Across different eras, only a small group of teams managed to extend winning runs deep into the regular season. These streaks were shaped by roster balance, consistent goaltending, and stretches of the schedule that tested depth.

The longest winning streaks remain part of the NHL record book, marking moments when teams combined timing, structure, and performance to produce runs that still stand among the league’s most notable achievements.

Pittsburgh Penguins and their unmatched 17-game win streak

The most consecutive wins in NHL history belong to the 1992–93 Pittsburgh Penguins, who recorded 17 straight regular-season victories from March 9 to April 10, 1993. That run remains the league’s longest winning streak on record and stands as a benchmark for team consistency and performance over a condensed stretch of play.

Led by future Hall of Famers like Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Ron Francis, the Penguins dominated opponents during this span, combining elite scoring with tight defensive play.

The run not only set a league-wide record but also reflected the era’s high-octane style of hockey, with Pittsburgh finishing the season with 56 wins and 119 points. Despite the record’s longevity, it still casts a long shadow over subsequent attempts.

Across decades, no other franchise has surpassed the Penguins’ 17-game mark, underscoring how difficult sustained regular-season dominance can be even for elite teams.

Close contenders: Teams that came within one win of NHL history

Several clubs have approached Pittsburgh’s mark without surpassing it. Notably, the Columbus Blue Jackets posted a 16-game winning streak during the 2016–17 season, showcasing one of the most explosive regular-season runs in recent memory. That streak propelled them into playoff contention and highlighted the growth of a franchise that had struggled in its early years.

The Edmonton Oilers also recorded a 16-game run in 2023–24, tying Columbus’s total and reflecting a powerful offensive era built around superstars like Connor McDavid. This performance marked the Oilers’ best winning stretch in modern history and one of the closest attempts to break the all-time record.

Beyond the top two, a handful of teams have registered remarkable streaks that still stand among the longest in league history. The New York Islanders of 1981–82 and the Penguins again in 2012–13 each posted 15-game winning streaks, extending their place near the top of the all-time list.

The Boston Bruins appear multiple times among the longest streaks, with a 14-game run during the early 20th century, demonstrating that deep runs aren’t limited to one era.

Similarly, the Washington Capitals and others have recorded streaks of 14 games or more, proving that while Pittsburgh’s mark remains exceptional, wide stretches of dominance have surfaced across generations.

Head coach Craig Berube offered an update hours before the matchup, highlighting Matthews’ progress while confirming that a return is not imminent. The team is also managing several other injuries to key players.

“Matthews is coming along,” Berube told the media following Wednesday’s practice. “He’s improving. Obviously, he won’t play tomorrow (today).” Matthews originally left the Boston contest midway through the second period after a hit from Nikita Zadorov, though Berube later clarified the injury occurred earlier in the game.

Matthews’ recovery and team context

The 28-year-old forward has recorded nine goals and five assists in 17 games this season. Last year, he was limited to 33 goals in 67 games due to an upper-body issue, making his availability critical for Toronto’s offensive output.

General manager Brad Treliving echoed Berube’s update, emphasizing ongoing progress without committing to a return date. “I would suspect Thursday’s probably not a possibility. I don’t anticipate too, too long,” Treliving said.

In addition to Matthews, the Maple Leafs are navigating absences for Matthew Knies, Brandon Carlo, Chris Tanev, Anthony Stolarz, and Nicolas Roy. Berube noted that Scott Laughton may be available, while Sammy Blais appears cleared after leaving Tuesday’s win over the St. Louis Blues following a heavy hit.

What’s next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs will host the Blue Jackets on Thursday, with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET. As they wrap up the homestand, Toronto will aim to manage a depleted lineup. Final roster decisions are expected closer to game time.

Werenski, who has 119 goals and 281 assists in 587 games, became the first defenseman in Blue Jackets history to reach 400 points. The accomplishment came during a tough schedule, as Columbus had landed in Winnipeg at 3 a.m. ET following a shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens the previous night.

Reflecting on the milestone, Werenski remained humble, emphasizing the broader team context. “Obviously, it’s better when you win, but you gotta enjoy some of the milestones along the way. I’ve been fortunate enough to play with good players here on good teams. I love it here, so I’ll take the 400 and enjoy it,” he said, according to NHL insider Jeff Svoboda.

How does Werenski’s milestone impact the Blue Jackets’ season?

While individual achievements are notable, the Blue Jackets struggled to maintain consistency against a well-rested Jets squad. Goals from Adam Lowry, Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Kyle Connor, and Logan Stanley, combined with 20 saves from goalie Eric Comrie, secured the win for Winnipeg.

What challenges lie ahead for Columbus after the setback?

Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason acknowledged the difficulties of back-to-back travel and inconsistent play. “It just seemed like every time we had a little push, then it sagged again on us a little bit. We’ll have a look at the tape and figure that out,” he said, according to NHL.com. Columbus will aim to build on the positive moments, with Werenski’s milestone offering a silver lining amid a demanding schedule.

Jack Roslovic sealed the win 56 seconds into overtime after Jake Walman scored short-handed at 19:02 to tie the game. Walman’s shot deflected off Zach Werenski and found the back of the net past Jet Greaves, keeping the Oilers’ comeback hopes alive.

“The group likes to put itself in a tough spot and just when you think it’s a tough spot, we go a little bit further,” Connor McDavid admitted, according to NHL.com. “Then we decide it’s time to go. We stuck with it. We put ourselves in a tough spot, but we’re good at coming from behind.”

How did McDavid spark the comeback?

Down 4-2 in the third period, McDavid scored just 58 seconds in on an individual rush, spinning past Denton Mateychuk and backhanding the puck past Greaves. Later, he scored again to cut the deficit to one and energize the Oilers for the late push. McDavid now has four goals during his scoring streak and has extended his point streak to five games, totaling four goals and six assists.

Jake Walman and Roslovic each had an assist on the tying and overtime goals, while Stuart Skinner made 15 saves for Edmonton, ending a three-game skid (0-2-1).

Coach praises McDavid’s determination

“Connor wasn’t going to let us lose tonight, he was so focused on getting the job done,” said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. “He had an incredible night, two fabulous goals, but there was just so much determination to his game.”

The Columbus Blue Jackets know the clock is ticking for them in the NHL. Though the franchise in Ohio has managed to settle the drama with forward Yegor Chinakhov, he still wants out of the Discovery City. The Blue Jackets are knocking on doors, but it seems no one is answering to their calls. Perhaps, they are looking desperate, and no team wants to hand them a lifesaver.

The Red Wings and Panthers may fit right into that category. According to reports, neither franchise plans to surround Kane or Marchand—respectively—with the 24-year-old Russian, at least not at the current price set by Columbus.

If the price drops, or if Detroit and Florida find themselves under more pressure, their answer might change. For now, they’re staying put. At the end of the day, the Blue Jackets are sitting on borrowed time, so there’s no reason for the Wings or Cats to take the weight off Columbus’s shoulders.

“Several teams have recently kicked the tires on Yegor Chinakhov, 24, who still wants out of Columbus, including the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings,” insider Pierre LeBrun reported on The Athletic.

New phone, who this?

Chinakhov raised alarms in Columbus during the summer as his agent Shumi Babaev went public with his client’s trade request. Since, Chinakhov has switched agents, as he is now represented by Rick Komarow.

Still, it might be old wine in new bottles. With Komarow in charge, Chinakhov’s intentions remain the same. He still wants out of Columbus, and The Athletic reports the Blue Jackets have given his new agent permission to talk business with the rest of the NHL. So far, however, it’s been to no avail.

Give it time

It’s still very early in the NHL season. Many organizations are keeping their cards close to the chest, but give it time and true intentions will come to light. For now, Columbus must play the waiting game. Still, much can change as the season progresses. Teams like the Panthers and Red Wings could find themselves under pressure later on and might have second thoughts about shutting the door on Chinakhov.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets forward may continue his upward trend—he scored his first two goals of the season in back-to-back games on Oct. 25 and 28. Additionally, Chinakhov recorded his first multi-point performance in over a year, with fans having to go back to Oct. 13, 2024, for his last two-point night in the NHL. Who knows? Maybe similar performances could change Chinakhov’s mind about playing for Dean Evason and calling The Arch City home.

The relationship between Yegor Chinakhov, Dean Evason, and the Blue Jackets overcame some tense weeks during the NHL offseason. However, the latest announcement regarding the 24-year-old forward might turn back the clock and bring drama back to the Discovery City.

“Dean Evason confirms Yegor Chinakhov will be a healthy scratch for Thursday’s opener,” as reported by The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. “Said he met with Chinakhov late in the preseason to make sure they were on the same page.”

Time will tell

Evason made it clear he spoke with Chinakhov beforehand to avoid him being taken aback by the sudden change in the team’s plans. While the Russian winger might have made his peace with the decision, it could bring past tensions back to the surface in the Biggest Small Town of America.

Lineup

With Chinakhov serving as a healthy scratch for the upcoming debut against the Nashville Predators, we take a look at who the Blue Jackets will dress for their season opener on October 9.

• Dmitry Voronkov – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko
• Boone Jenner – Adam Fantili – Cole Sillinger
• Kent Johnson – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier
• Zach Aston-Reese – Isac Lundestrom – Miles Wood

Defensive pairings

• Zach Werenski – Dante Fabbro
• Ivan Provorov – Damon Severson
• Denton Mateychuk – Erik Gudbranson

Goaltending

• Elvis Merzlikins (starter)
• Jet Greaves

The Blue Jackets have seemingly weathered the storm. It felt like drama would wreak havoc in Discovery City after Chinakhov asked to be shipped off. However, the situation has been kept in check by the Jackets, and things are beginning to feel normal again in town.

Still, that doesn’t mean Chinakhov isn’t keeping a close eye on any opportunity that may open up elsewhere in the NHL. Nor does it imply the Blue Jackets are letting go of what happened in the summer—namely, Evason, who was called out by Chinakhov and his agent, Shumi Babaev. Regardless, the head coach delivered a sincere message on the situation.

“I told [Chinakhov] there’s no grudge,” Evason admitted in conversation with The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. “I don’t care that he asked to be traded and that he said something publicly. It’s OK. Nothing has changed as far as how I’m going to treat him.”

Same old

Chinakhov’s main reason for seeking a new beginning in the NHL was the lack of ice time he was getting with Columbus. After a strong start to the 2024-25 season, injuries set him back, and he was slid down to third-line duties. As a result, he blamed Evason for the lack of trust. Now, with both sides set to stick together, Evason issued a stern reminder.

“If you don’t compete, and if you don’t do the things the organization asks you to do, you won’t play. If you do, you’ll play,” Evason added. “I will not hold a grudge. I’m not ehre to badmouth you about saying something. That has no bearing.”

Take him up on that promise

Just months ago, it felt the trust between Chinakhov and Evason was broken to pieces. However, there are signs of hope for fans in Columbus. The mature talks between the two are a great starting point, with Chinakhov voicing a sincere promise.

“[Chinakhov told me] ‘If I’m not going to play, I don’t want to [be] here. But I’ll do everything to play here‘,” Evason revealed on his conversation with the 24-year-old Russian forward.

Off to a promising start

If anything, Evason and the Blue Jackets have high expectations for Chinakhov as he enters his fifth NHL campaign. The winger is excited to prove himself to the organization and can’t wait for the season to get underway. At least, that’s how it seems, as he was the first Russian to return from the break and report back to Columbus’ facility.

“I do [read into the fact he was the first player back from Europe], 100 percent. We were talking earlier this summer, like, ‘Is he even going to come to camp?’ You don’t know,” Evason admitted to The Athletic. “But he’s here and looks great physically, so we’ll see.”

The next step, if Chinakhov has a productive season, would be to negotiate a contract extension with the pending restricted free agent (RFA). However, Columbus won’t get too far ahead of itself. For the time being, having the former first-round pick in town is a great sign—and more than enough.

For starters, the buzz around Chinakhov isn’t as loud. It seems the Russian forward’s hurry to skip town has wavered. That’s not to say all is forgiven and he wants to stay in Columbus for the long run, but the Blue Jackets have weathered the storm.

On that note, Laine’s rushed exit from Columbus is reportedly not being replicated by Chinakhov and his camp. As it stands, the player and club are working towards making ends meet. In the NHL, trades can never truly be ruled out, but this one seems less likely now than it did back in July.

“This situation, aside from some comments by Chinakhov’s agent, has not reached a point of no return,” Aaron Portzline stated on The New York Times. “It certainly hasn’t become as acrimonious as some previous trade requests, like that of Pierre-Luc Dubois and, most recently, Patrik Laine.”

Work to do

While there are positive signs, there are still some matters that need addressing in Columbus. Chinakhov (through his agent, Shumi Babaev) made his displeasure with head coach Dean Evason crystal clear. The trust and relationship between the two will take more work to be fully repaired.

“If he stays, we’d have to sit down and make sure everybody’s on the same page,” Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell admitted to The Athletic. “Regardless of where he plays, he’s going to be a restricted free agent, and I know he wants to stay in North America and make an NHL salary.”

Not his place to discuss

Waddell went as far as to admit his latest interactions with Chinakhov have been limited to trading formalities in the hallway. No serious talks about the future have been held between the general manager and the 24-year-old winger. Whatever it’s to discuss, it will be done strictly with Babaev, and not the player himself.

Still, the Blue Jackets are pleased with what they are seeing from Chinakhov. “Him being here early is a very positive sign,” Waddell said about the forward, who was the first Russian on the roster to return from the Motherland to Arch City ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.

It seems Chinakhov can’t wait for the NHL season to get underway. Whether he’ll play with a chip on his shoulder to prove something to Evason and company, or simply use this as a chance to wipe the slate clean, remains to be seen. For now, Columbus is hopeful things will work out for the best.

The good news for him—and for the rest of his teammates—is that in the last few hours, the arrival of a new defenseman has been confirmed, a player who could become a key piece on Dean Evason’s blue line.

According to an announcement made by Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell, former Minnesota Wild defenseman Daemon Hunt has signed a one-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract for the 2025-26 season.

“Daemon Hunt is a good, young two-way defenseman that plays a smart and controlled game,” said Waddell via NHL.com. “His signing provides us important additional organizational depth on our blue line.”

Although he signed with the Blue Jackets, Hunt has yet to secure a spot on the NHL roster and could begin the season with their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.

Looking to build on last season’s performance

After a surprisingly competitive 2024-25 season where they finished fourth in the Metropolitan Division, just two points shy of a playoff spot, the Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to build on that momentum. Under General Manager Don Waddell, the team has made a few strategic moves, though none of the big splash acquisitions some fans were hoping for.

The team’s biggest offseason additions came via trade, acquiring forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood from the Colorado Avalanche, along with Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild, to bolster their depth. While the team largely stood pat in free agency, it did sign Isac Lundestrom to one-year deals. Columbus is now relying on continued development from its young core, including Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko, and Zach Werenski, who finished second among all NHL defensemen with 82 points last season.

The hope is that the added depth, combined with an expected rise from their young stars and a potential breakout season from goaltender Jet Greaves, will be enough to finally push the Blue Jackets back into the postseason conversation in a tough Eastern Conference.

One of Toronto’s main objectives is to improve offensive depth and avoid relying solely on Matthews’ elite production, especially in postseason scenarios. That’s why the franchise is looking to make further moves to maintain high expectations.

One name being floated in a potential sign-and-trade deal is none other than Robertson, who recently signed a one-year, $1.825 million contract, avoiding arbitration. The forward’s role has been uncertain, and his name has surfaced in multiple trade rumors.

Will there be a trade between the Blue Jackets and the Maple Leafs?

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet broke down a proposal on Hockey Patrol that would send Robertson to the Maple Leafs in exchange for former Columbus first-round pick Yegor Chinakhov. “I don’t know, I think Toronto would have to do more to get that done,” the reporter revealed.

According to Friedman, a straight 1-for-1 deal “isn’t enough,” and Toronto would need to add more assets to make the trade happen. This reflects the Leafs’ urgent need to replace Marner’s production and their known willingness to move Robertson.

What would Chinakhov bring to Toronto?

Chinakhov would add a quality boost to Toronto’s offense. The 24-year-old forward was selected 21st overall by Columbus in the 2020 draft and has recorded 71 points (34 goals and 37 assists) across 175 career NHL regular-season games. Last season, he appeared in 30 games for the Blue Jackets, tallying 7 goals, 8 assists, and 15 points.

Yegor Chinakhov may have requested a trade out of the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the organization in Ohio won’t just give him away. Any NHL franchise interested in the young talent will have to submit an offer worth Columbus’ while.

The Maple Leafs have emerged as a potential landing spot for the disgruntled Russian forward in Discovery City. However, acquiring Chinakhov won’t be easy, and Columbus won’t let it be, either. It may take more from Matthews’ Buds than a simple one-for-one deal involving recently re-signed youngster Nicholas Robertson. Or so an insider believes.

“One Columbus fan asked me if Chinakhov for Robertson made sense. I don’t know, I think Toronto would have to do more to get that done,” Elliotte Friedman reported on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.

Won’t be idle for long

English rock band, Oasis, might have sung about ‘The Importance of Being Idle‘, but Toronto is seemingly giving that statement a twist for its own benefit. As Friedman suggested, the Maple Leafs aren’t done building their 2025-26 roster.

Right now, it seems Toronto must part ways with pieces, rather than bring in new ones. Perhaps acting dormant, the Buds haven’t sold their act to the rest of the NHL, and moves are to be expected in Hogtown.

“I definitely think the Maple Leafs have work to do here,” Friedman added. “I don’t know what their timeline is, but nobody expects them not to do things before puck drops, that’s for sure…We know with Toronto, the Leafs are trying to move money around.”

Sign-and-trade—sound familiar?

The Maple Leafs finally put pen to paper on an extension for Robertson. The 23-year-old was the last remaining RFA to file for salary arbitration and not re-sign. Now, the two parties have settle—but drama clearly hasn’t.

Indeed, the former second-round pick has agreed to terms with the Buds—but that doesn’t mean he’ll be joining Matthews and company come October. As things stand, his place in the lineup is far from guaranteed.

Robertson craves job security and a steady role in an NHL lineup, but that’s something Toronto can’t offer right now. A trade might be in everyone’s best interest. Where to? Many destinations are in the mix, but the Pittsburgh Penguins could be casting a hopeful eye his way.

“A couple of people asked me about the possibility of Robertson in Pittsburgh. Just because, obviously, Kyle Dubas knows him,” Friedman concluded. “The Leafs got the arbitration settled on a one-year, $1.825 deal. The Leafs need to clear some bodies there, they’ve got a lot of them.”