NHL special teams are the players deployed when a penalty leaves one team with more skaters than the other. The power play tries to turn that advantage into a scoring chance; the penalty kill tries to disrupt the attack, protect the goal and clear the puck. Their assignments are planned, but systems and personnel vary by team.
What are NHL special-teams units?
“Special teams” means the players a team sends out for a power play or penalty kill. These units play during a manpower imbalance caused by a penalty, rather than in ordinary even-strength play. Their purpose is not simply to put the team’s best available skaters on the ice: players take coordinated roles suited to the situation and the coach’s plan.
The NHL’s Video Rulebook is the official hub for rules and educational videos; it links to the 2026-27 Rulebook. NHL.com’s Hockey 101 with Snoop also introduces beginners to topics including penalties, the penalty box and line changes.
How does a power play work?
A power play is the attacking unit deployed when the opposing team has fewer skaters on the ice because of a penalty. Its broad aim is to get the puck into the attacking zone, keep possession, and create a shot or a better scoring opportunity before the penalty ends.
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Common power-play responsibilities
Power-play skaters coordinate entries into the zone and use passes, movement and shots to make the defending team shift and create openings. Coaches may plan set patterns, but there is no single required arrangement or route that every NHL team uses. The chosen formation and personnel depend on the team and the opponent.
The advantage brings a risk: a turnover can give the shorthanded team a chance to counterattack. A power play must therefore balance pressure on the goal with puck control and awareness of opposing players who could break away.
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What do penalty killers do?
The penalty kill is the unit defending while its team is shorthanded. Its priorities are to protect the goal, contain or pressure the puck, and clear it out of the defensive zone. If a penalty killer wins possession or intercepts a pass, the team may also create a shorthanded scoring chance.
How pressure and coverage work together
In NHL.com’s tactical analysis, former NHL goaltending coach Jim Corsi describes penalty killers using speed, pressure and anticipation to disrupt organized power-play attacks. A common example is one forward pressuring the puck carrier while teammates limit routes into the middle. Killers may work together to contest a board battle, while a higher forward stays ready to move the puck up ice after a clear.
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That is an example of coordinated responsibilities, not a universal lineup chart. A team can choose a more aggressive or more contained approach. Pressure can disrupt passes and force mistakes, but if skaters chase without support, they may leave a dangerous passing lane or open space in front of the goal. The power play remains a threat even when the penalty kill is applying pressure.
Power play vs. penalty kill: what changes?
| Situation | Main objective | Typical puck approach | Key risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power play | Create a shot or scoring chance with a manpower advantage. | Gain the zone, keep possession and move the puck to create an opening. | A turnover can start a shorthanded counterattack. |
| Penalty kill | Prevent a scoring chance while shorthanded; seek clears and turnover opportunities. | Protect the goal, pressure or contain the puck, then clear it. | Uncoordinated pressure can open a passing lane or dangerous space. |
Why do special-teams face-offs matter?
A face-off is a planned start to the next contest for the puck, not merely a neutral restart. NHL.com’s former coach Don Nachbaur explains that players have roles in special-teams face-off plans. Winning a draw on the power play can let the attacking unit begin its setup with possession; winning one on the penalty kill can create an opportunity to clear the puck.
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Coaches can plan alignments and routes around the draw, but the exact setup and personnel depend on the coach and opponent. A face-off win helps a unit execute its plan; it does not guarantee a scoring chance or a successful clear.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do line changes fit into game flow?
Players rotate on and off the ice as play continues, and line changes help teams deploy fresh skaters. During special teams, the same general need for fresh players meets the unit’s tactical plan: a change can affect who is available to pressure, cover space or attack. Coaches also have to account for the fact that the teams are playing with unequal numbers.
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The precise substitution procedure, restrictions and consequences depend on the applicable NHL rules. The NHL’s Video Rulebook links to the 2026-27 Rulebook, which is the place to check exact line-change and penalty provisions. This explainer does not specify time limits or exceptions because those details should be read directly in the current rule text.
Quick Recap
What to watch when special teams are on the ice
- On the power play: Watch how the unit gains the zone and holds possession while looking for a shooting lane or a teammate in a better position.
- On the penalty kill: Notice whether pressure on the puck is supported by coverage of the middle, and whether a forward is ready to advance after a clear.
- At a face-off: Look for players moving into planned positions immediately after the puck is dropped.
- During changes: Watch how fresh players enter without losing track of the unit’s responsibilities or giving the opponent an opening.
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