<P> Under IIHF rules , each team may carry a maximum of 20 players and two goaltenders on their roster . NHL rules restrict the total number of players per game to 18 , plus two goaltenders . In the NHL , the players are usually divided into four lines of three forwards , and into three pairs of defencemen . On occasion , teams may elect to substitute an extra defenceman for a forward . The seventh defenceman may play as a substitute defenceman , spend the game on the bench , or if a team chooses to play four lines then this seventh defenceman may see ice - time on the fourth line as a forward . </P>
<P> Under IIHF rules , each team may carry a maximum of 20 players and two goaltenders on their roster . NHL rules restrict the total number of players per game to 18 , plus two goaltenders . In the NHL , the players are usually divided into four lines of three forwards , and into three pairs of defencemen . On occasion , teams may elect to substitute an extra defenceman for a forward . The seventh defenceman may play as a substitute defenceman , spend the game on the bench , or if a team chooses to play four lines then this seventh defenceman may see ice - time on the fourth line as a forward . </P>
how many players on a hockey team nhl
how many players on a hockey team nhl
18 , plus two goaltenders
18 , plus two goaltenders