The 1995–96 Detroit Red Wings season was the 70th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on September 25, 1926. Regarded as one of the greatest regular seasons in NHL history, the Red Wings eclipsed the all-time record of most regular-season wins with 62, a record previously set at 60 by the 1976–77 Montreal Canadiens. This record was later tied by the 2018–19 Tampa Bay Lightning, and broken by the 2022–23 Boston Bruins, with their groundbreaking 65 wins that was set as a new NHL record. During the regular season, they garnered a total of 131 points, marking the highest tally since the Montreal Canadiens amassed 132 points in 1976–77. They surpassed most of that year's NBA season win records except for the Seattle SuperSonics (64–18) and the Chicago Bulls (72–10) being the only teams to win more games. The Red Wings had two winning streaks of nine games and had a 13-game unbeaten streak from March 3, 1996, to March 31, going 12–0–1 during that stretch. Having the best record in the league, the Red Wings were awarded the Presidents' Trophy. During the 1995–96 regular season, the Red Wings were the only team to score at least one goal in all 82 of its games. While the team is remembered for its record-breaking regular season, it ended in heartbreaking fashion in the playoffs. Detroit lost five games to Winnipeg and St. Louis, both teams that failed to get above 80 points in the regular season, including having to go to a decisive game 7 against St. Louis. They were ultimately upset by the Colorado Avalanche, winning only two of the six games in the series, and failed to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Throughout the season, the Red Wings achieved a total of 72 victories, which was on par with the 1976-77 Canadiens.

Off-season

In September 1995, the former 1974 draft pick and attorney Bill Evo was appointed president the Detroit Red Wings.

Regular season

The Red Wings finished first in wins (62), points (131), tied the Washington Capitals for most shutouts (9), allowed the fewest goals (181), the fewest even-strength goals (128), the fewest power-play goals (44) and had the best penalty-kill percentage (88.27%).

Season standings

Playoffs

In the first round of the playoffs, the Red Wings defeated the eighth-seeded Winnipeg Jets marking the Jets' final games in Winnipeg as the franchise relocated to Phoenix following their playoff defeat. The Wings then defeated the fifth-place St. Louis Blues in the second round. In the Western Conference Finals, the Red Wings were ousted in six games by the Colorado Avalanche, who were in the first year after moving from Quebec. These two teams started the Avalanche–Red Wings rivalry, which lasted nearly a decade.

Schedule and results

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Scoring

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Signings

Draft picks

Detroit's draft picks at the 1995 NHL entry draft held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta.