The National Hockey League originated in 1917 with six teams, and through a sequence of team expansions, reductions, and relocations currently consists of 30 teams, 24 of which are based in the United States and six in Canada.
The Montreal Canadiens are the most successful franchise with 24 Stanley Cup championships (23 as an NHL team, 1 as an NHA team). The next most successful franchise is the Toronto Maple Leafs with 13 Stanley Cup championships. The Detroit Red Wings, with 11 Stanley Cup championships, are the most successful American franchise. The longest streak of winning the Stanley Cup in consecutive years is five, held by the Montreal Canadiens from 1955–56 to 1959–60; the New York Islanders (1980–1983) and the Montreal Canadiens (1976–1979) have four-year championship streaks.
Of all the major leagues in North America, the NHL is the only league to field teams that play in two countries’ capital cities, Ottawa, Ontario and Washington, D.C.
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Atlantic Division
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Northeast Division
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Southeast Division
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New Jersey Devils | ![]() |
Boston Bruins | ![]() |
Winnipeg Jets | |
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New York Islanders | ![]() |
Buffalo Sabres | ![]() |
Carolina Hurricanes |
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New York Rangers | ![]() |
Montreal Canadiens | ![]() |
Florida Panthers |
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Philadelphia Flyers | ![]() |
Ottawa Senators | Tampa Bay Lightning | |
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Pittsburgh Penguins | ![]() |
Toronto Maple Leafs | ![]() |
Washington Capitals |
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Central Division
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Northwest Division
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Pacific Division
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Chicago Blackhawks | ![]() |
Calgary Flames | ![]() |
Anaheim Ducks |
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Columbus Blue Jackets | ![]() |
Colorado Avalanche | ![]() |
Dallas Stars |
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Detroit Red Wings | ![]() |
Edmonton Oilers | Los Angles Kings | |
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Nashville Predators | ![]() |
Minnesota Wild | ![]() |
Phoenix Coyotes |
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St. Louis Blues | ![]() |
Vancouver Canucks | San Jose Sharks |