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Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) fight (Image Credits: Imagn)

Are Olympic Hockey Rules Different From The NHL?

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Swati Bhatia | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 12:50 PM ET

With the NHL pausing for the 2026 Winter Olympics, hockey fans around the world are excited to see their favorite league stars don national jerseys once again. This year is especially thrilling because it marks the first time NHL players will compete in the Olympics since 2014. This means a whole new wave of younger fans will experience Olympic hockey for the first time.

However, many of these fans might find some aspects of the game a little confusing, because International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules used in international tournaments like the Olympics are slightly different from what they are used to seeing in the NHL.

At first, Olympic and NHL hockey look the same, but once you start watching closely, the differences become clear. In this article, we look at the major rule differences between Olympic hockey and the NHL.

Roster Size

One of the first differences between IIHF and NHL play is roster size. Olympic teams have a maximum roster of 25 players (22 skaters and three goalies) for men’s hockey, whereas NHL teams are limited to 20 players for any given game.

Fights

This might come as a bummer for some young hockey fans. In the NHL, fights are frequent and usually result in a five-minute major penalty. In IIHF games, including the Olympics, fighting is strictly prohibited. Players who drop the gloves can be ejected from the game entirely.

Overtime and Shootout

In the NHL regular season, games tied after regulation go to a five-minute three-on-three overtime, followed by a shootout if needed. In IIHF competition, overtime formats vary by tournament round, but typically involve a full overtime period followed by a shootout if neither team scores.

Goalie Interference

USA forward David Backes (42) is called for interference as he slides into Slovenia goalie Luka Gracnar (40) during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (Image Credits: Imagn)

In the NHL, goalie interference is more judgment-based. Referees look at intent, timing, and whether the attacking player made a reasonable effort to avoid contact with the goalie. If a player is pushed into the crease by a defender, the goal can still count. Even if there is some contact, a goal may stand if officials feel the goalie was able to make the save.

However, in IIHF competitions, including the Olympics, the rule is stricter and clearer. If an attacking player makes contact with the goalie inside the crease and that contact affects the goalie’s ability to play the puck, the goal is usually waved off.

Checks to the Head

Checks to the head are handled much more strictly in IIHF hockey than in the NHL. In the NHL, a check to the head is illegal only if the head is the main point of contact and the hit is avoidable. Officials look at several factors, including the hitter’s intent, the height of the hit, etc. Because of this, some hits that make contact with the head are still considered legal if the initial contact was through the body.

In IIHF competitions, the rule is much stricter. Any hit where the head is contacted, even if it is not the primary point of contact, can result in a penalty. The IIHF focuses more on player safety than intent. If a player’s head is hit, the hitter is usually penalized, regardless of whether it was accidental.

If it’s a minor, a 10-minute misconduct is assessed. If the penalty is deemed major, the penalized skater is also given a game misconduct penalty.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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