Goaltender

This player's job is to keep the puck out of his team's net. He can use any part of his body or any piece of equipment to do so and is also allowed to catch or smother the puck.

Left

The center primarily operates up and down the middle of the ice but also has more freedom to roam than his linemates. He is the playmaker, passing between his two wings to set up a goal. Defensively, he tries to keep the play in the attacking zone by harassing the opposing team's puck carrier. As the play moves back toward his own goal, it's his job to hustle back and try to break up the opposing team's play.

Right/Left Wings

These players predominately move up and down the sides of the rink with the direction of play. Offensively, they skate alongside the center, passing back and forth and positioning themselves for a shot on goal. In the defensive zone, they guard the opponents pointmen and try to keep them from shooting.

Right/Left Defensemen

These two players try to stop the incoming play from the other team before any chance of scoring is possible. They block shots, clear the puck from in front of their own net and cover the other team's forwards. Offensively, they pass the puck up the ice to the forwards, then follow the play into the attacking zone and try to keep it there.

Player Lines & "Changing on the Fly"

Because hockey doesn't demand a stop in play for substitutions, players can go on and off the ice while play is in progress. Each line, which consists of groups of three forwards or two defensemen, change about every minute. Each team usually carries four lines of forwards (center, left wing and right wing) and three sets of defensemen. NHL teams can carry up to 24 players on their active roster.