The NHL, or National Hockey League, is the premier professional ice hockey league in North America. It was established in 1917 and is currently comprised of 31 teams, with 7 of those teams based in Canada and the remaining 24 located in the United States. Throughout its history, the NHL has seen many great teams take to the ice, but some have been more successful than others. In this article, we will be taking a closer look at the teams with the most wins in NHL seasons.
1. Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are the most successful team in NHL history, having won a total of 24 Stanley Cup championships. They have also won the most regular season games, with a total of 3,296 wins to their name. The Canadiens’ dominance can be traced back to the early days of the NHL, when they won their first Cup in 1916. Since then, they have consistently been one of the league’s top teams and have produced some of the game’s greatest players, including Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur, and Maurice Richard.
2. Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins come in second on the list of the most winning teams in NHL seasons. They have a total of 3,055 regular season wins and six Stanley Cup championships to their name. The Bruins’ success can be attributed to a number of factors, including a talented roster of players, a strong team culture, and committed ownership. Some of the franchise’s most iconic players include Bobby Orr, Cam Neely, and Ray Bourque.
3. Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks have won a total of six Stanley Cup championships and have racked up 2,965 regular season wins over their history. The Blackhawks’ most recent success has come in the last decade, with three Cup wins between 2010 and 2015. This run was led by a talented group of players that included Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith.
4. Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are one of the NHL’s most storied franchises and have won a total of 11 Stanley Cup championships. They have also accumulated 2,986 regular season wins, making them one of the most successful teams in NHL history. The Red Wings enjoyed a period of sustained success between 1995 and 2009, during which they won four Stanley Cups. This run was led by players such as Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, and Nicklas Lidstrom.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cup championships, second only to the Montreal Canadiens, and have a total of 2,857 regular season wins. The Leafs’ most recent Cup win came way back in 1967, but they have remained a popular and beloved team throughout their history. The Leafs have produced some of the game’s greatest players, including Syl Apps, Johnny Bower, and Darryl Sittler.
6. New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are one of the NHL’s original six teams and have a total of 2,848 regular season wins to their name. They have won four Stanley Cup championships, the most recent of which came in 1994. The Rangers are known for their passionate fan base and iconic Madison Square Garden home arena. Some of the team’s greatest players include Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Henrik Lundqvist.
7. Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers have never won a Stanley Cup championship, but they have enjoyed a great deal of success over their history. They have a total of 2,649 regular season wins and have been one of the NHL’s top teams in recent years, making the playoffs 11 times in the last 20 seasons. The Flyers are known for their tough, physical style of play, and have produced notable players such as Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent, and Eric Lindros.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins have won five Stanley Cup championships and have a total of 2,554 regular season wins. They have been one of the NHL’s most successful teams in recent years, winning back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017. The Penguins’ success has been largely due to the play of stars such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury.
9. Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have won five Stanley Cup championships and have a total of 2,548 regular season wins. The Oilers enjoyed a period of dominance in the 1980s, when they won four Cups in a five-year span. This team was led by the great Wayne Gretzky, who many consider to be the greatest player in NHL history. Other notable Oilers players include Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey.
10. St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues have yet to win a Stanley Cup championship, but they have a total of 2,540 regular season wins. They have been a consistently competitive team in recent years, making the playoffs in each of the last nine seasons. The Blues’ success has been due to a strong roster of players, including Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O’Reilly, and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Conclusion
The NHL has a rich history of great teams and players, and the ten teams listed above represent some of the most successful organizations in the league. These teams have won a combined 85 Stanley Cup championships and have a total of 28,088 regular season wins. From the early days of the Canadiens to the modern success of the Penguins, the NHL has seen many great teams come and go, but the legacy of these organizations will live on for generations to come.
