The 2014–15 season was the 98th season of operation (the 97th season of play) of the National Hockey League. Thirty clubs each played an 82-game regular-season schedule that began in October 2014 and concluded in April 2015. The campaign set the stage for the postseason, with the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs running through mid‑June and culminating in the championship series.

Format and competition

Teams were divided into two conferences and four divisions, following the NHL’s standard alignment of the era. Clubs earned points in the regular season for wins and overtime/shootout losses, and the top three finishers in each division, plus two wild-card teams per conference, qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The postseason used a best‑of‑seven series format in each round leading to the Stanley Cup Final.

Regular season highlights

The regular season produced close divisional races, individual scoring races, and notable goaltending performances. Several players reached personal milestones and some clubs stood out for their consistency and depth. The league’s leading point scorer and the major individual award winners received widespread attention as recognition for their seasons.

Playoffs and outcome

The 2015 playoffs began in April and progressed through four rounds of best‑of‑seven matchups. The Chicago Blackhawks captured the Stanley Cup, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Final. Chicago’s triumph added another title to a successful decade for the franchise, and a veteran player was named the playoffs’ most valuable performer. The championship-clinching game took place in mid‑June, bringing the season to a close.

Notable awards and facts

  • The season identified league leaders in scoring, goaltending, and defensive play; top performers received trophies that recognize regular-season excellence.
  • Chicago’s 2015 Cup win made it one of several teams to earn multiple championships in the 2010s era.
  • The season is catalogued among the NHL’s long historical line, listed as the league’s 98th season of operation in official records (season summary).

For season records, statistical leaders, full playoff brackets, and the list of award recipients, consult comprehensive season summaries and official league resources. See also the 2015 Stanley Cup information and team pages for deeper game-by-game coverage (Stanley Cup details, Chicago Blackhawks).