A regulation hockey game, including those in the NHL (National Hockey League), is divided into three periods, each lasting **20 minutes** of actual playing time. This means the total playing time adds up to **60 minutes**.
However, the total length of a hockey game **usually takes longer than 60 minutes** because of stoppages in play, intermissions, and potential overtime. Here's a breakdown of the additional time factors:
* **Stoppages in play:** The clock stops whenever there's a whistle blown for penalties, icing, faceoffs, or other reasons. These stoppages can add up to several minutes per period.
* **Intermissions:** There are **two intermissions** between periods, each lasting **17-18 minutes**. This allows players to rest, coaches to strategize, and ice crews to resurface the ice.
* **Overtime (optional):** If the score is tied after regulation, an overtime period is played to determine a winner. Overtime can last **5 minutes** (sudden death format, meaning the first team to score wins) or until a set number of periods are played, depending on the league and competition.
So, while the actual playing time in hockey is 60 minutes, **expect a typical NHL game to last between 2.5 and 3 hours** due to stoppages, intermissions, and potential overtime.