During the first eight years the NHL existed, teams played between 18 and 36 games in a season. Beginning in 1926, teams played 44–60 games. This ended in 1949 where teams now play 70 or more games. There have been four instances since then when teams have played fewer than 70 games in a season. Both the 1994–95 season and 2012–13 season were reduced to 48 games due to lockouts. The 2019–20 season and 2020–21 season were reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, check the History of the National Hockey League.
Notes:
Ties were only recorded until 2003–04. In 1983, the NHL added a five-minute overtime, and ties would only occur after 65 minutes. Starting with the 1999-2000 season, the NHL credited one point to the team that lost in overtime,[1] leading to a system in which teams could potentially earn three points between them in a single game, rather than a fixed number of two previously. In 2005, the league eliminated ties meaning that any game which went to overtime would be a three-point game. Games that didn't end in overtime would end in a shootout between the two teams. These changes in points awarded therefore make strict comparisons in wins, losses, and ties (after overtime, 1983–99, and in regulation, 1999–present) before and after these dates slightly problematic.
Postseason records
Longest playoff game: Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Maroons on March 24, 1936 (60 minutes of regulation, 116 minutes, 30 seconds of overtime for a total of 176 minutes and 30 seconds. This game had 6 20-minute overtime periods).
Most consecutive playoff games won: 14, by Pittsburgh Penguins (Streak started on May 9, 1992 with three straight wins against the New York Rangers, four against Boston, four against Chicago in the Final, then three straight against New Jersey the next year. The streak would end on April 25, 1993 with a 4–1 loss to New Jersey.)[2]
633 games, by the Pittsburgh Penguins ended on October 19, 2021 (February 14, 2007 - October 16, 2021) (this record includes regular season and playoff games)[4]
Notes:
An undefeated streak includes wins and ties (although with the implementation of reduced-player overtime starting in 1998–99, ties are based at the end of regulation with each team earning one point, and the winner in overtime, or starting in 2005–06, the shootout, receiving a second point; the loser is credited with a point for regulation tie but given the overtime or shootout loss). A winless streak includes losses in regulation, overtime, shootouts, or ties. A losing streak includes losses in regulation (note from the implementation of overtime in 1983 until 1999, losses in overtime also counted, but abolished after overtime became reduced strength of four players each).
Most Stanley Cups: 23, by the Montreal Canadiens (the Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup 24 times in total. Their first Stanley Cup championship came in 1916 as a member of the NHA)
Most consecutive Stanley Cup wins: 5, by the Montreal Canadiens (1956–1960)
Longest Stanley Cup drought: 55 seasons by the Toronto Maple Leafs (1968–ongoing)
Longest Stanley Cup Finals drought (current): 55 seasons by the Toronto Maple Leafs (ongoing) (last appearance in 1967, includes season lost due to 2004–05 NHL lockout)
Most Stanley Cup Finals appearances: 33, by the Montreal Canadiens (the Canadiens reached the final in 1916 but this was before the formation of the NHL in 1917)
Most consecutive victories in the Stanley Cup Finals: 10, by the Montreal Canadiens (1976–1978)
Most consecutive defeats in the Stanley Cup Finals: 13, by the St. Louis Blues (1968–2019)
Most sweeps in the Stanley Cup Finals since the best-of-seven format was introduced in 1939: 6, by the Montreal Canadiens (1944, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1976, 1977)
Longest playoff appearance streak: 29 years, by the Boston Bruins (1968–1996)
Longest postseason drought: 13 seasons by the Buffalo Sabres (2012–ongoing)
Most consecutive playoff series victories: 19, by the 1980–1984 New York Islanders, spanning four consecutive Stanley Cup titles and five playoff seasons. This is a record for all North American professional sports franchises.