NHL Timing Rules
How Long are NHL Intermissions? 1st & 2nd Period Break Guide
Official breakdown of the 17-minute NHL intermission clock, Zamboni ice resurfacing, and playoff sudden-death overtime intervals.
Quick Answer:
Official NHL intermissions last exactly 17 minutes for all televised games. There are two 17-minute intermissions during a standard 60-minute hockey game: the first occurs between the 1st and 2nd periods, and the second occurs between the 2nd and 3rd periods.
Official NHL Rulebook (Rule 77.2)
Under the official National Hockey League Official Rules (Rule 77: Game Timing, Section 2):
"The intermission between periods shall be seventeen (17) minutes in length for all games that are televised. The intermission timer shall commence immediately upon the conclusion of the period."
The Zamboni Science: Why 17 Minutes?
Unlike grass or hardwood surfaces, ice sheets degrade rapidly after 20 minutes of professional skating. The 17-minute intermission is engineered around the physics of ice resurfacing:
- 0:00 to 1:00: Players leave the ice through team benches. Goal judges and rink crew remove net pegs.
- 1:00 to 7:00: Two Zambonis cut the top layer of rutted ice and lay down fresh hot water (approx. 140°F / 60°C) to melt into existing grooves.
- 7:00 to 14:00: The fresh water freezes smooth. Players cannot skate prematurely or the soft slush will create dangerous ruts.
- 14:00 to 17:00: Teams return to the ice for a rapid warmup before the referee drops the puck.
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