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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A “knee-on-knee hit” is an informal description; in the NHL, the formal infraction is kneeing under Rule 50. A referee may call a minor or major depending on the play’s severity. Under the NHL’s 2025–26 rules, a major for kneeing also carries a game misconduct, while a match penalty is possible if the referee judges the player attempted to or deliberately injured an opponent.
What counts as kneeing under NHL Rule 50?
The NHL defines kneeing as “the act of a player leading with his knee and in some cases extending his leg outwards to make contact with his opponent.” That is the wording in the National Hockey League’s Official Rules 2025–2026, Rule 50.1: NHL Rule 50.
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The rule focuses on the player’s action: leading with the knee, sometimes with the leg extended outward, to make contact. “Knee-on-knee” describes where contact appears to occur, but that phrase alone does not establish an infraction. A collision involving knees is not automatically a penalty; the referee judges the play under the applicable rulebook.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat penalty can the NHL assess?
Under Rule 50 in the NHL’s 2025–26 rulebook, officials have discretion to assess a minor or major penalty based on severity. The consequences specified for those calls are:
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- 1 Pair Kneepads (Left and right), Unisex design, two sizes available.
- Your Safety is Our Priority-made of high-density strengthen foam, good elasticity, breathable fabric keeps skin dry, and more comfortable.
- Ergonomic design, super lightweight, provides freedom of movement. An ideal knee protector for outdoor sports.
- Protect and Prevent knee injuries during exercise. Keep warm, prevention and reduction of stiff muscles and joints. Effectively impact proof, increase blood circulation.
- Great Grip, Non-Slip Feature! Easily put the knee pads on and forget that you had them on! That’s how comfortable it is whilst in use. No constant re-adjustment needed as it firmly hugs the knee!
| Call under NHL Rule 50 | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Minor | A minor penalty; Rule 50 leaves the decision to the referee based on severity. |
| Major | A major penalty and a required game misconduct. |
| Match penalty | At the referee’s discretion if the referee judges that the player attempted to or deliberately injured the opponent by kneeing. |
The NHL’s Video Rulebook kneeing explainer, dated September 23, 2024, provides a visual explanation of the rule.
Does an injury automatically make it a penalty?
No automatic injury test is stated in the cited NHL rule. Rule 50 describes kneeing as an action and gives the referee discretion over the penalty’s severity. For a match penalty, the rule specifies the referee’s judgment that the player attempted to or deliberately injured the opponent by kneeing. The existence of an injury by itself should not be treated as proof that the rule was violated or that a particular penalty is mandatory.
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Which rulebook applies?
Penalties are competition-specific. NHL Rule 50 governs NHL games; international tournaments and championships use the applicable International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules. The IIHF rulebook page identifies the latest published edition, and a 2026/27 book is available. The detailed IIHF Rule 50 wording checked for this explanation is from the 2025/26 edition, so its specific penalty wording should not be assumed to describe the 2026/27 rules.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →When comparing a call across leagues or tournaments, check the competition and season first, then the rule’s definition, the threshold for a minor versus major, whether a major includes a game misconduct, and how any later discipline is handled. Do not assume that NHL and IIHF penalty options are identical.
Rank #3
- 1 Pair Kneepads (Left and right), Unisex design, two sizes available.
- Your Safety is Our Priority-made of high-density strengthen foam, good elasticity, breathable fabric keeps skin dry, and more comfortable.
- Ergonomic design, super lightweight, provides freedom of movement. An ideal knee protector for outdoor sports.
- Protect and Prevent knee injuries during exercise. Keep warm, prevention and reduction of stiff muscles and joints. Effectively impact proof, increase blood circulation.
- Great Grip, Non-Slip Feature! Easily put the knee pads on and forget that you had them on! That’s how comfortable it is whilst in use. No constant re-adjustment needed as it firmly hugs the knee!
Can the league suspend a player after the game?
Yes. In-game penalties and later supplemental discipline are separate outcomes. On March 14, 2026, the NHL reported that Anaheim defenseman Radko Gudas received a major penalty and game misconduct for kneeing Toronto forward Auston Matthews; the league later announced a five-game suspension. That case illustrates that further discipline may follow a game, not that every kneeing call brings an automatic suspension. See the NHL suspension announcement.
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- Eva
- Pair of multi-sport knee pads for kids, youth, and adults; made with high-density contoured EVA foam and impact-resistant polyethylene caps
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