Shootout in ice hockey

How a shootout works

If a game is still tied after 60 minutes and overtime, a shootout decides it in the regular season of many leagues. The procedure:

1. Both teams name their shooters. The goaltenders stay in their goals.
2. The shooters take turns starting at the centre line, picking up the puck and skating alone towards the goaltender.
3. Each shooter has one attempt. The puck must keep moving forward, and rebounds after a save are not allowed.
4. After the regular number of shooters (three or five depending on the league), the team with more goals wins. If the result can no longer be overturned beforehand, the shootout ends immediately.
5. If tied, sudden death follows: one shooter per team until one scores and the other doesn't.

"SO" in the result: how is it counted?

The winner of the shootout is credited with one goal in the final score. If regulation ends 2–2 and team A wins the shootout, the result is 3–2 SO. The individual shootout goals do not count in players' personal scoring statistics, nor towards a hat-trick.

On IceHub, you can recognise such games in the results view of the ice sports calendar by the suffix "SO", and games decided in overtime by the suffix "OT".

Points in the standings

The three-point rule applies in many European leagues:

The NHL, by contrast, awards two points for every win and one point for a loss after overtime or a shootout.

Tactics and psychology

The shootout is a one-on-one duel. Shooters rely on dekes, backhand–forehand switches or quick wrist shots; goaltenders on patience and positioning. Coaches often choose the order tactically: the most reliable shooter goes first to build pressure early, or is saved for the decisive attempt.

Shootout vs. penalty shot

Don't confuse them: a penalty shot is awarded during the game when a player is illegally stopped on a clear scoring chance. The procedure is similar, but the goal counts as a regular goal for the shooter.

Goaltenders in the shootout

For goaltenders, the shootout is a special challenge. They study videos of the opposing shooters beforehand and try to spot their favourite moves. Some goaltenders come far out of the net to cut down the angle; others stay deep and wait for the shooter's move.