Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about nhl teams, part 2.
What does Part 2 of this NHL teams encyclopedia cover?
Part 2 is the second volume of an unofficial, fan-written reference that profiles the latter half of the league's 32 franchises. It dives into each team's history, culture, roster highlights, and fan community in the same depth as Part 1.
Which specific teams are included in Part 2?
The section covers franchises whose names fall roughly from M through Z alphabetically, including the Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Utah Hockey Club, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, and Winnipeg Jets.
How are these teams organized within the NHL's structure?
The NHL splits its 32 clubs into two conferences (Eastern and Western), each containing two four-team divisions. Part 2 teams are spread across all four divisions, meaning they compete in regular-season play against both intra-division and inter-division opponents within their conference.
Who are some of the most iconic figures tied to the Part 2 franchises?
Names that come up constantly include Sidney Crosby (Penguins), Connor McDavid (Oilers—though he sits on the Part 1 side), Patrick Roy (Canadiens), and Wayne Gretzky (Oilers). On the coaching and front-office side, figures like Mike Sullivan, Don Sweeney, and Marc Bergeon are frequently cited for shaping modern eras of their respective clubs.
Where should a brand-new fan start reading in Part 2?
The encyclopedia's suggested entry point is the 'Franchise at a Glance' box at the top of each team's page, which lists their arena, founding year, Stanley Cup count, and current division. From there, the 'Dynasties & Defining Seasons' subsection gives the shortest possible narrative of the club's identity before you dive into roster or draft history.
What are a few key structural facts a newcomer should know about these teams?
Every Part 2 franchise plays 82 regular-season games each year, with 56 of those against conference-mates. Each team is also subject to the salary cap, the 2023-24 cap sitting at $84.3 million, and must comply with a minimum of 18 skaters and two goaltenders on the active roster at all times.
What are some of the most notable historical moments tied to these franchises?
The 1993 Penguins' first-ever Cup, the 2015 Blackhawks' fifth title, and the 2023 Golden Knights' Cinderella run to the Finals all rank among the most-searched moments in this section. The 1970s Canadiens dynasty, in which Montreal won four straight Cups, is another era fans constantly reference.
How do the rivalries among Part 2 teams typically work?
The most heated matchups tend to be intra-divisional, such as Rangers-Islanders in the Metropolitan or Canucks-Kraken in the Pacific. Cross-conference rivalries are rarer but do exist, often rooted in playoff history or shared geography, like the long-standing tension between the Flyers and Penguins.
How does the playoff path work for the teams covered here?
The top two teams from each four-team division plus the two highest-seeded wild-card teams in each conference advance to a best-of-seven bracket. Part 2 teams can therefore meet either divisional rivals or wild-card opponents in the first round, with the conference finals pitting the two conference champions against each other before the Stanley Cup Finals.
How can fans keep up to date on the Part 2 teams throughout a season?
The encyclopedia notes that most fans track their favorite clubs through the NHL's official app, local radio broadcasts, and team-specific social-media channels. For deeper analysis, the site points readers toward the 'Season Recap' pages that this encyclopedia updates after each regular-season and playoff stretch.