2012–13 NHL season
The 2012–13 NHL season was the 96th season of operation (95th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on January 19, 2013, and ended on April 28, 2013, with the playoffs to follow until June.
| 2012–13 NHL season | |
|---|---|
| League | National Hockey League |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration | January 19 – June 24, 2013 |
| Number of games | 48 |
| Number of teams | 30 |
| Total attendance | 12,758,849 |
| TV partner(s) | CBC, TSN, RDS (Canada) NBCSN, NBC, CNBC (United States) |
| Draft | |
| Top draft pick | Nail Yakupov |
| Picked by | Edmonton Oilers |
| Regular season | |
| Presidents' Trophy | Chicago Blackhawks |
| Season MVP | Alexander Ovechkin (Capitals) |
| Top scorer | Martin St. Louis (Lightning) |
| Playoffs | |
| Playoffs MVP | Patrick Kane (Blackhawks) |
| Stanley Cup | |
| Champions | Chicago Blackhawks |
| Runners-up | Boston Bruins |
The season start was delayed from its original October 11, 2012, date due to a lockout imposed by the NHL franchise owners after the expiration of the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA). After a new labour agreement was reached between the owners and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), training camps opened on January 13, 2013, and a 48-game season (reduced from 82 games) started on January 19. Similar to the 1994–95 season, the shortened regular season was limited to intra-conference competition. The season calendar opened with the 2012 NHL Entry Draft on June 22–23, 2012, held at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.