NHL Records That Could Be Broken in 2015-16

In 2017, the National Hockey League will celebrate its centennial.

One hundred years of hockey means we've locked in plenty of records over the decades. Some are great achievements, while others involve moments of futility. Some recognize individual accomplishments; others are based on team performance.

Whether you're a fan of scoring or defending, there's something for everybody in this look at the NHL records that could fall during the 2015-16 season.

Best Power-Play Success Rate

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

What's the Record?

The 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens dynasty boasted the most successful power play in NHL history, converting at a success rate of 31.9 percent.

According to John Kreiser at NHL.com, no team has enjoyed a power-play success rate higher than 30 percent over a single season since 1978-79.

Who's the Challenger?

The Boston Bruins' power play is off to a torrid start this season. Led by David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron, who have seven power-play points each, the Bruins have scored 14 goals on 40 opportunities with the man advantage for a dazzling 35 percent success rate.

Chance the Record Will Fall

There's a chance the Bruins could set a new record, but it's slim. Power plays have a tendency to run hot and cold, and Boston's configuration this season hasn't been much different from what we've seen over the past couple of years.

Expect to see some regression. These days, teams take pride in any power play that runs over 20 percent.

Best Penalty-Killing Success Rate

Harry How/Getty Images

What's the Record?

The 2011-12 New Jersey Devils hold the record as the best penalty-killers in NHL history.

The team that went to the Stanley Cup Final under Peter DeBoer killed 89.6 percent of the penalties it took, beating out the old mark of 89.3 percent set by the Dallas Stars in 1999-2000 according to Dave Lozo at NHL.com.

Who's the Challenger?

For all their woes this season, the Anaheim Ducks have been lights out on the penalty kill. They've given up just four goals in 42 shorthanded situations for a kill rate of 90.5 percent.

Five other teams are hot on their heels—also within striking distance of the record. The Montreal Canadiens' success rate is 89.8 percent and the Pittsburgh Penguins' is 89.7 percent—both better than the record—while the New York Islanders are at 89.1 percent and the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks are both at 88.6 percent. 

Chance the Record Will Fall

High. With six teams showing such consistent penalty-killing prowess, at least one of them is going to be able to sustain that rate for a full 82 games.

It'd be something if we end up seeing the best-ever power play and the best-ever penalty killing in the same season!

Most Blocked Shots

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

What's the Record?

Kris Russell set a new NHL record in 2014-15 by blocking 283 shots. He beat the old record of 273 set by Anton Volchenkov with the Ottawa Senators back in 2006-07, per Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun.

Who's the Challenger?

The only man who's going to beat Russell this year is probably Russell himself. He finished last season with 74 more shot blocks than the NHL's second-best shot-blocker, Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators.

This year, Russell's leading the way again, with 46 blocks in 14 games. He's being chased by the New York Islanders' Calvin de Haan (42 blocks in 14 games) and the grizzled Francois Beauchemin of the Colorado Avalanche (37 blocks in 13 games).

Chance the Record Will Fall

If Russell keeps up his current shot-blocking pace, he'll finish the season with 269 blocks, just short of last year's record. He'd also need to appear in every game to reach that number, which is far from guaranteed when a player throws himself in front of slap shots for a living.

It could be close, but Russell's current record looks like it'll stand up this season.

Most Overtime Goals in a Season

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

What's the Record?

Steven Stamkos holds the current record for most overtime goals in a single season. He scored five game-winners in extra time during the 2013-14 season, per Lonnie Herman of NHL.com.

Who's the Challenger?

There could be a few players who surpass Stamkos' record this year.

As Rob Vollman of NHL.com explained, scoring frequency in the 3-on-3 overtime format through the first month of the new season is more than double that of the old 4-on-4 situation. It stands to reason that teams will continue to use their best snipers in 3-on-3 situations, which could lead to plenty of overtime goals.

Jonathan Toews has already potted two OT game-winners as the Chicago Blackhawks have gone 3-1 in the extra frame in their first 13 games. With his knack for game-breaking scoring, he's a definite candidate to take a run at Stamkos' record.

Chance the Record Will Fall

High. In addition to Toews, expect to see snipers such as Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski, Alex Ovechkin and Kyle Turris also in the mix as the season rolls along.

Highest Save Percentage

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

What's the Record?

Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators currently holds the NHL record for the best save percentage in a single season. His save percentage was .9409 in 2012-13, per Hockey Reference.

Who's the Challenger?

The Hockey Reference link above displays the situation clearly.

This season, two regular goaltenders are working above Anderson's success rate and a bunch more are right behind. Here are your contenders:

• Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers: .9426
• Mike Condon, Montreal Canadiens: .9412
• Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins: .9391
• Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers: .9378
• Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens: .9364
• Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers: .9360
• three others between .9300 and .9350

Chance the Record Will Fall

Strong. We have been watching this trend for a while now—so many good goaltenders are playing at never-before-seen levels.

The race is tight, but it's highly possible one or more of those men will own the new record by the end of this season.

Most Goals by a Russian-Born NHL Player

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

What's the Record?

Sergei Fedorov scored 483 goals during his 1,248 games in the NHL—the most by a Russian-born NHL player. 

Who's the Challenger?

Alex Ovechkin sits at 482 goals through November 5, one shy of Fedorov's record. He's also scoring at a much faster pace than Fedorov did, needing just 771 games to get to the record threshold.

Chance the Record Will Fall

As close to a sure thing as you'll see on this list. Ovechkin already has seven goals in 11 games this season. He needs just one more goal to tie Fedorov, then every goal he scores from there will be the new benchmark.

Ovechkin's only 30 and has plenty of good years of hockey ahead of him. It's mind-boggling to think of where he'll end up on the all-time goals list when he eventually retires.

Best Season in Montreal Canadiens Franchise History

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

What's the Record?

According to Hockey Reference, the most successful single season for the most successful franchise in NHL history came in 1976-77. The Montreal Canadiens posted a record of 60-8-12 over 80 games for 132 points and have been threatened only once since then—the Detroit Red Wings finished the 1995-96 season with 131 points in 82 games.

In 2012, John Kreiser of NHL.com included the Canadiens' .825 points percentage from that 1976-77 season as one of his seven NHL records likely to stand the test of time.

Who's the Challenger?

The 2015-16 Montreal Canadiens have started their season at a torrid 12-2-1 clip. That's a points percentage of .833 and extrapolates to a record-setting 136-point year.

Chance the Record Will Fall

It would be a huge accomplishment for this year's group to keep up their winning pace over an entire 82-game schedule—but it's possible.

It hasn't been an easy ride to the NHL penthouse for the Habs this year. The team was fortunate Max Pacioretty was ready for the start of the season and seemingly no worse for wear after an offseason knee injury and that unheralded backup goaltender Mike Condon has been outstanding so far while substituting for injured team MVP Carey Price.

If the Canadiens are able to keep overcoming the challenges that are tossed their way, they could find themselves in the magical position of unseating the best team in NHL history in the record books.

Worst Season in Toronto Maple Leafs Franchise History

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

What's the Record?

According to Hockey Reference, the Toronto Maple Leafs' worst season (playing 70 or more games) came back in 1984-85. In coach Dan Maloney's first year behind the bench, Toronto posted a 20-52-8 record for 48 points—good for fifth place in the Norris Division and last place in the NHL.

Who's the Challenger?

Once again, the Leafs are last in the league. In their first year under new bench boss Mike Babcock, Toronto has started the season with a 2-8-2 record, collecting just six points in the team's first 12 games.

Chance the Record Will Fall

If the Leafs keep this up, they're on pace to set a new low-water mark with just 41 points this season.

The 2014-15 campaign was deemed to be a disaster, and the Leafs earned just 68 points. Fans understood that a major rebuild was being undertaken but have to be frustrated to see their team struggling so mightily in the early going.

There are two positives fans can embrace if things don't turn around: Toronto looks like it's gunning for top odds in the draft lottery with another potential superstar, Auston Matthews, available next June, and there's almost no chance Toronto will challenge for the worst single NHL season in the modern era. The 1974-75 Washington Capitals went 8-67-5 and earned just 21 points in their inaugural campaign.

All stats courtesy of NHL.com, current through games November 5, 2015.