Can You Unscramble the Names of All 31 NHL Teams?

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Unscramble the Names of All 31 NHL Teams?
Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

About This Quiz

If we asked you to guess the name of the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, what would you say? The Lombardi Trophy? The Commissioner's Trophy? What about the Larry O'Brien Trophy? Maybe the Heisman Trophy? (Psych, that last one is for the top player in college football.) Would the Stanley Cup have ever entered your mind? 

You know, the Stanley Cup. That oversized, gaudy silver bowl-like cup thing that the best team in the National Hockey League hoists at the end of the season. That's the oldest trophy awarded for professional sports teams in all of North America.

The NHL currently has 31 member organizations competing for that piece of hardware — soon to be 32, with the addition of the as-yet-unnamed Seattle franchise. Despite the longevity of its trophy, the NHL does share some similarities with its pro sports brethren. There are Panthers and Rangers. Similar to the NFL, NBA and MLB, California and New York have multiple NHL franchises. And, like the others, the team names can be darn hard to unscramble!

So, don your sweater and "light the lamp" — it's time for a scrambled barnburner! Can you sort out the "candnseai" from the "tsoprdrae"? Let's hit the ice!

05_NHL rangers
NHL via YouTube
"Nrgaers" danger! Which New York team plays its home games at Madison Square Garden?
Rangers
Grinders
Saengers
Grands
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The New York Rangers take the ice at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, just down the street (sort of) from the New York Islanders, who play in two different arenas: Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale and Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

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18_Avalanche
NHL via YouTube
Colorado's NHL team draws its name from a natural occurrence. What is this word — "eavanchal"?
Enclave
Avalanche
Lavalances
Channels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's an appropriate name for a hockey team based in Denver, Colorado — the Avalanche. With the Rocky Mountains in the background, an avalanche is always a possibility and a concern!

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14_Senators
NHL via YouTube
Ottawa's "nosraest" are hockey players, not lawmakers. What is this team's name?
Treasons
Senators
Santanas
Santero
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We typically think of Senators as lawmakers, but not in Ottawa; they are 100% hockey players, with a logo representing a Roman general and member of the Roman Senate. The current Ottawa Senators aren't the originals, though. The first Senators team dates back to 1883 through 1934.

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19_stars
NHL via YouTube
You might think the Dallas "rsats" draws its name from its home state, but it actually relates to its origins in Minnesota. What is this team's name?
Rats
Stars
Tsars
Arts
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Dallas Stars started in Minnesota as the North Stars, so instead of coming up with an entirely new name when they moved south, they just dropped the word "North." Since Texas is the Lone Star State, the name is still applicable.

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03_nhl Devils
SPORTSNET via YouTube
They're no angels! This New Jersey team has a wicked nickname. Can you unscramble "vdleis"?
Levels
Silvers
Devils
Sliders
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The New Jersey Devils of the NHL's Eastern Conference have been around since 1974 (not nearly as long as the real devil, but we digress). They began as the Kansas City Scouts and then took a detour as the Colorado Rockies, before landing in New Jersey in 1982.

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12_nhl panthers
NHL via YouTube
You can look to the Florida "nashpret" if you're trying to figure out the NHL's southernmost franchise. What team is it?
Trepans
Arpents
Panthers
Parents
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You probably wouldn't pair the idea of "ice hockey" with a subtropical climate like the city of Sunrise, Florida. Nevertheless, the Panthers were founded in 1993, just a few miles from Fort Lauderdale.

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13_nhl Canadiens
NHL via YouTube
Montréal might be proud of its heritage, with a team name like "nsaicadne." What is it?
Acedias
Canadiens
Canines
Nancies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Montreal's team name is the French spelling of Canadians, using the letter E instead (so, Canadiens). They chose that name all the way back in 1909 before the NHL was even founded. That happened in 1917.

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23_nhl jets
NHL via YouTube
The Winnipeg "estj" name may have been inspired by an NFL team. Can you unscramble it?
Jest
Jets
Sets
Tests
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! Rumor has it that the original Jets team owner was a big fan of the NFL franchise, the New York Jets, and named his team accordingly. Additionally, Winnipeg is home to a Royal Canadian Air Force base.

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07_NHL Penguins
NHL via YouTube
The Pittsburgh "pngienus" are owned in part by a former player, Mario Lemieux. What franchise is it?
Genius
Gunnies
Pigeons
Penguins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mario Lemieux and Ronald Burkle purchased the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1999, two years after his initial retirement as a player. He later returned to the ice for the Penguins in 2000.

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10_Sabres
NHL via YouTube
There's a "French Connection" in the Buffalo "arbess" organization. What team are we referencing?
Arses
Bears
Sabres
Brass
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Buffalo Sabres' French Connection was actually three players — Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert — who made up the forward line for the team in the 1970s. Each has since had his number retired by the team.

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04_NHL Islanders
NHL via YouTube
You may not associate the word "ardelssni" with the state of New York, but here we are. What team are we talking about?
Darlings
Larders
Delicatessens
Islanders
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Islanders, one of New York's three NHL teams, earned its name for its fanbase, which resides primarily on Long Island. The Islanders have been a fixture in New York since the early 1970s.

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24_Ducks
NHL via YouTube
Thank Walt Disney for the name of this Anaheim team. Can you unscramble "csudk"?
Ducks
Scud
Dusks
Sucks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You've got an NHL team named after a song, so why not this team, named after a movie? The Anaheim Ducks came to life following Disney's release of the hockey film "The Mighty Ducks." Disney owned the team until 2005 when its name was reduced to just "Ducks."

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26_Flames
NHL via YouTube
The "lefsma" have nothing to do with Calgary and everything to do with where the team originated. What is the word?
Flames
Leafs
Fleas
Lames
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The team started in Atlanta, before relocating to Calgary in 1980. The name "Flames" is a reference to General Sherman's march from Atlanta to Savannah during the Civil War. When the team moved, Calgary kept the moniker.

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25_Coyotes
NHL via YouTube
This team is named after an animal you might find nearby. Who are the Arizona "etyscoo"?
Oocytes
Cooties
Coyotes
Scooters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Arizona Coyotes beat out the alternative, the Arizona Scorpions. (Neither is something we'd want to run into!) The Arizona Coyotes got their start in Winnipeg as the Jets before relocating to Arizona in 1996.

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08_NHL Capitals
NHL via YouTube
The "tlpsiaca" nickname is kind of a no-brainer for this Washington, D.C., club. What is it?
Capitals
Plastics
Spatial
Pascals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

What better name for a hockey team based in our nation's capital than the Capitals? It just makes sense! This club is nearly 50 years old, having occupied a place in the sports world of Washington, D.C., since 1974.

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15_Lightning
NHL via YouTube
Appropriately, the Tampa Bay "tghginnli" have a bolt on their jerseys. How would you unscramble the team name?
Lightning
Hinging
Lighting
Glinting
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A lightning bolt, of course! The Tampa Bay Lightning, often called "The Bolts," was founded in 1992. It's another team in a state not readily paired to the sport of ice hockey, but it works: Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup in the 2003 season.

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09_NHL Bruins
NHL via YouTube
This Boston-based team holds the distinction of being the oldest NHL franchise in the United States. Can you figure out the "runsbi"?
Brins
Bruins
Rubins
Bunsen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Boston Bruins hold the distinction of being the oldest U.S. member of the National Hockey League. "Bruin" is an Old English term for a brown bear. The team's brown and yellow were chosen to match the colors used in the first owner's grocery stores.

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17_Blackhawks
NHL via YouTube
The Chicago "kaakwclbsh" used to be a two-word name, but was changed to a single word in the 1980s. What is its name?
Blackhawks
Hacksaws
Blackclaws
Ashbacks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This team's founder commanded the Black Hawk regiment, named for the Sauk Chief Black Hawk, during World War I — hence the team's name. It was shortened to one word in 1986. The use of Native American imagery by sports teams is controversial in the current day.

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22_Blues
NHL via YouTube
If you're sad, maybe you've got the St. Louis "lsube." What team is it?
Slub
Blues
Lubes
Bules
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's nothing sad about this team! The St. Louis Blues drew inspiration from a song title, "St. Louis Blues," for its team name. It remains the only NHL team to be named after a song. Pretty cool!

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02_Blue Jackets
SPORTSNET via YouTube
The name and logo of the Columbus "lebu cjstaek" pay homage to Ohio's Civil War history. What team are we talking about?
Lube Steaks
Blue Jackets
Blue Shirts
Bule Socks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Blue Jackets" during the Civil War were soldiers who fought for the Union. Beyond that, the blue jackets those soldiers wore were manufactured in the city of Columbus itself. Pretty neat, huh?

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28_Kings
NHL via YouTube
This Los Angeles team shares a venue with the Lakers. What team is behind the "gknsi"?
Inks
Skins
Sing
Kings
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Los Angeles Kings are among about a dozen professional teams located in California's most famous city. They share a venue with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers (and, of course, LeBron James).

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16_Maple Leafs
NHL via YouTube
Wonder if they've got any syrup? How would you unscramble Toronto's "emlpa ealfs"?
Pale Llamas
Hot Flames
Maple Leafs
Small Flames
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Toronto is so cutting edge that its hockey team's name, the Maple Leafs, predates even the maple leaf on the Canadian flag. The maple leaf is said to represent unity and peace for our neighbors to the north.

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29_Sharks
NHL via YouTube
No babies here! What is the San Jose NHL franchise known as: "asrskh"?
Sashes
Sharks
Sarks
Harks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Baby shar ... nope, we're not going there! (But, it's stuck in your head now, isn't it?) The San Jose Sharks have been around a lot longer than that popular children's song, since the team was founded in 1991.

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20_Wild
NHL via YouTube
Minnesota opted for a team name that represented its surroundings. Can you unscramble "dwli"?
Dills
Wind
Lids
Wild
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Wild" seemed like an appropriate choice for a state with a plethora of woods and wildlife. The Minnesota Wild began to play in 2000 and made it all the way to the Stanley Cup playoffs just two seasons later.

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30_Canucks
NHL via YouTube
Vancouver's NHL team, the "cnaucsk," is named after a fictional character. Can you unscramble it?
Canucks
Ankus
Snacks
Kunas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Vancouver Canucks draw their name from the fictional character Johnny Canuck, which is similar to the United States' Uncle Sam and Britain's John Bull. Does that mean we're all related?

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21_Predators
NHL via YouTube
The Nashville "rstpreoda" relied on a prehistoric discovery in its city for its team name. What is it?
Praetors
Roadsters
Raptors
Predators
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1971, years before the Predators were founded in Nashville, the fang of a saber-tooth cat was discovered in the city's downtown. The name and logo of the Predators seemed an appropriate fit after such a discovery.

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01_Carolina Hurricanes
SPORTSNET via YouTube
The Carolina "siheurrnac" have a name that most would just as soon not deal with in real life. What is it?
Huaraches
Hurricanes
Chimineas
Shirred Tops
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The name "Hurricanes" is regionally appropriate for this North Carolina team, but it represents a real-life situation most people would like to avoid. The Hurricanes have been in North Carolina since moving out of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1997.

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06_NHL flyers
NHL via YouTube
This Philadelphia team's name might remind you of an airport. Can you detangle "frlyes"?
Yellers
Servers
Flyers
Fryers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you know "Flyers" aren't a real thing? Well, the team name is, but that's about it. "Flyers" has nothing to do with an airport, either. It was simply a term used to describe the fast-paced action of ice hockey.

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31_Golden Knights
NHL via YouTube
The Vegas "noegdl ktsgnhi" are the baby of the NHL. Which team is it?
Olden Kenos
Golden Tokens
Geld Loggets
Golden Knights
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Golden Knights became a franchise in Las Vegas, playing their first season in 2017. They also surprised everyone, winning their conference championship in their first year of existence. While the Golden Knights are currently the NHL's newest team, Seattle will introduce the league's 32nd franchise in 2021.

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27_Oilers
NHL via YouTube
Can you unscramble the Edmonton "soirel," who are part of the Battle of Alberta?
Lories
Orioles
Oilers
Roilers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Edmonton Oilers earned their name for the presence of oil fields in the vicinity of the franchise. The Oilers are one of two NHL teams in Alberta, leading to an Oilers-Flames rivalry known as the Battle of Alberta.

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11_NHL red wings
NHL via YouTube
If you're going to Hockeytown, you're going to see the Detroit "erd wgnsi" play. Who is it?
Winders
Red Wigs
Wingers
Red Wings
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Detroit community, home to the Red Wings, has been referred to as "Hockeytown" since the mid-1990s, when the term was incorporated in a marketing campaign for the franchise. It was so clever that they trademarked it!

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You Got:
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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison