The 1974-75 season was the first to feature 80 games.
The final season of the Original Six era in 1966-67 consisted of
70 games. This was bumped up to 74 in 1967-68, two more the
following year, and 78 in 1969-70. There are currently 82 games in
an NHL season. This started in the 1995-96 season.