There are several ways to slow an opponent down on a hockey rink or to make them lose possession of the puck and of course not all of them are legal. One of the most common illegal stick infractions called during the course of a hockey game is slashing as it is quite easy to commit when trying to make an opponent lose the puck.
What Is the NHL Slashing Rule?
When it comes to slashing, the NHL deals with the infraction with Rule 61 in the league’s rule book.
According to Rule 61.1, slashing takes place when a player swings or chops his hockey stick at an opponent in a powerful or forceful way.
The rule also states that contact doesn’t have to be made with the opponent when swinging your stick at them. However most slashing infractions do make contact with the opponent’s body or stick. If a player makes non-aggressive, incidental contact to an opponent’s shin pads or pants it’s generally not considered to be slashing.
What Qualifies as Slashing in Hockey?
Slashing takes place when a player swings his stick forcefully at an opponent and either makes contact or not with the opponent’s body, hands, or stick. This means a player could take a mighty swing at an opponent and miss but still be assessed a penalty for slashing.
Here is a video of a classic slash in the NHL, this one happened to award a penalty shot too:
Nic Dowd awarded a penalty shot after a Dougie Hamilton slash, HE SCORES IT #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/qCDDryN3b6
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) April 21, 2019
Does Breaking Someone’s Stick with a Slash Cause an Automatic Penalty?
If a player breaks an opponent’s stick with their own stick when making contact with it, a penalty is usually called. But there’s no rule which states that breaking an opponent’s stick with a slash results in an automatic penalty as it’s up to the discretion of the referee.
However a penalty is usually called nine times out of 10 when a players breaks an opponent’s stick with his own stick.
What’s the Penalty for Slashing?
When the referee deems that a player has slashed an opponent it will result in a two-minute minor penalty to the perpetrator.
Are There Different Degrees of Severity For Slashing Penalties?
Yes, there are different degrees of severity for a slashing penalty, and they are:
- Minor Penalty
- Major Penalty
- Match Penalty
Let me explain what a major and match penalty is below for slashing call.
If a slash is ruled to be dangerous or quite severe the referee will typically hand out a five-minute major penalty. Also, if a player is injured as a result of being slashed it results in a major penalty.
A match penalty could be assessed if the referee rules that a player deliberately tried to injure an opponent with a slash. If a player does receive a major penalty for slashing they are automatically given a game misconduct as well and are banned from the rest of the contest.
If the puck carrier is in the attacking or neutral zone on a breakaway and is slashed from behind by an opponent and has a reasonable scoring opportunity taken away, the referee will call a penalty shot when the attacking team loses possession of the puck.
However, if the player who is slashed or one of his teammates still ends up with a reasonable scoring chance immediately after the infraction, the referee will hand out a minor or major penalty for slashing rather than a penalty shot. If the attacking team should happen to score a goal after the infraction while still in possession of the puck, the penalty is then wiped out.
It’s important to remember that a player must have a clear path to the net (breakaway) while in the neutral or attacking zone (over their own blue line) to be awarded with a penalty shot after being slashed and the slash must must be committed from behind.
A penalty shot can also be awarded if the player doesn’t actually have possession of the puck when the infraction takes place but would have gained possession if he hadn’t been fouled. If the attacking player is slashed while on a breakaway and still gets a shot off, a penalty shot can still be awarded if the referee feels he was denied a better scoring chance.
If a team has pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker and an opponent has possession or would have gained possession of the puck in the neutral or attacking zone and is then slashed while on a breakaway, the referee will award an automatic goal if he believes the player lost the chance to score.
Here is a video example of a match penalty slashing call on Pierre Engvall when he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs:
Can A Player Be Suspended for Slashing?
According to NHL Rule 61.8, there isn’t a specified suspension or monetary fine for slashing an opponent. However when a severe slashing infraction occurs, the league will review the play and could hand out supplementary discipline in the way of a fine and/or suspension. A player can get a one game suspension or more.
Take a look at the video below of Alex Pietrangelo slash Leon Draisaitl in the 2023 playoffs, he was later suspended for one game:
Can a Goalie Get a Slashing Penalty?
Any player on the ice including the goaltenders can be assessed a slashing penalty during a game.
What is the Referee Sign for Slashing?
When the referee signifies a penalty for slashing he will hold out an arm and then make a downwards chopping motion onto the extended forearm arm with the other hand.
Has the Slashing Rule Changed Over Time in the NHL?
Late in 2016 the NHL announced that referees will be asked to crack down on slashing infractions starting with the 2017/18 season since players were suffering hand injuries and losing scoring chances due to being slashed.
This meant that players would now be handed a minor penalty if they made contact with an opposing puck carrier’s hands with their stick. Before the crackdown some referees would allow a player to tap an opponent’s hands to make him lose control of the puck and some officials would call a penalty.
The league decided a penalty should be called to make the ruling more consistent. It seems to have worked as fewer players are suffering hand injuries as a result of being slashed while carrying the puck.
What’s the Difference Between Slashing and High Sticking?
Slashing is swinging a stick at an opponent’s body or stick while high sticking is making contact with a player’s upper body while your stick is above your shoulder height. In general, slashing is a sideways or downward motion while your stick moves in an upward motion in high sticking.
Read our related post on NHL High Sticking Rule here.
What’s the Difference Between Slashing and Hooking?
Hooking differs from slashing as it means a player’s progress is impeded when an opponent uses the blade of his stick to tug or pull on their body or stick.
What’s the Difference Between Slashing and Tripping?
Tripping is also quite different from slashing as it means a player uses their stick or a part of their body to intentionally or accidentally make an opponent lose their balance or fall to the ice.
Ian is an experienced ice hockey writer with a passion for the game. He has been covering hockey for over 25 years and has contributed to various publications. He covers all aspects of the sport, from NHL rules to in-depth analysis of the game as well as previews. Ian is also an avid fan who attends numerous games and has played hockey regularly since moving to Canada at the age of 10.
