What NHL Points Are and Why They Matter
NHL points are the basic unit of league standings and individual achievement in the National Hockey League. Each team earns points in the standings based on game results, while players earn points as personal statistics for goals and assists. Points determine playoff qualification, seeding, and many league honors. Understanding how points are awarded, tracked, and used clarifies how teams compete and how individual performances contribute to team success.
How Teams Earn Points in the Standings
In the NHL regular season, teams earn points in the standings according to a fixed schedule:
- Win in regulation (or overtime/shootout): 2 points
- Loss in regulation: 0 points
- Loss in overtime or shootout: 1 point (OT/SO loss)
These outcomes mean a team can finish a game with 0, 1, or 2 points. The table below summarizes the standard point values for common game results:
| Result | Points Awarded | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Win in regulation | 2 | Team earns both available points |
| Win in overtime or shootout | 2 | Winning team receives both points; OT/SO loss handled separately |
| Loss in overtime or shootout | 1 | Losing team receives one point for effort |
| Loss in regulation | 0 | No points awarded |
Each team plays 82 games, accumulating points across the season. Standings are sorted primarily by total points, then by regulation and overtime wins (ROW) as an initial tiebreaker, reflecting performance beyond shootouts.
How Players Earn Points
A player’s point total is the sum of goals and assists. Each goal counts as one point, and each assist counts as one point, so a player’s total points reflect both scoring and playmaking contributions:
- Goal: 1 point
- Assist: 1 point
- Total points = Goals + Assists
Points are recorded for each game and accumulated over a season. They are used for official statistical rankings, including leading the league in points and qualifying for season-end honors such as the Art Ross Trophy, which is awarded to the player who scores the most points. Points also help demonstrate a player’s all-around impact, combining offensive production with two-way play.
Notable Player Point Achievements
While season totals vary, certain benchmarks stand out historically. For example, Wayne Gretzky’s 215-point season in 1985–86 remains the NHL record. Individual game point totals can also be high, and career point totals are a key measure of longevity and consistency. Points are tracked by the league and verified through official scoring, ensuring accuracy for awards and records.
Standings Tiebreakers and Point Scenarios
When teams finish with the same number of points, the NHL uses a defined sequence of tiebreakers. The process prioritizes performance within the conference and then narrows to direct matchups:
- Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
- Goal differential (goals for minus goals against)
- Goals for
- Head-to-head points (points earned in games between the tied teams)
- Drawing of lots
For example, if two teams in the same division finish with 98 points, the one with more regulation and overtime wins is ranked higher. If regulation/overtime wins are equal, goal differential and goals for are evaluated before head-to-head points come into play.
Impact of Points on Playoffs and Strategy
Points directly determine playoff qualification. In each conference, the top teams based on points advance: typically the top three wild-card teams per conference and division winners. Seeding is also based on points, affecting home-ice advantage in the postseason. Teams near the cutoff often emphasize strong finishes to secure the final spots, while teams with comfortable leads may rest players or focus on player development without risking standings position.
Strategic Considerations
Coaches and general managers use points to guide decisions such as:
- Line management and rest during tight races
- Goaltender usage in must-win games
- Trade deadline moves to improve standing position
For fans and analysts, points provide a clear, numeric summary of team performance over a long season, making them central to standings analysis and playoff projection.