How the NHL points system works
NHL standings give two points for a win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and none for a regulation loss.1,2 Teams tied in points are first separated by fewer games played, which is the same as a better points percentage.3 (NHL Rule 84)
The details
Next comes more regulation wins (RW), meaning wins not in overtime or a shootout.3
Next comes more wins in regulation or overtime (ROW), meaning all wins except shootout wins.3
Next comes more total wins, counting shootout wins.3
Next comes more points earned in games between the tied teams. If they played an uneven number of games, the first game in the city that hosted the extra game is left out, and three-way ties use the share of available points.3
Next comes the better goal differential for the whole season, including overtime goals and shootout results.3
Last comes more goals scored over the season, again including overtime and shootouts.3
For standings, a shootout win counts as one goal for and a shootout loss as one goal against.3
Sixteen teams make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.4
The top three teams in each division take the first 12 spots.4
Each conference adds two wild cards, the next two best teams in the conference regardless of division, so one division can send five teams and another three.4
The division winner with the better record plays the lower wild card, the other division winner plays the higher wild card, and each division's second- and third-place teams meet.4
Every round is best-of-seven, so the first team to win four games advances.4
In the first two rounds the team that finished higher hosts; in the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final the team with the better regular-season record hosts.4
More hockey rules
NHL overtime rules · How many periods are in hockey? · What is a hat trick in hockey? · All hockey rules
Sources
- NHL.com (Seattle Kraken): Standings Tall, understanding NHL standings and points (2020) · accessed 2026-10-23
- NHL Official Rules 2025-26 (league) · accessed 2026-10-23
- NHL.com: Tie-Breaking Procedure · accessed 2026-10-23
- NHL.com: Playoff Format · accessed 2026-10-23
Rules are paraphrased, not quoted; the rulebook wins wherever wording matters. NHL rules unless a league is named.