How Olympic hockey rules differ from the NHL at the 2026 Winter Games

Feb 10, 2026, 11:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 10, 2026, 10:00 EST

How Olympic hockey rules differ from the NHL at the 2026 Winter Games

Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Anyone who follows international hockey knows that tournaments like the Winter Olympics are called much, much differently than the NHL.

The International Ice Hockey Federation rulebook is actually more widely followed globally, while the NHL allows the most physicality. That can lead to a few too many preceived judgement calls and controversies. But on the flip side, the IIHF is often criticized for not allowing the game to flow naturally due to excessive policing of contact.

Of note, the officials will be composed of traditional IIHF referees and NHL refs.

Regardless of your preferred standard of play, rules are rules. If you’re partaking in the Winter Games, you’re subject to the IIHF’s directives. So, following the IIHF’s rulebook, here are the most notable differences between what you see weekly from your favorite NHL team, and what you’ll notice at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics from Feb. 11-22:

Fighting

NHL: Five-minute major penalty. Players are permitted to stay in the game.
Olympics: Automatic game misconduct/ejection. An additional suspension can be imposed at the IIHF’s discretion.

Goalie Trapezoid

NHL: Goalies can only play the puck in the designated trapezoid area behind the net. Playing it in the corners results in a penalty.
Olympics: No trapezoid. Goalies are free to play the puck anywhere behind the goal line, just like the NHL permitted prior to the 2004-05 lockout.

Overtime Formats

Preliminary Round: NHL plays 3-on-3 for five minutes before a shootout during the regular season. The same applies during IIHF-officiated preliminary round games.
Quarterfinal/Semifinal: The NHL uses 20-minute 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime. The Olympics feature a 10-minute 3-on-3 period followed by a shootout if needed.
Gold Medal Game: The Olympics feature unlimited 20-minute 3-on-3 periods until someone scores, eliminating the shootout altogether.

Point System

NHL: Two points for a regulation/overtime/shootout win, one point for an OT/SO loss, zero points for a regulation loss.
Olympics: Three points for a regulation win, two points for an OT/SO win, one points for an OT/SO loss, zero points for a regulation loss.

Roster Sizes

NHL: 20 players per game (18 skaters, two goalies). Traditional lineups include 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders.
Olympics: 22 players per game (20 skaters, two goalies). Traditional lineups include 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. Game lineups are due at least 60 minutes before puck drop.

Safety & Infractions

Checks to the head: The referee can make a judgment on the play, but a major penalty and automatic game misconduct will often be the end result.
Icing: Both now use “Hybrid Icing,” but IIHF officials tend to whistle it dead much faster if there isn’t a clear race for the puck.
Crease Rule: In the Olympics, if an attacking player is in the crease (even without touching the goalie), the whistle is often blown, and the faceoff is moved outside the zone.

Shootout

NHL: Three shooters per team. After that, no player can shoot twice until the entire roster has participated.
Olympics: Five shooters per team. After the first five rounds, a coach can choose the same player to shoot over and over again if they want, like when USA forward T.J. Oshie scored on four of six attempts against Russia in 2014.

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