The Best 10 Game Starts in NHL Season History

A scorching start through the first ten games of an NHL season often sets the tone for a dominant year.  We’re at that point of the schedule and two teams have accumulated 16 points through ten games.  The New Jersey Devils and the Utah Mammoth are 8-2 vaulting them to the top of their respective divisions.  But a fast start doesn’t always mean playoff success.  Here is a list of some of the best ten game starts in NHL history based on wins and points.

1. Buffalo Sabres, 2006-07: 10-0-0

The 2006-07 Sabres delivered one of the most electrifying stretches in league history to open the season. Ten straight wins featured a balanced attack led by Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, and Thomas Vanek at the height of their powers. Buffalo scored four or more goals in eight of those games, using speed and depth to overwhelm opponents in the early stages of the post-lockout era. The Sabres finished with the Presidents’ Trophy and reached the Eastern Conference Final where they would lose to the Senators in 5 games.  Their perfect 10-0-0 start remains a franchise benchmark.  

2. Toronto Maple Leafs, 1993-94: 10-0-0

Toronto fans still glow when recalling the start of the 1993-94 campaign. Ten straight wins brought hope of a championship run after falling just short the season before. Doug Gilmour continued his dominance, while Felix Potvin emerged as one of the best young goaltenders in the league. The Maple Leafs grinded out close games and relied heavily on strong defensive structure. Toronto eventually reached the Western Conference Final for a second consecutive season but were eliminated by the Vancouver Canucks.

3. New York Rangers, 1983-84: 9-1-0

The Rangers surprised the league with a 9-1-0 start behind Mike Rogers, Pierre Larouche, and Tomas Sandstrom. Scoring depth carried New York through multiple high-scoring games in an era defined by offense. The Rangers posted a 42–29–9 record and finished fourth in the Patrick Division but would eventually lose to the Islanders in the first round.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins, 1994-95: 8-1-1

A shortened season created urgency from the opening puck drop. Mario Lemieux was not playing that year due to health issues, yet Pittsburgh remained dangerous thanks to Jaromir Jagr and Ron Francis. They secured points in nine of ten games, scoring at a strong pace. The Penguins were still a postseason team, though not quite the force they had been earlier in the decade. Pittsburgh would lose in the second round to eventual Stanley Cup winners, the New Jersey Devils.

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5. Chicago Blackhawks, 2012-13: 10-0-0* start to overall points streak

Chicago’s 2012-13 beginning deserves a special mention. Officially they began 10-0-0 and then extended a points streak that reached 24 games, the best in NHL history to begin a season. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Duncan Keith paced the roster while Corey Crawford delivered elite goaltending. This was no fluke. The Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup, cementing their start as one of the greatest ever.

6. Colorado Avalanche, 2013-14: 9-1-0

The Avalanche shocked experts with a blistering first month under new head coach Patrick Roy. Nathan MacKinnon arrived as an impact rookie, Matt Duchene soared offensively, and goaltender Semyon Varlamov was nearly unbeatable early. Colorado finished first in the Central Division, though playoff results did not match expectations. Still, the early-season energy marked a turning point for the franchise.

7. Edmonton Oilers, 1984-85: 9-1-0

The 1984-85 Oilers are widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in hockey history. Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey destroyed the league with an offense few teams could contain. A 9-1-0 start was only the beginning of a championship season that saw Edmonton claim its second Stanley Cup. Their dominance throughout the year validated how frightening that early stretch felt for opposing coaches.

8. Montreal Canadiens, 2022-23: 9-1-0* start note: historically strong run

Montreal’s extremely fast start surprised a rebuilding fan base. Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki led the charge while the team bought into a modern, fast-paced style. Injuries and lack of depth eventually slowed the Canadiens, proving how quickly momentum can swing in the NHL. The first ten games remain a bright memory in a transitional era.

9. Detroit Red Wings, 2008-09: 8-1-1

Coming off a Stanley Cup win, Detroit wasted no time proving that its championship core was still hungry. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg drove the offense while Nicklas Lidstrom anchored the blueline. The Red Wings maintained elite form almost all season and returned to the Stanley Cup Final but would lose to the Penguins. Their early success reflected a polished, veteran group fully in sync.

10. Philadelphia Flyers, 1995-96: 8-1-1

Eric Lindros and John LeClair powered a punishing Flyers offense that bullied opponents right from opening night. Philadelphia thrived on physicality and puck pressure that set a tone across the league. They finished first in the Atlantic Division and reached the Eastern Conference Final. The 8-1-1 start became a statement that the Flyers had moved into the NHL’s elite tier.

Conclusion 

A quick start out of the gate doesn’t guarantee a Stanley Cup, although a few teams on the list did go on to win a title.   What it does is capture the attention and raise expectations for their fans and local markets.  When you look at a team like the Mammoth, who are in their second season in Utah, it has brought excitement to a new hockey market, something you know the league office is thrilled to see.