Penalties in NHL hockey are rule violations committed by players during the game. These infractions result in the penalized player serving time in the penalty box or being kicked out of the game, depending on the severity of the penalty. The team with the penalized player ends up short-handed (on the penalty kill) while the opposing teams goes on a power play. Learn more about Penalty kills and power plays

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There are several penalty types: minors, double-minors, majors, misconduct, game misconduct and match penalties. 

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The focus is on maintaining player safety and penalizing actions that can potentially harm opponents. 

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