Hockey might be the sport of blood, sweat, and frozen tears, but let’s not forget the dynasties that turned their opponents’ dreams into horrors on ice.
These teams didn’t just win—they stomped, slid, and slap-shotted their way into hockey immortality.
Whether it was a guy named Wayne scoring goals like it was his day job, or a team that thought, “Why stop at one Cup when you can have five?”—these are the NHL dynasties that left the rest of the league wondering if they’d ever get a chance to touch the Stanley Cup again.
The Best NFL Dynasties In History
Here are our top five NHL dynasties of all time – with their total wins and losses through their dynasty period, Stanley Cup wins, Finals appearances, and winning %.
1. Montreal Canadiens
1956–1979
- Stanley Cups Won: 10 (1956–1960, 1965–1966, 1968–1969, 1971, 1973, 1976–1979)
- Finals Made: 13
- Total Record: 870-319-291
- Winning Percentage: .698
The Canadiens’ top our list of the NHL’s best dynasties, owning the league from the mid-1950s through the late 1970s.
Led by legends Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Jean Beliveau, and Guy Lafleur, the Canadiens won 10 Stanley Cups in a span of 24 years, including five stright championships from 1956 to 1960.
Montreal’s excellence was marked by skill, speed, and a deep roster that few teams could match.
During this era, the Canadiens also made 13 Stanley Cup Finals appearances, further cementing their legacy as our greatest dynasty in NHL history.
2. Edmonton Oilers
1983–1990
- Stanley Cups Won: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)
- Finals Made: 6
- Total Record: 398-185-77
- Winning Percentage: .673
The Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s were a powerhouse, driven by one of the most talented rosters in NHL history.
Led by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey, the Oilers changed the game with their fast-paced, high-scoring style of play.
Edmonton won five Stanley Cups in seven years, including back-to-back championships in 1984 and 1985, and again in 1987 and 1988.
These Oilers’ weren’t just about offense—they were a complete team with outstanding goaltending from Grant Fuhr and defense led by Coffey and Kevin Lowe.
Gretzky’s departure in 1988 didn’t stop the Oilers, as they added another Cup in 1990, solidifying their place as one of the NHL’s greatest dynasties.
3. New York Islanders
1980–1984
- Stanley Cups Won: 4 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)
- Finals Made: 5
- Total Record: 232-103-65
- Winning Percentage: .665
The New York Islanders’ in the early 1980s were one of the best squads in NHL history, as the team won four straight Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983.
Under head coach Al Arbour, the Islanders were a well-balanced team with stars like Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, and Denis Potvin leading the charge.
The Islanders made the Finals five times in a row, losing only in their fifth attempt in 1984.
Their ability to control both ends of the ice, with elite goaltending of Billy Smith, made them nearly unbeatable during their peak years.
4. Detroit Red Wings
1997–2008
- Stanley Cups Won: 4 (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008)
- Finals Made: 6
- Total Record: 668-306-120
- Winning Percentage: .660]
The Detroit Red Wings’ of the late 1990s and early 2000s were defined by sustained success and excellence.
Led by Hall of Famers Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Sergei Fedorov, the Red Wings won four Stanley Cups in an 11-year span.
Their back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998 made them the team to beat, and they added two more Cups in 2002 and 2008 with a total of six Finals appearances.
The Red Wings’ ability to draft and develop talent, along with savvy veteran acquisitions, allowed them to remain contenders for over a decade.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
1947–1951
- Stanley Cups Won: 4 (1947, 1948, 1949, 1951)
- Finals Made: 4
- Total Record: 129-82-39
- Winning Percentage: .600
The Toronto Maple Leafs of the late 1940s and early 1950s were a force, winning four Stanley Cups in five seasons.
Under coach Hap Day and captain Ted Kennedy, the Leafs became the first team in NHL history to win three straight Stanley Cups (1947–1949).
Toronto’s success was built on the goaltending of Turk Broda, scoring from Kennedy and Max Bentley, and a stout defense.
Their fourth Stanley Cup in 1951 came after a thrilling overtime goal by Bill Barilko, adding to the team’s legacy as one of the great early dynasties in NHL history.
Best NFL Dynasties Ever Statistics
Here’s a quick look at the top five NHL dynasties of all time, highlighting their impressive Stanley Cups, Finals appearances, total records, and winning percentages.
| Team | St. Cups | Finals | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadiens (1956–1979) | 10 | 13 | 870-319-291 | .698 |
| Oilers (1983–1990) | 5 | 6 | 398-185-77 | .673 |
| Islanders (1980–1984) | 4 | 5 | 232-103-65 | .665 |
| Red Wings (1997–2008) | 4 | 6 | 668-306-120 | .660 |
| Maple Leafs (1947–1951) | 4 | 4 | 129-82-39 | .600 |
Our five NHL dynasties smashed their eras, using talent, teamwork, and consistency to bring home multiple Stanley Cups and Finals appearances.
From the Canadiens’ dominance, the Oilers’ high-flying offense, or the Islanders’ balanced attack, these teams changed what it meant to be a dynasty in the NHL.
Check out our best MLB dynasties of all-time and the best NFL dynasties ever.
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