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.

Atlantic Division		Northeast Division		Southeast Division
	New Jersey Devils		Boston Bruins		Winnipeg Jets
	New York Islanders		Buffalo Sabres		Carolina Hurricanes
	New York Rangers		Montreal Canadiens		Florida Panthers
	Philadelphia Flyers		Ottawa Senators		Tampa Bay Lightning
	Pittsburgh Penguins		Toronto Maple Leafs		Washington Capitals
Central Division		Northwest Division		Pacific Division
	Chicago Blackhawks		Calgary Flames		Anaheim Ducks
	Columbus Blue Jackets		Colorado Avalanche		Dallas Stars
	Detroit Red Wings		Edmonton Oilers		Los Angles Kings
	Nashville Predators		Minnesota Wild		Phoenix Coyotes
	St. Louis Blues		Vancouver Canucks		San Jose Sharks