An exhibition game is a friendly game between two teams that does not count in the league standings or the playoff results. These are usually played before the season starts to help the teams get into shape and decide their rosters. They were sometimes played during the season, usually between two teams that were not in the same league. Because of the longer seasons and the long travel involved, exhibition games are now very rarely played during the season. The All-Star games are almost the sole exception to this.
The Summit Series in 1972 was made up of exhibition games as an example. The National Hockey League All-Star Game is also an exhibition game.