Which NHL team became the first to win 60 games in one regular season?

The Montreal Canadiens became the first NHL team to win 60 games in one regular season. They finished 60–8–12 in 1976–77, setting a league benchmark during one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.

Montreal’s 60 victories came in an 80-game schedule. The team was led by head coach Scotty Bowman and featured stars including Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, Yvan Cournoyer, and Bob Gainey.

The Canadiens also won the Stanley Cup that season, defeating the Boston Bruins in four straight games in the Final. Their combination of regular-season dominance and playoff success made the campaign especially memorable.

The 60-win mark is different from the NHL record for points or the best points percentage. Schedule length, overtime rules, and the introduction of shootouts affect comparisons across eras, so historical season records must be read in context.