The 2023β24 NHL season is the
107th season of operation (106th season of play) of the
National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 10, 2023 and ended on April 18, 2024. The
2024 Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 20. The Stanley Cup Finals are then scheduled for June, with a possible seventh game to take place no later than June 24.[1]
This was the final season for the
Arizona Coyotes before they suspended operations, following the sale of the team to Utah businessman
Ryan Smith, who moved the team's hockey assets to
Salt Lake City, where they will begin play as an
expansion team in the
2024β25 season. The Coyotes have until 2029 to construct a new arena, upon which they will be reactivated as an expansion team with all previous team history, records, and uniforms being maintained; otherwise, the franchise will cease operations.[2] The Coyotes became the first team to suspend operations since the
Brooklyn Americans in
1942.
The NHL held games in Australia for the first time in league history. The
Arizona Coyotes and
Los Angeles Kings played on September 23 and 24 at
Rod Laver Arena in
Melbourne, best known as the main venue for the
Australian Open. Since the arena was not designed for ice hockey, the league built a temporary rink akin to other
NHL outdoor games, though the arena's retractable roof was closed for the games.[5]
On April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Ducks' season, the team announced that Eakins' contract would not be renewed. In four seasons with Anaheim, Eakins totaled a 100β147β44 record, with no playoff appearances.[6] Cronin, most recently the head coach of the
Colorado Avalanche's
American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the
Colorado Eagles, was named head coach on June 5, 2023.[7]
Sutter was fired on May 1, 2023, two and a half weeks after the conclusion of the Flames' season. In just under three seasons during his second stint as the Flames' head coach, Sutter posted a 103β63β28 record, winning the
Jack Adams Award in
2021β22 and reaching the playoffs as Pacific Division champions the same year; the team ultimately lost in the second round.[8] Huska, an assistant coach for Calgary since 2018, was promoted to head coach on June 12, 2023.[9]
Larsen was fired on April 15, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Blue Jackets' season. In two seasons with Columbus, Larsen posted a 62β86β16 record, with no playoff appearances.[10] Babcock, most recently head coach of the
Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019, was named head coach on July 1, 2023.[11] However, after allegations of improper behavior via the Spittin' Chiclets podcast led to an
NHLPA investigation into Babcock, he announced his resignation as head coach on September 17, before the start of the preseason.[12][13] Associate coach
Pascal Vincent was subsequently promoted to head coach, signing a two-year contract.[12]
Hynes was fired on May 30, 2023, a month and a half after the conclusion of the Predators' season. In three and a half seasons with Nashville, Hynes registered a 134β96β18 record, reaching the playoffs three times, but failing to advance past the first round.[14] Brunette, most recently an assistant coach with the
New Jersey Devils, and previously interim head coach of the
Florida Panthers during the
2021β22 season, was named head coach the following day.[15]
Gallant and the Rangers mutually agreed to part ways on May 6, 2023, five days after the Rangers' elimination from the
2023 playoffs. In two seasons with New York, Gallant led the team to a 99β46β19 record with two playoff appearances, reaching the Eastern Conference finals in
2022.[16] Laviolette, most recently head coach of the Washington Capitals from 2020 to 2023, and who had left Washington two months prior, was named head coach on June 13, 2023.[17]
On April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Capitals' season, in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and with his contract expiring, the team and Laviolette mutually agreed to part ways. Laviolette posted a 115β78β27 record in three seasons with Washington, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round.[18] Carbery, most recently an assistant coach with the
Toronto Maple Leafs, and formerly head coach of Washington's minor league affiliates, the
ECHL's
South Carolina Stingrays and AHL's
Hershey Bears, was named head coach on May 30, 2023.[19]
Woodcroft was fired on November 12, 2023, after the Oilers started the season 3β9β1. In parts of three seasons with the Oilers, Woodcroft totaled a 79β41β13 record and made the playoffs twice, including reaching the Western Conference finals in
2022. Knoblauch, formerly the head coach of the
New York Rangers' AHL affiliate, the
Hartford Wolf Pack, was named head coach the same day.[20]
McLellan was fired on February 2, 2024, with the Kings holding a record of 23β15β10; despite a 20β7β4 start to the season, the team went 3β8β6 in the 17 games preceding his dismissal. In four and a half seasons with Los Angeles, McLellan posted a 164β130β44 record, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round. Hiller, an assistant coach, was promoted to interim head coach.[21][22]
Evason was fired on November 27, 2023, after the Wild started the season 5β10β4. In parts of five seasons with Minnesota, Evason posted a 147β77β27 record, reaching the playoffs four times but failing to advance past the first round.[23] Hynes, most recently head coach of the
Nashville Predators from 2020 to 2023, was named head coach the same day.[24]
Ruff was fired on March 4, 2024, after the Devils started 30β27β4. In just over three-and-a-half seasons with New Jersey, Ruff totaled a 128β125β28 record, with one playoff appearance. Green, the associate coach, and previously head coach of the
Vancouver Canucks from 2017 to 2021, was promoted to interim head coach the same day.[25]
Lambert was fired on January 20, 2024, after the Islanders started the season 19β15β11. In a season and a half with New York, Lambert recorded a 61β46β20 record, making the playoffs in his only full year. Roy, most recently head coach of the
Quebec Remparts of the
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from 2018 to 2023, and previously head coach of the
Colorado Avalanche from 2013 to 2016, was named head coach the same day.[26]
Smith was fired on December 18, 2023, after the Senators started the season 11β15β0. In just over four seasons with Ottawa, Smith compiled a 131β154β32 record, with no playoff appearances. Martin, a senior advisor to the coaching staff who previously served as the team's head coach from 1996 to 2004, and most recently served as head coach of the
Montreal Canadiens from 2009 to 2011, was promoted to interim head coach.[27]
Berube was fired on December 12, 2023, after the Blues started the season 13β14β1. In parts of six seasons with St. Louis, Berube compiled a 206β132β44 record with four playoff appearances, leading the franchise to its first
Stanley Cup championship in
2019. Bannister, previously the head coach of the Blues' AHL affiliate, the
Springfield Thunderbirds, was promoted to interim head coach.[28]
On October 23, 2023, Bowness announced that he was taking a temporary leave of absence after his wife suffered a seizure and was admitted to the hospital. Arniel, the associate coach, took over as interim head coach,[29] and totaled a 9β2β2 record before Bowness returned from his leave on November 24.[30]
On April 17, 2023, five days after the conclusion of the Flames' season, and with his contract expiring, the team and Treliving mutually agreed to part ways. Treliving had served as general manager since 2014, overseeing five playoff appearances and two Pacific Division titles. Maloney, formerly general manager of the
New York Islanders and
Arizona Coyotes, and most recently a pro scout, was subsequently promoted to president of hockey operations, and assumed the role of interim general manager.[31] Conroy, formerly the assistant general manager, was promoted to general manager on May 23.[32]
Poile announced on February 26, 2023 that he would retire as GM on June 30, but remain as a consultant. The sole general manager in Predators history until his retirement, Poile had served in the role since 1997, overseeing fifteen playoff appearances, two Central Division titles, one President's Trophy, and one Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Poile also won the
Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award in 2017. Trotz, who served as the team's first coach from 1997 to 2014, and most recently was head coach of the
New York Islanders from 2018 to 2022, was announced as Poile's successor on the same day, formally assuming the general manager role on July 1.[33]
Fletcher was fired on March 10, 2023, with the Flyers holding a record of 24β30β11. Fletcher had served as general manager since 2018, with the team making the playoffs once during his tenure. Assistant general manager Briere was named interim general manager,[34] before being made the official general manager on May 11.[35]
Hextall was fired on April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Penguins' season, after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons. Hextall had served as general manager of the Penguins since 2021, overseeing two playoff appearances and one division championship.[36] Dubas, most recently general manager of the
Toronto Maple Leafs, was hired as president of hockey operations on June 1,[37] assuming the role of interim general manager;[38] he was later named permanent general manager on August 3, 2023.[39]
On May 19, 2023, one week after the Maple Leafs' elimination from the
2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, and with his contract expiring, the team announced that Dubas would not return. Dubas had served as general manager of the Maple Leafs since 2018, with the team reaching the playoffs all five years of his tenure, and winning one North Division title.[40] Treliving, most recently general manager of the
Calgary Flames, was named general manager on May 31.[41]
Kekalainen was fired on February 15, 2024, after the Blue Jackets began the season 16β26β10. Kekalainen had served as general manager of the Blue Jackets since 2013, overseeing five playoff appearances, including
the franchise's first playoff series win in 2019. Davidson, the president of hockey operations, was named interim general manager.[42]
Dorion was fired on November 1, 2023, after the Senators forfeited a first-round draft pick due to their role in issues surrounding the trade of
Evgenii Dadonov to the
Vegas Golden Knights, and Dadonov's subsequent
voided trade to the
Anaheim Ducks. Dorion had served as general manager of the Senators since 2016, overseeing one playoff appearance. Staios, the president of hockey operations, was subsequently named interim general manager,[43] before being named official general manager on December 31.[44]
(*) Indicates interim
Arena changes
The
Florida Panthers' home arena, FLA Live Arena, was renamed
Amerant Bank Arena on September 19, 2023, as part of a naming rights agreement with Amerant Bank.[45]
Regular season
The regular season began on October 10, 2023, and ended on April 18, 2024.
International games
The league held four regular season games on four consecutive days at
Avicii Arena in
Stockholm, Sweden. The
Detroit Red Wings and the
Ottawa Senators faced each other on November 16. The Red Wings then played the
Toronto Maple Leafs on November 17. The
Minnesota Wild took on the Senators on November 18. Finally, the Wild played the Maple Leafs on November 19.[46]
Source: National Hockey League[53] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF) p – Clinched Presidents' Trophy; x – Clinched playoff spot
Source: National Hockey League[53] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF) x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division
Source: National Hockey League[54] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF) e – Eliminated from playoff contention; x – Clinched playoff spot
Source: National Hockey League[53] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF) x – Clinched playoff spot; z – Clinched conference
Source: National Hockey League[53] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF) x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division
Source: National Hockey League[54] Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF) e – Eliminated from playoff contention; x – Clinched playoff spot
In each round, teams compete in a best-of-seven series following a 2β2β1β1β1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team with
home ice advantage plays at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team is at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). The top three teams in each division make the playoffs, along with two
wild cards in each conference, for a total of eight teams from each conference.
In the first round, the lower
seeded wild card in each conference was played against the division winner with the best record while the other wild card was played against the other division winner, and both wild cards were
de facto #4 seeds. The other series matched the second and third-place teams from the divisions. In the first two rounds, home ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better seed. In the conference finals and Stanley Cup Finals, home ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better regular season record.
The following goaltenders led the league in regular season
goals against average at the completion of games played on April 18, 2024, while playing at least 1,920 minutes.[56]
This is the final season for
Adidas as the official apparel provider of the NHL. Starting with the 2024β25 season,
Fanatics will become the official apparel provider on a 10-year contract.[76]
The NHL officially gave teams the option to wear their colored helmets on the road, provided they are not the same color as the home team's helmets. The new rule was revealed after the
Carolina Hurricanes started wearing red helmets regularly with the road white uniforms the previous season, followed by the
Toronto Maple Leafs wearing the blue helmets with the road white uniforms during a Global Series tour in Sweden this season.[77]
Wholesale team changes
The
Anaheim Ducks unveiled their 30th anniversary alternate uniform, featuring the original 1993 to 2006 colors of eggplant base and jade, white, and silver stripes. The updated "Wild Wing" roundel crest with the current team name is emblazoned in front.[78]
The
Boston Bruins unveiled the new logo and centennial patch for this upcoming season, keeping with the spoke "B", and instead of black lettering with yellow spokes going with yellow lettering with black spokes.[79] The Bruins also unveiled special uniforms for the season, with the primary black and white uniforms sporting a metallic gold shade called "Centennial gold" and the alternate beige uniform using the 1970s uniform template albeit in the original brown and gold colors.[80]
The
Carolina Hurricanes unveiled a white version of their previous
Hartford Whalers throwback alternates, featuring Hartford's "Pucky the Whale" mascot as the shoulder patch.[81]
The
Minnesota Wild introduced a new "78's" alternate uniform based on their green
Minnesota North Stars-influenced 2022β23 Reverse Retro jersey, but with the addition of Minnesota-shaped captain patches and a "State of Hockey" shoulder patch.[82]
The
New York Rangers introduced a new navy blue alternate uniform, inspired by
New York City, and featuring their shield logo as the crest for the first time since 1978.[83]
The
Philadelphia Flyers unveiled new uniforms, returning to the burnt orange shade they wore from 1982 to 2007 and featured visual cues from previous uniforms. The black alternate was retained.[84]
The
San Jose Sharks introduced a new black alternate uniform, featuring their alternate shark fin logo as the crest and containing elements inspired by
Northern California.[85]
The
Toronto Maple Leafs revealed an updated version of their annual
Toronto St. Pats throwback jerseys, replacing the previous "ST. PATS" wordmark with a shamrock crest, and modifying the name and number fonts.[86]
The
Winnipeg Jets unveiled a new powder-blue specialty alternate uniform commemorating the centennial of the
Royal Canadian Air Force, with a design based on those worn by the
RCAF Flyers at the
1948 Winter Olympics. The previous heritage alternates were retained as the full-time third jerseys.[87]
The
New Jersey Devils,
New York Islanders,
New York Rangers and
Philadelphia Flyers introduced uniforms for the
NHL Stadium Series. New Jersey's uniform had a red and black jersey featuring a simplified "NJ" crest, without the surrounding circle. The Islanders unveiled a navy blue uniform with a large orange stripe, inspired by
Plimsoll lines painted on ships, and an "ISLES" wordmark. The Rangers' uniform was white with red, white, and blue stripes resembling their road uniform, and a diagonal "NYR" wordmark. Philadelphia unveiled a white uniform with orange and black sleeve stripes, the latter of which stretched through the nameplate.[90]
Milestones
First games
The following is a list of notable players who played their first NHL game during the 2023β24 season, listed with their first team.
On October 14, 2023, Toronto Maple Leafs forward
Auston Matthews recorded a second consecutive hat trick in Toronto's second game of the season, becoming the fifth player in NHL history to open a season with consecutive hat tricks, and the second since
1917β18.[97]
On October 24, 2023, Washington Capitals forward
Alexander Ovechkin scored his 300th power-play goal, becoming the first player in NHL history to reach the mark.[100]
On October 24, 2023, the
Colorado Avalanche defeated the
New York Islanders for their 15th consecutive road victory in the regular season (dating back to the
2022β23 season), setting a new record for the longest winning streak on the road, and surpassing the record previously held by the
Buffalo Sabres (14 consecutive road wins between the
2005β06 and
2006β07 seasons).[101]
On October 31, 2023, Nashville Predators forward
Ryan O'Reilly played his
1,000th NHL game, becoming the 383rd player to reach the mark.[102]
On November 4, 2023, the
Washington Capitals won their 1,000th home game in franchise history.[103]
On November 14, 2023, Buffalo Sabres forward
Kyle Okposo played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 384th player to reach the mark.[105]
On November 19, 2023, Colorado Avalanche defenseman
Cale Makar recorded his 200th assist in his 254th NHL game, becoming the fastest defenseman to reach 200 assists in NHL history, and surpassing the record previously held by
Quinn Hughes.[106]
On November 22, 2023, New York Islanders forward
Cal Clutterbuck played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 385th player to reach the mark.[107]
On December 3, 2023, the
New York Rangers won their 3,000th regular season game in franchise history.[109]
On December 4, 2023, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman
Victor Hedman played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 386th player to reach the mark.[110]
On December 7, 2023, Dallas Stars forward
Matt Duchene played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 387th player to reach the mark.[111]
On December 7, 2023, the
Los Angeles Kings recorded their 11th consecutive road victory to start the regular season, setting a new record for the longest winning streak on the road to begin the season, and surpassing the record previously held by the
2006β07 Buffalo Sabres.[112]
On December 7, 2023, Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin recorded his 1,500th point, becoming the 16th player to reach the mark.[113]
On December 11, 2023, Toronto Maple Leafs forward
John Tavares recorded his
1,000th point, becoming the 98th player to reach the mark.[114]
On December 27, 2023, Florida Panthers head coach
Paul Maurice became the third coach in NHL history to coach 1,800 games.[115]
On December 27, 2023, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang became the first defenseman in NHL history to record five points in a single period.[116]
On December 29, 2023, Philadelphia Flyers head coach
John Tortorella became the eighth head coach in NHL history, as well as the first American head coach, to coach 1,500 games.[117]
On December 31, 2023, Minnesota Wild goaltender
Marc-Andre Fleury played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 388th player, as well as the fourth goaltender, to reach the mark.[118]
On January 15, 2024, Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury recorded his 552nd win, surpassing
Patrick Roy for second in
all-time wins.[119]
On January 24, 2024, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice coached his 1,813th game, surpassing
Barry Trotz for the second-most games coached.[121]
On January 27, 2024, Pittsburgh Penguins forward
Lars Eller played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the first Danish-born and 389th overall player to reach the mark.[122]
On January 27, 2024, the
Montreal Canadiens played their 7,000th regular season game in franchise history.[123]
On February 10, 2024, Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin scored his 57th empty-net goal, setting a new record for empty-net goals, and surpassing the record previously held by
Wayne Gretzky.[124]
On February 12, 2024, Vegas Golden Knights defenseman
Alex Pietrangelo played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 390th player to reach the mark.[125]
On February 13, 2024, Boston Bruins forward
Brad Marchand played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 391st player to reach the mark.[126]
On February 18, 2024, New York Rangers forward
Matt Rempe became the first player in NHL history to make his NHL debut in an outdoor game, doing so in the
2024 NHL Stadium Series.[127]
On February 21, 2024, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews scored his 50th goal of the season in his 54th game, becoming the fastest American-born player to 50 goals in a season, and surpassing the record previously shared by himself and
Kevin Stevens.[128] Matthews also became the first player to reach 50 goals in 55 games or fewer since
Mario Lemieux did so in
1995β96.[129]
On February 28, 2024, the Vegas Golden Knights won their 300th regular season game, becoming the fastest team to 300 wins in NHL history, and surpassing the record previously held by the
Edmonton Oilers.[130]
On March 5, 2024, Boston Bruins forward
James van Riemsdyk played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 392nd player to reach the mark.[131]
On March 12, 2024, Seattle Kraken forward
Jordan Eberle played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 393rd player to reach the mark.[132]
On March 16, 2024, Washington Capitals forward
T. J. Oshie played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 394th player to reach the mark.[133]
On March 18, 2024, Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin scored his 20th goal of the season, becoming the third player in NHL history to record at least 20 goals in 19 consecutive seasons.[134]
On March 20, 2024, Los Angeles Kings forward
Anze Kopitar recorded his 1,200th point, becoming the 52nd player to reach the mark.[135]
On March 23, 2024, St. Louis Blues defenceman
Nick Leddy played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 395th player to reach the mark.[136]
On March 26, 2024, New York Rangers head coach
Peter Laviolette became the seventh head coach in NHL history to win 800 games.[137] Additionally, the Rangers clinched a playoff berth,[137] making Laviolette the first head coach in NHL history to reach the playoffs with six different teams.[138]
On March 30, 2024, Washington Capitals defenseman
John Carlson played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 396th player to reach the mark.[139]
On March 30, 2024, Winnipeg Jets goaltender
Connor Hellebuyck played his 500th NHL game, becoming the 79th goaltender to reach the mark.[140]
On March 30, 2024, New York Rangers goaltender
Jonathan Quick recorded his 392nd win, setting a new record for wins among American-born goaltenders, and surpassing the record previously held by
Ryan Miller.[141]
On March 30, 2024, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews scored his
60th goal of the season for the second time in his career, recording the 43rd 60-goal season in NHL history.[142]
On April 1, 2024, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby recorded his 82nd point of the season, securing his 19th season averaging at least one point per game, and tying the record held by Wayne Gretzky for most point-per-game seasons.[143]
On April 2, 2024, Buffalo Sabres forward
Jeff Skinner played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 397th player to reach the mark, as well as the first to do so without having appeared in a playoff game.[144]
On April 7, 2024, Carolina Hurricanes goaltender
Frederik Andersen recorded his 294th win in his 494th game, surpassing
Braden Holtby for the most goaltender wins through their first 500 games.[145]
On April 9, 2024, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews scored his 66th goal of the season, surpassing Alexander Ovechkin's modern record of 65 goals set in
2007β08. In addition, Matthews became the first player to score more than 65 goals in a single season since Mario Lemieux accomplished the feat in
1995β96.[146]
On April 9, 2024, Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin scored his 30th goal of the season, becoming the first player in NHL history to record 18 seasons of at least 30 goals.[147]
On April 11, 2024, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews scored his 50th
even-strength goal of the season, becoming the seventh player to reach the mark, and the first since
Teemu Selanne did so in
1992β93.[148]
On April 11, 2024, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby recorded his
1,000th assist, becoming the 14th player to reach the mark.[149] Crosby also surpassed
Phil Esposito for tenth in all-time points, becoming the first player to enter the top ten since
Jaromir Jagr did so in
2007β08.[150]
On April 13, 2024, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman
Erik Karlsson played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 398th player to reach the mark.[151]
On April 14, 2024, Calgary Flames forward
Yegor Sharangovich recorded his 59th point of the season, setting a new single-season record for points among Belarusian players, and surpassing the record previously held by
Mikhail Grabovski.[152][153]
On April 15, 2024, Edmonton Oilers forward
Connor McDavid recorded his 100th assist of the season, becoming the fourth individual to reach the mark, and accomplishing the 14th 100-assist season in NHL history.[154]
On April 17, 2024, Tampa Bay Lightning forward
Nikita Kucherov recorded his 100th assist of the season, becoming the fifth individual to reach the mark, and accomplishing the 15th 100-assist season in NHL history. In addition, Kucherov and Connor McDavid became the second pair of players to reach 100 assists in the same season, and the first since Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux both recorded 114 assists in
1988β89.[155]
On May 20, 2024, Edmonton Oilers defenseman
Evan Bouchard recorded his 20th point of the playoffs, becoming the first defenseman in NHL history to total 20 points through the first two rounds of the playoffs.[156]
On June 2, 2024, the Edmonton Oilers won the Western Conference, making Oilers forward
Corey Perry the first player in NHL history to reach the
Stanley Cup Finals with five different franchises.[157]
Broadcast rights
Canada
National
This is the tenth season of the league's 12-year Canadian national broadcast rights deal with
Sportsnet. This includes Sportsnet's sub-licensing agreements to air Saturday Hockey Night in Canada games on
CBC Television and French-language broadcasts on
TVA Sports.[158] Sportsnet's national schedule also includes Monday Night Hockey, Wednesday Night Hockey, this season's four outdoor games, the
Hockey Day in Canada games on January 20, and All-Star Weekend.[159] Games were be streamed on
Sportsnet+, with national games available on the Standard level, out-of-market games on the Premium tier, and via authenticated streaming on participating teams.[160] Regular season games on CBC were also simulcast on
CBC Gem, which replaces CBCSports.ca.[161]
Personnel
Longtime commentator
John Garrett retired from
Vancouver Canucks broadcasts before the season.[162] He continued to provide analysis on select national broadcasts throughout the season. Sportsnet later announced that
Dave Tomlinson, formerly a radio analyst for the
Seattle Kraken, would take over as the primary TV analyst for Canucks regional broadcasts, with
ESPN lead analyst
Ray Ferraro working as a substitute for select games.[163]
Regular season games are aired exclusively on
ESPN on selected Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends; and
ABC on selected Saturdays between mid-January and mid-April.
ESPN+ and
Hulu exclusively streams games primarily on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends throughout the season.[a] During All-Star Weekend, ESPN had the All-Star skills competition while ABC aired the All-Star Game. Both Stadium Series games were broadcast by ABC. A Presidents' Day doubleheader on February 19 was also scheduled on ESPN this season. Under the "NHL Power Play on ESPN+" branding, the streaming service also streamed ABC games, selected ESPN games, as well out-of-market games.[168] For the second consecutive season, ESPN collaborated with
Disney Channel on a youth-oriented alternate broadcast, using the NHL's player and puck tracking system to render a live animated version of the March 9, 2024, Pittsburgh PenguinsβBoston Bruins game, portrayed by characters from the animated series Big City Greens.[169]
WBD's regular season coverage is primarily on
TNT, with games on Wednesday nights throughout the season, the Thanksgiving Showdown on November 24, Winter Classic, and selected Sunday games between late February and April. Not all of TNT's regular season games are exclusive broadcasts and are thus subject to
blackout in local markets.[170] WBD invoked its over-the-top streaming rights for
Max, adding live sports telecasts from WBD channels; these broadcasts were available at no additional charge until a later date, after which viewers must subscribe to the Bleacher Report Sports add-on.[171] This season's Heritage Classic instead aired on
TBS due to
TNT's soccer coverage of
U.S. women's national soccer team.[172]TruTV also began airing simulcasted/alternative broadcasts of selected TNT games,[173] TruTV also televised a youth-oriented alternate broadcast, using the NHL's player and puck tracking system to render a live animated version of the Colorado AvalancheβVegas Golden Knights game on April 14, 2024, portrayed by WBD characters featured in the MultiVersus video game.[174]
NHL Network continues to also nationally televise selected regular season games, including Saturday and Sunday afternoon games as part of the NHL Network Showcase series.
The 12 NHL teams who had dealt with the
Bally Sports regional sports networks may be affected by its operator
Diamond Sports Group's March 14, 2023 decision to file for bankruptcy. Diamond had initially sought to continue broadcasting regional games while it plans to separate from majority parent
Sinclair Broadcast Group as part of the reorganization.[177]
The
Los Angeles Kings renewed their contract with
Bally Sports West despite Diamond's bankruptcy. The Kings also reached an agreement with
KCAL-TV for the rights to six games and select half-hour specials.[178][179]
On October 4, 2023, Diamond announced that it intended to reject its
Bally Sports Arizona contract with the
Arizona Coyotes.[180] The next day, the Coyotes announced a new television agreement with the
E. W. Scripps Company's sports division
Scripps Sports, under which it carried games on a subchannel of its Phoenix broadcast station and ABC affiliate
KNXV-TV, and syndicate them to sister stations in the team's broadcast territory, including
KGUN-TV in
Tucson, Arizona, and
KUPX-TV and
KSTU-DT2 in
Salt Lake City. The Coyotes aired non-game programs on KNXV and sister
The CW affiliate
KASW.[181][182] With Bally Sports Arizona already previously losing airing rights to the
Phoenix Suns to
Gray Television and the
Arizona Diamondbacks to the
MLB itself earlier in the year, they decided to wind down services for the rest of the month before concluding on October 21, 2023.
On December 20, 2023, Diamond Sports and the NHL reached an agreement that resulted in the contracts for teams airing on Diamond expiring after the 2023β24 NHL season.[183] However, on January 17, 2024, Diamond Sports announced a restructuring agreement after receiving a $115 million investment from
Amazon. The restructuring agreement would supersede the prior agreement with the NHL, so rights for the NHL would no longer expire following the 2023β24 season.[184][185]
On May 4, 2023, the Golden Knights signed a multi-year agreement with Scripps Sports to start airing games on Scripps' Las Vegas broadcast station
KMCC, and syndicate the telecasts to other stations across the team's broadcast territory; both KMCC and
Salt Lake City's
KUPX-TV were converted from
Ion Television stations to independents to accommodate the team's broadcasts, along with Scripps's
Montana Television Network, whose second digital subchannels previously carried
The CW.[188]
On August 30, 2023, the Penguins announced that they would acquire AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, which rebranded on October 2 as
SportsNet Pittsburgh. The channel is operated by
NESNβthe regional broadcaster of the Boston Bruinsβwhich is majority-owned by the Penguins' parent company
Fenway Sports Group.[189][190]
Personnel
ESPN/ABC studio analyst
Chris Chelios, who served in the role for two seasons, left the network as part of its June 2023 cost-cutting measures.[191][192] Chelios later made appearances on TNT during the season. In October, studio analyst
Barry Melrose resigned after being diagnosed with
Parkinson's disease.[193][194]
TNT ice-level analyst
Keith Jones left the network to become president of hockey operations with the
Philadelphia Flyers. Before joining the Flyers' front office, Jones also worked as the team's TV color analyst for 23 seasons, while also working as a studio and game analyst with
NBC and later TNT.[35] To replace Jones, TNT hired
Brian Boucher away from ESPN/ABC, serving the same role as he previously had with the latter network. Boucher also replaced Jones as a primary analyst on the Flyers' television broadcasts.[195][196]
The
Chicago Blackhawks hired
Darren Pang to be their lead TV color commentator. Pang, who spent 14 years in the same role with the
St. Louis Blues and is also a color commentator on TNT, replaces both
Colby Cohen, whose contract with the team was not renewed[197][198] and
Patrick Sharp, who left to also join the Flyers front office, along with Keith Jones. The Blues replaced Pang with
Jamie Rivers, who had been the backup color commentator whenever Pang worked for TNT before the announcement.[199]
Boston Bruins TV play-by-play announcer
Jack Edwards announced his retirement at the end of the season. Edwards joined the Bruins broadcast team before the
2005β06 season after several stints as an anchor and reporter on various networks, most notably with ESPN's
SportsCenter.[206]
^Masisak, Corey (April 17, 2024).
"As the Stanley Cup Playoffs beckon, Zach Parise is ready for his last dance". The Denver Post. Parise, who joined the Avalanche just before the All-Star break after taking the first half of the season off, confirmed Wednesday to The Denver Post that the contest against Edmonton at Ball Arena will be the last regular-season game of a long and distinguished career.
^"Rangers explode in second period, down Capitals in Game 1". CBS News. April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024. 'It's obviously good to get that first one,' said New York's Peter Laviolette, who became the first coach in NHL history to lead six different teams to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
^Vickers, Aaron (April 15, 2024).
"Kadri scores twice in 3rd, Flames rally past Coyotes". nhl.com. Retrieved April 17, 2024. Sharangovich has 59 points (31 goals, 28 assists) this season, the highest-scoring single-season total by a Belarussian forward in NHL history. Mikhail Grabovski previously held the record with 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists), set with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010-11.