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Editorial guide · Rules Explained

NHL Shootouts: How They Work and How to Read the Result

A quick explanation of the NHL shootout format, how goals are counted in the standings, and what the SO label means on the scoreboard.

By MatchTracker Editorial · Published

When an NHL regular-season game remains tied after a five-minute overtime period, the teams move to a shootout. Here is how the format works and what the result means on your scoreboard.

The shootout format

Each team selects three shooters. They alternate one-on-one attempts against the opposing goalie. If the score is still tied after three rounds, the shootout continues in sudden-death rounds until one team scores and the other does not.

How the score appears

The winning team is credited with one additional goal in the final score. So a game that was 2-2 after overtime will show 3-2 after the shootout. The label Final/SO indicates a shootout decided the winner.

Standings impact

  • The winner earns 2 points in the standings, the same as any other win.
  • The loser earns 1 point for reaching overtime, known as an OTL (overtime loss).
  • These OTL points are why the NHL standings show a separate overtime-loss column.

Playoffs are different

Shootouts only happen in the regular season. Playoff games use continuous 20-minute overtime periods with full five-on-five hockey until someone scores. There is no shootout in the postseason.