The NHL is an incredibly competitive league that requires skill, determination, and a lot of hard work. Every season, teams work tirelessly to ensure that they emerge as the top dogs of the league. However, not every team’s journey to the top is a smooth one. There have been instances where teams that started the season poorly have managed to rally and make incredible comebacks, eventually finishing with the most points in the season. Here, we will take a look at some of the most remarkable comeback stories in the history of the NHL.
The 1981-82 New York Islanders
The 1981-82 season for the New York Islanders started off in a rather disappointing manner. The reigning champions lost their first two games of the season, then went on a winless streak of five games, amassing a total of three points. As the season progressed, the Islanders continued to experience mixed results, and by mid-February, they found themselves in fifth place in the division, a whole 12 points behind the division leaders Philadelphia Flyers. However, the Islanders refused to give up, and with captain Denis Potvin leading the charge, they went on a remarkable 14-game winning streak that saw them climb the ladder of the Division. They eventually finished the season with 110 points, the most in the NHL that year, and went on to win the Stanley Cup for the third consecutive season.
The 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings
The 1995-96 season for the Detroit Red Wings started off in a rather lackluster manner. They lost their first three games of the season and were only able to win seven out of their first 20 games. This poor start was especially disappointing for the Wings, as they had high expectations after an incredible off-season that saw them acquire several high-profile players. Despite their poor start, the Wings persevered, and a 14-game unbeaten streak in late January and early February, helped their resurgence. By the end of the season, they amassed 131 points, a feat that was never before accomplished in NHL history, and went on to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 42 years.
The 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes
The 2005-06 season was the first after a one-year hiatus following a labor dispute. The Carolina Hurricanes started their season with two losses and could only win six of their first 14 games. Despite their shaky start, the Hurricanes picked up momentum and went on a remarkable winning streak that saw them win 15 games in a row between mid-December and mid-January. They eventually finished the season with 112 points, and had a great playoff run, beating the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals to become champions for the first time in franchise history.
The 2014-15 New York Rangers
The 2014-15 season for the New York Rangers started in a rather disappointing way. The Rangers lost their first three games of the season and were only able to win 14 of their first 26 games. By the end of December, they were sitting in fifth place in their division, nine points behind the leaders, the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the Rangers picked up momentum in the second half of the season, winning 16 out of their final 21 games, eventually finishing the season with 113 points. They advanced to the Stanley Cup finals but were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Conference Finals.
The 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning
The 2018-19 season was an extraordinary season for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The team was incredibly consistent, and by mid-February, the Lightning had amassed an incredible 100 points in just 62 games, which was the fastest any NHL team had reached 100 points. However, they had a significant downfall in the playoffs. They were swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round, despite being the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. The Lightning’s playoff run was a stark contrast to their brilliant performance in the regular season, where they had the most points in the NHL (128 points). This made it the second consecutive season where the team with the most points in the regular season was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, showing the unpredictability of hockey.
Conclusion
In the NHL, anything can happen, and any team can make a comeback to win the most points in the season. The teams mentioned above are excellent examples of how resilience, determination, and hard work can lead to incredible comebacks. These comeback stories show that even when the odds are stacked against a team, they can still rally to achieve greatness. As the NHL continues to grow, we can expect more incredible comebacks in the future, and we can’t wait to witness them.
