Are NHL penalties the same as international ones?
A · Advanced · How the NHL differs · 10 of 11Most NHL penalties match the IIHF's, but majors are treated more lightly. A first major is five minutes and does not always bring ejection; a third in one game does. The NHL keeps a match penalty for a deliberate attempt to injure. An avoidable hit to the head is a minor, or a match penalty if deliberate, but never a major.
How it works
- Major: five minutes, no substitute; the player stays in the box even if goals are scored.
- Automatic game misconduct: for a third major in a game, or for majors for listed fouls.
- Head or face injury: some majors bring a game misconduct when the opponent is hurt in the face or head.
- Match penalty: for deliberately injuring or trying to injure; the player is sent off at once.
- Serving a match penalty: a teammate serves five minutes; 15 minutes go in the records.
- Suspension: a match penalty suspends the player until the Commissioner rules.
- Head hits: a minor; a match penalty if deliberate; no major or game misconduct.
- From behind: always a major and a game misconduct, as in the IIHF.
- Video review: the referee reviews every major except for fighting, and every match penalty.
The glossary has the major penalty, the game misconduct penalty, the illegal check to the head or neck, the misconduct penalty, the supplementary discipline and the video review.
Tricky cases
A player gets a second major in an NHL game. Ejected?
Not automatically. A third major brings a game misconduct, unless the foul is one that always does.
A reckless hit to the head in the NHL. Five minutes?
No. The NHL rule allows only a minor or, if deliberate, a match penalty. The IIHF allows a major and game misconduct.
Does the IIHF have match penalties?
No. It uses a major and game misconduct instead.
Who serves a match penalty?
A teammate chosen by the coach, for five minutes.
Why the rule exists
The NHL relies on suspensions after the game to punish the worst hits, so on-ice penalties can be lighter. The IIHF has no league office reviewing games every night, so it acts more strongly on the ice.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NHL majors | Game misconduct on the third, or for listed fouls | NHL 20.4 |
| NHL deliberate injury | Match penalty | NHL 21 |
| Head hits | NHL minor or match; IIHF minor or major | NHL 48; IIHF 48 |
From the rule book
National Hockey League, Official Rules 2026-2027, Rules 20, 21, 43 and 48. Compared with International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.