Whos The Best Team In The NHL?

The NHL regular season is underway and teams are jockeying for position. But who is the best team in the league so far?

Pittsburgh Penguins

When it comes to the NHL, there is no team that is more dominant than the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have won the Stanley Cup a total of five times, most recently in 2016. They have also made the playoffs a total of 27 times. No other team comes close to their level of success.

Regular Season

In the regular season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been one of the best teams in the NHL. They have won the Stanley Cup five times, and they have made it to the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. The Penguins have a lot of star power on their roster, with players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel. They also have a strong defense, led by goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

Record

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The penguins have won five Stanley Cups and seven conference championships. The penguins have an all-time regular season record of 2259 wins, 1085 losses and 361 ties.

Postseason

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league’s original expansion from six to twelve teams. The penguins played in the Civic Arena, also known to Pittsburgh fans as “The Igloo”, from their inception until they moved into PPG Paints Arena prior to the 2010–11 NHL season.

The Stanley Cup, won by the Penguins in 2016 and 2017, is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, and is awarded to the playoff champion of the NHL. The two consecutive Stanley Cups are tied for seventh all-time (with three other teams). The Penguins also reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2008 and 2009 but lost both times; this achievement was repeated in 2016 and 2017.

Pittsburgh has won six Divisional titles (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997), two Conference championships (1991 and 1992), and two Presidents’ Trophies as the team with the best overall record in a season (1992–93 with 58 wins and 1994–95 with 56 wins). They have qualified for 25 Stanley Cup playoffs (a franchise record), winning their division 11 times since 1991–92 when they became only one of two former WHA teams admitted into NHL’s Wales/Eastern Conference – along with Hartford/New England – during that league’s final merger with NHL. As of 2019, out of 30 NHL teams, only five have more appearances in playoff rounds than Pittsburgh: Boston Bruins (66), Chicago Blackhawks (51), Detroit Red Wings (50), Los Angeles Kings (42) and Montreal Canadiens (32).

Since winning back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017, numerous changes were made to the Penguins roster. Notable departures included Marc-Andre Fleury who was selected by Vegas during the expansion draft; Matt Cullen announced his retirement following their second consecutive championship; Nick Bonino signed with Nashville as a free agent; Trevor Daley was traded back to Chicago; Ron Hainsey left through free agency for Toronto; Marc Methot was traded to Dallas; Chris Kunitz signed with Tampa Bay; Carter Rowney signed with Anaheim; Matt Hunwick signed with Buffalo; Josh Archibald was claimed off waivers by Edmonton; Jamie Oleksiak was re-acquired from Dallas via trade; Dominik Simon was claimed off waivers by Philadelphia

On May 21, 2018 Jim Rutherford stepped down as general manager after four seasons, he was replaced by assistant general manager Jason Botterill.

Record

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of six teams Expansion, and has won five Stanley Cup championships. The Penguins’ home arena is PPG Paints Arena, which they share with the National Historic Site Minor League Baseball team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Washington Capitals

Regular Season

The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Capitals are owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, headed by Ted Leonsis. From 1974 to 1997 the Capitals played their home games at the Capital Centre, in Landover, Maryland. In 1997 the team moved to the arena now called Capital One Arena, their present home arena in Washington’s Chinatown neighborhood. The 2009–10 NHL season was the Capitals’ 38th season in the league and 44th season overall.

The Capitals won the Southeast Division for a second consecutive season with 108 points, 11 more than their previous best total from 2009–10. They also surpassed last year’s first-round playoff loss to Montreal by defeating the New York Rangers 4–3 in seven games. The second round brought more success as they knocked off defending Stanley Cup champions Boston Bruins in seven games becoming only the third team after New Jersey and Los Angeles to eliminate each conference’s top two seeds en route to the Finals.

Record

As of the end of the 2019-2020 regular season, the Washington Capitals have the best record in the NHL. They have a record of 48-19-5, good for 101 points. They are led by captain Alexander Ovechkin, who has 19 goals and 32 assists on the season.

Postseason

The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Capitals are owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, headed by Ted Leonsis. From 1974 to 1997 the Capitals played their home games at USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. In 1997 the team moved to the Arlington County, Virginia neighborhood of Ballston and since then have played at the Capital One Arena. The team has won one Stanley Cup championship in 2018.

The Caps have reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice in their history but lost both times; they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in 1998, and then lost to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games in 2018 despite leading three games to two going into Game Six. Washington has won eight conference championships: four division titles (most recently in 2018), two Eastern Conference championships (2018 and 1998) and two Presidents’ Trophies (2009–10 and 2016–17). These achievements signify that they have made it to at least the conference semifinals ten times out of their forty-four seasons of play—an unusually high percentage compared to most other NHL teams. Ten former Capitals players have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame

Record

The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. The Capitals are owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, headed by Ted Leonsis. From 1974 to 1997, the Capitals played their home games at the Capital Centre, in Landover, Maryland. In 1997, they moved to the arena now known as Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C.

The 2009–10 Capitals won the franchise’s first-ever Presidents’ Trophy for being the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. They won it a second time in 2015–16 and again in 2016–17. They have made five appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals during their 43-year history; winning in 2018, their first championship since entering the league as an expansion team in 1974. The Capitals have retired one jersey number and four players have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame or United States Hockey Hall of Fame: Rod Langway (2019), Sergei Fedorov (2015), Dale Hunter (2000), and Michael Pivonka (2020).

The Washington Capitals’ record is 1,325-1,142-382 through 3,949 regular season games as of April 11th 2021.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the most successful teams in the NHL. They have won six Stanley Cups, including three in the last six years. They have a core of young, talented players, and a passionate fan base. They are a well-run organization, and are always in contention for the Stanley Cup.

Regular Season

The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). They have won six Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926. The Blackhawks are one of the “Original Six” NHL teams along with the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. Since 1994, the club’s home rink is United Center, which they share with the National Basketball Association’s Chicago Bulls. The club had previously played for 65 years at Chicago Stadium.

The club’s first owner was Frederic McLaughlin, who owned the club until his death in 1944. Under McLaughlin, a “hands-on” owner who fired many coaches during his ownership, the club won two Stanley Cup titles (in 1934 and 1938). The club was then owned by the Norris family, who as owners of the Chicago Stadium were ready to move the team to Detroit but for a veto by then-NHL President Frank Calder. In 1946, with new owner James E. Norris Jr., grandson of James E. Norris and head of the largest chain of movie theaters in America at the time (the Printz-Norris chain), construction was started on a new arena west of Michigan Avenue on Madison Street between Campbell (now Pontiac) and Fulton Streets (now Wood Street). The arena was completed in time for what proved to be one of their most successful seasons: 1947–48, when they captured their third Stanley Cup title while also setting a then-NHL record for fewest regular season losses en route to winning both the regular season and playoff titles. In 1957 Draft Lottery see below), they again won pick number 1 overall draft pick separating them from Protestant Gordie Howe who would’ve played for them instead going to Detroit Red Wings where he played alongside his brother Marty Howe forming one of NHL’s most dominant defenceman pairings ever playing on opposite side with Gordie being Right Defenceman and Marty Left Defenceman which resulted multiple Stanley Cup Championships for Detroit Red Wings including winning 4 consecutively from 1950s throughout 1960s making it NHL’s longest winning streak of consecutive Stanley Cups Championships by any team in any major professional sport which still stands today..

Record

As of the 2019–20 NHL season, the Blackhawks have a regular season record of 3,409 wins, 2,705 losses, and 942 ties. They have won six Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, and their last was in 2015. The Blackhawks have the second most Stanley Cup wins among active NHL teams (behind the Montreal Canadiens), and are tied for fourth overall with the Detroit Red Wings; they trail only the Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins.

Postseason

In order for a team to make the playoffs, they must first make it through the regular season. Each team plays 82 games, 41 of which are at home and 41 are on the road. At the end of the regular season, the team with the most points in their conference is crowned the winner of their division and is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. The next six teams in each conference (based on points) also qualify for the playoffs. These teams are called “wild card” teams.

Once the playoffs begin, each series is a best-of-seven format. The team with home-ice advantage (i.e., the higher seed) will host games 1, 2, 5, and 7; while the lower seed will host games 3, 4, and 6. In each series, if one team wins four games before the other does, that team advances to the next round while the other team is eliminated from playoff contention.

Record

Although they have not made the playoffs in four years, the Chicago Blackhawks hold the best record in the NHL. During the regular season, they amassed a total of 109 points, which is nine more than the second-place team in the league. They also had the most wins of any team, with 48. For these reasons, they are considered to be the best team in the NHL.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the best team in the NHL. They have the most points in the league and are currently on a ten game winning streak. They have the best power play in the NHL and the best penalty kill. They also have the best goal differential in the league. In short, they are the best team in the NHL.

Regular Season

The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently first in the NHL standings. They have a record of 46-17-4 and have 96 points. The Lightning have been on fire lately, winning 9 out of their last 10 games. Their last loss came at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks, who they will face again tomorrow night.

The Lightning’s success this season can be accredited to their strong offensive play. They are led by captain Steven Stamkos, who has 31 goals and 59 points. Stamkos is one of the best players in the NHL and is a big reason why the Lightning are one of the top teams in the league.

The Lightning will look to continue their success next week when they take on the Blackhawks, Canadiens, and Panthers.

Record

In the 2018-19 season, the Tampa Bay Lightning posted a franchise-record 62–16–4 record for 128 points, finishing first in the NHL standings. They won their second Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history and their first since the 2014-15 season.

Postseason

Postseason
As of the end of the 2019–20 NHL regular season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have made the playoffs in 12 of their 28 seasons of play (counting the 2012 and 2019 playoffs as one each), including five times in the last six seasons. In those 12 appearances, they have a record of 46 wins and 42 losses (0.523). They have won one Stanley Cup championship, in 2004.

Record

The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently first in the NHL standings with a record of 30-11-2. They have62 points, which is eight more than the second place team, the Vegas Golden Knights. The Lightning have won five straight games and are currently on a 10-game point streak. They have been dominant at home, going 20-4-1 at Amalie Arena. On the road, they are a respectable 10-7-1.

Dallas Stars

Regular Season

The Dallas Stars are currently in first place in the NHL and are looking to maintain their lead throughout the rest of the regular season.REGULAR SEASON

Record

The Dallas Stars currently have the best record in the NHL. They have a record of 22-10-1, which is good for 45 points. They have a goal differential of +14, which is also the best in the NHL. The Stars are currently on a five-game winning streak, and they have only lost two games in their last 10.

Postseason

Dallas Stars – Postseason

The Dallas Stars are one of the best teams in the NHL. They have a strong core of players and a great coach. They have been to the playoffs many times and have won the Stanley Cup twice.

The Stars have a rich history. They were founded in 1967 as the Minnesota North Stars. They moved to Dallas in 1993 and became the Dallas Stars. The Stars have been to the Stanley Cup Finals five times, winning it all in 1999 and 2000.

The Stars are led by captain Jamie Benn. Benn is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and was named the NHL’s Most Valuable Player in 2015. Other key players include Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Ben Bishop, and John Klingberg.

The Stars are coached by Ken Hitchcock. Hitchcock is one of the winningest coaches in NHL history. He has led the team to six division titles and two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Dallas Stars are a force to be reckoned with in the NHL. With a strong core of players and a great coach, they are always contenders for the Stanley Cup.

Record

The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The franchise relocated to Dallas for the 1993–94 NHL season. The Stars played out of Reunion Arena from their relocation until 2001, when they moved to American Airlines Center.

Dallas Stars records include:
-Calder Memorial Trophy: Won by Sergei Zubov in 1994
-James Norris Memorial Trophy: Won by Sergei Zubov in 1998
-Conn Smythe Trophy: Won by Joe Nieuwendyk in 1999
-Presidents’ Trophy: Won byDallas in 1998–99