most wins by a team after only 40 games

The Montreal Wanderers had the most wins by a team when playing 40 or fewer games, with 1 win.

Interpreted as:
most regular-season wins by a team after only 40 games
TEAM W GP SEASON L T PTS PTS% G GA DIFF PP% PK% S/GP S% SA/GP SV%
1
Wanderers
1
4
1917-18
5
0
2
.250
17
35
-18