The maximum duration of a hockey game in regulation time is typically 60 minutes, divided into three periods of 20 minutes each. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, additional time may be added in the form of overtime. Depending on the league's rules, this may involve a sudden-death scenario where the first team to score wins. The structure of the game encourages fast-paced action and strategy while also allowing for dynamic shifts in momentum across the periods.