Point (ice hockey)

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Point in ice hockey has two official meanings:

A point is given to a player who either scores a goal or earns an assist during a game. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points.

Points are given to a team for a win (2 points), as well as a tie (1 point). In the National Hockey League, when a game advances to overtime, both teams earn 1 point as in a tie. Each team then has the opportunity to earn 1 additional point by winning the game, either in overtime or a shootout.

The term is also used as follows:

When a team is in the offensive zone, the area near the blue line and the boards is referred to as "the point." When a team is on the power play, the defensemen usually take up positions at the point. The origin of the term is unknown, but it has similar meanings in basketball (point guard) and in the military, as in "to take the point" (to lead a group).

See also

External links

NHL Rulebook, Rule #57 - Goals and Assists

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Last updated on Tuesday January 01, 2008 at 17:45:33 PST (GMT -0800)
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