The 2015–16 NHL season was the 99th season of operation (98th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). Thirty teams competed 82-game regular season schedules prior to the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. The regular season began on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, and ended on Saturday, April 10, 2016. The playoffs began on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 and ended on June 12 with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning their fourth Stanley Cup.