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The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America, composed of 31 teams located in the United States and Canada. The league is considered to be the premier professional ice hockey league in the world and is recognized as one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America.

History and Format

The NHL was established in 1917 in Montreal, Canada, after the suspension of the National Hockey Association (NHA). The league initially started with four teams and has grown over the years, currently featuring 31 teams across North America. The league operates on a franchise system, with each team being owned and operated independently.

The NHL regular season typically begins in October and ends in April, with each team playing a total of 82 games. The top sixteen teams, eight from each conference (Eastern and Western), qualify for the playoffs which culminate in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Stanley Cup is awarded to the team that wins the playoffs, the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.

Teams

The NHL has 31 teams consisting of 24 teams from the United States and 7 teams from Canada. The teams are divided into two conferences, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference has four divisions consisting of 8 teams.

The current teams in the NHL are:

• Eastern Conference:
• Atlantic Division: Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Metropolitan Division: Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals.
• Western Conference:
• Central Division: Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets.
• Pacific Division: Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights.

Players and Statistics

The NHL is home to some of the world’s best ice hockey players, including renowned athletes such as Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Mario Lemieux. The league also includes a range of international players, including those from Europe, Russia, and Canada.

NHL players are subject to a salary cap, which limits each team’s expenditure on player salaries. Each team must adhere to the salary cap rules, which change annually.

The NHL keeps extensive statistics on player achievements and milestones, including goals, assists, points, goaltender saves, and shutouts. These statistics are used to determine team and individual awards, including the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the top points scorer in the league, and the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender in the league.

In Conclusion

The National Hockey League is a world-class professional sports league featuring some of the world’s best ice hockey players. With a rich history spanning over a century, the NHL continues to attract fans from around the world who enjoy thrilling competition, exciting games, and memorable moments.