NHL's Longest Unbeaten Streak

The 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers put together an astonishing unbeaten streak that has never been matched: going 35 games without a loss. It's the longest undefeated streak in NHL history and the longest in any U.S. professional sport. The Flyers played the better part of three months without a defeat, posting 25 wins, zero losses and 10 ties from Oct. 14, 1979, to Jan. 6, 1980.

During this era, NHL games tied after 60 minutes were declared a tie. Overtime was not introduced to regular-season games until 1983, and the shootout did not begin until 2005.

Facts About the Streak

  • The Flyers were 14-0-6 at home and 11-0-4 on the road.
  • Philadelphia's schedule included games against every NHL opponent except the Washington Capitals.
  • The Flyers tied three straight games from Dec. 1 to Dec. 4, 1979, the beginning of a stretch that saw six out of nine games end in a tie.
  • On Dec. 22, 1979, the Flyers defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 to break the previous NHL record, a 28-game unbeaten streak set by the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens.

Longest Undefeated Streak in Sports

On Jan. 4, 1980, the Flyers beat the New York Rangers 5-3 to achieve the longest undefeated streak in all U.S. pro sports. The previous record had been held by the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, who went 33 games without a loss during the 1971-72 NBA season.

The 1971-72 Lakers are unmatched in one respect, however. There are no ties in the NBA. So the Lakers historic tear racked up 33 straight wins. It's a winning streak that has never come close to being broken in any sport.

Streak Halted

The Flyers streak ended with a 7-1 loss to the Minnesota North Stars on Jan. 7, 1980. Interestingly, the Flyers did not end the season as the top NHL team. Philadelphia finished the season with a record of 48-12-20, leading the NHL with 116 points. But they didn't win the Stanley Cup, losing the final to the New York Islanders in six games.

Game-by-Game Record

B game-by-game record of the ​Flyers' remarkable unbeaten streak during the 1979-1980 season. Home games are indicated with an asterisk.

Oct. 18

Flyers 6

Atlanta Flames 2*

Oct. 2

Flyers 7

Detroit Red Wings 3

Oct. 21

Flyers 6

Montreal Canadiens 6*

Oct. 25

Flyers 5

New York Rangers 2*

Oct. 28

Flyers 5

Detroit Red Wings 4*

Nov. 1

Flyers 3

St. Louis Blues 1*

Nov. 3

Flyers 5

Montreal Canadiens 3

Nov. 4

Flyers 3

Buffalo Sabres 1*

Nov. 7

Flyers 4

Quebec Nordiques 3

Nov. 1

Flyers 5

New York Islanders 2

Nov. 11

Flyers 5

Vancouver Canucks 4*

Nov. 15

Flyers 5

Edmonton Oilers 3*

Nov. 17

Flyers 3

St. Louis Blues 3

Nov. 21

Flyers 6

Los Angeles Kings 4

Nov. 23

Flyers 5

Vancouver Canucks 2

Nov. 24

Flyers 2

Edmonton Oilers 2

Nov. 27

Flyers 6

Hartford Whalers 2*

Nov. 29

Flyers 6

Minnesota North Stars 4*

Dec. 1

Flyers 4

Detroit Red Wings 4*

Dec. 4

Flyers 2

Boston Bruins 2*

Dec. 6

Flyers 9

Los Angeles Kings 4*

Dec. 9

Flyers 4

Chicago Blackhawks 4*

Dec. 13

Flyers 6

Quebec Nordiques 4*

Dec. 15

Flyers 3

Buffalo Sabres 2*

Dec. 16

Flyers 1

New York Rangers 1*

Dec. 20

Flyers 1

Pittsburgh Penguins 1*

Dec. 22

Flyers 5

Boston Bruins 2

Dec. 23

Flyers 4

Hartford Whalers 2*

Dec. 26

Flyers 4

Hartford Whalers 4

Dec. 28

Flyers 5

Winnipeg Jets 3

Dec. 29

Flyers 3

Colorado Rockies 2

Jan. 4

Flyers 5

New York Rangers 3

Jan. 6

Flyers 4

Buffalo Sabres 2