The 2017-18 NHL season is the 101st season of operation (100th season of play) of the National Hockey League. The 31 teams are playing an 82-game regular season. The regular season began on October 4, 2017 and ended on April 7, 2018. The Stanley Cup playoffs began a few days after and the Stanley Cup finals was held between Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights which ended with the Washington Capitals winning their first Stanley cup in their franchise history. The Vegas Golden Knights joined the league for this season and became the first team to win the first three games of their history. They now have five wins and one loss making them the first team to do this since the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL's first season. The two-time defending Stanley Cup and Eastern Conference champions are the Pittsburgh Penguins while Penguins' player Sidney Crosby is the two-time defending Conn Smythe Trophy winner. The Nashville Predators are the defending Western Conference champions. The Washington Capitals are the two-time defending Presidents' Trophy winners. Edmonton Oilers player Connor McDavid is the defending winner of the Hart Memorial and Art Ross Trophies.