Under Rule 37.3 of the 2026–27 National Hockey League Official Rules (PDF pages 71–74), ten specific goal situations are subject to Situation Room video review: whether the puck completely crossed the goal line (`37.3(a)`), entered before the goal frame was dislodged (`37.3(b)`), crossed before time expired (`37.3(c)`), was propelled by a distinct kicking motion (`37.3(d)` and `37.4`), was deliberately directed, batted, or thrown into the net by an attacking player’s body other than his stick (`37.3(e)`), deflected directly off an official (`37.3(f)`), was struck or deflected into the net with a high stick above the height of the crossbar (`37.3(g)`, `37.5`, and Rule `80.3`), entered the goal mouth properly (`37.3(h)`), entered as the culmination of a continuous play unaffected by a whistle blown after officials lost sight of the puck (`37.3(i)`), or complied with Penalty Shot and Shootout rules (`37.3(j)`).
Coach’s Challenges Under Rule 38 and Goalkeeper Interference Under Rule 69
Under Rule 38.2 (PDF pages 74–76), teams may initiate a Coach’s Challenge only in four scenarios: (a) an Off-Side Play Leading to a Goal, (b) a Missed Game Stoppage Event in the Offensive Zone Leading to a Goal (such as a hand pass, a high-sticked puck, or a puck out of bounds), (c) Scoring Plays Involving Potential Interference on the Goalkeeper under Rules 69.1, 69.3, and 69.4, and (d) to rescind—never to assess—a minor penalty for delaying the game when a puck shot or batted over the glass deflected off a player, stick, glass, or boards. Under Rule 69.1 (PDF page 111), an attacking player’s presence in the crease does not by itself disallow a goal; a goal is disallowed only if the attacker by positioning or contact impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal, or initiates intentional or deliberate contact. In the final minute of the third period and throughout overtime, Rule 38.6 transfers exclusive initiation of reviewable challenges to the NHL Situation Room, while Rule 38.8 assesses a two-minute minor penalty for delaying the game on a first failed challenge and a four-minute double-minor penalty on any subsequent failed challenge.
Rule 60 High-Sticking Follow-Throughs and On-Ice Double-Minor Reviews
In open play, Rule 60.1 (PDF page 101) penalizes stick contact to an opponent above the shoulders, while exempting accidental contact committed as a normal windup or follow-through of a shooting motion or against an opposing center who is bent over during a face-off (noting that a wild swing at a bouncing puck is not considered a normal windup or follow-through). When a high stick contacts an opponent’s neck, face, or head and results in an injury, Rule 60.3 (PDF page 102) mandates a four-minute double-minor penalty and gives the Referee making the call the option to review video on the ice exclusively with the On-Ice Officials to confirm or rescind the call—specifically to ensure that the apparent injury was actually caused by the stick of the penalized player.