1981 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.

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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
Winnipeg Jets
in a single day (1981-03-07)
Longest Reign
20
Buffalo Sabres
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
144
New York Islanders
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−21
Winnipeg Jets
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 Sabres

Buffalo Memorial Auditorium

35 days led peak 21 +42 taken

New York Islanders

Nassau Coliseum

33 days led peak 21 +144 taken

Minnesota North Stars

Metropolitan Sports Center

22 days led peak 21 +56 taken

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Forum

22 days led peak 21 +42 taken

Detroit Red Wings

Joe Louis Arena

10 days led peak 14 +19 taken

Los Angeles Kings

The Forum

9 days led peak 21 +41 taken

Edmonton Oilers

Northlands Coliseum

7 days led peak 21 +72 taken

Boston Bruins

Boston Garden

6 days led peak 14 +36 taken

Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Arena

5 days led peak 21 +28 taken

New York Rangers

Madison Square Garden

5 days led peak 14 +46 taken

Washington Capitals

Capital Centre

5 days led peak 14 +22 taken

St. Louis Blues

Checkerdome

4 days led peak 21 +55 taken

Chicago Black Hawks

Chicago Stadium

4 days led peak 14 +20 taken

Colorado Rockies

McNichols Sports Arena

3 days led peak 14 +29 taken

Philadelphia Flyers

The Spectrum

1 day led peak 7 +10 taken

Quebec Nordiques

Colisée de Québec

0 days led peak 7 +8 taken

Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leaf Gardens

0 days led peak 7 +11 taken

Vancouver Canucks

Pacific Coliseum

0 days led peak 7 +15 taken

Calgary Flames

Stampede Corral

0 days led peak 5 +7 taken

Hartford Whalers

Springfield Civic Center

0 days led peak 1 +1 taken

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Civic Arena

0 days led peak 1 +1 taken

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