Olympic hockey rules, explained: How icing, fighting and more differ from NHL games

Olympic hockey rules, explained: How icing, fighting and more differ from NHL games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For the most part, hockey is hockey, but some NHL rules differ from international rules.

The International Ice Hockey Federation overseas international hockey play, which includes Olympic ice hockey, and the organization creates rules separate to the NHL. Fans and players may be used to the specifics of NHL hockey, but there are some notable changes when it comes to IIHF hockey.

The biggest change in the two hockey styles come in both fighting and rink dimensions, as the IIHF is pretty steadfast in its rules regarding those two facets of the game. So, while most parts of the game translates between the two levels of competition, a few differences could lead to different experiences.

Here’s a list of some of biggest differences between IIHF hockey and NHL hockey.

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Olympic hockey rules, explained

Fighting

The IIHF has stricter ruled about fighting than the NHL does. Players who fight will be automatically ejected from the game, with a chance for suspension if the IIHF decides it’s necessary.

Checks to the head

In international play, checks to the head can be called as major penalties or game misconducts if the referee deems the play reckless.

Icing

Similar to the NHL, IIHF officials will blow a whistle for icing before the puck is touched if the official believes the defender will touch the puck before the offensive player.

Crease rule

Officials will blow the whistle if an attacking player is parked in the crease, regardless of whether the player contacts the goalie. Therefore, the goalie interference rule in the NHL won’t come into play in IIHF competition.

Gameday rosters

Each team will have 22 players active for each game: 20 skaters and two goalies. That is two more than the NHL allows, as an NHL gameday roster is 18 skaters and two goalies.

Overtime

The Olympic overtime rules will be depending on the round. For preliminary rounds, the rules are the same as the NHL: five minutes of 3-on-3 overtime followed by a shootout.

Once the event heads to the knockout stage, the rules change. For the quarterfinals and semifinals, there will be a 10-minute 3-on-3 overtime, followed by a shootout. However, for the gold medal game, overtime is unlimited, 20-minute 3-on-3 overtimes until one team scores.

Shootout

An IIHF shootout is a five-man shootout, as the team with the most goals after five attempts wins. If the shootout goes to extra attempts, coaches can re-use players for the shootout as many times as they want.

Rink dimensions

Rink dimensions for the NHL and the IIHF differ, as the IIHF usually has a much wider rink than the NHL. However, rink dimensions for the 2026 Olympics ended up being smaller than anticipated.