The 1994–95 NHL season was the 78th regular season of the National Hockey League. The teams played a shortened season, due to a lockout of the players by the owners. In addition, the NHL All-Star Game, which had been scheduled to take place January 20–21, 1995, in San Jose, California, was canceled. San Jose was soon selected as the venue for the 1997 NHL All-Star Game. The New Jersey Devils swept the heavily favored Detroit Red Wings for their first Stanley Cup win. It was also their first appearance in the finals overall. This is also the first time in both NHL and NBA history where both finals involved a sweep. Both finals consist of the number one seeded team both being swept.

League business

The Hartford Whalers were purchased by Peter Karmanos.

This was the last season in Quebec City for the Quebec Nordiques, as they announced that they would move to Denver after the season and become the Colorado Avalanche.

The regular season was shortened because of a 103-day lockout, which ended on January 11, 1995. The season got underway nine days later.

New arenas

The Boston Bruins played their final season at the Boston Garden. They would then move to their current arena, the TD Garden (then named the FleetCenter).

The Vancouver Canucks played their last season at Pacific Coliseum. They would play at GM Place (now known as Rogers Arena) the following year.

The Chicago Blackhawks moved to the United Center.

The St. Louis Blues moved to the Kiel Center (now the Enterprise Center).

Events

• March 10, 1995 – the game between the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings was postponed due to the Guadalupe River flooding, making it impossible for the teams to travel to the San Jose Arena.^[1]

Rule changes

• Two Zambonis would now be required by every arena for the resurfacing between periods.
• A coach can call for a stick measurement in any overtime period or shootout, but the request must be made before the winning goal is scored.
• Leaving the penalty box to join an altercation on the ice risks automatic three-game ban, plus any other penalties assessed.
• Any severe check from behind risks a major penalty and game misconduct.
• Referees and linesmen would wear numbers instead of nameplates; this restored a practice that had been in use previously from 1955 to 1977.

Teams

Regular season

Due to the 1994–95 NHL lockout, the league shortened the season length from 84 games, the length of the previous two seasons, to 48.^[2] Furthermore, the season would last from January 20 to May 3; this was the first time in NHL history that the regular season extended into May. The next time was the 2020–21 NHL season. Regular-season games would be limited to intra-conference play (Eastern Conference teams did not play Western Conference teams).

This was the first season since 1969–70, that the Montreal Canadiens missed the playoffs.

Final standings

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs