The Washington Capitals have the lowest goal differential by a team in a season, with a differential of -265 goals in 1974-75.

nhl history worst goal differential by season

TEAM	DIFF	SEASON	GP	W	L	T	OTL	PTS	PTS%	G	GA	PP%	PK%	S/GP	SA/GP
Washington Capitals	-265	1974-75	80	8	67	5		21	.131	181	446			23.06	38.30
Ottawa Senators	-196	1993-94	84	14	61	9		37	.220	201	397	14.5	73.3	25.58	33.05
San Jose Sharks	-196	1992-93	84	11	71	2		24	.143	218	414	16.1	76.6	28.38	36.67
Ottawa Senators	-193	1992-93	84	10	70	4		24	.143	202	395	14.7	75.0	27.15	31.83
New York Islanders	-177	1972-73	78	12	60	6		30	.192	170	347			25.03	34.55
Washington Capitals	-170	1975-76	80	11	59	10		32	.200	224	394			24.41	36.94
Quebec Nordiques	-167	1989-90	80	12	61	7		31	.194	240	407	18.9	74.3	28.76	34.42
Kansas City Scouts	-161	1975-76	80	12	56	12		36	.225	190	351			27.40	36.17
Winnipeg Jets	-154	1980-81	80	9	57	14		32	.200	246	400	17.3	74.2	28.28	34.90
Detroit Red Wings	-149	1985-86	80	17	57	6		40	.250	266	415	20.9	71.0	28.50	32.85
New York Rangers	-148	1943-44	50	6	39	5		17	.170	162	310
California Golden Seals	-147	1973-74	78	13	55	10		36	.231	195	342			25.55	34.62
San Jose Sharks	-146	2023-24	82	19	54		9	47	.287	180	326	20.2	75.4	25.23	35.13
Kansas City Scouts	-144	1974-75	80	15	54	11		41	.256	184	328			27.79	35.06
Atlanta Thrashers	-143	1999-00	82	14	57	7	4	39	.238	170	313	12.6	80.3	25.79	31.01
Hartford Whalers	-142	1982-83	80	19	54	7		45	.281	261	403	19.0	75.4	28.58	35.89
San Jose Sharks	-140	1991-92	80	17	58	5		39	.244	219	359	17.1	78.1	29.25	36.25
Pittsburgh Penguins	-137	1982-83	80	18	53	9		45	.281	257	394	22.5	72.5	30.23	32.69
Pittsburgh Penguins	-136	1983-84	80	16	58	6		38	.238	254	390	20.9	76.0	28.34	36.35
Anaheim Ducks	-129	2022-23	82	23	47		12	58	.354	206	335	15.7	72.1	28.37	39.11
Boston Bruins	-129	1961-62	70	15	47	8		38	.271	177	306			30.94	35.19
Washington Capitals	-126	1977-78	80	17	49	14		48	.300	195	321	12.5	71.4	24.95	31.25
Detroit Red Wings	-126	1976-77	80	16	55	9		41	.256	183	309			27.48	29.06
Detroit Red Wings	-123	2019-20	71	17	49		5	39	.275	142	265	14.9	74.3	27.10	32.80
Los Angeles Kings	-122	1969-70	76	14	52	10		38	.250	168	290			30.33	34.80