The 1938–39 NHL season was the 22nd season of the National Hockey League (NHL). Seven teams each played 48 games. The Boston Bruins were the Stanley Cup winners as they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs four games to one in the final series.
The NHL created the icing rule on March 13, 1939.
Regular season
Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, 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
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Player |
Team |
GP |
G |
A |
PTS |
PIM |
Toe Blake |
Montreal Canadiens |
48 |
24 |
23 |
47 |
10 |
Sweeney Schriner |
New York Americans |
48 |
13 |
31 |
44 |
20 |
Bill Cowley |
Boston Bruins |
34 |
8 |
34 |
42 |
2 |
Clint Smith |
New York Rangers |
48 |
21 |
20 |
41 |
2 |
Marty Barry |
Detroit Red Wings |
48 |
13 |
28 |
41 |
4 |
Playoffs
Playoff bracket
NHL awards
All-Star teams
First team |
Position |
Second team |
Frank Brimsek, Boston Bruins |
G |
Earl Robertson, New York Americans |
Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins |
D |
Earl Seibert, Chicago Black Hawks |
Dit Clapper, Boston Bruins |
D |
Art Coulter, New York Rangers |
Syl Apps, Toronto Maple Leafs |
C |
Neil Colville, New York Rangers |
Gordie Drillon, Toronto Maple Leafs |
RW |
Bobby Bauer, Boston Bruins |
Toe Blake, Montreal Canadiens |
LW |
Johnny Gottselig, Chicago Black Hawks |
Art Ross, Boston Bruins |
Coach |
Red Dutton, New York Americans |