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NHL Record for Most Penalties, One Team, Playoff Series

New Jersey Devils holds the NHL record with 118 penalties (1987-88).

Top of the list

Most Penalties, One Team, Playoff Series: the leaders
RankTeamPenaltiesSeasonOppTeamGPGoals
1New Jersey Devils1181987-88WSHNJD725
2Hartford Whalers1031986-87QUEHFD619
3Washington Capitals1001987-88NJDWSH723
4Boston Bruins981987-88NJDBOS730
4New Jersey Devils981987-88BOSNJD719
6Buffalo Sabres971987-88BOSBUF622

The full top 38

Most Penalties, One Team, Playoff Series: NHL playoff team records
RankTeamPenaltiesSeasonOppTeamGPGoals
1New Jersey Devils1181987-88WSHNJD725
2Hartford Whalers1031986-87QUEHFD619
3Washington Capitals1001987-88NJDWSH723
4Boston Bruins981987-88NJDBOS730
4New Jersey Devils981987-88BOSNJD719
6Buffalo Sabres971987-88BOSBUF622
6New York Islanders971987-88NJDNYI618
8Quebec Nordiques961986-87HFDQUE627
9Boston Bruins941987-88BUFBOS628
9Philadelphia Flyers941988-89PITPHI731
9Minnesota North Stars941989-90CHIMNS718
12Philadelphia Flyers931987-88WSHPHI725
12Chicago Blackhawks931989-90MNSCHI721
14Philadelphia Flyers911975-76TORPHI733
14New Jersey Devils911987-88NYINJD623
16Chicago Blackhawks901990-91MNSCHI616
17Detroit Red Wings891987-88TORDET632
17Detroit Red Wings891990-91STLDET720
19Pittsburgh Penguins861988-89PHIPIT724
20Calgary Flames841985-86STLCGY728
20St. Louis Blues841990-91DETSTL724
22Edmonton Oilers831985-86CGYEDM724
23Philadelphia Flyers821973-74NYRPHI722
23St. Louis Blues821985-86CGYSTL722
23Washington Capitals821987-88PHIWSH731
26New Jersey Devils811990-91PITNJD721
26Vancouver Canucks811994-95STLVAN727
28Toronto Maple Leafs801987-88DETTOR620
29New York Islanders791986-87WSHNYI719
30Montréal Canadiens771984-85QUEMTL724
30Quebec Nordiques771986-87MTLQUE721
30Pittsburgh Penguins771990-91NJDPIT721
33Edmonton Oilers761987-88WINEDM525
33Washington Capitals761990-91NYRWSH616
35Philadelphia Flyers751973-74BOSPHI615
35Montréal Canadiens751986-87QUEMTL726
35Winnipeg Jets (1979)751987-88EDMWIN517
35St. Louis Blues751994-95VANSTL727

Note: 2019-20 includes results from the Stanley Cup Qualifiers; Suspended game in 1988 Stanley Cup Final does not impact this list Top 38 of 38 lines on the NHL's list, ties kept. Source: NHL Records.

About these records

Every record list comes from the NHL's official records database (records.nhl.com): 808 regular-season and playoff records for skaters, goalies and teams. We keep the top 50 of each list, with ties, and refresh lists with active players daily, so career climbs like Alex Ovechkin's goal total update the morning after a game.

Records cover the league's whole history, so eras matter: scoring was far higher in the 1980s, goalie stats like saves and save percentage start in 1955-56 or later, and time on ice, hits and blocks start in 2005-06. Each list notes its own limits.

Active players are flagged, so you can see who is climbing a list this season. For the milestones those players are chasing tonight, see the milestone watch.

More NHL records and milestones

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  • Hat tricks

    Every hat trick this season and the leaders since 2017-18

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    Goal, assist and a fight in one game

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    Most shots, saves, hits and goals in one game this season

  • Rookies

    Rookie leaders, points pace and the Calder race

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    Trophy winners and this season's award races with odds

  • Head to head

    All-time records between any two teams

Frequently asked questions

What is the NHL record for most penalties, one team, playoff series?

New Jersey Devils holds the NHL record for most penalties, one team, playoff series with 118 (1987-88).