What the competition is
The official rules distinguish regulation play from overtime and shootout procedures. Regular-season and playoff tie resolution should not be treated as interchangeable. A series score counts games won, while the scoreboard shows goals in the current game. A club’s standings points are another measure and should not be read as its goal total.
Following the competition
Keep the season, teams and game number with an entry. A programme can extend beyond an initial window if a contest requires additional play. For Australia, retain the arena’s local date before conversion; North American evening games often fall on the following Australian day. When looking at old footage, use the rulebook edition appropriate to the contest rather than assuming later changes apply backwards.
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Period | A subdivision of one game. |
| Game score | Goals in the current contest. |
| Series score | Games won in a postseason matchup. |
| Overtime context | Regular season and playoffs need separate rule references. |
Questions about this guide
Does a 2–1 series standing mean the current game has three goals?
No. It records games won in the series.
Should regular-season shootout explanations be applied to every playoff game?
No. Read the postseason rules.