1981 Stanley Cup playoffs

Game season August 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs 1981 April 8–May 21, 1981 16 New York Islanders New York Islanders Minnesota North Stars 1980 1982 The 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) began on April 8, after the conclusion of the 1980–81 NHL season. The playoffs concluded on May 21 with the champion New York Islanders defeating the Minnesota North Stars 5–1 to win the final series four games to one and win the Stanley Cup. right|175px|thumb|The Stanley Cup In game one of the Edmonton-Montreal series, Wayne Gretzky recorded five assists, at the time this was a single game playoff record.The Montreal Canadiens:100 Years of Glory D'Arcy Jenish 243 Doubleday 2009 978-0-385-66325-0 These were the last Stanley Cup playoffs conducted under a format that paired teams in each round without regard to division or conference standing; the 2021 playoffs, however, mostly disregarded the conference setups, while mostly keeping the usual divisional format in place. Playoff seeds The top 16 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, and were seeded 1–16 based on regular season points, regardless of conference or division, as follows: New York Islanders, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions, NHL regular season champions – 110 points St. Louis Blues, Smythe Division champions – 107 points Montreal Canadiens, Norris Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 103 points Los Angeles Kings – 99 points (43 wins) Buffalo Sabres, Adams Division champions – 99 points (39 wins) Philadelphia Flyers – 97 points Calgary Flames – 92 points Boston Bruins – 87 points (37 wins) Minnesota North Stars – 87 points (35 wins) Chicago Black Hawks – 78 points (31 wins) Quebec Nordiques – 78 points (30 wins) Vancouver Canucks – 76 points New York Rangers – 74 points (30 wins) Edmonton Oilers – 74 points (29 wins) Pittsburgh Penguins – 73 points Toronto Maple Leafs – 71 points Playoff bracket The NHL used "re-seeding" instead of a fixed bracket playoff system: in each round, the highest remaining seed was matched against the lowest remaining seed, the second-highest remaining seed played the second-lowest remaining seed, and so forth. Each series in the Preliminary Round was played in a best-of-five format while each series in the other three rounds were played in a best-of-seven format. main Bracket 0 0 Preliminary Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals 1 NY Islanders 3 16 Toronto 0 3 Montreal 0 14 Edmonton 3 2 St. Louis 3 15 Pittsburgh 2 4 Los Angeles 1 13 NY Rangers 3 5 Buffalo 3 12 Vancouver 0 6 Philadelphia 3 11 Quebec 2 7 Calgary 3 10 Chicago 0 8 Boston 0 9 Minnesota 3 1 NY Islanders 4 8 Edmonton 2 2 St. Louis 2 7 NY Rangers 4 3 Buffalo 1 6 Minnesota 4 4 Philadelphia 3 5 Calgary 4 1 NY Islanders 4 4 NY Rangers 0 2 Calgary 2 3 Minnesota 4 1 NY Islanders 4 3 Minnesota 1 Preliminary round (1) New York Islanders vs. (16) Toronto Maple Leafs The New York Islanders, the defending 1980 Stanley Cup champions, entered the playoffs as the regular season, Campbell Conference, and Patrick Division champions, earning 110 points. The Toronto Maple Leafs earned 71 points during the regular season to finish sixteenth overall in the league. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the only previous meeting being the 1978 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, where Toronto defeated the Islanders in seven games. The Islanders won three of the four games in this year's regular season series. Toronto was swept in the opening round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year. New York's series-clinching win in game three was the first (and to date only until the bubble in the 2020 playoffs) time that the Islanders have won a playoff game in Toronto, and this was the second (and to date, last) victory that a road team has ever earned in the three series between these two franchises. As of 2019, this series marks the only time that the Islanders have defeated Toronto in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In game one, the Islanders scored three times on the power play, and Bryan Trottier scored twice and added three assists in a decisive 9–2 victory. The Islanders dominance of the Maple Leafs continued in game two, as Trottier recorded a hat trick in a 5-1 Islanders win. The Islanders jumped all over the Maple Leafs quickly in game three, by jumping out to a 5–0 lead after the first period. The Maple Leafs and Islanders traded goals in the second period 19 seconds apart. Game three ended in a series-clinching 6-1 Islanders victory. Toronto Maple Leafs New York Islanders Maple Leaf Gardens Nassau Coliseum April 8 2–9 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-nyi/1981/04/08/1980030111#game=1980030111,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No Scoring 05:27 – sh – Billy Carroll (1)11:26 – pp – Clark Gillies (1) Bill Derlago (1) – pp – 01:39 07:34 – pp – Mike Bossy (1)08:30 – Bryan Trottier (1)10:17 – pp – Bryan Trottier (2)19:06 – Bob Lorimer (1) Ian Turnbull (1) – 17:00 02:25 – Mike Bossy (2)07:25 – Bob Bourne (1)11:30 – sh – Bob Bourne (2) Jiri Crha 21 saves / 27 shotsMichel Larocque 5 saves / 8 shots Billy Smith 29 saves / 30 shotsRoland Melanson 10 saves / 11 shots April 9 1–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-nyi/1981/04/09/1980030112/recap/box-score#game=1980030112,game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring No scoring No scoring 07:39 – Mike Bossy (3)08:18 – Bryan Trottier (3)19:16 – pp – Bryan Trottier (4) Bruce Boudreau (1) – 6:06 09:27 – Mike McEwen (1)13:40 – Bryan Trottier (5) Michel Larocque 19 saves / 24 shotsJiri Crha 3 saves / 3 shots Billy Smith 25 saves / 26 shots April 11 6–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-tor/1981/04/11/1980030113#game=1980030113,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring Wayne Merrick (1) – 08:58Mike Bossy (4) – pp – 12:05Hector Marini (1) – 14:03Mike McEwen (2) – pp – 17:40Clark Gillies (2) – 19:35 13:53 – Rick Vaive (1) Bryan Trottier (6) – 13:34 No scoring No scoring Jiri Crha 9 saves / 14 shotsPaul Harrison 16 saves / 17 shots Billy Smith 22 saves / 23 shots New York won series 3–0 (2) St. Louis Blues vs. (15) Pittsburgh Penguins The St. Louis Blues entered the playoffs as the Smythe Division champions, earning 107 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins earned 73 points during the regular season to finish fifteenth overall in the league. This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams; the teams split their two previous series. Their most recent meeting was in the 1975 Preliminary round, where Pittsburgh defeated St. Louis in two-game sweep. These teams split this year's four-game regular season series. In game one of the series, Pittsburgh struck quickly thanks to a Greg Malone goal at 0:15 of the first period. However, the Blues recovered by the end of the second period and took a 3–2 lead into the final period, which they held on to, winning the game 4–2. Game two proved to be a different story, as the Penguins exploded offensively and scored four times in the second period to erase a 1-0 first period deficit. The Blues and Penguins traded goals in the third period, giving Pittsburgh a 6–4 victory that tied the series at a game apiece. Game three went back and forth, with both teams trading goals all game long until Bernie Federko scored his second goal of the game with 4:06 left to play in the third period. The Blues won the game 5-4 and retook home ice advantage in the best-of-five series. The Penguins avoided elimination in game four, as Randy Carlyle and Mike Bullard each scored three points in the game, helping the Penguins to a 6–3 win. Game five was another tight contest and for the first time in the series overtime was required, with the score tied at 3 after regulation time. The game and series ended on Mike Crombeen's second goal of the series, scored at 5:16 of the second overtime period, giving St. Louis a 4–3 win and a 3–2 series victory.Overtime Games: 1980-89 http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=31244 https://web.archive.org/web/20121110085419/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=31244 dead November 10, 2012 National Hockey League May 10, 2013 Pittsburgh Penguins St. Louis Blues Pittsburgh Civic Arena Checkerdome April 8 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-stl/1981/04/08/1980030121#game=1980030121,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Greg Malone (1) – 00:15 04:48 – pp – Mike Zuke (1)15:58 – Tony Currie (1) Rod Schutt (1) – 13:21 14:44 – Jorgen Pettersson (1) No scoring 19:59 – en – Mike Crombeen (1) Greg Millen 44 saves / 47 shots Mike Liut 24 saves / 26 shots April 9 6–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-stl/1981/04/09/1980030122#game=1980030122,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring 02:35 – pp – Joe Micheletti (1) Randy Carlyle (1) – 02:03Gregg Sheppard (1) – 04:58Mario Faubert (1) – pp – 06:59George Ferguson (1) – 11:13 03:11 – Tony Currie (2) Rod Schutt (2) – 00:35Randy Carlyle (2) – 03:06 10:49 – Blair Chapman (1)16:04 – pp – Bernie Federko (1) Greg Millen 19 saves / 23 shots Mike Liut 24 saves / 30 shots April 11 5–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-pit/1981/04/11/1980030123#game=1980030123,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 07:04 – pp – Rod Schutt (3) Brian Sutter (1) – pp – 11:51 08:57 – Mike Bullard (1)10:31 – Mark Johnson (1) Ralph Klassen (1) – 06:36Wayne Babych (1) – 09:58Bernie Federko (2) – pp – 14:38 05:08 – pp – Gregg Sheppard (2) Bernie Federko (3) – 15:54 Greg Millen 27 saves / 32 shots Mike Liut 27 saves / 31 shots April 12 3–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-pit/1981/04/12/1980030124#game=1980030124,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 14:52 – pp – Mike Bullard (2) Ralph Klassen (2) – 05:53Mike Zuke (2) – pp – 07:10 07:45 – pp – Mark Johnson (2)11:49 – sh – Randy Carlyle (3) Mike Zuke (3) – pp – 13:55 00:44 – Mike Bullard (3)09:21 – Randy Carlyle (4)14:02 – Pat Price (1) No scoring Greg Millen 21 saves / 24 shots Mike Liut 28 saves / 34 shots April 14 3–4 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-stl/1981/04/14/1980030125#game=1980030125,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Paul Gardner (1) – pp – 07:48 No scoring George Ferguson (2) – 15:06 11:17 – Brian Sutter (2)16:06 – pp – Bernie Federko (4) Greg Malone (2) – 10:36 03:34 – Rick Lapointe (1) No scoring 05:16 – Mike Crombeen (2) Greg Millen 48 saves / 52 shots Mike Liut 48 saves / 51 shots St. Louis won series 3–2 (3) Montreal Canadiens vs. (14) Edmonton Oilers The Montreal Canadiens entered the playoffs as the Wales Conference and Norris Division champions, earning 103 points. The Edmonton Oilers earned 74 points during the regular season and finished fourteenth overall, losing the tiebreaker with the New York Rangers in wins (30 to 29). This was the first and only playoff meeting between these two teams. These teams split this year's four-game regular season series. The Oilers recorded the first playoff series victory by any of the four teams that joined the NHL in the 1979. It was also the first-ever sweep by the Oilers, including their history as a World Hockey Association franchise. The Oilers gained a 6–3 victory in game one, in large part due to Wayne Gretzky's five-assist night. At the time this was a new playoff record for assists by a single player in one game. Edmonton went on to win game two, with Risto Siltanen's power play goal at 4:43 of the second period giving the Oilers a 2–1 lead, Edmonton eventually winning the game by a score of 3–1. Edmonton completed the sweep of the heavily favoured Canadiens in game three, defeating Montreal 6–2. Gretzky led all scorers in the three-game series, finishing with 11 points (3G, 8A). Edmonton Oilers Montreal Canadiens Northlands Coliseum Forum de Montréal April 8 6–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-mtl/1981/04/08/1980030131#game=1980030131,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Glenn Anderson (1) – 06:41Jari Kurri (1) – 11:42Jari Kurri (2) – 17:36 11:15 – Steve Shutt (1) No scoring No scoring Brett Callighen (1) – 01:14Paul Coffey (1) – 13:38 Brett Callighen (2) – en – 19:21 07:39 – pp – Doug Risebrough (1)16:55 – Rejean Houle (1) Andy Moog 28 saves / 31 shots Richard Sevigny 22 saves / 27 shots April 9 3–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-mtl/1981/04/09/1980030132#game=1980030132,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Paul Coffey (2) – 05:24 No scoring Risto Siltanen (1) – pp – 04:43 00:32 – pp – Gaston Gingras (1) Jari Kurri (3) – 14:27 No scoring Andy Moog 40 saves / 41 shots Richard Sevigny 26 saves / 29 shots April 11 2–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-edm/1981/04/11/1980030133#game=1980030133,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 06:09 – Matti Hagman (1)11:54 – Paul Coffey (3) No scoring 08:15 – Wayne Gretzky (1)18:56 – Wayne Gretzky (2) Brian Engblom (1) – 08:49Steve Shutt (2) – 15:33 19:23 – en – Dave Lumley (1)19:53 – Wayne Gretzky (3) No scoring Andy Moog 22 saves / 24 shots Richard Sevigny 23 saves / 28 shots Edmonton won series 3–0 (4) Los Angeles Kings vs. (13) New York Rangers The Los Angeles Kings entered the playoffs as the fourth overall seed in the league with 99 points, winning the tiebreaker with the Buffalo Sabres in wins (43 to 39). The New York Rangers earned 74 points during the regular season and finished thirteenth overall, winning the tiebreaker with the Edmonton Oilers in wins (30 to 29). This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the only previous meeting being the 1979 Preliminary round, where New York defeated Los Angeles in two-game sweep. The Kings won three of the four games in this year's regular season series. The Rangers won game one in large part due to the impressive goaltending performance of Steve Baker, as he turned away 31 of the Kings' 32 shots. Game two was marked by a brawl at the end of the first period; six players were ejected from the game as result of this. The Kings won game two 5–4 on the strength of a Dean Hopkins goal at 17:16 of the third period. Game three was dominated by the Rangers, as eight different players would score in the game for New York, and the Rangers won 10–3 on home ice. Game four was tied 3–3 in the third period, until Tom Laidlaw's goal at 6:44 gave the Rangers a 4–3 lead. The Rangers added two more goals in the third, earning a series-clinching 6–3 victory. Ranger forwards Ron Duguay and Ulf Nilsson each scored a goal in every game of this series. New York Rangers Los Angeles Kings Madison Square Garden The Forum April 8 3–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-lak/1981/04/08/1980030141#game=1980030141,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Anders Hedberg (1) – 09:04 No scoring Ulf Nilsson (1) – 01:25 No scoring Ron Duguay (1) – en – 19:52 12:31 – Billy Harris (1) Steve Baker 31 saves / 32 shots Mario Lessard 16 saves / 18 shots April 9 4–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-lak/1981/04/09/1980030142#game=1980030142,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Ed Hospodar (1) – 00:27 08:22 – pp – Larry Murphy (1)08:48 – pp – Marcel Dionne (1) Ron Duguay (2) – 16:44 15:04 – pp – Dave Taylor (1) Anders Hedberg (2) – pp – 07:01Ulf Nilsson (2) – 11:17 02:34 – Billy Harris (2)17:16 – Dean Hopkins (1) Steve Baker 34 saves / 39 shots Mario Lessard 23 saves / 27 shots April 11 3–10 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-nyr/1981/04/11/1980030143#game=1980030143,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 01:51 – pp – Don Maloney (1)08:28 – Barry Beck (1)14:29 – Ron Greschner (1)19:44 – Ed Johnstone (1) Mark Hardy (1) – pp – 01:13Dave Taylor (2) – 02:48 07:34 – Ron Duguay (3)12:25 – Ed Johnstone (2)13:40 – Dean Talafous (1)16:44 – Ulf Nilsson (3) No scoring 02:51 – Mike Allison (1)07:38 – pp – Ulf Nilsson (4) Larry Murphy (2) – 18:59 Steve Baker 16 saves / 18 shotsSteve Weeks 7 saves / 8 shots Mario Lessard 22 saves / 30 shotsJim Rutherford 6 saves / 8 shots April 12 3–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-nyr/1981/04/12/1980030144#game=1980030144,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 00:46 – Ron Duguay (4)05:53 – Lance Nethery (1) Greg Terrion (1) – pp – 01:47Dan Bonar (1) – sh – 13:26 08:22 – Ulf Nilsson (5) Larry Murphy (3) – 14:30 06:44 – Tom Laidlaw (1)12:11 – Anders Hedberg (3)15:08 – Ron Duguay (5) No scoring Steve Baker 24 saves / 27 shots Mario Lessard 42 saves / 48 shots New York won series 3–1 (5) Buffalo Sabres vs. (12) Vancouver Canucks The Buffalo Sabres entered the playoffs as the Adams Division champions, earning 99 points, losing the tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Kings in wins (43 to 39). The Vancouver Canucks earned 76 points during the regular season and finished twelfth overall in the league. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, and was a rematch of last year's Preliminary Round, where Buffalo defeated Vancouver in four games. These teams split this year's four-game regular season series. The Sabres swept Vancouver in three games, eliminating the Canucks in the preliminary round for the second consecutive season. Buffalo forced game one to overtime as Andre Savard scored the tying goal with just 8 seconds left in the third period. Rookie centre Alan Haworth scored the game-winning goal for Buffalo five minutes into overtime. The Sabres scored three times on the power play in game two, winning the game 5–2. Vancouver attempted to mount a comeback from a 4–1 deficit in the third period of game three before Buffalo's Tony McKegney scored his second goal of the game, giving the Sabres a 5–3 lead. Buffalo hung on to their 5–3 lead and clinched the series with a game three victory. Vancouver Canucks Buffalo Sabres Pacific Coliseum Buffalo Memorial Auditorium April 8 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/van-vs-buf/1981/04/08/1980030151#game=1980030151,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Darcy Rota (1) – pp – 12:31 No Scoring Curt Fraser (1) – 04:51 00:14 – Ric Seiling (1) No Scoring 19:52 – Andre Savard (1) No Scoring 05:00 – Alan Haworth (1) Richard Brodeur 24 saves / 27 shots Don Edwards 17 saves / 19 shots April 9 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/van-vs-buf/1981/04/09/1980030152#game=1980030152,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Jerry Butler (1) – 07:40 05:02 – pp – Alan Haworth (2)09:09 – Andre Savard (2)19:41 – pp – Danny Gare (1) No scoring 4:05 – Andre Savard (3)15:52 – pp – Lindy Ruff (1) Stan Smyl (1) – 01:59 No Scoring Richard Brodeur 32 saves / 37 shots Don Edwards 20 saves / 22 shots April 11 5–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-van/1981/04/11/1980030153#game=1980030153,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 13:57 – Darcy Rota (2) Danny Gare (2) – 11:10Tony McKegney (1) – 14:37Danny Gare (3) – pp – 17:12 No Scoring Lindy Ruff (2) – 10:25 01:13 – Thomas Gradin (1)13:08 – Ivan Boldirev (1) Tony McKegney (2) – 15:42 Richard Brodeur 19 saves / 24 shots Don Edwards 23 saves / 26 shots Buffalo won series 3–0 (6) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (11) Quebec Nordiques The Philadelphia Flyers entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the league with 97 points. The Quebec Nordiques earned 78 points during the regular season and finished eleventh overall, losing the tiebreaker with the Chicago Black Hawks in wins (31 to 30). This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Quebec won this year's four-game regular season series earning five of eight points. This series also marked the first appearance of a team representing Quebec City in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 68 years. The most recent team to represent Quebec City prior to this was the Quebec Bulldogs who won the Stanley Cup in 1913, in the Bulldogs' final playoff appearance.Stanley Cup Playoffs http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25098 https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053707/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25098 dead September 21, 2013 National Hockey League June 5, 2013 The home team won all games of this series. Bill Barber and Ken Linseman scored five points each in the first two games of the series. The Flyers won both games in Philadelphia, taking a 2–0 series lead. Game three was a battle of goaltenders, as the game remained scoreless until 9:48 of the third period, when Michel Goulet scored the eventual game-winning goal; Quebec won game three 2–0. Philadelphia took a 3–1 lead into the third period in game four, however the Nordiques made a comeback, tying the game in the third period with two goals in the last five minutes. Quebec completed the comeback 37 seconds into overtime as Dale Hunter scored the game-winning goal. Ken Linseman's three points in the third period of Game 5 helped ensure a Philadelphia series-clinching win, 5–2. Quebec Nordiques Philadelphia Flyers Colisée de Québec Spectrum April 8 4–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/que-vs-phi/1981/04/08/1980030161#game=1980030161,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Anton Stastny (1) – 14:08 06:45 – Bill Barber (1)09:09 – Brian Propp (1)16:00 – Brian Propp (2) Michel Goulet (1) – 01:28Dale Hunter (1) – 04:34 No scoring Anton Stastny (2) – pp – 17:55 01:41 – Paul Holmgren (1)09:59 – Al Hill (1)19:19 – en – Bill Barber (2) Dan Bouchard 39 saves / 44 shots Rick St. Croix 16 saves / 20 shots April 9 5–8 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/que-vs-phi/1981/04/09/1980030162#game=1980030162,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Peter Stastny (1) – pp – 16:50 02:07 – Bill Barber (3)14:56 – Mel Bridgman (1)18:31 – pp – Bill Barber (4) Anton Stastny (3) – 02:31Jacques Richard (1) – pp – 19:29 05:55 – sh – Bill Barber (5)09:47 – Tom Gorence (1) Dale Hunter (2) – 10:36Marc Tardif (1) – 13:25 03:25 – Ken Linseman (1)15:21 – Mel Bridgman (2)18:46 – sh-en – Bobby Clarke (1) Dan Bouchard 16 saves / 22 shotsMichel Plasse 7 saves / 8 shots Pete Peeters 20 saves / 25 shots April 11 0–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-que/1981/04/11/1980030163#game=1980030163,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 09:48 – Michel Goulet (2)17:26 – Peter Stastny (2) No scoring Dan Bouchard 32 saves / 32 shots Rick St. Croix 29 saves / 31 shots April 12 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-que/1981/04/12/1980030164#game=1980030164,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 06:13 – pp – Robbie Ftorek (1) Terry Murray (1) – 00:07Behn Wilson (1) – 07:39Tom Gorence (2) – 13:34 No scoring No scoring 15:35 – Dale Hunter (3)17:08 – Jacques Richard (2) No scoring 00:37 – Dale Hunter (4) No scoring Dan Bouchard 19 saves / 22 shots Rick St. Croix 19 saves / 23 shots April 14 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/que-vs-phi/1981/04/14/1980030165#game=1980030165,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Michel Goulet (3) – 18:04 17:16 – pp – Rick MacLeish (1) No scoring 10:05 – Al Hill (2) Anton Stastny (4) – pp – 06:16 00:18 – Ken Linseman (2)02:48 – Paul Holmgren (2)05:07 – Brian Propp (3) Dan Bouchard 32 saves / 37 shots Pete Peeters 16 saves / 18 shots Philadelphia won series 3–2 (7) Calgary Flames vs. (10) Chicago Black Hawks The Calgary Flames entered the playoffs as the seventh seed in the league with 92 points. The Chicago Black Hawks earned 78 points during the regular season and finished tenth overall, winning the tiebreaker with the Quebec Nordiques in wins (31 to 30). This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Chicago won this year's four-game regular season series earning five of eight points. This series also marked the first appearance of a team representing Calgary in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 56 years. The most recent team to represent Calgary prior to this was the Calgary Tigers who lost the WCHL Final in 1925. The Flames recorded their first sweep and first playoff series victory in franchise history. In game one, Calgary's Kent Nilsson recorded a point on every Calgary goal, helping the Flames to a 4–3 win. Calgary scored three times in the third period of game two and won the game decisively by a score of 6–2. The Black Hawks heavily out-shot the Flames in game three; Rejean Lemelin made 61 saves for the Flames. Chicago tied the game on a Darryl Sutter goal with 43 seconds left in the third period. However the Black Hawks came up short in double overtime as Willi Plett scored the series-clinching goal for the Flames at 15:17. Chicago Black Hawks Calgary Flames Chicago Stadium Stampede Corral April 8 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-cgy/1981/04/08/1980030171#game=1980030171,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring No scoring Darryl Sutter (1) – 17:54Al Secord (1) – 18:03 01:14 – Bob MacMillan (1)19:29 – Phil Russell (1) Darryl Sutter (2) – pp – 08:40 07:34 – Kent Nilsson (1)08:20 – pp – Dan Labraaten (1) Tony Esposito 29 saves / 33 shots Rejean Lemelin 22 saves / 25 shots April 9 2–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-cgy/1981/04/09/1980030172#game=1980030172,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring 08:38 – Bob MacMillan (2) Al Secord (2) – 06:53 16:15 – Bob MacMillan (3)17:12 – pp – Willi Plett (1) Peter Marsh (1) – 03:57 04:47 – Kent Nilsson (2)05:22 – Guy Chouinard (1)08:37 – Bill Clement (1) Tony Esposito 36 saves / 42 shots Rejean Lemelin 38 saves / 40 shots April 11 5–4 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-chi/1981/04/11/1980030173#game=1980030173,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 02:55 – sh – Rick Paterson (1)09:56 – Al Secord (3) Willi Plett (2) – pp – 03:19Ken Houston (1) – 17:34 No scoring Bob MacMillan (4) – 10:32Don Lever (1) – 11:20 17:12 – Al Secord (4)19:17 – Darryl Sutter (3) No scoring No scoring Willi Plett (3) – 15:17 Tony Esposito 43 saves / 48 shots Rejean Lemelin 61 saves / 65 shots Calgary won series 3–0 (8) Boston Bruins vs. (9) Minnesota North Stars The Boston Bruins entered the playoffs as the eighth seed in the league with 87 points, winning the tiebreaker with the Minnesota North Stars in wins (37 to 35). The North Stars earned 87 points during the regular season and finished ninth overall, losing the tiebreaker with the Bruins in wins (37 to 35). This was the first and to date only playoff meeting between these two teams. Boston won this year's four-game regular season series earning five of eight points. The North Stars swept the Bruins in three games. Minnesota won game one in overtime due to Steve Payne's hat trick goal at 3:34. The North Stars' win in game one was the first-ever victory for the franchise in the Boston Garden (they went winless in their first 35 games in Boston over fourteen seasons).Young Gives North Stars First-Ever Win at Boston https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19810409&id=Hf8sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D80FAAAAIBAJ&pg=978,6916590 The Palm Beach Post 94 April 9, 1981 June 3, 2014 In game two, Boston's Brad Park and Minnesota's Dino Ciccarelli both scored four points in a high-scoring 9-6 Minnesota victory. The North Stars scored four times in the first period of game three and they did not relinquish the lead, eliminating the Bruins with a 6–3 win. Minnesota North Stars Boston Bruins Met Center Boston Garden April 8 5–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-bos/1981/04/08/1980030181#game=1980030181,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Steve Payne (1) – pp – 05:32Dino Ciccarelli (1) – 19:28 12:54 – Don Marcotte (1) No scoring 02:29 – Dwight Foster (1)07:20 – pp – Peter McNab (1) Steve Payne (2) – 00:37Jack Carlson (1) – 11:55 07:14 – Peter McNab (2) Steve Payne (3) – 03:34 No scoring Gilles Meloche 28 saves / 32 shots Rogie Vachon 35 saves / 40 shots April 9 9–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-bos/1981/04/09/1980030182#game=1980030182,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Bobby Smith (1) – 01:15Steve Payne (4) – pp – 07:00Al MacAdam (1) – 09:32 00:56 – pp – Brad Park (1)19:29 – Terry O'Reilly (1) Brad Maxwell (1) – pp – 02:49Steve Payne (5) – 10:15Al MacAdam (2) – 19:38 00:41 – Peter McNab (3) Dino Ciccarelli (2) – pp – 02:47Kevin Maxwell (2) – 03:17Tim Young (1) – 14:25 00:29 – Don Marcotte (2)07:07 – Keith Crowder (1)08:05 – Keith Crowder (2) Don Beaupre 34 saves / 40 shots Rogie Vachon 14 saves / 20 shotsMarco Baron 9 saves / 12 shots April 11 3–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-mns/1981/04/11/1980030183#game=1980030183,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 03:36 – Brad Palmer (1)04:57 – Al MacAdam (3)12:00 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (3)18:33 – Steve Payne (6) Mike O'Connell (1) – sh – 19:47 18:05 – sh – Greg Smith (1) No scoring 18:34 – en – Steve Payne (7) Bobby Lalonde (1) – sh – 11:10Bobby Lalonde (2) – sh – 15:42 Gilles Meloche 36 saves / 39 shots Rogie Vachon 39 saves / 44 shots Minnesota won series 3–0 Quarterfinals (1) New York Islanders vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. The Islanders won the season series earning six of eight points in the year's four-game regular season series. The Islanders eliminated the Oilers in six games; the Islanders also scored a power play goal in every game of this series. The Islanders' special teams dominated game one, as New York scored three times on the power play and added a shorthanded goal in an 8-2 Islanders win. Denis Potvin's hat trick and five point night in game two led the Islanders to a 6–3 victory. Wayne Gretzky scored his second hat trick of the playoffs in game three as the Oilers won the game by a score of 5–2. The Islanders won game four in overtime as Ken Morrow scored at 5:41 to give New York a 5–4 win. When Edmonton won game five 4–3, the Oilers' victory marked the only time in the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs that the Islanders lost a game on home ice. Bob Nystrom's third goal of the playoffs in game six became the eventual series-clinching goal for the Islanders as New York won the game 5–2. Edmonton Oilers New York Islanders Northlands Coliseum Nassau Coliseum April 16 2–8 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-nyi/1981/04/16/1980030211#game=1980030211,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring 03:14 – Bob Nystrom (1)19:15 – pp – Butch Goring (1) Wayne Gretzky (4) – pp – 08:06 02:46 – John Tonelli (1)03:33 – Hector Marini (2)04:30 – pp – Denis Potvin (1)14:17 – pp – Clark Gillies (3) Matti Hagman (2) – 12:27 07:15 – Clark Gillies (4)10:50 – sh – Denis Potvin (2) Andy Moog 14 saves / 20 shotsGary Edwards 4 saves / 6 shots Billy Smith 26 saves / 28 shots April 17 3–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-nyi/1981/04/17/1980030212#game=1980030212,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Glenn Anderson (2) – pp – 06:11 No scoring Risto Siltanen (2) – pp – 06:05Glenn Anderson (3) – 12:23 02:26 – pp – Denis Potvin (3)04:47 – pp – Butch Goring (2)09:44 – pp – Denis Potvin (4) No scoring 03:47 – pp – Denis Potvin (5)07:59 – Mike Bossy (5)17:41 – sh-en – Bryan Trottier (7) Andy Moog 23 saves / 28 shots Billy Smith 19 saves / 22 shots April 19 2–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-edm/1981/04/19/1980030213#game=1980030213,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring No scoring 02:16 – sh – Wayne Gretzky (5)16:44 – pp – Wayne Gretzky (6) Mike Bossy (6) – pp – 12:30 03:24 – Matti Hagman (3)06:59 – Wayne Gretzky (7)16:25 – Jari Kurri (4) Clark Gillies (5) – 10:33 Andy Moog 28 saves / 30 shots Billy Smith 22 saves / 26 shotsRoland Melanson 7 saves / 8 shots April 20 5–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-edm/1981/04/20/1980030214#game=1980030214,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 03:02 – pp – Paul Coffey (4)05:19 – Jari Kurri (5) Denis Potvin (6) – pp – 07:57Bob Nystrom (2) – 16:11 10:46 – Mark Messier (1) Bryan Trottier (8) – pp – 08:59John Tonelli (2) – 13:52 07:00 – pp – Brett Callighen (3) No scoring No scoring Ken Morrow (1) – 05:41 Andy Moog 33 saves / 38 shots Roland Melanson 29 saves / 33 shots April 22 4–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-nyi/1981/04/22/1980030215#game=1980030215,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Doug Hicks (1) – 06:00Glenn Anderson (4) – pp – 18:51 12:56 – pp – Bryan Trottier (9)16:31 – Mike Bossy (7) Brett Callighen (4) – 18:44 No scoring Matti Hagman (4) – 15:19 18:25 – pp – Mike Bossy (8) Andy Moog 29 saves / 32 shots Billy Smith 18 saves / 22 shots April 24 5–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-edm/1981/04/24/1980030216#game=1980030216,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring Hector Marini (3) – 04:54 00:39 – pp – Glenn Anderson (5) Anders Kallur (1) – 13:12Bob Nystrom (3) – 15:45 05:31 – Mark Messier (2) Duane Sutter (1) – 09:16Mike McEwen (3) – pp – 12:38 Andy Moog 21 saves / 26 shots Billy Smith 21 saves / 23 shots New York won series 4–2 (2) St. Louis Blues vs. (7) New York Rangers This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. St. Louis won the season series winning all four games of this year's regular season series. The Rangers eliminated the Blues in six games. Bernie Federko's three point night in Game one led St. Louis to a 6–3 victory. The Rangers overcame a one-goal deficit in the third period of Game two by scoring three goals in a span of 2:46, winning the game by a score of 6–4 and evening the series at one game each.RANGERS RALLY TO BEAT BLUES, 6-4; HEDBERG SCORES ON PENALTY SHOT The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/18/sports/rangers-rally-to-beat-blues-6-4-hedberg-scores-on-penalty-shot.html April 17, 1981 August 25, 2014 Clarity James F. Anders Hedberg's go ahead goal in third period of Game two was just the second successful penalty shot in Stanley Cup playoff history.Penalty Shots In Stanley Cup History http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2013/05/penalty-shots-in-stanley-cup-history.html May 28, 2013 August 25, 2014 The Rangers dominated the second period of Game three scoring four goals on fifteen shots taking a three-goal lead into the third period. New York hung on to win the game 6–3. Steve Baker allowed just one goal on 34 shots in Game four leading the Rangers to a 4–1 victory and a commanding 3–1 series lead. With the Blues trailing 3–2 in the second period of Game five Jorgen Pettersson scored his third goal of the playoffs tying the game at 3; he then scored a power play goal in the third period giving the Blues a 4–3 victory. The Blues trailed in game six 4–0 before scoring three goals in 1:50, however they were never able to get on equal terms losing the game 7–4 and series 4–2. New York Rangers St. Louis Blues Madison Square Garden Checkerdome April 16 3–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-stl/1981/04/16/1980030221#game=1980030221,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Lance Nethery (2) – 07:25 11:15 – pp – Bernie Federko (5)14:55 – Brian Sutter (3)17:39 – Blair Chapman (2) Lance Nethery (3) – 01:34 08:56 – Mike Crombeen (3)16:42 – Bernie Federko (6)19:42 – Mike Zuke (4) Jere Gillis (1) – 05:39 No scoring Steve Baker 22 saves / 28 shots Mike Liut 28 saves / 31 shots April 17 6–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-stl/1981/04/17/1980030222#game=1980030222,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Barry Beck (2)– sh – 03:07 01:22 – Jorgen Pettersson (2)02:16 – Larry Patey (1)18:06 – pp – Brian Sutter (4) Dean Talafous (2) – 16:24 No scoring Jere Gillis (2) – 07:30Anders Hedberg (4) – ps – 08:29Mike Allison (2) – 10:16Ron Duguay (6) – 19:13 15:04 – Brian Sutter (5) Steve Baker 25 saves / 29 shots Mike Liut 24 saves / 30 shots April 19 3–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-nyr/1981/04/19/1980030223#game=1980030223,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 00:40 – Ron Greschner (2) Wayne Babych (2) – pp – 02:47 05:13 – pp – Ulf Nilsson (6)06:41 – Barry Beck (3)13:49 – pp – Mike Allison (3)17:56 – Steve Vickers (1) Bill Stewart (1) – 15:35 02:23 – Lance Nethery (4) Tony Currie (3) – 00:24 Steve Baker 14 saves / 17 shots Mike Liut 25 saves / 31 shots April 20 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-nyr/1981/04/20/1980030224#game=1980030224,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 06:14 – Anders Hedberg (4)18:37 – Ron Duguay (7) Tony Currie (4) – pp – 07:40 09:01 – pp – Steve Vickers (2) No scoring 03:24 – Steve Vickers (3) No scoring Steve Baker 33 saves / 34 shots Mike Liut 24 saves / 28 shots April 22 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-stl/1981/04/22/1980030225#game=1980030225,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Ron Greschner (3) – 06:35Ulf Nilsson (7) – pp – 10:06 14:17 – pp – Brian Sutter (6) Carol Vadnais (1) – 02:54 08:25 – Larry Patey (2)14:55 – Jorgen Pettersson (3) No scoring 06:09 – pp – Jorgen Pettersson (4) Steve Baker 26 saves / 30 shots Mike Liut 34 saves / 37 shots April 24 4–7 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-nyr/1981/04/24/1980030226#game=1980030226,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 03:27 – Steve Vickers (4)05:49 – Anders Hedberg (6)16:10 – sh – Ron Duguay (8) No scoring 01:59 – Barry Beck (4)17:03 – Lance Nethery (5) Bernie Federko (7) – 02:16Rick Lapointe (2) – 03:14 Bernie Federko (8) – 04:06 04:31 – Peter Wallin (1)14:54 – Ulf Nilsson (8) Ed Kea (1) – 06:00 Steve Baker 12 saves / 16 shots Mike Liut 13 saves / 20 shots New York won series 4–2 (3) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) Minnesota North Stars This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with Buffalo sweeping the only previous meeting in two games in the 1977 Stanley Cup preliminary round. Minnesota won the season series earning five of eight points in this year's four-game regular season series. The North Stars defeated the Sabres in five games. Game one required overtime as the teams exchanged the lead throughout regulation time. Minnesota winger Steve Payne ended the game just 22 seconds into the first overtime period; to date this is still the quickest playoff overtime goal in North Stars/Stars franchise history and tied for the tenth fastest in league history. https://records.nhl.com/records/playoff-team-records/overtime/all-overtime-playoff All-Time Overtime Games, Playoff History July 28, 2020 Steve Christoff and Dino Ciccarelli each scored twice for the North Stars in game two as Minnesota took a 2–0 series lead with a 5–2 victory. Buffalo goaltender Don Edwards made 43 saves in a losing effort in game three as the Sabres lost by a score of 6–4. Minnesota forced overtime in game four after trailing by three goals in the second period; the Sabres extended the series with an overtime win as Craig Ramsay scored at 16:32 of the first overtime period. Don Beaupre made 36 saves for Minnesota in game five as they advanced to the Stanley Cup Semifinals for the second consecutive season. Minnesota North Stars Buffalo Sabres Met Center Buffalo Memorial Auditorium April 16 4–3 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-buf/1981/04/16/1980030231#game=1980030231,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Brad Palmer (2) – sh – 09:40 No scoring No scoring 05:13 – pp – Andre Savard (4)11:28 – Lindy Ruff (3) Al MacAdam (4) – 01:46Steve Payne (8) – 11:58 14:46 – Craig Ramsay (1) Steve Payne (9) – 00:22 No scoring Gilles Meloche 29 saves / 32 shots Don Edwards 22 saves / 26 shots April 17 5–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-buf/1981/04/17/1980030232#game=1980030232,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring 09:17 – pp – Tony McKegney (3) Steve Christoff (1) – pp – 14:47Steve Christoff (2) – 18:17 No scoring Dino Ciccarelli (4) – 04:01Bobby Smith (2) – 09:59Dino Ciccarelli (5) – en – 19:35 02:01 – Tony McKegney (4) Gilles Meloche 25 saves / 27 shots Don Edwards 21 saves / 25 shots April 19 4–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-mns/1981/04/19/1980030233#game=1980030233,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 06:41 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (6)12:17 – Brad Palmer (3)13:14 – Al MacAdam (5) Alan Haworth (3) – pp – 18:10 No scoring Gilbert Perreault (1) – 11:13Ric Seiling (2) – 19:40 08:46 – Kevin Maxwell (2)09:09 – Neal Broten (1)19:22 – en – Tim Young (2) Derek Smith (1) – pp – 18:16 Gilles Meloche 31 saves / 35 shots Don Edwards 43 saves / 48 shots April 20 5–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-mns/1981/04/20/1980030234#game=1980030234,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring Jean-Francois Sauve (1) – 09:39 07:29 – Dino Ciccarelli (7)10:16 – pp – Steve Christoff (3)19:46 – pp – Steve Payne (10) Gilbert Perreault (2) – 02:04Alan Haworth (4) – pp – 06:35 18:54 – Bobby Smith (3) John Van Boxmeer (1) – 04:58 No scoring Craig Ramsay (2) – 16:32 Gilles Meloche 33 saves / 38 shots Don Edwards 46 saves / 50 shots April 22 4–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-buf/1981/04/22/1980030235#game=1980030235,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Ken Solheim (1) – 15:36 05:06 – pp – Jean-Francois Sauve (2) Kent-Erik Andersson (1) – 15:14Brad Maxwell (2) – 18:01 No scoring Al MacAdam (6) – 00:18 02:03 – Bob Hess (1)18:18 – Tony McKegney (5) Don Beaupre 36 saves / 39 shots Don Edwards 29 saves / 33 shots Minnesota won series 4–1 (4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) Calgary Flames This was the second and most recent playoff meeting between these two teams, with Philadelphia sweeping the Atlanta Flames in their only previous meeting in four-game sweep in the 1974 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals. The teams split this year's four-game regular season series. The Flames defeated the Flyers in seven games. Philadelphia goaltender Rick St. Croix made 35 saves as the Flyers took game one 4–0. After exchanging goals in the first period of game two, the Flames scored three times in the second period and held on late to even the series with a 5–4 victory. Willi Plett gave Calgary the lead early in the third period of game three and Pat Riggin made 47 saves in the Flames 2–1 win. Calgary needed two goals in third period of game four from Randy Holt to secure their third straight one goal victory in the series. Philadelphia forced a sixth game in the series with a commanding 9–4 win in game five; Brian Propp recorded a natural hat trick in the first period for the Flyers. Forward Ken Linseman's second goal in game six for Philadelphia held up as the game-winner as the Flyers avoided elimination with a 3–2 triumph. The Flames struck three times on the power-play in game seven as they ended the series with a 4–1 victory. With the win Calgary became the first relocated team in league history to advance to the third round of the playoffs in their inaugural season in their new location (this feat was later surpassed by the Colorado Avalanche in 1996). Calgary Flames Philadelphia Flyers Stampede Corral Spectrum April 16 0–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-phi/1981/04/16/1980030241#game=1980030241,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring 03:30 – pp – Paul Holmgren (3)08:41 – Bill Barber (6) No scoring 10:44 – Paul Holmgren (4)19:26 – Terry Murray (2) No scoring No scoring Rejean Lemelin 24 saves / 28 shots Rick St. Croix 35 saves / 35 shots April 17 5–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-phi/1981/04/17/1980030242#game=1980030242,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Paul Reinhart (1) – pp – 12:34Kent Nilsson (3) – 18:02 05:49 – pp – Bill Barber (7)16:16 – pp – Rick MacLeish (2) Ken Houston (2) – pp – 05:58Willi Plett (4) – 10:45Jamie Hislop (1) – pp – 17:08 No scoring No scoring 13:37 – pp – Behn Wilson (2)17:08 – Tom Gorence (3) Pat Riggin 42 saves / 46 shots Pete Peeters 17 saves / 22 shots April 19 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-cgy/1981/04/19/1980030243#game=1980030243,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 05:25 – Don Lever (2) Rick MacLeish (3) – pp – 09:54 No scoring No scoring 02:26 – Willi Plett (5) No scoring Pat Riggin 47 saves / 48 shots Rick St. Croix 23 saves / 25 shots April 20 4–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-cgy/1981/04/20/1980030244#game=1980030244,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 04:38 – Jamie Hislop (2) Paul Holmgren (5) – pp – 19:43 06:38 – Jim Peplinski (1)07:10 – Don Lever (3) No scoring 10:00 – Randy Holt (1)14:44 – Randy Holt (2) Rick MacLeish (4) – 07:21Bobby Clarke (2) – 09:23Bill Barber (8) – 15:55 Pat Riggin 28 saves / 32 shots Rick St. Croix 23 saves / 28 shots April 22 4–9 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-phi/1981/04/22/1980030245#game=1980030245,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Phil Russell (2) – 14:56 01:08 – pp – Rick MacLeish (5)04:39 – Brian Propp (4)09:06 – Brian Propp (5)12:48 – Brian Propp (6)15:57 – Bill Barber (9) Ken Houston (3) – pp – 08:31 10:16 – Glen Cochrane (1)18:21 – pp – Tim Kerr (1) Bobby Gould (1) – 01:41Bob MacMillan (5) – pp – 16:31 03:38 – Ron Flockhart (1)11:04 – pp – Bill Barber (10) Pat Riggin 26 saves / 35 shots Rick St. Croix 23 saves / 27 shots April 24 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-cgy/1981/04/24/1980030246#game=1980030246,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring No scoring 16:13 – Guy Chouinard (2) Ken Linseman (3) – 03:35Bobby Clarke (3) – 03:51Ken Linseman (4) – 18:34 13:49 – pp – Ken Houston (4) No scoring Rejean Lemelin 24 saves / 27 shots Rick St. Croix 34 saves / 36 shots April 26 4–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-phi/1981/04/26/1980030247#game=1980030247,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Willi Plett (6) – pp – 03:03Ken Houston (5) – pp – 08:33 No scoring Kevin LaVallee (1) – pp – 13:00 13:49 – Bill Barber (11) Bob MacMillan (6) – 06:09 No scoring Pat Riggin 31 saves / 32 shots Rick St. Croix 21 saves / 25 shots Calgary won series 4–3 Semifinals (1) New York Islanders vs. (4) New York Rangers This was the third playoff meeting between these two rivals. Both teams have split their previous two meetings. They last met in the 1979 Stanley Cup Semifinals where the Rangers won in six games. The teams split this year's four-game regular season series. New York Rangers New York Islanders Madison Square Garden Nassau Coliseum April 28 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-nyi/1981/04/28/1980030311#game=1980030311,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Anders Hedberg (7) – pp – 12:10 No scoring Ed Hospodar (2) – 03:34 00:16 – Duane Sutter (2)04:50 – pp – Mike McEwen (4)06:47 – John Tonelli (3) No scoring 05:45 – John Tonelli (4)15:23 – Billy Carroll (2) Steve Baker 25 saves / 30 shots Billy Smith 18 saves / 20 shots April 30 3–7 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-nyi/1981/04/30/1980030312#game=1980030312,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Doug Sulliman (1) – 01:57Dean Talafous (3) – 08:18Anders Hedberg (8) – pp – 16:39 00:48 – Wayne Merrick (2) No scoring 08:11 – sh – Butch Goring (3)10:21 – pp – Mike Bossy (9)12:44 – Butch Goring (4) No scoring 12:59 – pp – Clark Gillies (6)14:27 – sh – Anders Kallur (2)17:47 – Mike Bossy (10) Steve Baker 22 saves / 29 shots Billy Smith 17 saves / 20 shots May 2 5–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-nyr/1981/05/02/1980030313#game=1980030313,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring Mike Bossy (11) – pp – 14:36Bob Bourne (3) – 18:33 No scoring Ken Morrow (2) – 15:31Bob Nystrom (4) – 19:55 05:13 – Peter Wallin (2) Wayne Merrick (3) – 14:54 Steve Baker 26 saves / 31 shots Billy Smith 24 saves / 25 shots May 5 5–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-nyr/1981/05/05/1980030314#game=1980030314,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring John Tonelli (5) – 01:02Mike Bossy (12) – pp 13:46Mike Bossy (13) – pp 17:11 13:39 – pp – Ron Greschner (4)17:22 – pp – Barry Beck (5) Butch Goring (5) – sh – 01:29 No scoring Duane Sutter (3) – 10:49 Steve Baker 18 saves / 23 shots Billy Smith 27 saves / 29 shots New York Islanders won series 4–0 (2) Calgary Flames vs. (3) Minnesota North Stars This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. The teams split this year's four-game regular season series. Minnesota North Stars Calgary Flames Met Center Stampede Corral April 28 4–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-cgy/1981/04/28/1980030321#game=1980030321,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Craig Hartsburg (1) – pp – 15:00 No scoring Tim Young (3) – 04:38Gordie Roberts (1) – sh – 19:48 15:12 – Jim Peplinski (2) Al MacAdam (7) – sh – 00:12 No scoring Gilles Meloche 35 saves / 36 shots Pat Riggin 40 saves / 44 shots April 30 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-cgy/1981/04/30/1980030322#game=1980030322,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring 05:11 – Pekka Rautakallio (1)08:35 – Guy Chouinard (3) No scoring No scoring Curt Giles (1) – 04:24Steve Christoff (4) – pp – 10:34 06:25 – Kevin LaVallee (2) Gilles Meloche 25 saves / 28 shots Pat Riggin 31 saves / 33 shots May 3 4–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-mns/1981/05/03/1980030323#game=1980030323,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 06:43 – Bobby Smith (4)16:08 – Brad Maxwell (3) Ken Houston (6) – 03:23 09:00 – pp – Steve Payne (11)12:37 – pp – Brad Palmer (4) Bob Murdoch (1) – 02:00Bobby Gould (2) – 06:54Bill Clement (2) – 17:40 04:24 – Steve Christoff (5)19:37 – en – Bobby Smith (5) No scoring Gilles Meloche 30 saves / 34 shots Pat Riggin 25 saves / 30 shots May 5 4–7 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-mns/1981/05/05/1980030324#game=1980030324,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 03:01 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (8)13:18 – pp – Steve Christoff (6)16:32 – Bobby Smith (6) Pekka Rautakallio (2) – pp – 09:26 02:42 – Dino Ciccarelli (9)03:56 – Dino Ciccarelli (10)10:51 – Brad Palmer (5) Jamie Hislop (3) – 01:31 08:44 – sh – Kevin Maxwell (3) Bobby Gould (3) – 10:22Mike Dwyer (1) – 10:37 Don Beaupre 29 saves / 33 shots Rejean Lemelin 21 saves / 27 shotsPat Riggin 16 saves / 17 shots May 7 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-cgy/1981/05/07/1980030325#game=1980030325,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring 18:54 – pp – Bob MacMillan (7) No scoring 00:55 – Bob MacMillan (8) Craig Hartsburg (2) – pp – 16:02 03:54 – pp – Willi Plett (7) Gilles Meloche 24 saves / 27 shots Pat Riggin 33 saves / 34 shots May 9 3–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-mns/1981/05/09/1980030326#game=1980030326,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 13:52 – pp – Al MacAdam (8) No scoring 11:36 – Dino Ciccarelli (11) Willi Plett (8) – pp – 02:57 05:59 – pp – Steve Payne (12)14:09 – sh – Brad Palmer (6)18:40 – Brad Palmer (7) Ken Houston (7) – pp – 15:07Don Lever (4) – 19:20 Gilles Meloche 23 saves / 26 shots Pat Riggin 30 saves / 35 shots Minnesota won series 4–2 Stanley Cup Finals 1981 Stanley Cup Final This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. The Islanders made their second consecutive and second overall appearance in the Finals; they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers the previous year in six games. Minnesota made their first Finals appearance in their fourteenth season after entering the league in 1967. The Islanders won this year's four-game regular season series earning six of eight points. Minnesota North Stars New York Islanders Met Center Nassau Coliseum May 12 3–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-nyi/1981/05/12/1980030411#game=1980030411,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore No scoring Anders Kallur (3) – 02:54 Bryan Trottier (10) – sh – 14:38 Anders Kallur (4) – sh – 15:25 13:04 – Kent-Erik Andersson (2) Billy Carroll (3) – 09:58 03:08 – pp – Steve Payne (13)15:14 – Dino Ciccarelli (12) Wayne Merrick (4) – 00:58Wayne Merrick (5) – 13:15 Gilles Meloche 17 saves / 23 shots Billy Smith 23 saves / 26 shots May 14 3–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-nyi/1981/05/14/1980030412#game=1980030412,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 03:38 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (13) Mike Bossy (14) – pp – 04:33Bob Nystrom (5) – 14:39Denis Potvin (7) – 17:48 09:15 – Brad Palmer (8) No scoring 00:30 – Steve Payne (14) Denis Potvin (8) – pp – 08:00Ken Morrow (3) – 11:57Mike Bossy (15) – 16:22 Don Beaupre 32 saves / 38 shots Billy Smith 25 saves / 28 shots May 17 7–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-mns/1981/05/17/1980030413#game=1980030413,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Steve Christoff (7) – pp – 03:25Steve Payne (15) – 14:09Bobby Smith (7) – pp – 16:30 14:47 – Mike Bossy (16) No scoring 04:10 – Bob Nystrom (6)07:16 – pp – Butch Goring (6)11:51 – Butch Goring (7) Steve Payne (16) – 01:11Dino Ciccarelli (14) – 13:35 02:05 – Mike Bossy (17)06:34 – Butch Goring (8)19:16 – en – Bryan Trottier (11) Gilles Meloche 22 saves / 28 shots Billy Smith 23 saves / 28 shots May 19 2–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-mns/1981/05/19/1980030414#game=1980030414,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Craig Hartsburg (3) – pp – 11:34 03:47 – Gord Lane (1) Al MacAdam (9) – 05:15 07:37 – pp – Mike McEwen (5) Steve Payne (17) – 12:26Bobby Smith (8) – pp – 18:12 No scoring Don Beaupre 33 saves / 35 shots Billy Smith 30 saves / 34 shots May 21 1–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-nyi/1981/05/21/1980030415#game=1980030415,game_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 16:06 – Steve Christoff (8) Butch Goring (9) – pp – 05:12Wayne Merrick (6) – 05:37Butch Goring (10) – 10:03 No scoring Bob Bourne (4) – 19:21 No scoring Mike McEwen (6) – 17:06 Don Beaupre 28 saves / 33 shots Billy Smith 24 saves / 25 shots New York won series 4–1 Player statistics Skaters These are the top ten skaters based on points. PlayerTeamGP Games playedG GoalsA AssistsPts Points+/– Plus/minusPIM Penalties in minutes Mike Bossy New York Islanders 18 17 18 35 +14 4 Steve Payne ice hockey Minnesota North Stars 19 17 12 29 +2 6 Bryan Trottier New York Islanders 18 11 18 29 +18 34 Denis Potvin New York Islanders 18 8 17 25 +18 16 Bobby Smith ice hockey Minnesota North Stars 19 8 17 25 +1 13 Dino Ciccarelli Minnesota North Stars 19 14 7 21 -2 25 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 9 7 14 21 +10 4 Butch Goring New York Islanders 18 10 10 20 +6 6 Ken Linseman Philadelphia Flyers 12 4 16 20 +10 67 Al MacAdam Minnesota North Stars 19 9 10 19 +3 4 Goaltenders This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage, with at least 420 minutes. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded. PlayerTeamGP Games playedW WinsL LossesSA Shots againstGA Goals againstGAA Goals against averageSV% Save percentageSO ShutoutsTOI Time on ice (minutes:seconds) Billy Smith ice hockey New York Islanders 17 14 3 435 42 2.54 .903 0 991-22 991:22 Rick St. Croix Philadelphia Flyers 9 4 5 250 27 3.01 .892 1 537-26 537:26 Don Edwards ice hockey Buffalo Sabres 8 4 4 249 28 3.38 .888 0 497-13 497:13 Gilles Meloche Minnesota North Stars 13 8 5 405 47 3.53 .884 0 798-55 798:55 Pat Riggin Calgary Flames 11 6 4 386 37 3.54 .904 0 627-15 627:15 See also 1980–81 NHL season List of NHL seasons List of Stanley Cup champions References Total Stanley Cup Diamond Dan 2000 Total Sports Canada 1-892129-07-8 registration https://archive.org/details/totalstanleycupo0000unse 1980 Stanley Cup playoffs 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup playoffs playoffs Category:Stanley Cup playoffs