How NHL Standings Points Work Explainer
NHL standings use points rather than wins alone. A team receives two points for any victory, whether in regulation, overtime, or a shootout. A team that loses in overtime or a shootout earns one point, while a regulation loss earns none.
Because teams may have played different numbers of games, points percentage can give a clearer comparison. It divides points earned by the maximum available points. Equal raw totals can therefore hide different rates of success.
When teams are tied, the NHL follows an ordered tiebreaking procedure. It begins with games played and regulation-based win totals before moving through total wins, head-to-head results, goal differential, and other published criteria.
Points determine division placement and wild-card qualification, but the columns matter. A shootout win contributes to total wins without helping earlier regulation-win categories. Reading a playoff race means checking points, games played, regulation wins, and the applicable tiebreakers together.
Every victory earns two points.
An overtime or shootout loss earns one; a regulation loss earns zero.
Points percentage compares points earned with the maximum available.
It helps when clubs have played unequal schedules.
The NHL applies regulation-based wins before several later criteria.
Head-to-head points and goal differential appear later in the sequence.
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