How does the regular-season shootout work?

If the game is still tied after the five-minute overtime period, the teams go to a shootout, run under the penalty shot rules.

• The home team chooses whether to shoot first or second, and the teams alternate shots.
• Each team takes three shots, unless the outcome is decided earlier. If still tied, it becomes sudden death.
• No player may shoot twice until everyone eligible has shot. If injury or penalty leaves one team with fewer eligible players, both teams may pick from players who have already shot.
• All players are eligible unless they are serving a ten-minute misconduct or have been given a game misconduct or match penalty.
• Once the shootout begins, a goalkeeper cannot be replaced unless he is injured.
• The final score records one more goal for the winning team than its opponent. The losing goalkeeper is not charged with the extra goal, and the shootout winner's scorer is not credited with a goal in his personal statistics.
• If a team declines to take part, the game is a shootout loss for that team.

Source: NHL Official Rules 2026-2027, Rule 84.4.