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2025-26 vs 2024-25: league scoring and whistle context
This page documents a NHL officiating research finding. League scoring held steady year over year (2024-25 to 2025-26). The analysis uses 2,624 games (Strong confidence). Expect descriptive historical stats with methodology links, not predictions or betting advice.
Interpretation: Year-over-year context from 10 seasons (12,282 total games). League-wide baselines, not ref-specific.
League scoring held steady year over year (2024-25 to 2025-26). Penalty minutes rose (+1.7 PIM). Two-minute minors averaged 8.3 per team (+0.4 minors YoY). Overtime rate: 24.8% (+4.1 pp vs prior season).
- 2025-26 avg total
- 6.3 goals
- 1,312 games
- 2024-25 avg total
- 6.1 goals
- 1,312 games
- YoY scoring change
- +0.2
- goals
Methodology
- Findings ranked by effect size × √sample size with category deduplication.
- Sample gates: 30+ ref games, 8+ team splits, 30+ ATS decisions where applicable.
- Estimated closing lines disclosed where applicable, not betting advice.
- Full methodology →