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NHL was formed
A sreies of disputes in the NHA caused for its suspention and the formation of the NHL. -
First Games
The first game was played three weeks after the creation of the league. The Montreal canadiens played the Ottawa senators and the canadiens won with a 7-4 victory over the senators. -
The league nearly collapsed
The nhl was only a three team league in the begining. The three teams were the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, and the Ottawa Senators. When the Montreal Arena burned down it caused the Montreal Canadiens to find a new stadium and the Montreal Wanderers to cease operations. -
The Original Six
In the 1942-43 season the league was reduced to six teams known as the original 6, They were the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Detroit Redwings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Chicago Blackhawks. -
Hockey night in canada
The CBC airs hockey night in canada which is a canadian tradition that dates back to 1952. It is the branding used for the CBC presentations of the national hockey league. There are special segments during the intermissions of the games such as Don cherrys coach's corner. -
Expansion
The NHL were scared that the western hockey league would declare itself a major league and challenge for the stanley cup.That forced NHL to undertake its first expansion since the 1920s. The league doubled in size for the 1967–68 season, adding the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, California Seals and St. Louis Blues. -
Two teams added
Canadians were upset that all six teams were placed in the United States and the league responded by adding the Vancouver Canucks in 1970 along with the Buffalo Sabres. -
NHL reached 18 teams
Two years later, the founding of the newly founded World Hockey Association made the league add the New York Islanders and Atlanta Flames to keep the rival league out of those markets. In 1974, the Washington Capitals and Kansas City Scouts were added giving the NHL 18 teams. -
NHL absorb WHA teams.
1979 merger agreement forced the WHA to cease operations while the NHL absorbed the Winnepeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques. -
The first Heratige Classic
It is a series of NHL games played outdoors. It is the Canadien counterpart of the American Winter Classic. The first one was played in Edmonton. It was between the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens. -
First winter classic
The first winter classic was played on january 1st in 2008. It is a hockey game played once a year outdoors on a frozen field. In 2008 the Buffalo Saberes played thr Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
