In what season did the NHL introduce the shootout?

The NHL introduced the shootout in the 2005–06 season. The rule followed a five-minute overtime period in regular-season games that remained tied, ensuring every game had a winner while preserving one standings point for the losing team.

The change came after the 2004–05 season was canceled by a lockout. When play resumed, the NHL adopted several rules intended to increase scoring and attacking space, including smaller goalie equipment, a narrower neutral zone and stricter obstruction enforcement.

Each team initially received three shootout attempts. If the score was still tied, the contest moved to sudden death, with players taking one attempt at a time. Shootouts applied only to regular-season games; playoff games continued through full sudden-death overtime periods.

The first shootout-winning goals in the revived NHL season were scored by Ottawa Senators teammates Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley in the same game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their sticks were later sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The American Hockey League had experimented with shootouts earlier, helping inform the NHL’s change.