Even with losing records and lopsided seasons, some NHL teams found a way into the playoffs, skating past stronger rivals and rewriting what “deserving” once meant.

The Colorado Avalanche are rewriting the NHL record books. With just two regulation losses through their first 40 games of the season, they've broken a record

Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews breaks Pat LaFontaine's historic NHL record originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Auston Matthews hadn't scored a hat trick in 121 games.

Gretzky reached 100 points in a single season faster than any teenager in NHL history, doing it in the 61st game of the 1979-80 season, according to insider Frank Seravalli. Sidney Crosby was second-fastest, doing it in 65 games, and Mario Lemieux did it in 73 games.

The prestigious NHL Winter Classic returns on Jan. 2, 2026, when the Florida Panthers host the New York Rangers at Miami's loanDepot Park.

Alex Ovechkin is not yet done setting records as his two-goal night in the Capitals' win over the Ducks has him making history again.