GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Which plays can be reviewed through an NHL coach’s challenge?
NHL Coach’s Challenges are limited to goal/no-goal situations and assessed puck-over-glass delay penalties. Eligible scoring categories include offside leading to a goal, a missed offensive-zone stoppage leading to a goal, and specified goalkeeper-interference scoring plays. A puck-over-glass challenge applies only to an assessed Rule 63.2(iii) penalty when the puck subsequently deflected; it cannot challenge a non-call or create a penalty.
For Hockey viewers trying to tell an eligible coach’s challenge from another video review. · Updated
Which scoring plays qualify
Rule 38.1 says the Coach’s Challenge mechanism is limited to goal/no-goal and puck-over-glass delay-of-game situations. For scoring plays, Rule 38.2 lists a defending-team challenge to a goal on an offside claim, a defending-team challenge to a goal after a missed offensive-zone stoppage, and specified goalkeeper-interference goal/no-goal claims.
On a goal call, the defending team may claim the goal should have been disallowed for goalkeeper interference. On a no-goal call made because officials found interference, the attacking team may challenge only on the rule’s stated grounds: no attacking-player contact was initiated, a defending player pushed or fouled the attacker into the goalkeeper, or the attacker’s position did not impair the goalkeeper and had no discernible effect on the play. Other disagreements do not become challengeable just because video exists; the Situation Room’s separate review duties remain a different process.
The puck-over-glass challenge has a specific trigger
This category concerns an assessed minor under Rule 63.2(iii) for shooting or batting the puck out from the defending zone. The challenge applies only when video determines the shot or batted puck subsequently deflected off a player, stick, glass, boards, or another listed surface.
A team cannot use this category to challenge a puck-over-glass non-call. The rule permits the challenge only to rescind an assessed penalty; it cannot be used to have a penalty imposed.
Video standard and request timing
The on-ice call is overturned only if video makes a conclusive and irrefutable showing that the call was clearly wrong. If the review is inconclusive or there is any doubt, the original call is confirmed. This is the rule’s decision standard, not a promise that a particular clip will qualify or produce a result.
A Coach’s Challenge after a goal must be communicated to a referee before the next center-ice face-off. For a no-goal call involving goalkeeper interference, or an assessed puck-over-glass minor, the request must come before play resumes. Only one challenge per team per stoppage is allowed.
Rule 38.4 also requires the Coach to provide both items with reasonable specificity: the reason for the challenge—the actual infraction being claimed—and the approximate clock time when it occurred. Failure to provide this information with reasonable specificity may result in denial of the right to challenge.
A league-initiated review is different
In the final minute of the third period and at any point in overtime, Rule 38.3 directs the NHL Situation Room to initiate review of scenarios that would otherwise be subject to a Coach’s Challenge. That review is not a coach exercising the team’s challenge.
Edition and scope
This explanation follows the NHL 2026–2027 Official Rules linked from the NHL FAQ checked October 15, 2026. The cited materials do not show a separate rule-by-rule effective date or amendment log, so this page does not infer one or extend the challenge rules to another league.
Two hypothetical eligible review requests
After a hypothetical goal, the defending team believes an attacker was offside on the entry. That is a listed scoring-play category; if the team wants to request a challenge, it must tell a referee before the center-ice face-off. In a separate hypothetical play, a minor is assessed under Rule 63.2(iii) after a puck is shot from the defending zone, and video shows the puck later deflected before leaving play. That is within the narrow puck-over-glass challenge category; the request must be made before play resumes. These examples describe eligibility and timing only, not the result of a review.
Related questions
Can a team challenge a puck-over-glass non-call?
No. Rule 38.2(d) says the challenge applies only to an assessed Rule 63.2(iii) penalty in the specified subsequent-deflection situation and cannot be used to have a penalty assessed.
How long does a team have to challenge a goal?
The challenge must be communicated to a referee before the center-ice face-off following the goal. Rule 38.4 also requires the Coach to provide both with reasonable specificity: the reason—the actual infraction claimed—and the approximate clock time; insufficient specificity may result in denial.
Is every video review a Coach’s Challenge?
No. The NHL Situation Room has separate review duties, including league-initiated review in the final minute of the third period and during overtime for eligible scenarios.