Hockey 101: Rules, Rivalries, and Pop Culture

Whether you’re tuning in for the first time because of a buzzy new series like Heated Rivalry or you’ve been hockey-curious for years, there’s never been a better moment to jump in. Hockey blends the speed of basketball, the physicality of football and the strategy of chess, all played out on ice at breakneck pace. With iconic rivalries, unforgettable arena traditions and a deep pop-culture footprint, this is a sport built for drama, momentum swings and edge-of-your-seat entertainment.

Welcome to Hockey 101.

From live games to scripted dramas, catch all the hockey action with DIRECTV!

A Brief History of Hockey

Modern ice hockey traces its roots to Canada in the late 1800s, where stick-and-ball games played on frozen ponds evolved into the organized sport we know today. In 1917, the National Hockey League was formed, eventually growing into the world’s premier professional hockey league.

Over the next century, the NHL expanded across North America and beyond, producing legendary franchises, superstar players and one of sports’ most revered trophies, the Stanley Cup. What started as a regional pastime is now a global game, with elite players coming from Europe, North America and beyond, all chasing hockey’s ultimate prize.

Hockey Rules, Made Simple

At its core, hockey is easy to follow. Two teams of six players, including a goalie, try to score by shooting a puck into the opponent’s net. Hockey games are played in three 20-minute periods, and the team with the most goals wins.

A few rules shape the flow of the game:

• Face-offs start play and restart action after stoppages, with the referee dropping the puck between two opposing players.
• Offsides means players can’t enter the attacking zone before the puck. If they do, play is stopped and brought back for a face-off.
• Icing prevents teams from simply dumping the puck down the ice to kill time. When the puck is fired from behind center all the way past the opposing goal line untouched, play comes back to the defensive zone.
• Penalties are called for fouls like tripping, holding or high-sticking. The player who is penalized is sent to the box; minor penalties usually last 2 minutes, while more serious infractions can lead to longer majors.
• Power plays happen when one team is short-handed because a player is in the penalty box, giving the other team a prime scoring advantage.
• The crease is the blue area in front of the net where the goalie operates, and offensive players can’t camp there to interfere.
• Penalty shots are awarded when a clear scoring chance is illegally taken away, giving the shooter a one-on-one attempt against the goalie.
• If a game is tied after regulation, overtime and a shootout determine the winner, keeping things fast, dramatic and decisive.

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Hockey Lingo

If you’ve ever watched a hockey game and felt like the players and announcers were speaking a different language, you’re not alone. Hockey has its own vocabulary, and once you know it, everything sounds a lot more fun.

• Bar down: A perfect shot that hits the crossbar and goes in.
• Chirp: To trash-talk an opponent, usually in a witty or playful way.
• Hat trick: When a player scores three goals in a single game, triggering fans to throw their hats onto the ice.
• Sweater: Hockey-speak for a jersey, a throwback to the sport’s earliest days.
• Yard sale: When a player gets hit so hard that their gloves, stick or helmet go flying across the ice.

Ready to get into the game? Check the NHL Schedule for where and when to watch.

Hockey Culture: In-Arena Traditions

Now that you know the rules and lingo, the real fun begins. It’s one thing to watch hockey on TV, but in person it turns into something else entirely. The cold air, the thud of bodies into the boards, the crack of the puck off the glass and the roar of the crowd combine into an experience that feels part sport, part spectacle.

Traditions are baked into every arena. Goal horns blast after every score, often followed by a team’s signature song or chant that turns goals into full-building celebrations. When a player scores three goals in a game, fans throw their hats onto the ice for a hat trick, one of hockey’s most iconic rituals.

Fans are especially visible during warmups. You’ll often see people pressed against the glass holding signs asking for pucks, sticks or a wave from their favorite player. If a player spots one, it’s common to see a puck flipped over the glass or a hockey stick tossed into the crowd, creating those unforgettable moments that make live hockey feel personal.

And yes, banging on the glass is a real thing. When big hits happen along the boards, fans pound the glass as players crash into it inches away. Playoff hockey takes things to another level, with rally towels, “whiteout” games where the entire crowd dresses in the same color and nonstop chants that turn arenas into something closer to a rock concert than a sporting event.

Hockey’s Most Heated Rivalries

Hockey is fueled by rivalries that span generations and turn every matchup into must-watch TV.

Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs

The NHL’s most historic rivalry, pitting Canada’s two biggest hockey cities against each other in battles that stretch back more than a century.

Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens

A bruising, high-emotion feud defined by playoff clashes, iconic moments and two fan bases that love beating each other almost as much as they love winning.

New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils

A true cross-river rivalry where every game feels like a fight for regional bragging rights.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Red Wings

A classic rivalry that dominated the league for decades, built on star players, championship runs and unforgettable postseason showdowns.

Check for hockey games tonight to see the next great rivalry unfold.

Hockey Movies and TV Shows

Hockey’s mix of heart, grit and underdog energy has made it a natural fit for the screen.

Heated Rivalry – The breakout hockey drama that took the internet by storm, following two rival players whose on-ice battles turn into something far more complicated off the ice. Packed with intensity, chemistry and pro-level hockey action, it’s become a must-watch for both longtime fans and total newcomers.

The Mighty Ducks – A youth hockey team of misfits finds its confidence and chemistry, becoming one of the most beloved sports movies ever made and a cultural touchstone for a generation of fans.

D2: The Mighty Ducks – The Ducks take their feel-good magic to the international stage, turning a hit movie into a full-blown franchise.

Miracle – The true story of the U.S. men’s hockey team’s stunning upset over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics, widely considered one of the greatest moments in sports history.

Shoresy – A fast-talking, wildly funny series that celebrates the chaos, competitiveness and obsession that define hockey culture.

Goon – A cult-favorite comedy about a lovable enforcer whose job is to protect his teammates, capturing hockey’s rough-and-tumble side with humor and heart.

Watch Hockey with DIRECTV

From frozen ponds to packed arenas, bitter rivalries to unforgettable movies, hockey offers more than just a game. It’s a full-throttle experience built on speed, passion and stories that keep fans coming back season after season. Get started or keep your love for the game going with DIRECTV!