What Is the Average Length of an NHL Hockey Game?

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Taking into account all stoppages as well as the regulation time of 60 minutes, the average length of an NHL hockey game is two hours and twenty minutes. Many people think of hockey as a relatively fast-paced game, and while this is true there are an average of 81 stoppages in an NHL game.

Regulation time, not including any overtime, is comprised of three 20-minute periods. Offsides, icings, goals, penalties, TV timeouts as well as incidental stoppages all contribute to lengthening the total time it takes to play the game. Compared to other American sports, only the NBA has games with an average length shorter than the NHL.