East Division (NHL) facts for kids
The East Division was a group of hockey teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) that existed from 1967 to 1974. Before this, the NHL only had one big division. After 1974, the league changed to a new setup with two main groups called conferences, each with two smaller divisions.
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Teams in the East Division
Many famous hockey teams were part of the East Division during its time:
- Montreal Canadiens (1967–74)
- New York Rangers (1967–74)
- Boston Bruins (1967–74)
- Chicago Black Hawks (1967–70)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (1967–74)
- Detroit Red Wings (1967–74)
- Buffalo Sabres (1970–74)
- Vancouver Canucks (1970–74)
- New York Islanders (1972–1974)
How Teams Performed (1968–74)
The teams in the East Division played many games each season. Their performance was tracked using points, wins, losses, and ties. Teams that did very well in the regular season earned a spot in the playoffs. The Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers were often at the top of the standings during these years.
For example, in the 1970–71 season, the Boston Bruins had an amazing year, winning 57 games and earning 121 points! The Montreal Canadiens also had a fantastic 1972–73 season, with 52 wins and 120 points.
Division Champions
The team that finished first in the East Division each year was known as the division champion.
Stanley Cup Champions from the East Division
Teams from the East Division were very strong! Many of them had been part of the "Original Six" teams in the NHL, which gave them a competitive edge for several years. They won the Stanley Cup (the NHL's championship trophy) every year the division existed:
- 1967–68 - Montreal Canadiens
- 1968–69 - Montreal Canadiens
- 1969–70 - Boston Bruins
- 1970–71 - Montreal Canadiens
- 1971–72 - Boston Bruins
- 1972–73 - Montreal Canadiens
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