an opponent to stop them from receiving a pass or executing an offensive play.
the red lines defining the semi-circular area with a 6-foot radius in front of the goal, known as the goal crease.
the horizontal bar joining the tops of the two goalposts.
a minor penalty given when a player grips the stick with both hands and drives the shaft into an opponent; this is a stick check performed with both hands on the stick and no part of it touching the ice; if it causes blood or serious injury, it results in a major penalty and a game misconduct.
a puck that has left the rink or one that a player has caught in their hand.
the two players forming a team’s defensive pair, typically positioned in or around their defensive zone to assist the goalie in defense; they may also initiate attacks. The left defenseman covers the left side of the rink, while the right defenseman plays the right side, though they are free to switch positions.
consists of two defensemen.
the zone or region closest to a team’s goal (the one they are protecting).
deflecting a pass or shot so it deviates from its original path; a shot or pass that strikes an object like a stick or skate and ends up in the net for a goal, or when a goalie bats the puck away.
a feint performed by the puck-handler; the skill of tricking a defender into believing you will pass or move in a specific direction when you do not. Examples include shoulder dekes, stick dekes, and head dekes.
delayed penalty or delayed call:
when an official lifts their arm without blowing the whistle, pausing to observe the play's result before calling a penalty; this prevents stopping the momentum of the non-offending team; a delayed penalty that is not called is waved off, allowing play to continue; it also refers to a penalty against a team with only 4 skaters, which is only enforced when one of their players exits the penalty box.
a minor penalty assigned to any player who intentionally slows the game, such as by shooting or batting the puck out of play or moving the goalpost.
a form of minor penalty issued for specific accidental infractions that lead to an opponent's injury; the penalty time is 4 minutes, which is twice the duration of a standard minor penalty.
when a player leaves the puck in place for a trailing teammate to collect.
the Wales Conference, a name adopted starting with the 2026-11 season, comprising the Northeast and Atlantic Divisions, which were previously known as the Adams and Patrick Divisions.
a minor penalty issued when a player uses an elbow to strike an opponent and hinder their movement.
a goal scored against a team that has pulled the goalie.
the boards at each end of the rink.
often referred to as the policeman; typically the player on the team who receives the most penalties; their role is to shield teammates from injury; usually a bigger player who is willing to engage in any fight.
a match not part of the regular-season schedule that does not affect the standings; this includes the All-Star Game or other contests typically held before the season starts.
the addition of teams to the NHL.
a specific format designed to help new franchises acquire players, allowing expansion teams to select athletes from the rosters of existing clubs.
a club that was recently introduced into the NHL.
the protective facial covering utilized by the goalie.
the procedure for initiating play, involving the official dropping the puck between the sticks of two opposing players positioned one stick length apart with blades flat on the ice; this is used to start each period or to restart play after an interruption.
the distinct circular markings on the ice where an official and two players meet to conduct a face-off to start or continue the game; the neutral zone contains one blue and four red circles, while two red circles are situated at each end of the ice.
a minor penalty assessed when a player, excluding the goalie, deliberately picks up the puck with a closed hand, falls on it, or traps it under their body while lying on the ice.
passing the puck.
a major penalty resulting when two or more players remove their gloves and sticks to fight; if the referee determines one player started the altercation, that individual receives a game misconduct; a minor penalty is issued for less intense pushing and shoving, known as roughing.
when a player sends the puck to a teammate along the ice surface.
a pass where a player lifts the puck into the air and directs it toward a teammate, typically to bypass an opponent's stick.
a shot where a player cups the puck in their stick and uses a wrist motion to flip it off the ice toward the goal; this technique can make it difficult for defenders to block the shot.
to check or pressure an opponent who possesses the puck within their defensive zone, aiming to keep them in their own end of the rink while attempting to regain possession; this is typically executed by the forwards.
a shot or pass executed from the right side of a right-handed player or the left side of a left-handed player.
forward line or attacking line:
made up of the wings (left and right) and the center; these three athletes position themselves closer to the opposing goal, bearing the primary responsibility for the majority of goals.
the trio forming the team's attacking unit or forward line — specifically the center, along with the right and left wings.
any violation of the rules that results in a penalty being assessed.
a squad; the official structure that defines team ownership.
to trap the puck against the boards using a skate or stick, either to halt play momentarily or to secure a face-off.
the state in which a team has its complete roster of 6 players on the ice.
to accelerate rapidly to gain an early advantage over the opposing team.
awards a single point; achieved when the puck passes between the goalposts from an attacking player's stick and fully crosses the red line spanning the goalposts; it is also the casual term for the space defined by the goalposts and the net, defended by the goalie, where the puck must enter to register a score.
a tubular steel structure measuring 6 feet wide and 4 feet high, composed of a cross bar and two goalposts that support the net.
a semi-circular zone with a 6-foot radius located in front of the goal opening; this marks the playing territory of the goaltender, into which any player without the puck is prohibited from entering.
the 2-inch red line connecting the goalposts that extends in both directions to the sideboards
.
goalkeeper, goalie or goaltender:
the player wearing heavy protective gear who defends the goal; their role is to stop the puck by any means necessary to prevent the opposition from scoring.
the metal bars that outline the area where the net is fixed, positioned on the center of the goal line; the puck must pass between these bars to count as a goal.
scoring three or more goals by a single player during one match.
a move where a player dips their head to suggest movement in one direction, then swiftly changes course to deceive the opponent.
a minor penalty assessed when a player checks an opponent by raising his stick above the normal height of the opponent’s waist and striking or threatening them; this becomes a major penalty if injury occurs; however, if the referee finds the stick raise was accidental and no contact was made, the penalty is team-only, leading to a face-off.
a minor penalty incurred when a player uses their hands or arms to grab and hold an opponent (or their stick) in order to hinder their movement.
See falling on the puck.
the team playing in their own arena; they are the ones wearing the lighter-colored uniforms.
a low sweep of the stick along the ice surface to steal the puck from an opponent’s stick.
a minor penalty given when a player tries to stop another player by hooking any part of their body with the blade of their stick; this constitutes illegal stick use.
a violation that happens when the team controlling the puck shoots it from behind the red center line over the opponent’s goal line into the end of the rink (without entering the goal) before a member of the opposing team touches it; this leads to a face-off in the offender’s defensive zone; a team playing shorthanded is exempt from icing calls.
a penalty in hockey given when a player tries to obstruct the movement of another player who does not have the puck.
a fifteen-minute break taken between each of the three periods in a hockey match.
a minor penalty issued when a player uses a knee to strike an opponent in the leg, thigh, or lower body.
a pass thrown ahead of a moving teammate, intended to be received at the spot where the player is heading.
the angle formed between the stick's shaft and its blade.
the complete forward line and/or defensive line is swapped out simultaneously, placing players on the ice who collaborate effectively.
Two officials skate on the ice, positioned near each end of the rink. They are tasked with enforcing rules regarding off-side plays at the blue lines or center line, as well as any icing violations. These officials handle the majority of face-offs, may consult with the referee on penalties, and intervene to separate players who are fighting. Their uniform consists of black pants and a league-provided sweater, and they wear skates.
A specific kind of individual penalty assessed for more severe rule violations; it lasts for 5 minutes, regardless of whether the opposing team scores.
a pairing of players on opposing teams who will cover each other during the hockey game.
A form of penalty that lasts for 2 minutes; if the non-penalized team scores a power play goal within this timeframe, the penalty is terminated immediately.
The National Hockey League, established on November 22, 1917; it currently comprises 26 teams.
The goal; the netting secured to the goalposts and goal frame designed to capture the puck when a goal is scored.
the area between the blue lines.
The Smythe Division was part of the Campbell Conference through the 2026-11 season; it was renamed the Central Division of the Western Conference beginning with the 2026-11 season.
See two-line pass.
An infraction that happens when an attacking player crosses the opponent’s blue line with both skates before the puck enters the attacking zone, or when a pass crosses more than one line without being touched (two-line pass); this is among the most frequent calls in a hockey game.
On the ice, one referee and two linesmen identify infractions and assign penalties. Up to five off-ice officials are also present, including two goal judges, the game timekeeper, the penalty timekeeper, and the official scorer.
Executing player changes or substitutions while the game is in progress.
When an NHL team competes in games outside of its home arena.
The section of the ice that does not contain any opponents.
An extra period of play implemented to resolve a tie; refer to sudden-death.
When a player uses their stick to pass the puck to a teammate.
a pass executed by an attacker from behind their opponent's net or goal line to a teammate positioned in front of the net.
comprising the Adams Division within the Wales Conference through the 2026-11 season; it was rebranded as the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference beginning with the 2026-11 season.
the sanction applied to a player for breaking the rules, causing them to be suspended from play for a set duration; there are 6 categories: minor, bench, major, misconduct, matchandgoalkeeper’s penalties..
a zone featuring a bench located just off the ice, behind the sideboards outside the rink, where players serving penalty time sit.
a specialist player skilled in backchecking and maintaining or winning possession of a loose puck in tough situations, trained to disrupt a power play while their team is shorthanded.
a free shot granted to a player who was illegally obstructed, denying a clear chance to score; the shot is attempted with only the goalie in position to defend.
three 20-minute periods of play divided by two intermissions..
the positions occupied by the defensemen of the attacking side, located just inside the blue line of the attacking zone; this term also refers to the defensemen stationed there; it further denotes an individual statistic calculated as goals plus assists; and it serves as a team statistic for determining standings (awarding 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie in the regular season).
a rapid thrust or poke directed at the puck or an opponent's stick to deflect the puck away.
see enforcer.
a team attack at full strength directed at an opponent playing with one (or two) fewer player(s) shorthanded due to a penalty (or penalties), which sent an opposing player to the penalty-box.
a black, vulcanized rubber disc measuring 1-inch thick and 3-inches in diameter, with a weight ranging from 5 1/2 to 6 ounces, used in hockey; these are frozen to reduce bouncing and replaced during the game; they can reach speeds of up to 120 miles per hour on a slap shot.
removing the goalkeeper and substituting a forward; this leaves the goal undefended and is typically employed only as a final-ditch effort to score.
holding onto the puck through skillful stickhandling; frequently employed by a shorthanded squad to consume time.
a puck that rebounds off the body or gear of the goalie’s.
the line that splits the length of the ice surface into two equal parts.
the primary official in a hockey match, identified by a red armband; he initiates play, calls the majority of penalties, and issues final rulings on disputes; he ensures the ice, nets, and clock are in proper working order; he wears black trousers and an official league sweater, and also skates.
a semi-circular zone, marked in red with a 10-foot radius near the timekeepers’ bench, which players are prohibited from entering to follow the referee.
the ice surface enclosed by the boards where hockey is played; it measures 200 feet in length by 85 feet in width, featuring rounded corners.
common among professional ice hockey skaters; a subtle curve created on a very sharp skate blade by rounding the toe and heel, facilitating quicker turns for players.
a list of the players on a team.
a minor penalty assessed when a scuffle between players consists mainly of pushing and shoving; this is a lesser infraction than fighting.
a solo or coordinated offensive move by a team controlling the puck.
the action of a goalie intercepting or halting a shot.
multiple players from opposing teams clustered together competing for control of the puck.
an attempt on goal that the goalie cannot view because it was fired from behind one or more players from either side positioned in front of the net.
the angle formed by the shooter's position relative to the goal at the instant the puck is released.
a team with one or more players in the penalty box while the opposition fields its full complement of 6 skaters; this situation also constitutes a power play for the opposing team.
a scoring attempt that is effectively stopped or blocked by a goalie; known as a save.
a rapid shoulder movement in one direction while the player moves in another to deceive the opponent.
the boards lining the edges of the rink.
a shot where the player lifts the stick in a backswing, keeping the strong hand low on the shaft and the other hand at the end as a pivot. As the stick descends toward the puck, the player leans into the motion to generate maximum power and speed for the puck, reaching speeds of up to 120 miles per hour, though it lacks the accuracy of a wrist shot.
a minor penalty assessed when a player swings their stick from below shoulder height at an opponent to hinder their movement, regardless of whether contact occurs; if injury results, it escalates to a major penalty along with a game misconduct.
an attacking player who positions themselves in the center or neutral zone behind the attacking defensemen; also known as a floater or a hanger.
the moment an official holds off on blowing the whistle due to a delayed offside or delayed penalty call.
the Norris Division formed part of the Campbell Conference through the 2026-11 season; it was renamed the Pacific Division of the Western Conference beginning with the 2026-11 season.
a solo rush undertaken by a player without support from teammates.
a major penalty incurred when a player illegally jabs, or attempts to jab, the tip of their stick blade into another player’s body; considered one of the most severe infractions, it automatically results in a game misconduct.
when a player moves their stick as if to shoot, but instead carries the puck past the defender; this maneuver is used to deceive the opponent.
guiding the puck along the ice surface using the stick blade.
happens when a player enters from the bench to substitute for one leaving the game; this can occur at any time without requiring a stoppage in play.
an overtime period that concludes immediately upon a team scoring a goal, thereby deciding the winner and ending the match.
a check executed by a player with one hand on the stick and one knee bent so low it nearly touches the ice, placing the shaft and blade flat against the ice to strip the puck from an opponent.
the third individual involved in a brawl receives a game misconduct penalty and is suspended for the remainder of the game; this rule was introduced to deter players from entering fights, even with the intent of breaking them up.
a form of breakwhere three attackers rush a single defenseman; this is a critical situation.
a breakinvolving three attacking players skating against two defenders.
a player who trails a teammate on the attack, appearing disengaged but actually positioned to accept a backward or drop pass.
a minor penaltyassessed when a player places their stick or body part under or around an opponent's feet or legs, causing a loss of balance; it is also called if a player kicks an opponent's skates out or uses a knee or leg to knock them down.
a team infraction that happens when a puckis passed over two or more lines without contact; play is halted for a face-off; this is a form of offsides.
a breakwhere two attacking players skate against a single defender.
a breakinvolving two attacking players skating against two defenders.
a pass delivered behind or to the side of a teammate, making it hard for them to gain control of the puck.
a large rectangular pad fastened to the front of the goalie’s stick hand.
was one of the two conferences in the NHLmade up of the Patrick and Adams Divisionsup until the 2026-11 season. The other conference was the Campbell Conference. These were changed to the Eastern and Western Conferencesrespectively, starting with the 2026-11 season.
a goaldeclared invalid by the refereeor the nullification of an infraction by the linesmen.
the Cambell Conferenceunder its new name starting from the 2026-11 season, which includes the Central and Pacific Divisions (previously the Norris and Smythe Divisions).
two players positioned on the right and left of the center, forming the attacking unit or forward line.
a shot generated by a strong flick of the wrist and forearm, keeping the stick blade on the ice; it is less fast but more precise than a slap shot.
the specific brand of machine utilized for cleaning the ice.
three areas made up by the two blue lines; the attacking zone is the area farthest from the goal a player is defending; the neutral zone is the central area; the defending zone is the area where a player’s goal is (the goal where his team’s goalieis stationed)
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