What is the best all-time season win-loss record for a team in the NHL?

Question

I'd like to know the team, year and record from a few different eras:
1. The modern 82 game schedule.
2. Before the 82 game schedule was implemented.
3. Any other eras before the 82 game schedule.
4. Any other seasons that you think are record-worthy.
Please try to answer at least the first two. Thank you.

Thanks for reminding me about the multiple changes in how the NHL handle and scores overtime wins and losses. I totally forgot about that.

Answer 1

82 game schedule
- most wins: 62 Detroit Red Wings 1995-96
- most points: 131 Detroit Red Wings 1995-96
- best winning percentage: 0.799 Detroit Red Wings 1995-96
- fewest losses: 13 Detroit Red Wings 1995-96

80 game schedule
- most wins: 60 Montreal Canadiens 1976-77
- most points: 132 Montreal Canadiens 1976-77
- best winning percentage: 0.825 Montreal Canadiens
- fewest losses: 8 Montreal Canadiens 1976-77

70 game schedule
- most wins: 45 Montreal Canadiens 1955-56
- most points: 101 Detroit Red Wings 1950-51
- best winning percentage: 0.721 Detroit Red Wings 1950-51
- fewest losses: 13 Detroit Red Wings 1950-51

60 game schedule
- most wins: 34 Montreal Canadiens/Toronto Maple Leafs
- most points: 78 Montreal Canadiens 1946-47
- best winning percentage: 0.650 Montreal Canadiens 1946-47
- fewest losses: 13 Toronto Maple Leafs 1948-49

50 game schedule
- most wins: 38 Montreal Canadiens 1943-44, 1944-45
- most points: 83 Montreal Canadiens 1943-44
- best winning percentage: 0.830 Montreal Canadiens 1943-44
- fewest losses: 5 Montreal Canadiens 1943-44

All Schedules
- best winning percentage: 0.875 Boston Bruins 1929-1930 (38-5-1)












cdn24fan brings up a great point (several actually) when comparing different eras. The extra point for an overtime is just ludicrous, and destroys the statistical integrity of the game (while allowing weaker teams to look better than they actually are).

Answer 2

Very hard to compare era's and its not so much the 82 game schedule as the extra point in overtime.

When the habs had that great season that LITY is referring to the were 60-8-12. In today's era how many of the 12 ties would have been wins? How many would be losses?

As a measuring stick that is often considered the greatest single season. I would say it is safe to assume they would have won at least 9 or 10 of those ties . They won 75% of their games outright. So you are looking at a 70-10 record.

It will be hard to duplicate, Ottawa is off to a great start if we look at regulation wins they have won 11 of 14 in regulation time or 78% of their games. They are marginally ahead of the Habs 75% but can they maintain that over the next 68 games. Doubtful.

Answer 3

There is a lot of ambiguity on your question.

The Detroit Red Wings hold the record for most wins in a season with 62 BUT the Montreal Canadiens hold the record for record for most points in a season (in a shorter schedule).

Mind you, the coach of those two teams was Scotty Bowman (20 years apart)