Fewest Losses In A Single NHL Playoff

The Stanley Cup is arguably the most challenging trophy to win across the sports landscape, with champions navigating a four-round gauntlet spanning over two months. 

These teams made the feat look simple, all of which dominated the playoffs like they were playing teams cemented to the bottom of the standings. 

Let’s dive into the teams that suffered the fewest losses in a single playoff. 

Most Dominant NHL Playoff Runs

Between 1992 and 2022, five teams went through the postseason with 16-4 records: The 1992-93 Montreal Canadiens, the 1994-95 New Jersey Devils, the 1996-97 Detroit Red Wings, the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings, and the 2021-22 Colorado Avalanche. 

The Habs lost the first two games of the playoffs, but reeled off a 16-2 record thereafter, prevailing in 10 consecutive overtimes, an NHL record. 

The Devils and Kings runs were highlighted by 10-1 road records, with the latter winning 10 consecutive in enemy rinks before their lone d

The Kings barely qualified for the postseason, finishing in eighth place, making their run all the more impressive and improbable. 

The Devils and the Red Wings were the only two among those five to sweep the Stanley Cup Final. 

The Avalanche finished second overall in the regular season and had the shortest hockey odds to win the Stanley Cup entering the postseason.

3. Montreal Canadiens (1976-77)

While the NHL playoffs consisted of just three rounds, take nothing away from the 1976-77 Canadiens’ run. 

They had a 12-2 record en route to the Stanley Cup, sweeping the St. Louis Blues in the first round and the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. 

Eight of their 12 victories were by at least three goals, two of which came in the final, a 7-3 Game 1 triumph and a 3-0 Game 2 shutout. 

Montreal’s only two defeats were against the New York Islanders in the second round.  

2. Montreal Canadiens (1975-76)

With only one defeat in 13 postseason games, the Habs sauntered through the postseason. 

They swept the Chicago Blackhawks in the opening round, lost one game to the Islanders in the second round, and finished their Cup run with another sweep, this time at the expense of the Philadelphia Flyers. 

The Habs enjoyed a 24-3 playoff record in the opening two Stanley Cup triumphs of the storied 1976 to 1979 four-peat. 

1. Edmonton Oilers (1987-88)

The Wayne Gretzky-led Oilers tore through the 1987-88 playoff bracket, suffering two defeats in 18 games. 

One setback came in the first round against the Winnipeg Jets, and the other in the Western Conference Final against the Detroit Red Wings. They had a perfect 11-0 record at home. 

And remember, the Oilers had to navigate four rounds, as they do in the current NHL playoff format. 

The Oilers swept the Calgary Flames in Round 2 and the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. Gretzky finished with 43 points, four short of his record-setting 1985 playoffs. 

Six of the Oilers’ 16 wins came by three or more goals, further exemplifying their dominance.

The Oilers were among the Stanley Cup odds frontrunners entering the playoffs, fittingly finishing the season with 99 points. The Flames won the Presidents’ Trophy, though, with 105 points. 

Has Any Team Won the Cup Without Losing a Playoff Game?

The only two teams to win the Cup without losing a playoff game came in the Original Six era: the 1951-52 Red Wings and the 1959-60 Canadiens, both winning all eight postseason encounters. 

Which Team Had the Best Road Record in Single Playoffs?

Two teams were 10-1 on the road in a single playoffs: the 1994-95 Devils and the 2011-12 Kings. 

The 2020-21 Tampa Bay Lightning had the same record, but their away games, played in neutral venues due to COVID-19, were only designated as such. 

Which Team Had the Best Home Record in Single Playoffs?

The 1987-88 Oilers had the best home record in a single playoffs (11-0).