For only the second time since the 1980s, an NHL team won its third Stanley Cup in a six-season span. This time, Chicago’s dynasty was established without even winning its division in the closest, most dynamic NHL season ever. And it came after a playoff season that was just as tense: For the first time in 15 years, both conference finals went seven games. Then, for only the second time in NHL history, the Stanley Cup Finals started with five one-goal games.

Neither last year’s Stanley Cup winner (Los Angeles), nor the President’s Cup winner (Boston) made the playoffs. It took 98 points to qualify in the East (Boston had 96) and 97 to qualify in the West (LA had 95). The 16 playoff teams were separated by only 16 points – the narrowest spread ever. The playoffs excluded five teams with at least 40 wins. Only four teams failed to get points in at least half their regular-season games.

Keeping things close were 34 sensational goalies who had save percentages of .910 or better, topped by Montreal’s Carey Price (.933) and 15 others at .920 or better. Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury had 10 shutouts, while Price and Washington’s Braden Holtby had nine each.

But the NHL always has its shooting stars. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin dominated with 53 goals, 25 on the power play. Steven Stamkos, the top gun on Tampa Bay, a Stanley Cup finalist and the highest-scoring team in the league, had 43. Rick Nash had 42 for the President’s Trophy-winning Rangers and 12 others scored at least 31 … Dallas’ Jamie Benn won the scoring title with a three-point game on the final day of the season. He finished one point ahead of the Islanders’ John Tavares and three ahead of Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby … Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom led the NHL with 60 assists, one more than Philadelphia’s Jakub Voracek.

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