Test Your Hockey Knowledge with NHL Trivia
Looking for NHL trivia questions that work for beginners and serious hockey fans? This 50-question interactive quiz moves from easy hockey basics into Stanley Cup history, all-time records, famous teams, players and tougher league-history challenges.
Choose an answer for every question and check your score at the end. Each answer includes a short explanation, making the page useful for game night, a pub quiz, classroom-style practice or a solo hockey challenge.
This is the evergreen NHL trivia quiz in our hockey series. Current-season stories and specialist topics are kept on separate pages, so this set can stay focused on lasting NHL knowledge without duplicating the 2026 quiz.
Want to test yourself? Select one answer for each question and avoid opening the optional answer explanations while you play. When you reach the end, tap “See Answers & My Score” to reveal all correct answers, explanations, and your final result automatically.
- ✔ Easy NHL and hockey basics
- ✔ Stanley Cup trivia and championship history
- ✔ All-time NHL records and famous players
- ✔ Teams, franchises and Original Six history
- ✔ Hard NHL trivia, legends and league milestones
Easy NHL Trivia Questions (Q1–10)
EASY NHL TRIVIAStart with approachable NHL and hockey basics before moving into championship history and harder record questions.
1. How many periods are played in a standard NHL regulation game?
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Correct Answer: B — 3 — An NHL regulation game is divided into three 20-minute periods. If the score is tied, overtime rules determine what happens next.
2. What is the name of the trophy awarded to the NHL playoff champion?
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Correct Answer: B — Stanley Cup — The Stanley Cup is awarded to the NHL playoff champion and is one of the most recognizable trophies in professional sports.
3. Which of these teams is one of the NHL’s Original Six?
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Correct Answer: C — New York Rangers — The Rangers are part of the Original Six group that also includes Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal and Toronto.
4. Which NHL franchise has won the most Stanley Cup championships?
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Correct Answer: C — Montreal Canadiens — Montreal leads NHL franchises in Stanley Cup championships, making the Canadiens a central part of league history.
5. Which hockey legend is famously known as “The Great One”?
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Correct Answer: B — Wayne Gretzky — Gretzky earned the nickname while setting a long list of NHL scoring records, including the career points mark.
6. In what year was the National Hockey League founded?
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Correct Answer: B — 1917 — The NHL was formed in Montreal in November 1917 and began play with a small group of Canadian clubs.
7. How many goals does a player score in a traditional hat trick?
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Correct Answer: B — 3 — A hat trick means one player scores three goals in the same game.
8. What is a shutout in hockey?
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Correct Answer: B — A goalie allows no goals — A goaltender earns a shutout when the opposing team finishes the game without scoring.
9. Which position normally protects the net?
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Correct Answer: C — Goaltender — The goaltender is the last line of defense and is responsible for stopping shots from entering the net.
10. What is the maximum number of skaters a team normally has on the ice at even strength, not counting the goalie?
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Correct Answer: B — 5 — At standard even strength, a team uses five skaters—typically three forwards and two defensemen—plus one goaltender.
Stanley Cup Trivia Questions (Q11–20)
STANLEY CUP TRIVIATest your knowledge of the Stanley Cup, championship teams and memorable title runs from NHL history.
11. The Stanley Cup is named after which historical figure?
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Correct Answer: A — Lord Stanley of Preston — Frederick Arthur Stanley donated the trophy that became the Stanley Cup while serving as Governor General of Canada.
12. Which team won the Stanley Cup in 2023?
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Correct Answer: B — Vegas Golden Knights — Vegas defeated Florida in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final to win the first championship in franchise history.
13. Which team won the Stanley Cup in 2022?
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Correct Answer: A — Colorado Avalanche — Colorado defeated Tampa Bay in the 2022 Final to capture the franchise’s third Stanley Cup championship.
14. Which NHL team won five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956 through 1960?
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Correct Answer: B — Montreal Canadiens — Montreal’s five straight championships remain one of the defining dynasties in NHL history.
15. Which U.S.-based NHL team became the first to win the Stanley Cup?
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Correct Answer: A — Boston Bruins — Boston won the Stanley Cup in 1929, becoming the first United States-based NHL club to capture the trophy.
16. Which team did the Vegas Golden Knights defeat in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final?
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Correct Answer: B — Florida Panthers — Vegas beat Florida in five games to secure the Golden Knights’ first Stanley Cup.
17. Which team did the Colorado Avalanche defeat in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final?
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Correct Answer: A — Tampa Bay Lightning — Colorado ended Tampa Bay’s bid for a third straight championship by winning the 2022 Final in six games.
18. Which player won a record 11 Stanley Cup championships during his NHL career?
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Correct Answer: B — Henri Richard — Richard won 11 Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens between 1956 and 1973, the most championships won by any player in NHL history.
19. Which franchise won its first Stanley Cup championship in 2018?
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Correct Answer: A — Washington Capitals — Washington defeated Vegas in the 2018 Final to win the first Stanley Cup in Capitals history.
20. Which franchise won its first Stanley Cup championship in 2019?
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Correct Answer: A — St. Louis Blues — St. Louis defeated Boston in seven games in the 2019 Final to earn the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
NHL Records & Famous Players (Q21–30)
NHL RECORDSThese questions focus on record holders, scoring milestones and players whose numbers shaped NHL history.
21. Who holds the NHL record for most career regular-season goals?
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Correct Answer: B — Alex Ovechkin — Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky’s former record of 894 goals in April 2025 and became the NHL’s career goals leader.
22. Who is the NHL’s all-time career points leader?
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Correct Answer: A — Wayne Gretzky — Gretzky finished his NHL career with 2,857 regular-season points, the highest total in league history.
23. Who holds the NHL record for most points in a single regular season?
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Correct Answer: B — Wayne Gretzky — Gretzky recorded 215 points for Edmonton in 1985–86, the NHL single-season record.
24. Who scored the fastest hat trick in NHL history?
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Correct Answer: C — Bill Mosienko — Mosienko scored three goals in 21 seconds for Chicago in 1952, the fastest hat trick in NHL history.
25. Who holds the NHL record for most career regular-season assists?
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Correct Answer: A — Wayne Gretzky — Gretzky recorded 1,963 regular-season assists, another of his major career scoring records.
26. Who holds the NHL record for most goals in a single regular season?
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Correct Answer: B — Wayne Gretzky — Gretzky scored 92 goals for Edmonton in 1981–82, the NHL single-season record.
27. Which player scored 50 goals in just 39 games during the 1981–82 season?
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Correct Answer: B — Wayne Gretzky — Gretzky reached 50 goals in his 39th game of the 1981–82 season, one of the most famous scoring feats in NHL history.
28. Which player finished his NHL career with 2,857 regular-season points?
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Correct Answer: B — Wayne Gretzky — Gretzky’s 2,857 points remain the NHL career record and include 894 goals and 1,963 assists.
29. Who is the all-time leading scorer for the Washington Capitals?
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Correct Answer: C — Alexander Ovechkin — Ovechkin holds virtually every offensive record in Washington Capitals history, including goals, points, and games played. He is simply the greatest scorer in the franchise's history.
30. Who holds the NHL record for most career regular-season games played?
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Correct Answer: A — Patrick Marleau — Marleau played 1,779 regular-season games, passing Gordie Howe in 2021 to become the NHL's career leader in games played.
NHL Teams & Franchise History (Q31–40)
NHL TEAMSMove through Original Six clubs, expansion franchises, relocations, arenas and team history.
For a challenge devoted entirely to clubs, cities, divisions, identities and relocation history, try the NHL team trivia questions and answers quiz.
31. Which franchise joined the NHL as an expansion team in 2021?
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Correct Answer: B — Seattle Kraken — Seattle began NHL play in the 2021–22 season as the league’s 32nd franchise.
32. Which NHL team relocated to eventually become the Arizona Coyotes?
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Correct Answer: A — Winnipeg Jets (original) — The original Winnipeg Jets franchise moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1996, and the team was eventually rebranded as the Arizona Coyotes. A new Winnipeg Jets expansion team was added later.
33. Which city was home to the Quebec Nordiques before the franchise moved and became the Colorado Avalanche?
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Correct Answer: A — Quebec City — The Nordiques played in Quebec City before relocating to Denver in 1995 and becoming the Colorado Avalanche.
34. Which NHL franchise began play in 1993 as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim?
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Correct Answer: B — Anaheim Ducks — The franchise entered the NHL as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1993. It was renamed the Anaheim Ducks in 2006 and won the Stanley Cup the following year.
35. Which NHL franchise is based in Pittsburgh?
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Correct Answer: A — Penguins — The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the NHL in the 1967 expansion and have become one of the league’s best-known franchises.
36. Which NHL franchise began as the Hartford Whalers before moving to North Carolina in 1997?
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Correct Answer: A — Carolina Hurricanes — The Hartford Whalers relocated to North Carolina in 1997 and became the Carolina Hurricanes, preserving the franchise's NHL history under a new identity.
37. Which arena do the Chicago Blackhawks play their home games in?
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Correct Answer: C — United Center — The Blackhawks have played at the United Center since 1994. They share it with the NBA's Chicago Bulls, making it one of the busiest sports arenas in North America.
38. Which franchise entered the NHL in 1967 and plays in Philadelphia?
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Correct Answer: A — Philadelphia Flyers — The Flyers were one of six expansion teams that joined the NHL in 1967, when the league doubled from six to 12 clubs.
39. Which Original Six franchise plays its home games at Madison Square Garden?
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Correct Answer: B — New York Rangers — The Rangers are an Original Six club and have long called Madison Square Garden in New York City home.
40. Which NHL franchise was originally known as the Atlanta Thrashers before relocating in 2011?
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Correct Answer: A — Winnipeg Jets — The Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg in 2011, bringing the Jets name back to the NHL.
Hard NHL Trivia & League History (Q41–50)
HARD NHL TRIVIAFinish with tougher questions about league history, legendary nicknames and milestones for experienced hockey fans.
41. Which Montreal Canadiens legend was famously nicknamed "The Rocket"?
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Correct Answer: A — Maurice Richard — Richard's speed, scoring and intensity earned him "The Rocket" nickname. The NHL's annual goal-scoring trophy is named the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in his honour.
42. Who became the NHL's first commissioner in 1993?
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Correct Answer: A — Gary Bettman — Bettman became the NHL's first commissioner in February 1993. Before that change, the league's top executive held the title of president.
43. Which team was known for their "Broad Street Bullies" era?
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Correct Answer: A — Philadelphia Flyers — The Flyers earned this nickname in the 1970s for their extremely physical and intimidating style of play, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. They were feared around the entire league.
44. Which NHL player is known by the nickname "The Bread Man"?
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Correct Answer: A — Artemi Panarin — Panarin's fun nickname is a play on his surname and the Panera Bread restaurant chain. The Rangers star is as well-known for his personality as he is for his playmaking ability.
45. Which veteran playmaker nicknamed "Jumbo Joe" officially retired in 2023 after 24 NHL seasons?
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Correct Answer: A — Joe Thornton — "Jumbo Joe" officially called it a career in 2023 after 24 seasons, finishing as one of the greatest playmakers in NHL history with 1,109 career assists and over 1,500 points.
46. Which NHL team has the nickname "The Habs"?
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Correct Answer: A — Montreal Canadiens — The nickname "Habs" is short for "Les Habitants," referring to the French settlers of the St. Lawrence valley. The Canadiens are one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sport.
47. Which legendary player was nicknamed "Mr. Hockey"?
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Correct Answer: C — Gordie Howe — Howe earned this title through his extraordinary longevity and toughness, playing professional hockey across five different decades. He was just as known for his physical edge as his scoring ability.
48. Which NHL franchise moved from Minnesota to Dallas in 1993?
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Correct Answer: A — Minnesota North Stars — The North Stars relocated to Dallas in 1993 and became the Dallas Stars. The franchise later won the Stanley Cup in 1999.
49. Which team did Wayne Gretzky last play for before retiring in 1999?
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Correct Answer: D — New York Rangers — Gretzky finished his incredible career after three seasons with the Rangers, retiring in 1999 with records that may stand forever. His last game was played at Madison Square Garden.
50. Who became the first European-born captain to lead an NHL team to the Stanley Cup?
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Correct Answer: C — Nicklas Lidstrom — The Swedish defenseman captained the Detroit Red Wings to the 2008 Stanley Cup, becoming the first European-born captain to lift the trophy.
How did you score? Share your result with another hockey fan, then try a different quiz from the series below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are these NHL trivia questions suitable for beginners?▾
Yes. The quiz mixes approachable questions with harder record and history questions, so casual and experienced fans can both play.
Do the answers include explanations?▾
Yes. Every question has an optional answer panel with the correct choice and a short explanation.
Is this NHL trivia quiz free?▾
Yes. The full 50-question quiz is free to play with no sign-up required.
Does this page focus on the 2026 season?▾
No. This is the evergreen NHL trivia quiz. Current 2026 events are covered in a separate current-season quiz.
Which topics are included?▾
The quiz covers easy NHL basics, Stanley Cup history, all-time records, famous players, teams, franchises, legends and harder league-history questions.
Facts and historical records were reviewed for this update in August 2026. Questions tied to a specific championship year are labelled by year, while current-record questions were checked against up-to-date NHL records.
