1980-81 NHL Imperialism Map

New York Islanders5–1Minnesota North Stars+21 territories

Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

This table shows all teams sorted by the number of territories they control.

Final standings: the New York Islanders finished on top with 21 of 21 territories (100.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
New York Islanders 21 (100.0%)

Play with the NHL Map

Simulate your own territory battles: spin the wheel, input results, and see what happens.

Imperialism Map is proudly sponsored by another of my projects:

Territory Creator


Sales territory management software

Because not all territorial conquests happen on the field.

Territory Mapping Software

How NHL Territory Conquest Works

  • Every team starts with the land closest to its arena.
  • Win a game and you take all of the loser's territory.
  • Territory carries over all season, with no resets until next year.
  • Click any territory to trace every team that held it.

Full Rules and FAQ

Data sources: Game data from Sports Reference; venue data from VenueStats .

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Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+21
in a single day (1981-03-07)
Longest Reign
20
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
144
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−21
lost in one day (1981-03-08)

Team Directory

Each team's season at a glance — days spent leading the map, largest empire, territory conquered, and the rise-and-fall sparkline. Sorted by who dominated.

Buffalo Memorial Auditorium

35 days led peak 21 +42 taken

Nassau Coliseum

33 days led peak 21 +144 taken

Montreal Forum

22 days led peak 21 +42 taken

Joe Louis Arena

10 days led peak 14 +19 taken

The Forum

9 days led peak 21 +41 taken

Northlands Coliseum

7 days led peak 21 +72 taken

Boston Garden

6 days led peak 14 +36 taken

Winnipeg Arena

5 days led peak 21 +28 taken

Madison Square Garden

5 days led peak 14 +46 taken

Capital Centre

5 days led peak 14 +22 taken

Checkerdome

4 days led peak 21 +55 taken

Chicago Stadium

4 days led peak 14 +20 taken

McNichols Sports Arena

3 days led peak 14 +29 taken

The Spectrum

1 day led peak 7 +10 taken

Colisée de Québec

0 days led peak 7 +8 taken

Maple Leaf Gardens

0 days led peak 7 +11 taken

Pacific Coliseum

0 days led peak 7 +15 taken

Stampede Corral

0 days led peak 5 +7 taken

Springfield Civic Center

0 days led peak 1 +1 taken

Explore NHL Through the Years

All 108 NHL seasons, 1917-18 to 2025-26. Replay any of them game by game, or make your own version.

Questions or Feedback?

Got ideas for making these maps better? Found something weird? Want to suggest a new feature?