NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America. It comprises 32 teams, split into two conferences, Eastern and Western. Each conference contains two divisions; the Eastern divisions are the Atlantic and Metropolitan, while the Western divisions are the Central and Pacific. Teams play an 82-game regular season, with the top 16 advancing to the Stanley Cup playoffs, a best-of-seven elimination tournament that culminates in the Stanley Cup Final.

The NHL traces its origins to 1917, formed in Montreal after the dissolution of the National Hockey Association. It expanded from Canada into the United States in the 1920s and has since grown to a large, multi-market league with franchises across North America. The league is governed by a board of governors composed of team owners, with a commissioner serving as the chief executive; Gary Bettman has held that post since 1993. A salary cap was introduced after the 2004-05 lockout to promote competitive balance. The league’s headquarters are in New York City.

The NHL features players from many countries and has pursued expansion and growth in new markets. Notable recent additions include the Seattle Kraken, which joined in 2021, and the Vegas Golden Knights, who began play in 2017. The Stanley Cup is the league’s championship trophy and is one of the most recognized prizes in professional sports. The NHL also awards annual honors to players and teams, such as the Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player), the Norris Trophy (top defenseman), and the Vezina Trophy (top goaltender).