List of Vancouver Canucks seasons explained

The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks are members of the National Hockey League (NHL) and are members of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The Canucks were founded in 1945 as a member of the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL). They won the President's Cup in their first season, and another in 1948. In 1952, the PCHL was renamed the Western Hockey League (WHL), where the Canucks won four more league titles in 1958, 1960, 1969 and 1970. In 1960, the President's Cup was renamed the Lester Patrick Cup to honour the late Lester Patrick.^[1]

After a failed attempt to gain an expansion team in the NHL's first expansion in 1967, a group from Vancouver tried to move the financial struggling Oakland Seals to town in 1969.^[2] However, the NHL prevented the move from happening. Prior to the 1970 NHL expansion a Minneapolis, Minnesota based company, Medicor, purchased the WHL Canucks, and an expansion franchise was granted for the NHL beginning in the 1970–71 season. The Canucks have not enjoyed the same success in the NHL, having thus far been unable to capture the Stanley Cup; as of the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, they are tied with their fellow class of 1970 newcomers the Buffalo Sabres as the longest continuously (and currently) active franchises with zero titles. The Canucks franchise has captured three conference titles, 1981–82, 1993–94, and 2010–11, and eleven division titles in its NHL history.

Table key

Color/symbol!scope="col"

Explanation
	Stanley Cup champions
	Conference champions
	Division champions
	Led league in points

Key of terms and abbreviations

Term or abbreviation	Definition
Finish	Final position in division or league standings
GP	Number of games played
W	Number of wins
L	Number of losses
T	Number of ties
OT	Number of losses in overtime (since the 1999–2000 season)
Pts	Number of points
GF	Goals for (goals scored by the Canucks)
GA	Goals against (goals scored by the Canucks' opponents)
—	Does not apply

Year by year

For the PCHL and WHL seasons, see Vancouver Canucks (WHL).

Season	Canucks season	Conference	Division	Regular season^[3]									Postseason^[4]
				Finish	GP	W	L	T	OT	Pts	GF	GA	GP	W	L	GF	GA	Result
1970–71	1970–71	—	East	6th	78	24	46	8	—	56	229	296	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1971–72	1971–72	—	East	7th	78	20	50	8	—	48	203	297	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1972–73	1972–73	—	East	7th	78	22	47	9	—	53	233	339	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1973–74	1973–74	—	East	7th	78	24	43	11	—	59	224	296	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1974–75	1974–75	Campbell	Smythe	1st	80	38	32	10	—	86	271	254	5	1	4	9	20	Lost in quarterfinals, 1–4 (Canadiens)^[5]
1975–76	1975–76	Campbell	Smythe	2nd	80	33	32	15	—	81	271	272	2	0	2	4	8	Lost in preliminary round, 0–2 (Islanders)^[6]
1976–77	1976–77	Campbell	Smythe	4th	80	25	42	13	—	63	235	294	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1977–78	1977–78	Campbell	Smythe	3rd	80	20	43	17	—	57	239	320	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1978–79	1978–79	Campbell	Smythe	3rd	80	25	42	13	—	63	217	291	3	1	2	9	15	Lost in preliminary round, 1–2 (Flyers)^[7]
1979–80	1979–80	Campbell	Smythe	3rd	80	27	37	16	—	70	256	281	4	1	3	7	15	Lost in preliminary round, 1–3 (Sabres)^[8]
1980–81	1980–81	Campbell	Smythe	2nd	80	28	32	20	—	76	289	301	3	0	3	7	13	Lost in preliminary round, 0–3 (Sabres)^[9]
1981–82	1981–82	Campbell	Smythe	2nd	80	30	33	17	—	77	290	286	17	11	6	57	50	Won in division semifinals, 3–0 (Flames) Won in division finals, 4–1 (Kings) Won in conference finals, 4–1 (Black Hawks) Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 0–4 (Islanders)^[10]
1982–83	1982–83	Campbell	Smythe	3rd	80	30	35	15	—	75	303	309	4	1	3	14	17	Lost in division semifinals, 1–3 (Flames)^[11]
1983–84	1983–84	Campbell	Smythe	3rd	80	32	39	9	—	73	306	328	4	1	3	13	14	Lost in division semifinals, 1–3 (Flames)^[12]
1984–85	1984–85	Campbell	Smythe	5th	80	25	46	9	—	59	284	401	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1985–86	1985–86	Campbell	Smythe	4th	80	23	44	13	—	59	282	333	3	0	3	5	17	Lost in division semifinals, 0–3 (Oilers)^[13]
1986–87	1986–87	Campbell	Smythe	5th	80	29	43	8	—	66	282	314	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1987–88	1987–88	Campbell	Smythe	5th	80	25	46	9	—	59	272	320	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1988–89	1988–89	Campbell	Smythe	4th	80	33	39	8	—	74	251	253	7	3	4	20	22	Lost in division semifinals, 3–4 (Flames)^[14]
1989–90	1989–90	Campbell	Smythe	5th	80	25	41	14	—	64	245	306	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1990–91	1990–91	Campbell	Smythe	4th	80	28	43	9	—	65	243	315	6	2	4	16	26	Lost in division semifinals, 2–4 (Kings)^[15]
1991–92	1991–92	Campbell	Smythe	1st	80	42	26	12	—	96	285	250	13	6	7	44	35	Won in division semifinals, 4–3 (Jets) Lost in division finals, 2–4 (Oilers)^[16]
1992–93	1992–93	Campbell	Smythe	1st	84	46	29	9	—	101	346	278	12	6	6	46	43	Won in division semifinals, 4–2 (Jets) Lost in division finals, 2–4 (Kings)^[17] ^[18]
1993–94	1993–94	Western	Pacific	2nd	84	41	40	3	—	85	279	276	24	15	9	76	61	Won in conference quarterfinals, 4–3 (Flames) Won in conference semifinals, 4–1 (Stars) Won in conference finals, 4–1 (Maple Leafs) Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 3–4 (Rangers)^[19]
1994–95	1994–95	Western	Pacific	2nd	48	18	18	12	—	48	153	148	11	4	7	33	38	Won in conference quarterfinals, 4–3 (Blues) Lost in conference semifinals, 0–4 (Blackhawks)^[20]
1995–96	1995–96	Western	Pacific	3rd	82	32	35	15	—	79	278	278	6	2	4	17	24	Lost in conference quarterfinals, 2–4 (Avalanche)^[21]
1996–97	1996–97	Western	Pacific	4th	82	35	40	7	—	77	257	273	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1997–98	1997–98	Western	Pacific	7th	82	25	43	14	—	64	224	273	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1998–99	1998–99	Western	Northwest	4th	82	23	47	12	—	58	192	258	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1999–2000	1999–2000	Western	Northwest	3rd	82	30	29	15	8	83	227	237	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2000–01	2000–01	Western	Northwest	3rd	82	36	28	11	7	90	239	238	4	0	4	9	16	Lost in conference quarterfinals, 0–4 (Avalanche)^[22]
2001–02	2001–02	Western	Northwest	2nd	82	42	30	7	3	94	254	211	6	2	4	16	22	Lost in conference quarterfinals, 2–4 (Red Wings)^[23]
2002–03	2002–03	Western	Northwest	2nd	82	45	23	13	1	104	264	208	14	7	7	34	47	Won in conference quarterfinals, 4–3 (Blues) Lost in conference semifinals, 3–4 (Wild)^[24]
2003–04	2003–04	Western	Northwest	1st	82	43	24	10	5	101	235	194	7	3	4	16	19	Lost in conference quarterfinals, 3–4 (Flames)^[25]
2004–05	2004–05	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL Lockout^[26]
2005–06	2005–06	Western	Northwest	4th	82	42	32	—	8	92	256	255	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2006–07	2006–07	Western	Northwest	1st	82	49	26	—	7	105	222	201	12	5	7	21	26	Won in conference quarterfinals, 4–3 (Stars) Lost in conference semifinals, 1–4 (Ducks)^[27]
2007–08	2007–08	Western	Northwest	5th	82	39	33	—	10	88	213	215	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2008–09	2008–09	Western	Northwest	1st	82	45	27	—	10	100	246	220	10	6	4	30	28	Won in conference quarterfinals, 4–0 (Blues) Lost in conference semifinals, 2–4 (Blackhawks)^[28]
2009–10	2009–10	Western	Northwest	1st	82	49	28	—	5	103	272	222	12	6	6	42	41	Won in conference quarterfinals, 4–2 (Kings) Lost in conference semifinals, 2–4 (Blackhawks)^[29]
2010–11	2010–11	Western	Northwest	1st	82	54	19	—	9	117	262	185	25	15	10	58	69	Won in conference quarterfinals, 4–3 (Blackhawks) Won in conference semifinals, 4–2 (Predators) Won in conference finals, 4–1 (Sharks) Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 3–4 (Bruins)^[30]
2011–12	2011–12	Western	Northwest	1st	82	51	22	—	9	111	249	198	5	1	4	8	12	Lost in conference quarterfinals, 1–4 (Kings)^[31]
2012–13	2012–13	Western	Northwest	1st	48	26	15	—	7	59	127	121	4	0	4	8	15	Lost in conference quarterfinals, 0–4 (Sharks)^[32]
2013–14	2013–14	Western	Pacific	5th	82	36	35	—	11	83	196	223	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2014–15	2014–15	Western	Pacific	2nd	82	48	29	—	5	101	242	222	6	2	4	14	18	Lost in first round, 2–4 (Flames)^[33]
2015–16	2015–16	Western	Pacific	6th	82	31	38	—	13	75	191	243	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2016–17	2016–17	Western	Pacific	7th	82	30	43	—	9	69	182	243	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2017–18	2017–18	Western	Pacific	7th	82	31	40	—	11	73	218	264	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2018–19	2018–19	Western	Pacific	5th	82	35	36	—	11	81	225	257	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2019–20	2019–20	Western	Pacific	3rd	69	36	27	—	6	78	228	217	17	10	7	48	45	Won in qualifying round, 3–1 (Wild) Won in first round, 4–2 (Blues) Lost in second round, 3–4 (Golden Knights)
2020–21	2020–21	—	North	7th	56	23	29	—	4	50	151	188	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2021–22	2021–22	Western	Pacific	5th	82	40	30	—	12	92	249	236	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2022–23	2022–23	Western	Pacific	6th	82	38	37	—	7	83	276	298	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2023–24	2023–24	Western	Pacific	1st	82	50	23	—	9	109	279	223	13	7	6	33	36	Won in first round, 4–2 (Predators) Lost in second round, 3–4 (Oilers)
Totals^[34]					4,191	1,777	1,836	391	187	4,132	12,861	13,671	259	118	141	715	816	29 playoff appearances

Notes

a: Beginning in 1999, overtime losses were worth one point.^[35] As of the 2005–06 NHL season, all games will have a winner with ties eliminated; the OT column includes SOL (shootout losses).^[36]
b: Season was shortened to 48 games due to the 1994–95 NHL lockout.^[37]
c: Season was shortened to 48 games due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout.
d: Season was suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
e: Season was shortened to 56 games due to the aforementioned COVID-19 pandemic.

All-time records

Statistic	GP	W	L	T	OT	GF	GA
Vancouver Canucks regular-season record (1970–present)	4,191	1,777	1,836	391	187	12,861	13,671
Vancouver Canucks postseason record (1970–present)	259	118	141	—	—	715	816
All-time regular and postseason record	4,450	1,845	1,977	391	187	13,576	14,487

Statistics above are correct as of the end of the 2023–24 NHL season.

References

General

• 1945–48 stats: Vancouver Canucks (1945-52) @ hockeydb.com
• 1949–52 stats: 1949-52 PCHL @ hockeyleaguehistory.com
• 1952–70 stats: 1952-74 WHL @ hockeyleaguehistory.com
• 1970–present stats: Vancouver Canucks (1970-) @ hockeydb.com

Specific

Notes and References

1. Web site: Canucks' History . National Hockey League. 2010-04-13.
2. Web site: Seals Seek Vancouver Shift. . 1969-02-05 . A.P. . 2010-04-13.
3. Code explanation; GP - Games Played, W - Wins, L - Losses, OT - Overtime/Shootout losses, GF - Goals For, GA - Goals Against, Pts - Points
4. The result of the playoff series shows the Canucks' result first regardless of the outcome, followed by the opposing team in parentheses.
5. Web site: 1975 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-09.
6. Web site: 1976 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-09.
7. Web site: 1979 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
8. Web site: 1980 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
9. Web site: 1981 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
10. Web site: 1982 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
11. Web site: 1983 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
12. Web site: 1984 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
13. Web site: 1986 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
14. Web site: 1989 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
15. Web site: 1991 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
16. Web site: 1992 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
17. Web site: 1993 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
18. Web site: Canucks look to rebound, clinch division . Sports Net.ca. 2010-04-28.
19. Web site: 1994 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
20. Web site: 1995 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
21. Web site: 1996 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
22. Web site: 2001 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
23. Web site: 2002 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
24. Web site: 2003 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
25. Web site: 2004 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
26. Web site: Lockout over salary cap shuts down NHL . Associated Press . ESPN . February 16, 2005 . 2010-04-14.
27. Web site: 2007 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
28. Web site: 2009 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-04-11.
29. Web site: 2010 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2010-05-12.
30. Web site: 2011 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2015-04-26.
31. Web site: 2012 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2013-12-26.
32. Web site: 2013 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2013-12-26.
33. Web site: 2015 NHL Playoff Summary . Hockey-Reference . Sports Reference LLC . 2015-04-26.
34. Totals as of the completion of the 2023–24 season
35. News: Lapointe . Joe . Hockey: Preview '99-'00; Overtime Is Now Five Minutes in Hockey Heaven . The New York Times . September 30, 1999 . 2010-04-14.
36. News: Shootouts are fan-friendly . . October 19, 2005 . 2010-04-14.
37. Swift . E. M. . Drop Those Pucks! . . 1995-01-23 . 2010-04-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090517111547/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1006188/index.htm . 2009-05-17 .