how long is a typical NHL hockey game?

[clori]

My 16 year old dd was just invited to attend a Bruins game Thursday night but will be going with people traveling in the opposite direction. I have no idea how long a typical hockey game lasts since I don't watch hockey games so just curious as to how late a 7pm game usually ends.

 

[Klayfish]

A 7pm start will end around 9:30pm, maybe 9:45pm.

 

[Poohforyou]

About 2 hours.

 

[kimblebee]

A 7pm start will end around 9:30pm, maybe 9:45pm.

Yep, this is exactly what I was going to say. Sure, the actual playing time isn't that long, but there's also tv time outs, injuries, fights, penalties and they all add up.

 

[wilkeliza]

The average NHL game lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes. I would plan for about 3 hours just to be on the safe side.

 

[mandy200587]

I would average 3 hours to be safe just in case of delays, overtimes

 

[Marchand63]

We are season-ticket holder's for the Bruins I'd say about 2 1/2 to 245

But you may want to listen to the game if it goes to overtime you could be anywhere from three hours to whatever

 

[Marchand63]

Just add a longest game went well over four hours

 

[fallonkendra]

I find any game I've ever been to (which has been 50+ games over the past 4 seasons) lasts around 3 hours. I've been to games that have gone much quicker, but I've also been to games that have gone 14 rounds into a shoot-out.

 

[kimblebee]

Just add a longest game went well over four hours

That was the playoffs when they just keep playing til someone wins...

 

[declansdad]

We are season-ticket holder's for the Bruins I'd say about 2 1/2 to 245

But you may want to listen to the game if it goes to overtime you could be anywhere from three hours to whatever

Not during the regular season; 5 minutes of overtime and then a shootout.

 

[Marchand63]

That was the playoffs when they just keep playing til someone wins...

It can be but just trying to point out she should listen to the game because it can be anywhere from 2 to 4 depending on ties overtime shootout whatever

Although it's the blue jackets so 2 1/2

 

[kimblebee]

It can be but just trying to point out she should listen to the game because it can be anywhere from 2 to 4 depending on ties overtime shootout whatever

Although it's the blue jackets so 2 1/2

They did beat up on Montreal the other night...

 

[bcla]

It really depends on any number of factors, but 2.5 hours sounds about right. The actual playing time is 60 minutes, there are two breaks and the clock stops for penalties, icing, goalie covering/catching the puck, etc. Then there's the possibility of overtime and penalty shootouts.

A few things can really mess things up. I've heard of a game delayed when the mascot got stuck rappelling from the rafters. One game I saw on TV was delayed due to a lighting malfunction. When they determined it would take a long time for the lights to come back, they actually took an early break, continued the remainder of the second period (a bit over 3 minutes), and then immediately started the third period.

 

[Marchand63]

They did beat up on Montreal the other night...

Yeah but back up goalie and they didn't pull him which is ridiculous Carey Price should've at least played a couple of minutes of last period

We play them tonight at least it's on the road we have a better record hopefully we have some chance. Well school is after the first period. Only 40 minutes to hang on

 

[Marchand63]

It really depends on any number of factors, but 2.5 hours sounds about right. The actual playing time is 60 minutes, there are two breaks and the clock stops for penalties, icing, goalie covering/catching the puck, etc. Then there's the possibility of overtime and penalty shootouts.

A few things can really mess things up. I've heard of a game delayed when the mascot got stuck rappelling from the rafters. One game I saw on TV was delayed due to a lighting malfunction. When they determined it would take a long time for the lights to come back, they actually took an early break, continued the remainder of the second period (a bit over 3 minutes), and then immediately started the third period.

Please see my avatar, how many hockey games have you been to ? We are at hockey at least four or five nights a week Between him playing and Having season tickets I think those of us who've actually been to a lot of games can give good advice

 

[kimblebee]

Please see my avatar, how many hockey games have you been to ? We are at hockey at least four or five nights a week Between him playing and Having season tickets I think those of us who've actually been to a lot of games can give good advice

But, but, but...

He wrote everything with waaay more authority than the rest of us. Clearly we don't know what we're talking about lol

 

[Gumbo4x4]

It really depends on any number of factors, but 2.5 hours sounds about right. The actual playing time is 60 minutes, there are two breaks and the clock stops for penalties, icing, goalie covering/catching the puck, etc. Then there's the possibility of overtime and penalty shootouts.

A few things can really mess things up. I've heard of a game delayed when the mascot got stuck rappelling from the rafters. One game I saw on TV was delayed due to a lighting malfunction. When they determined it would take a long time for the lights to come back, they actually took an early break, continued the remainder of the second period (a bit over 3 minutes), and then immediately started the third period.

I was at one where the Zamboni broke down. The driver was plump & he was frantically trying to repair something underneath, but he couldn't fit. Thought my dad's friend would wet his pants he was laughing so hard

 

[design_mom]

Yeah but back up goalie and they didn't pull him which is ridiculous Carey Price should've at least played a couple of minutes of last period

I was at that game and I think many of us CBJ fans were in shock! (I couldn't figure out why they didn't put Price in either... although by the 3rd, I think it was beyond saving.) We'll take our wins any way we can get 'em... but I agree that was kind of a fluke. You never know which CBJ team you're going to get. Sometimes they lay an egg in games that you think they'll be competitive in, and other times they play great against a team that should walk all over them. I guess that's why they don't play the games on paper!

Anyway, with the OP... I agree that 2h30m-2h45m is standard barring something really strange happening. However, if you're trying to calculate what time she'll be home, don't forget the time it takes to get out of the arena and to the car. I think when we go, it's often almost 3 hours after the published game time before we make it to our car, then the additional commute time home.

 

[Marchand63]

I was at that game and I think many of us CBJ fans were in shock! (I couldn't figure out why they didn't put Price in either... although by the 3rd, I think it was beyond saving.) We'll take our wins any way we can get 'em... but I agree that was kind of a fluke. You never know which CBJ team you're going to get. Sometimes they lay an egg in games that you think they'll be competitive in, and other times they play great against a team that should walk all over them. I guess that's why they don't play the games on paper!

Anyway, with the OP... I agree that 2h30m-2h45m is standard barring something really strange happening. However, if you're trying to calculate what time she'll be home, don't forget the time it takes to get out of the arena and to the car. I think when we go, it's often almost 3 hours after the published game time before we make it to our car, then the additional commute time home.

ITA we played last night & although we lost, happy it was that close. Long season still ahead.