List of NHL Seasons - Expansion Years

Expansion Years

Further information: History of the National Hockey League (1967–1992) and 1967 NHL expansion

Since 1967, the league re-organized several times as it grew. In 1967, the league played in two divisions, with the playoff winner of each division playing off for the NHL championship. As the league grew the league changed its championship format to allow cross-over seeding, then changed to a division-based championship, leading to conference-based championship, with conference champions playing off for the Stanley Cup. In 1985, the Presidents' Trophy was inaugurated to reward the team with the top regular season record, irrespective of division or conference.

No.	Season	Playoffs	Finals	No. of teams	Reg. season games	Start	Finish	Top record	Champion
51	1967–68	1968	1968	12	74	October 11	May 11	Montreal Canadiens	Montreal Canadiens
52	1968–69	1969	1969	12	76	October 11	May 4	Montreal Canadiens	Montreal Canadiens
53	1969–70	1970	1970	12	76	October 11	May 10	Chicago Black Hawks	Boston Bruins
54	1970–71	1971	1971	14	78	October 9	May 18	Boston Bruins	Montreal Canadiens
55	1971–72	1972	1972	14	78	October 8	May 11	Boston Bruins	Boston Bruins
56	1972–73	1973	1973	16	78	October 7	May 10	Montreal Canadiens	Montreal Canadiens
57	1973–74	1974	1974	16	78	October 10	May 19	Boston Bruins	Philadelphia Flyers
58	1974–75	1975	1975	18	80	October 9	May 27	Philadelphia Flyers	Philadelphia Flyers
59	1975–76	1976	1976	18	80	October 7	May 16	Montreal Canadiens	Montreal Canadiens
60	1976–77	1977	1977	18	80	October 5	May 14	Montreal Canadiens	Montreal Canadiens
61	1977–78	1978	1978	18	80	October 12	May 25	Montreal Canadiens	Montreal Canadiens
62	1978–79	1979	1979	17	80	October 11	May 21	New York Islanders	Montreal Canadiens
63	1979–80	1980	1980	21	80	October 9	May 24	Philadelphia Flyers	New York Islanders
64	1980–81	1981	1981	21	80	October 9	May 21	New York Islanders	New York Islanders
65	1981–82	1982	1982	21	80	October 6	May 16	New York Islanders	New York Islanders
66	1982–83	1983	1983	21	80	October 5	May 17	Boston Bruins	New York Islanders
67	1983–84	1984	1984	21	80	October 4	May 19	Edmonton Oilers	Edmonton Oilers
68	1984–85	1985	1985	21	80	October 11	May 30	Philadelphia Flyers	Edmonton Oilers
69	1985–86	1986	1986	21	80	October 10	May 24	Edmonton Oilers	Montreal Canadiens
70	1986–87	1987	1987	21	80	October 9	May 31	Edmonton Oilers	Edmonton Oilers
71	1987–88	1988	1988	21	80	October 8	May 26	Calgary Flames	Edmonton Oilers
72	1988–89	1989	1989	21	80	October 6	May 25	Calgary Flames	Calgary Flames
73	1989–90	1990	1990	21	80	October 5	May 24	Boston Bruins	Edmonton Oilers
74	1990–91	1991	1991	21	80	October 4	May 25	Chicago Blackhawks	Pittsburgh Penguins
75	1991–92	1992	1992	22	80	October 3	June 1	New York Rangers	Pittsburgh Penguins

Notes

^ 15.	The California Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues started play.
^ 16.	The Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks started play.
^ 17.	The Atlanta Flames and New York Islanders started play.
^ 18.	The Kansas City Scouts and Washington Capitals started play.
^ 19.	The Cleveland Barons merge with the Minnesota North Stars.
^ 20.	The Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets join the NHL.
^ 21.	The San Jose Sharks started play.