The Shield

The 2022-23 war

The Shield

One club carries it. Every game it plays is a siege. Break the holder, and the Shield is yours.

2022-23 Shield champion

New Jersey Devils

9 attackers beaten back, more than any club, across 1 reign. Longest stand: 9 defenses.

Still standing with it at the last horn: the Los Angeles Kings, after Kings 5, Ducks 3.

Carried it into the season: Colorado Avalanche. The Colorado Avalanche won the 2022 Stanley Cup, so they opened 2022-23 holding the Shield.

THE SHIELD · MMXXII · MMXXIII THE SHIELD · MMXXII · MMXXIII ANAARIBOSBUFCGYCARCHICOLCBJDALDETEDMFLALAKMINMTLNSHNJDNYINYROTTPHIPITSJSSEASTLTBLTORVANVGKWSHWPG Anaheim Ducks: Never held it, beaten back 4 timesArizona Coyotes: 0 defenses, beaten back onceBoston Bruins: 4 defensesBuffalo Sabres: 1 defenseCalgary Flames: 4 defenses, beaten back 3 timesCarolina Hurricanes: Never held itChicago Blackhawks: 0 defenses, beaten back 2 timesColorado Avalanche: 1 defenseColumbus Blue Jackets: Never held it, beaten back 2 timesDallas Stars: Never held itDetroit Red Wings: 0 defenses, beaten back 2 timesEdmonton Oilers: 1 defense, beaten back 3 timesFlorida Panthers: 1 defenseLos Angeles Kings: 2 defenses, beaten back onceMinnesota Wild: 1 defense, beaten back onceMontréal Canadiens: Never held it, beaten back 3 timesNashville Predators: 2 defensesNew Jersey Devils: 9 defenses: Shield championsNew York Islanders: Never held it, beaten back onceNew York Rangers: Never held it, beaten back onceOttawa Senators: Never held it, beaten back 2 timesPhiladelphia Flyers: 2 defenses, beaten back oncePittsburgh Penguins: Never held it, beaten back 2 timesSan Jose Sharks: 0 defenses, beaten back 3 timesSeattle Kraken: 0 defenses, beaten back 2 timesSt. Louis Blues: Never held it, beaten back 2 timesTampa Bay Lightning: 5 defensesToronto Maple Leafs: 7 defenses, beaten back onceVancouver Canucks: 2 defenses, beaten back 2 timesVegas Golden Knights: Never held it, beaten back onceWashington Capitals: Never held it, beaten back 2 timesWinnipeg Jets: 1 defense, beaten back once Defense 1: Bruins 4, Islanders 1, Jan 18Defense 2: Bruins 3, Rangers 1, Jan 19Defense 3: Bruins 4, Sharks 0, Jan 22Defense 4: Bruins 4, Canadiens 2, Jan 24Defense 1: Sabres 5, Canucks 1, Oct 22Defense 1: Flames 4, Oilers 3, Oct 15Defense 2: Flames 3, Golden Knights 2, Oct 18Defense 3: Flames 5, Canucks 4 (OT), Mar 31Defense 4: Flames 5, Ducks 4, Apr 2Defense 1: Avalanche 5, Blackhawks 2, Oct 12Defense 1: Oilers 6, Jets 3, Mar 3Defense 1: Panthers 4, Sharks 1, Feb 9Defense 1: Kings 7, Blues 6, Mar 26Defense 2: Kings 5, Ducks 3, Apr 13Defense 1: Wild 2, Blue Jackets 0, Feb 23Defense 1: Predators 5, Ducks 4 (OT), Mar 12Defense 2: Predators 2, Red Wings 1, Mar 14Defense 1: Devils 4, Oilers 3, Nov 3Defense 2: Devils 4, Flames 3 (OT), Nov 5Defense 3: Devils 3, Flames 2, Nov 8Defense 4: Devils 4, Senators 3 (OT), Nov 10Defense 5 (gold): Devils 4, Coyotes 2, Nov 12Defense 6: Devils 5, Canadiens 1, Nov 15Defense 7: Devils 3, Maple Leafs 2 (OT), Nov 17Defense 8: Devils 5, Senators 1, Nov 19Defense 9: Devils 5, Oilers 2, Nov 21Defense 1: Flyers 5, Capitals 3, Jan 11Defense 2: Flyers 3, Capitals 1, Jan 14Defense 1: Lightning 6, Kraken 2, Dec 13Defense 2: Lightning 4, Blue Jackets 1, Dec 15Defense 3: Lightning 5, Canadiens 1, Dec 17Defense 4: Lightning 4, Blackhawks 1, Jan 3Defense 5 (gold): Lightning 5, Kings 2, Jan 28Defense 1: Maple Leafs 4, Wild 3, Nov 25Defense 2: Maple Leafs 4, Penguins 1, Nov 26Defense 3: Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings 2, Nov 28Defense 4: Maple Leafs 3, Sharks 1, Nov 30Defense 5 (gold): Maple Leafs 4, Flyers 3, Dec 22Defense 6: Maple Leafs 5, Blues 4 (OT), Dec 27Defense 7: Maple Leafs 5, Kraken 1, Feb 26Defense 1: Canucks 5, Penguins 1, Oct 28Defense 2: Canucks 3, Flames 2 (SO), Apr 8Defense 1: Jets 3, Ducks 2, Mar 23
NJD
New Jersey Devils

A defense Every fifth, gold Beaten back by the holder Lost the Shield Next challenger

The shield wall

Every club's own shield this season, crowned with its club's shape: painted once it has held the Shield, a rivet for every defense, an arrow for every time the holder threw it back, a gash for every time it lost the Shield. Pick one for its story.

The E 8 of 16 have held it

  • BOS
  • BUF
  • CAR
  • CBJ
  • DET
  • FLA
  • MTL
  • NJD
  • NYI
  • NYR
  • OTT
  • PHI
  • PIT
  • TBL
  • TOR
  • WSH

The We 12 of 16 have held it

  • ANA
  • ARI
  • CGY
  • CHI
  • COL
  • DAL
  • EDM
  • LAK
  • MIN
  • NSH
  • SEA
  • SJS
  • STL
  • VAN
  • VGK
  • WPG

The saga

40 reigns, every one ended by force but the last. Longest stand: the Devils, 9 attackers beaten back.

COL1CGY2BUF1SEA0VAN1NJD9TOR4TBL0DET0FLA0TBL3TOR2ARI0TBL1MIN0BUF0PHI2BOS4TBL1FLA1COL0TBL0ARI0LAK0MIN1TOR1EDM1WPG0SJS0COL0LAK0NSH2CHI0ARI0WPG1LAK1CGY2CHI0VAN1LAK1

From Oct 1282 Shield games, 40 reigns

Each block is one reign, in order from opening night: as wide as the Shield games it lasted, with its club and the number of defenses it made. Pick a block for the game its reign began with.

  1. Los Angeles Kings 1 defense Took it by force from the Canucks on Apr 10, 3-0. Still standing at the last horn.
  2. Vancouver Canucks 1 defense Wrenched it from the Blackhawks on Apr 6, 3-0. Stripped of it by the Kings on Apr 10, 3-0.
  3. Chicago Blackhawks 0 defenses Ripped it from the Flames on Apr 4, 4-3. Overrun by the Canucks on Apr 6, 3-0.
  4. Calgary Flames 2 defenses Seized it from the Kings on Mar 28, 2-1. Broken by the Blackhawks on Apr 4, 4-3.
  5. Los Angeles Kings 1 defense Tore it from the Jets on Mar 25, 4-1. Lost it to the Flames on Mar 28, 2-1.
  6. Winnipeg Jets 1 defense Cut it from the grip of the Coyotes on Mar 21, 2-1. Fell to the Kings on Mar 25, 4-1.
  7. Arizona Coyotes 0 defenses Took it by force from the Blackhawks on Mar 18, 4-2. Stripped of it by the Jets on Mar 21, 2-1.
  8. Chicago Blackhawks 0 defenses Wrenched it from the Predators on Mar 16, 2-1. Overrun by the Coyotes on Mar 18, 4-2.
  9. Nashville Predators 2 defenses Ripped it from the Kings on Mar 11, 2-1 SO. Broken by the Blackhawks on Mar 16, 2-1.
  10. Los Angeles Kings 0 defenses Seized it from the Avalanche on Mar 9, 5-2. Lost it to the Predators on Mar 11, 2-1 SO.
  11. Colorado Avalanche 0 defenses Tore it from the Sharks on Mar 7, 6-0. Fell to the Kings on Mar 9, 5-2.
  12. San Jose Sharks 0 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Jets on Mar 6, 3-2 OT. Stripped of it by the Avalanche on Mar 7, 6-0.
  13. Winnipeg Jets 0 defenses Took it by force from the Oilers on Mar 4, 7-5. Overrun by the Sharks on Mar 6, 3-2 OT.
  14. Edmonton Oilers 1 defense Wrenched it from the Maple Leafs on Mar 1, 5-2. Broken by the Jets on Mar 4, 7-5.
  15. Toronto Maple Leafs 1 defense Ripped it from the Wild on Feb 24, 2-1 OT. Lost it to the Oilers on Mar 1, 5-2.
  16. Minnesota Wild 1 defense Seized it from the Kings on Feb 21, 2-1. Fell to the Maple Leafs on Feb 24, 2-1 OT.
  17. Los Angeles Kings 0 defenses Tore it from the Coyotes on Feb 18, 6-5 SO. Stripped of it by the Wild on Feb 21, 2-1.
  18. Arizona Coyotes 0 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Lightning on Feb 15, 1-0 SO. Overrun by the Kings on Feb 18, 6-5 SO.
  19. Tampa Bay Lightning 0 defenses Took it by force from the Avalanche on Feb 14, 4-3 SO. Broken by the Coyotes on Feb 15, 1-0 SO.
  20. Colorado Avalanche 0 defenses Wrenched it from the Panthers on Feb 11, 5-3. Lost it to the Lightning on Feb 14, 4-3 SO.
  21. Florida Panthers 1 defense Ripped it from the Lightning on Feb 6, 7-1. Fell to the Avalanche on Feb 11, 5-3.
  22. Tampa Bay Lightning 1 defense Seized it from the Bruins on Jan 26, 3-2. Stripped of it by the Panthers on Feb 6, 7-1.
  23. Boston Bruins 4 defenses Tore it from the Flyers on Jan 16, 6-0. Overrun by the Lightning on Jan 26, 3-2.
  24. Philadelphia Flyers 2 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Sabres on Jan 9, 4-0. Broken by the Bruins on Jan 16, 6-0.
  25. Buffalo Sabres 0 defenses Took it by force from the Wild on Jan 7, 6-5 OT. Lost it to the Flyers on Jan 9, 4-0.
  26. Minnesota Wild 0 defenses Wrenched it from the Lightning on Jan 4, 5-1. Fell to the Sabres on Jan 7, 6-5 OT.
  27. Tampa Bay Lightning 1 defense Ripped it from the Coyotes on Dec 31, 5-3. Stripped of it by the Wild on Jan 4, 5-1.
  28. Arizona Coyotes 0 defenses Seized it from the Maple Leafs on Dec 29, 6-3. Overrun by the Lightning on Dec 31, 5-3.
  29. Toronto Maple Leafs 2 defenses Tore it from the Lightning on Dec 20, 4-1. Broken by the Coyotes on Dec 29, 6-3.
  30. Tampa Bay Lightning 3 defenses Cut it from the grip of the Panthers on Dec 10, 4-1. Lost it to the Maple Leafs on Dec 20, 4-1.
  31. Florida Panthers 0 defenses Took it by force from the Red Wings on Dec 8, 5-1. Fell to the Lightning on Dec 10, 4-1.
  32. Detroit Red Wings 0 defenses Wrenched it from the Lightning on Dec 6, 4-2. Stripped of it by the Panthers on Dec 8, 5-1.
  33. Tampa Bay Lightning 0 defenses Ripped it from the Maple Leafs on Dec 3, 4-3 OT. Overrun by the Red Wings on Dec 6, 4-2.
  34. Toronto Maple Leafs 4 defenses Seized it from the Devils on Nov 23, 2-1. Broken by the Lightning on Dec 3, 4-3 OT.
  35. New Jersey Devils 9 defenses Tore it from the Canucks on Nov 1, 5-2. Lost it to the Maple Leafs on Nov 23, 2-1.
  36. Vancouver Canucks 1 defense Cut it from the grip of the Kraken on Oct 27, 5-4. Fell to the Devils on Nov 1, 5-2.
  37. Seattle Kraken 0 defenses Took it by force from the Sabres on Oct 25, 5-1. Stripped of it by the Canucks on Oct 27, 5-4.
  38. Buffalo Sabres 1 defense Wrenched it from the Flames on Oct 20, 6-3. Overrun by the Kraken on Oct 25, 5-1.
  39. Calgary Flames 2 defenses Ripped it from the Avalanche on Oct 13, 5-3. Broken by the Sabres on Oct 20, 6-3.
  40. Colorado Avalanche 1 defense Carried it into the season as Cup champions. Lost it to the Flames on Oct 13, 5-3.

The war road

Every arena the Shield has been carried into this season, in order. Faint lines are its oldest marches; crossed swords mark where it was taken by force.

ANAARIBOSBUFCARCBJCGYCHICOLDALDETEDMFLALAKMINMTLNJDNSHNYINYROTTPHIPITSEASJSSTLTBLTORVANVGKWPGWSH Oct 13: The Flames break the Avalanche and seize the ShieldOct 20: The Sabres take the Shield from the FlamesOct 25: The Kraken tear the Shield from the SabresOct 27: The Canucks break the Kraken and seize the ShieldNov 1: The Devils tear the Shield from the CanucksNov 23: The Maple Leafs take the Shield from the DevilsDec 3: The Lightning tear the Shield from the Maple LeafsDec 6: The Red Wings tear the Shield from the LightningDec 8: The Panthers strip the Shield from the Red WingsDec 10: The Lightning take the Shield from the PanthersDec 20: The Maple Leafs tear the Shield from the LightningDec 29: The Coyotes take the Shield from the Maple LeafsDec 31: The Lightning break the Coyotes and seize the ShieldJan 4: The Wild break the Lightning and seize the ShieldJan 7: The Sabres strip the Shield from the WildJan 9: The Flyers break the Sabres and seize the ShieldJan 16: The Bruins strip the Shield from the FlyersJan 26: The Lightning strip the Shield from the BruinsFeb 6: The Panthers take the Shield from the LightningFeb 11: The Avalanche strip the Shield from the PanthersFeb 14: The Lightning break the Avalanche and seize the ShieldFeb 15: The Coyotes tear the Shield from the LightningFeb 18: The Kings take the Shield from the CoyotesFeb 21: The Wild tear the Shield from the KingsFeb 24: The Maple Leafs strip the Shield from the WildMar 1: The Oilers tear the Shield from the Maple LeafsMar 4: The Jets strip the Shield from the OilersMar 6: The Sharks strip the Shield from the JetsMar 7: The Avalanche strip the Shield from the SharksMar 9: The Kings tear the Shield from the AvalancheMar 11: The Predators take the Shield from the KingsMar 16: The Blackhawks tear the Shield from the PredatorsMar 18: The Coyotes break the Blackhawks and seize the ShieldMar 21: The Jets take the Shield from the CoyotesMar 25: The Kings break the Jets and seize the ShieldMar 28: The Flames strip the Shield from the KingsApr 4: The Blackhawks take the Shield from the FlamesApr 6: The Canucks break the Blackhawks and seize the ShieldApr 10: The Kings take the Shield from the Canucks

How the war ended

Most defenses wins the season's Shield. Level? Longest reign, then captures, then whoever got there first.

#TeamDefensesLongest reignCapturesReignsChallenges
1 Devils 9 9 1 1 1
2 Maple Leafs 7 4 3 3 4
3 Lightning 5 3 5 5 5
4 Bruins 4 4 1 1 1
5 Flames 4 2 2 2 5
6 Flyers 2 2 1 1 2
7 Predators 2 2 1 1 1
8 Kings 2 1 4 4 5
9 Canucks 2 1 2 2 4
10 Avalanche 1 1 2 3 2
11 Sabres 1 1 2 2 2
12 Panthers 1 1 2 2 2
13 Wild 1 1 2 2 3
14 Jets 1 1 2 2 3
15 Oilers 1 1 1 1 4
16 Coyotes 0 0 3 3 4
17 Blackhawks 0 0 2 2 4
18 Red Wings 0 0 1 1 3
19 Kraken 0 0 1 1 3
20 Sharks 0 0 1 1 4

Never laid a hand on it: Blue Jackets, Blues, Canadiens, Capitals, Ducks, Golden Knights, Hurricanes, Islanders, Penguins, Rangers, Senators, Stars.

Shieldbearers

Every Shield game names a Shieldbearer: the warrior on the winning side who did most to hold the wall or break it. How they're picked.

#PlayerClubShieldbearer
1Nico HischierDevils3
2William NylanderMaple Leafs3
3Tommy NovakPredators3
4Brandon HagelLightning2
5Auston MatthewsMaple Leafs2
6Alex KillornLightning2
7David PastrnakBruins2
8Brayden PointLightning2
9Nikita KucherovLightning2
10Mitch MarnerMaple Leafs2

The warriors

Every goal, assist and win in net in a Shield game this season, for the wall or against it.

Goals

#PlayerGoals
1William NylanderMaple Leafs9
2Mitch MarnerMaple Leafs8
3Brayden PointLightning8
4Auston MatthewsMaple Leafs7
5Brandon HagelLightning7
6Leon DraisaitlOilers7
7Adrian KempeKings7
8Nathan MacKinnonAvalanche6

Points

#PlayerPoints
1Nikita KucherovLightning204G 16A
2Mitch MarnerMaple Leafs188G 10A
3William NylanderMaple Leafs169G 7A
4Brayden PointLightning168G 8A
5Auston MatthewsMaple Leafs157G 8A
6Victor HedmanLightning142G 12A
7Brandon HagelLightning137G 6A
8Nico HischierDevils135G 8A

Wins in net

#PlayerWins in net
1Andrei VasilevskiyLightning8
2Vitek VanecekDevils6
3Ilya SamsonovMaple Leafs5
4Joonas KorpisaloKings41 shutout
5Matt MurrayMaple Leafs4
6Jacob MarkstromFlames4
7Akira SchmidDevils31 shutout
8Jeremy SwaymanBruins31 shutout

The law of the Shield

  1. One holder. One club carries the Shield at a time. The reigning Stanley Cup champions carry it into opening night.
  2. Every game is a siege. Whenever the holder plays, the Shield is on the line. Any opponent, any arena.
  3. Win, and the wall holds. A win in regulation, overtime or a shootout is a defense, and a rivet hammered into the Shield.
  4. Lose, and it's gone. Beat the holder and the Shield is yours on the spot. Now everyone is coming for you.

The full law: no extra games, no bracket, the NHL standings untouched.