What NHL point system is? If you watch hockey or follow the NHL, you’ve probably heard the term “point” tossed around a lot. This term can be a bit confusing, as it has multiple meanings in the context of hockey.
While “point” can refer to a position on the ice (just inside the blue line where a defenseman usually stands), this guide will specifically explore team points and player points.
Team Points and what nhl point system?
Team points are crucial for ranking NHL teams for playoff seeding. The teams with the most points are ranked highest and secure their playoff spots, while those with fewer points are ranked lower. Several tie-breakers come into play if teams have the same number of points.
Here’s how it works: for every win (whether in regulation or overtime), a team earns two points. If a team loses in overtime or a shootout, they still get one point. Losing in regulation? That’s zero points. While there’s some debate over whether this system is the best, it’s firmly in place for now.
Keep in mind, these are the point rules for the NHL, but different leagues and associations might have their own systems. Some might offer three points for a regulation win and two points for an overtime or shootout win, for example.
Now that you know how team points work, you can watch the games with a clearer understanding of what’s at stake!
Player Points
Player points are a crucial part of hockey, awarded when a player scores a goal or gets an assist. The top scorer in a season earns the prestigious Art Ross Trophy, often claimed by the league’s elite players.
Understanding goals is straightforward. If you’re the last player on the scoring team to touch the puck before it hits the net, you’re credited with a goal. Usually, this happens off a player’s stick, but it isn’t always the case. Goals can be scored off your hip, elbow, or even your head! Just remember, you can’t deliberately kick the puck in.
Assists, on the other hand, can be a bit trickier. If you pass the puck to a player who immediately scores, you earn an assist. Interestingly, up to two players can earn an assist on a single goal. So, if you pass to someone who then passes to the goal scorer, you also get an assist.
Teams and Players With the Most Points
Now that you’re familiar with how points work in hockey, let’s dive into the teams and players who dominate the scoreboards. No NHL team has amassed more points than the legendary Montreal Canadiens. With over 100 years in the league and 24 Stanley Cups, it’s not surprising. Their best season was in 1976-77, racking up an impressive 132 points in 80 games.
On the player front, Wayne Gretzky, the “Great One,” reigns supreme with an astonishing 2,857 points. This is nearly 1,000 points more than the next highest scorer, Jaromir Jagr. Gretzky also holds the record for the most points in a single season at 215 (52 goals and 163 assists). Astoundingly, Gretzky is responsible for 8 of the top 10 highest point-scoring seasons in NHL history. However, Darryl Sittler holds the record for the most points in a single game, with an incredible 10-point night (6 goals and 4 assists) in 1976.
I hope this guide has provided you with a deeper understanding of hockey points and the legendary teams and players who have made their mark. Feel free to leave a comment if you think I missed anything or if there’s something you’d like to add!
