List of NHL longest losing streaks
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This is a list of the longest losing streaks in National Hockey League (NHL) history. The list includes streaks that started at the end of one season and carried over into the following season. There are two lists, streaks that consist entirely of regular-season games and streaks made up of playoff games only. The 2003–04 Pittsburgh Penguins and 2020–21 Buffalo Sabres own the record for the longest losing streak in NHL history at 18 games.[1] The 1974–75 Washington Capitals and 1992–93 San Jose Sharks own the NHL record for the longest pointless streak at 17 games; the 2003–04 Penguins' losing streak included one overtime loss, and the 2020–21 Sabres’ losing streak included two overtime and one shootout loss. Since the 1999–2000 season, the NHL awards a team one point for an overtime loss, and since the 2005–06 season, a team also receives one point for a shootout loss.
The 1980–81 Winnipeg Jets own the longest winless streak in NHL history at 30 games. Winnipeg's streak included 23 losses and seven ties.
The Chicago Blackhawks lost an NHL playoff record 16 straight games spanning five trips to the Stanley Cup playoffs between 1975 and 1979.[2]
Starting with the 2005–06 season, tie games were abolished in favor of a shootout.
Key[edit]
| Italic score | Denotes streak ended with a tie | |
| ^ | Denotes streaks that spanned at least two seasons | |
| Denotes streaks that are currently in progress | ||
Losing streaks[edit]
Regular season[edit]
This list contains only the top streaks consisting entirely of regular-season games, minimum 14 games.
| Rank | Games | Team | Season(s) | Season record(s) | Date | Score | Opponent | Date | Score | Opponent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning (first defeat) | End (first victory or tie) | ||||||||||
| 1 (tie) | 18 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2003–04 | 23–47–8–4 | January 13, 2004 | 1–3 | Tampa Bay Lightning | February 25, 2004 | 4–3 (OT) | Phoenix Coyotes | During this losing streak, the Penguins recorded a point: one for the 2–3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on February 14. Since the 1999–2000 season, a team receives a point for an overtime loss. |
| 1 (tie) | 18 | Buffalo Sabres | 2020–21 | 15–34–7[a] | February 25, 2021 | 3–4 (OT) | New Jersey Devils | March 31, 2021 | 6–1 | Philadelphia Flyers | Longest losing streak since shootouts were introduced in the 2005–06 season. During this losing streak, the Sabres recorded three points: one for the overtime loss to the Devils on February 25, two shootout losses against the Flyers, first for a 4–5 shootout loss on March 9, and then the 3–4 overtime loss on March 29). |
| 3 (tie) | 17 | Washington Capitals | 1974–75 | 8–67–5 | February 18, 1975 | 1–6 | Los Angeles Kings | March 28, 1975 | 5–3 | California Golden Seals | Currently tied for the longest losing streak without a point in NHL history. |
| 3 (tie) | 17 | San Jose Sharks | 1992–93 | 11–71–2 | January 4, 1993 | 1–4 | Montreal Canadiens | February 14, 1993 | 3–2 | Winnipeg Jets | Currently tied for the longest losing streak without a point in NHL history. Also part of a 20-game winless streak dating to December 29, 1992. |
| 3 (tie) | 17 (6 + 11) | San Jose Sharks | 2022–23^ 2023–24^ | 22–44–16 Season ongoing | April 4, 2023 | 3–4 (OT) | Colorado Avalanche | November 7, 2023 | 2–1 | Philadelphia Flyers | During this losing streak, the Sharks recorded two points: one for the overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on April 4, and one for the 0–1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on October 14. |
| 6 | 15 | Philadelphia Quakers | 1930–31 | 4–36–4 | November 29, 1930 | 3–6 | New York Rangers | January 10, 1931 | 4–3 (OT) | Montreal Maroons | |
| 7 (tie) | 14 (10 + 4) | Chicago Black Hawks | 1927–28^ 1928–29^ | 7–34–3 7–29–8 | February 22, 1928 | 2–3 | Ottawa Senators | November 25, 1928 | 1–1 (OT) | Boston Bruins | |
| 7 (tie) | 14 | Kansas City Scouts | 1975–76 | 12–56–12 | December 30, 1975 | 2–5 | Vancouver Canucks | January 31, 1976 | 4–4 | Pittsburgh Penguins | |
| 7 (tie) | 14 | Detroit Red Wings | 1981–82 | 21–47–12 | February 24, 1982 | 3–5 | Los Angeles Kings | March 27, 1982 | 2–1 | Toronto Maple Leafs | |
| 7 (tie) | 14 | Quebec Nordiques | 1990–91 | 16–50–14 | October 21, 1990 | 2–3 | Vancouver Canucks | November 21, 1990 | 4–4 (OT) | Hartford Whalers | |
| 7 (tie) | 14 | Ottawa Senators | 1992–93 | 10–70–4 | March 2, 1993 | 2–3 (OT) | San Jose Sharks | April 10, 1993 | 5–3 | New York Islanders | |
| 7 (tie) | 14 | Carolina Hurricanes | 2009–10 | 35–37–10 | October 10, 2009 | 2–5 | Tampa Bay Lightning | November 15, 2009 | 5–4 (SO) | Minnesota Wild | During this losing streak, the Hurricanes recorded four points: one for the 2–3 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 14, one for the 3–4 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on October 21, one for the 2–3 overtime loss to the Wild on October 24, and one for the 3–4 overtime loss to the Islanders on November 13. |
| 7 (tie) | 14 | New York Islanders | 2010–11 | 30–39–13 | October 23, 2010 | 3–4 | Florida Panthers | November 26, 2010 | 2–0 | New Jersey Devils | During this losing streak, the Islanders recorded three points: one for the 1–2 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks on November 11, one for the 1–2 overtime loss to the Atlanta Thrashers on November 21, and one for the 3–4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 24. |
| 7 (tie) | 14 (6 + 8) | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2010–11^ 2011–12^ | 34–35–13 29–46–7 | March 31, 2011 | 3–4 (OT) | Washington Capitals | October 25, 2011 | 4–1 | Detroit Red Wings | During this losing streak, the Blue Jackets recorded three points: one for the overtime loss to the Capitals on March 31, one for the 3–4 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on April 1, and one for the 2–3 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on October 12. |
| 7 (tie) | 14 | Buffalo Sabres | 2014–15 | 23–51–8 | December 29, 2014 | 2–5 | Ottawa Senators | February 3, 2015 | 3–2 | Montreal Canadiens | During this losing streak, the Sabres did not record a point in the standings. |
| 7 (tie) | 14 | Arizona Coyotes | 2023–24 | Season ongoing | January 24, 2024 | 2–6 | Florida Panthers | March 1, 2024 | 5–3 | Ottawa Senators | During this losing streak, the Coyotes recorded two points: one for the 4–5 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators on February 10, and one for the 3–4 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on February 25. |
- ^ Season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Postseason[edit]
This is a list of streaks recorded only in the playoffs. The list only features losing streaks stretched through multiple seasons, as the longest possible streak in a single playoff season is four games – eliminating the team from the playoffs.
| Rank | Games | Team | Season started | Season ended | Number of years | Date | Score | Opponent | Date | Score | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning (first defeat) | End (first victory) | ||||||||||
| 1 | 16 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1974–75 | 1979–80 | 5 | April 20, 1975 | 2–6 | Buffalo Sabres | April 8, 1980 | 3–2 (OT) | St. Louis Blues |
| 2 | 14 | Los Angeles Kings | 1992–93 | 2000–01 | 8 | June 3, 1993 | 2–3 (OT) | Montreal Canadiens | April 15, 2001 | 2–1 | Detroit Red Wings |
| 3 | 12 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1978–79 | 1982–83 | 4 | April 16, 1979 | 2–5 | Montreal Canadiens | April 9, 1983 | 6–3 | Minnesota North Stars |
| 4 | 11 | Chicago Black Hawks/Blackhawks | 1984–85 | 1987–88 | 3 | May 14, 1985 | 5–10 | Edmonton Oilers | April 9, 1988 | 6–3 | St. Louis Blues |
| 5 (tie) | 10 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1943–44 | 1952–53 | 9 | April 4, 1944 | 1–5 | Montreal Canadiens | March 29, 1953 | 2–1 (OT) | Montreal Canadiens |
| 5 (tie) | 10 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1953–54 | 1955–56 | 2 | March 27, 1954 | 1–3 | Detroit Red Wings | March 27, 1956 | 2–0 | Detroit Red Wings |
| 5 (tie) | 10 | New York Rangers | 1967–68 | 1969–70 | 2 | April 11, 1968 | 4–7 | Chicago Black Hawks | April 11, 1970 | 4–3 | Boston Bruins |
| 5 (tie) | 10 | Philadelphia Flyers | 1967–68 | 1972–73 | 5 | April 18, 1968 | 1–3 | St. Louis Blues | April 5, 1973 | 4–1 | Minnesota North Stars |
| 5 (tie) | 10 | Chicago Blackhawks | 1991–92 | 1993–94 | 2 | May 26, 1992 | 4–5 | Pittsburgh Penguins | April 23, 1994 | 5–4 | Toronto Maple Leafs |
Winless streaks[edit]
This list includes teams who had the longest winless streaks in NHL history. The streaks include ties, and consists only of regular season games.
| Rank | Games | Team | Season(s) | Season record(s) | Date | Score | Opponent | Date | Score | Opponent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning (first defeat or tie) | End (first victory) | ||||||||||
| 1 | 30 | Winnipeg Jets | 1980–81 | 9–57–14 | October 19, 1980 | 4–4 | Quebec Nordiques | December 23, 1980 | 5–4 | Colorado Rockies | Streak included 23 losses and seven ties. |
| 2 | 27 | Kansas City Scouts | 1975–76 | 12–56–12 | February 12, 1976 | 2–2 | New York Islanders | October 5, 1976 | 4–2 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Streak, included 21 losses and six ties, closed the season. Won in the first game of the next season, as the relocated Colorado Rockies. |
| 3 (tie) | 25 | New York Rangers | 1943–44^ 1944–45^ | 6–39–5 11–29–10 | January 23, 1944 | 0–15 | Detroit Red Wings | November 11, 1944 | 5–2 | Detroit Red Wings | Streak included 21 losses and four ties. |
| 3 (tie) | 25 | Washington Capitals | 1975–76 | 11–59–10 | November 29, 1975 | 3–5 | Minnesota North Stars | January 23, 1976 | 7–5 | New York Rangers | Streak included 22 losses and three ties. |
| 5 | 23 | Detroit Red Wings | 1976–77^ 1977–78^ | 16–55–9 32–34–14 | February 26, 1977 | 3–4 | Los Angeles Kings | October 22, 1977 | 4–2 | Minnesota North Stars | Streak included 20 losses and three ties. |
| 6 (tie) | 21 | Chicago Black Hawks | 1950–51 | 13–47–10 | December 17, 1950 | 3–7 | Montreal Canadiens | February 1, 1951 | 5–2 | Boston Bruins | Streak included 18 losses and three ties. |
| 6 (tie) | 21 | Ottawa Senators | 1992–93 | 10–70–4 | October 10, 1992 | 2–9 | Quebec Nordiques | November 25, 1992 | 3–1 | New Jersey Devils | Streak included 18 losses and three ties. |
| 8 (tie) | 20 | Boston Bruins | 1961–62 | 15–47–8 | January 28, 1962 | 1–5 | Montreal Canadiens | March 15, 1962 | 4–0 | Detroit Red Wings | Streak included 16 losses and four ties. |
| 8 (tie) | 20 | Minnesota North Stars | 1969–70 | 19–35–22 | January 15, 1970 | 1–1 | Oakland Seals | March 1, 1970 | 8–0 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Streak included 15 losses and five ties. |
| 8 (tie) | 20 | Washington Capitals | 1977–78 | 17–49–14 | October 28, 1977 | 1–8 | Colorado Rockies | December 7, 1977 | 5–3 | Cleveland Barons | Streak included 15 losses and five ties. |
| 8 (tie) | 20 | San Jose Sharks | 1992–93 | 11–71–2 | December 29, 1992 | 5–7 | Vancouver Canucks | February 14, 1993 | 3–2 | Winnipeg Jets | Streak included 19 losses and one tie. |
Pointless streaks[edit]
This list includes all teams with the longest losing streaks (14 or more games) without recording a point in NHL history. Starting with the 1999–2000 season, a team also receives a point for an overtime loss or (since 2005) shootout loss. Thus, the only way for modern NHL teams to achieve this dubious record is if all of their losses come in regulation.
| Rank | Games | Team | Season(s) | Season record(s) | Date | Score | Opponent | Date | Score | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning (first defeat) | End (first victory or tie) | |||||||||
| 1 (tie) | 17 | Washington Capitals | 1974–75 | 8–67–5 | February 18, 1975 | 1–6 | Los Angeles Kings | March 28, 1975 | 5–3 | California Golden Seals |
| 1 (tie) | 17 | San Jose Sharks | 1992–93 | 11–71–2 | January 4, 1993 | 1–4 | Montreal Canadiens | February 14, 1993 | 3–2 | Winnipeg Jets |
| 3 | 15 | Philadelphia Quakers | 1930–31 | 4–36–4 | November 29, 1930 | 3–6 | New York Rangers | January 10, 1931 | 4–3 (OT) | Montreal Maroons |
| 4 (tie) | 14 (10 + 4) | Chicago Black Hawks | 1927–28^ 1928–29^ | 7–34–3 7–29–8 | February 22, 1928 | 2–3 | Ottawa Senators | November 25, 1928 | 1–1 (OT) | Boston Bruins |
| 4 (tie) | 14 | Kansas City Scouts | 1975–76 | 12–56–12 | December 30, 1975 | 2–5 | Vancouver Canucks | January 31, 1976 | 4–4 | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 4 (tie) | 14 | Detroit Red Wings | 1981–82 | 21–47–12 | February 24, 1982 | 3–5 | Los Angeles Kings | March 27, 1982 | 2–1 | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 4 (tie) | 14 | Quebec Nordiques | 1990–91 | 16–50–14 | October 21, 1990 | 2–3 | Vancouver Canucks | November 21, 1990 | 4–4 (OT) | Hartford Whalers |
| 4 (tie) | 14 | Ottawa Senators | 1992–93 | 10–70–4 | March 2, 1993 | 2–3 (OT) | San Jose Sharks | April 10, 1993 | 5–3 | New York Islanders |
| 4 (tie) | 14 | Buffalo Sabres | 2014–15 | 23–51–8 | December 29, 2014 | 2–5 | Ottawa Senators | February 3, 2015 | 3–2 | Montreal Canadiens |
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "NHL: Longest Losing Streaks/Regular Season Games". mcubed.net. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ "NHL: Longest Losing Streaks/Playoff Games". mcubed.net. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
External links[edit]
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