# Hockey stats **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2001, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-stats/54668 "2001-02-16T01:06:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-stats/54668/1 "2001-02-16T01:06:24Z")
While watching SportsCenter the past few weeks, some friends and I noticed that hockey standings are determined by points. However, none of us could figure out how they came up with the points. I’ve been everywhere looking for an answer, including [espn.com](http://espn.com) and [nhl.com](http://nhl.com) and some other sites and no one has an explanation. Can any hockey fans help solve this mystery for me? ---
**Author:** ![Manlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Manlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manlob)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-stats/54668/2 "2001-02-16T01:19:59Z")
2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 1 point for a loss in overtime ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-stats/54668/3 "2001-02-16T01:22:03Z")
2 points for a win 0 points for a loss 1 point for getting to overtime, even if you lose so the standings are like this: Wins-Loses-Tie-Overtime Loses (might be wins, can’t remember) The fourth category was added a year ago when they changed the rules to give a point just for getting to overtime. By having the overtime 4-on-4 and giving a point just for making it to overtime has really made OT exciting. Instead of playing for a tie and a point, they automatically get a point. That way they can go all out and have nothing to lose. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-stats/54668/4 "2001-02-16T01:42:15Z")
Thank you both very much for your answers. I suppose my next question is why do they just have the OT losses and not the wins? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-stats/54668/5 "2001-02-16T02:11:00Z")
Actually, never mind…after a few minutes of thought, I figured out the answer to that last idiotic question.