How Does NHL Format Explained Work?

The NHL format is like playing a game of tag, but with teams and goals instead of running and touching.

Imagine you're on a playground with your friends, and everyone splits into two groups, one group is the team, and the other is the opponent. Each team has 6 players on the ice at the same time, like how you might have 3 friends on each side in a game of tag. The goal is to score by getting the ball (or in hockey, the puck) into the net, just like trying to touch the other group's base.

Each team gets to play for 20 minutes, split into three parts called periods, and there’s a break between each part, it’s like taking a snack break during recess. If the game is tied after all 20 minutes, they have an overtime, imagine playing tag until someone wins without taking a break.

There are also rules to keep the game fair, no pushing or holding, just like you're not allowed to grab your friend’s shirt in tag. And every team has players who come on and off the ice, like how you might switch places with another friend during the game.

That's how the NHL format works, a fun game where teams try to score more goals than each other!