1928–29 NHL season

The 1928–29 NHL season was the 12th season of the National Hockey League. Ten teams played 44 games each. This was the first Stanley Cup Finals that saw two United States-based teams compete for the cup. The Boston Bruins defeated the New York Rangers two games to none in the best-of-three final.

Notable rule changes
Forward passing was permitted from the neutral zone across the blue line into the attacking zone, as long as no offensive player preceded the puck into the attacking zone; forward passing within the attacking zone was still forbidden. Regular season overtime was changed to a 10-minute, non-sudden-death format, to be played in its entirety.

During this season, the NHL office started tabulating defensive statistics, such as shots stopped, saves made and save percentage.

The league was determined to increase scoring. In the final game of the season between the Rangers and Pittsburgh, forward passing in the attacking zone was allowed; kicking of the puck was allowed; and goalies were prohibited from holding the puck more than three seconds. The experiment was considered a success, and the changes were a part of the rules for the 1928–29 season.

Regular season
Ottawa continued in financial trouble and sold Punch Broadbent to the New York Americans. They continued to erode, and at one point, rumour had it that they would be sold to a Chicago group. Frank Ahearn, the Senators owner, denied this, but admitted that the team was for sale to the highest bidder.

The New York Americans, last place finishers in 1927–28, surprised everyone by occupying first place for much of the season in the Canadian Division. They were held up by the great play of defenceman Lionel Conacher and goaltender Roy Worters. However, the Montreal Canadiens dislodged the Americans and finished first. Boston, led by rookie Tiny Thompson in goal, led the American Division.

Bruins' player George Owen was the first NHL player to regularly wear headgear for protective purposes. Prior to this, the only time protective headgear was worn was to temporarily protect injuries. Fifty-one years later the NHL mandated the use of helmets. Craig MacTavish was the last NHL player to not wear a helmet, retiring in 1997.

The Chicago Black Hawks set records for goal scoring futility, scoring on average less than one goal per game (33), while giving up a league worst 85 goals against. In one stretch from February 7 through February 28, the Hawks were shut out in eight consecutive games. Forward Vic Ripley was the Hawks' leading goal scorer with only 11 goals and 2 assists for 13 points for the entire 44-game season.

The season produced a record 120 shutouts in the 220 games played. George Hainsworth, Canadiens goaltender, set an NHL record that remains unmatched through the 2015–16 season of 22 shutouts and a 0.92 goals against average. Seven other goaltenders hit double digits in shutouts.

Final standings
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold

Playoffs
The playoff format was revised to match the divisional first-place teams in a best-of-five semifinal. The divisional second-place teams and third-place teams played off in a two-game total-goals series to determine the participants for the other best-of-three semifinal. The semifinal winners then played off in a best-of-three series for the Cup.

Stanley Cup Finals
The Bruins won their first Stanley Cup defeating the Rangers. In the process, Boston became one of the few Cup winners in history to not lose a single game in the playoffs, and the last team until 1952 to go undefeated in the playoffs.

Awards
Frank Boucher won his second consecutive Lady Byng award and George Hainsworth won his third consecutive Vezina Trophy.

Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes Source: NHL.

Leading goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average Source: hockey-reference.com

American Division

 * Boston Bruins: Art Ross
 * Chicago Black Hawks: Herb Gardiner and Dick Irvin
 * Detroit Cougars: Jack Adams
 * New York Rangers: Lester Patrick
 * Pittsburgh Pirates: Odie Cleghorn

Canadian Division

 * Montreal Canadiens: Cecil Hart
 * Montreal Maroons: Eddie Gerard
 * New York Americans: Tommy Gorman
 * Ottawa Senators: Dave Gill
 * Toronto Maple Leafs: Conn Smythe

Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1928–29 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):
 * Tiny Thompson, Boston Bruins
 * Cooney Weiland, Boston Bruins
 * George Owen, Boston Bruins
 * Johnny Gottselig, Chicago Black Hawks
 * Mush March, Chicago Black Hawks
 * Herbie Lewis, Detroit Cougars
 * Georges Mantha, Montreal Canadiens
 * Armand Mondou, Montreal Canadiens
 * Baldy Northcott, Montreal Maroons
 * Dave Trottier, Montreal Maroons
 * Earl Robinson, Montreal Maroons
 * Red Horner, Toronto Maple Leafs
 * Andy Blair, Toronto Maple Leafs

Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1928–29 (listed with their last team):
 * Cy Denneny, Boston Bruins
 * Duke Keats, Chicago Black Hawks
 * Dick Irvin, Chicago Black Hawks
 * Red Green, Detroit Cougars
 * Herb Gardiner, Montreal Canadiens
 * Punch Broadbent, New York Americans