1982 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) began on April 7, after the conclusion of the 1981–82 NHL season. The playoffs concluded on May 16 with the champion New York Islanders defeating the Vancouver Canucks 3–1 to win the final series four games to none and win the Stanley Cup.

1982 Stanley Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 7–May 16, 1982
Teams16
Defending championsNew York Islanders
Final positions
ChampionsNew York Islanders
Runner-upVancouver Canucks
Tournament statistics
Scoring leader(s)Bryan Trottier (Islanders) (29 points)
MVPMike Bossy (Islanders)
← 1981
1983 →
The Stanley Cup

This was the first edition of the Stanley Cup playoffs conducted under a format that paired teams in each round with geographical regard to conferences.

The first round of the 1982 playoffs saw three first-place teams (Edmonton, Minnesota, and Montreal) upset by fourth-place teams, a round which featured what is still the greatest comeback in NHL history: The Kings' 6–5 win over Edmonton in game three. After trailing 5–0 after two periods, the Kings scored five third period goals—three in the last 5:22, the final goal coming with only five seconds left in regulation. Los Angeles then scored on a face-off early in overtime, thus completing the "Miracle on Manchester".

The eventual champion New York Islanders nearly capitulated in the first round as well, losing games three and four of their first-round playoff series with Pittsburgh after crushing the Penguins in the first two games. In game five, the Islanders scored twice in the last five minutes to force overtime and then won the series on John Tonelli's goal 6:19 into the extra session. This served as a wake-up call for New York, who lost only two more games the rest of the way on their march to a third straight Stanley Cup. Their Finals opponents, the Vancouver Canucks, finished the regular season with only 77 points, defeating three teams beneath them in the standings (Calgary 75, Los Angeles 63, and Chicago 72) in the much weaker Campbell Conference. This remains the most recent time that the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs missed the playoffs in the same season.

Playoff seeds

The 1982 playoffs introduced a new format, in which the four teams with the best regular-season records from each of the four divisions secured playoff berths. The best-of-five division semi-finals saw the first-place club against the fourth-place team, while the other two teams played each other. The winning clubs would then meet in a best-of-seven division final. Home-ice advantage for these first two rounds of the playoffs were granted to the team with the better regular-season record. Division winners then faced one another in the conference finals. The two Conference Champions played for the Stanley Cup. With the exception of extending the first round to a best-of-seven in 1987, this format remained in place through the 1993 playoffs.

Home-ice advantage for the conference finals was determined by coin flips.[1] Occurring prior to the start of the regular season, this event determined that home-ice advantage were granted to champions of the Patrick and Norris divisions, with the Adams and Smythe division champions receiving that advantage for the following season. Similarly, a puck flip determined that home-ice advantage for the Stanley Cup Finals were granted to the Wales Conference champion this year, with the Campbell Conference champion receiving the advantage next season.

The following teams qualified for the playoffs:

Prince of Wales Conference

Adams Division

  1. Montreal Canadiens, Adams Division champions – 109 points
  2. Boston Bruins – 96 points
  3. Buffalo Sabres – 93 points
  4. Quebec Nordiques – 82 points

Patrick Division

  1. New York Islanders, Patrick Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 118 points
  2. New York Rangers – 92 points
  3. Philadelphia Flyers – 87 points
  4. Pittsburgh Penguins – 75 points

Clarence Campbell Conference

Norris Division

  1. Minnesota North Stars, Norris Division champions – 94 points
  2. Winnipeg Jets – 80 points
  3. St. Louis Blues – 72 points (32 wins)
  4. Chicago Black Hawks – 72 points (30 wins)

Smythe Division

  1. Edmonton Oilers, Smythe Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 111 points
  2. Vancouver Canucks – 77 points
  3. Calgary Flames – 75 points
  4. Los Angeles Kings – 63 points

Playoff bracket

Division semifinalsDivision finalsConference finalsStanley Cup Finals
            
A1Montreal2
A4Quebec3
A4Quebec4
A2Boston3
A2Boston3
A3Buffalo1
A4Quebec0
Prince of Wales Conference
P1NY Islanders4
P1NY Islanders3
P4Pittsburgh2
P1NY Islanders4
P2NY Rangers2
P2NY Rangers3
P3Philadelphia1
P1NY Islanders4
S2Vancouver0
N1Minnesota1
N4Chicago3
N4Chicago4
N3St. Louis2
N2Winnipeg1
N3St. Louis3
N4Chicago1
Clarence Campbell Conference
S2Vancouver4
S1Edmonton2
S4Los Angeles3
S4Los Angeles1
S2Vancouver4
S2Vancouver3
S3Calgary0

Division semifinals

Prince of Wales Conference

(A1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A4) Quebec Nordiques

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.

Dale Hunter scored the game-winning overtime goal in the decisive Game 5 twenty-two seconds into the first OT to help the Nordiques eliminate the Canadiens.

April 7Quebec Nordiques1–5Montreal CanadiensMontreal ForumRecap 
No scoringFirst period00:56 – Mario Tremblay (1)
13:32 – ppMark Napier (1)
No scoringSecond period12:48 – Mario Tremblay (2)
Anton Stastny (1) – 10:55Third period07:31 – shDoug Jarvis (1)
08:03 – sh – Mark Napier (2)
Dan Bouchard 36 saves / 41 shotsGoalie statsRick Wamsley 18 saves / 19 shots
April 8Quebec Nordiques3–2Montreal CanadiensMontreal ForumRecap 
Pat Hickey (1) – pp – 04:56First periodNo scoring
Alain Cote (1) – 09:43Second period00:26 – ppGuy Lafleur (1)
07:20 – Chris Nilan (1)
Pierre Aubry (1) – 02:30Third periodNo scoring
Dan Bouchard 33 saves / 35 shotsGoalie statsRick Wamsley 14 saves / 17 shots
April 10Montreal Canadiens1–2Quebec NordiquesQuebec ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period18:28 – ppDale Hunter (1)
19:40 – Dale Hunter (2)
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
Guy Lafleur (2) – pp – 19:34Third periodNo scoring
Rick Wamsley 20 saves / 22 shotsGoalie statsDan Bouchard 22 saves / 23 shots
April 11Montreal Canadiens6–2Quebec NordiquesQuebec ColiseumRecap 
Doug Risebrough (1) – 08:45
Pierre Mondou (1) – sh – 18:35
First period12:47 – ppMichel Goulet (1)
Mario Tremblay (3) – 09:23
Pierre Mondou (2) – pp – 18:57
Second periodNo scoring
Mark Napier (3) – 03:58
Doug Risebrough (2) – 11:05
Third period12:32 – Jacques Richard (1)
Rick Wamsley 24 saves / 26 shotsGoalie statsDan Bouchard 22 saves / 28 shots
April 13Quebec Nordiques3–2OTMontreal CanadiensMontreal ForumRecap 
Wilf Paiement (1) – 04:40
Anton Stastny (2) – pp – 14:49
First periodNo scoring
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
No scoringThird period10:49 – Mario Tremblay (4)
12:14 – Robert Picard (1)
Dale Hunter (3) – 00:22First overtime periodNo scoring
Dan Bouchard 33 saves / 35 shotsGoalie statsRick Wamsley 16 saves / 19 shots
Quebec won series 3–2


(A2) Boston Bruins vs. (A3) Buffalo Sabres

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 7Buffalo Sabres1–3Boston BruinsBoston GardenRecap 
No scoringFirst period19:44 – ppPeter McNab (1)
No scoringSecond period18:44 – Brad Park (1)
Yvon Lambert (1) – 08:20Third period09:48 – Mike O'Connell (1)
Don Edwards 35 saves / 38 shotsGoalie statsMike Moffat 24 saves / 25 shots
April 8Buffalo Sabres3–7Boston BruinsBoston GardenRecap 
Dale McCourt (1) – 12:44First period15:49 – Rick Middleton (1)
Mike Ramsey (1) – 07:08Second period00:48 – ppBarry Pederson (1)
01:40 – pp – Rick Middleton (2)
03:56 – Barry Pederson (2)
11:45 – Terry O'Reilly (1)
14:28 – Barry Pederson (3)
Yvon Lambert (2) – pp – 17:33Third period00:54 – Bruce Crowder (1)
Don Edwards 8 saves / 14 shots
Paul Harrison 7 saves / 8 shots
Goalie statsMike Moffat 23 saves / 26 shots
April 10Boston Bruins2–5Buffalo SabresBuffalo Memorial AuditoriumRecap 
No scoringFirst period09:02 – ppBrent Peterson (1)
Steve Kasper (1) – 06:58
Steve Kasper (2) – pp – 17:02
Second period07:21 – Yvon Lambert (3)
13:01 – Craig Ramsay (1)
13:34 – ppMike Foligno (1)
No scoringThird period19:15 – ppDale McCourt (2)
Mike Moffat 28 saves / 33 shotsGoalie statsDon Edwards 20 saves / 22 shots
April 11Boston Bruins5–2Buffalo SabresBuffalo Memorial AuditoriumRecap 
Peter McNab (2) – 04:32First period11:08 – ppMike Foligno (2)
Terry O'Reilly (2) – 10:11
Terry O'Reilly (3) – 11:59
Mike Gillis (1) – 12:26
Peter McNab (3) – 19:06
Second periodNo scoring
No scoringThird period18:25 – ppRic Seiling (1)
Mike Moffat 21 saves / 23 shotsGoalie statsDon Edwards 26 saves / 31 shots
Boston won series 3–1


(P1) New York Islanders vs. (P4) Pittsburgh Penguins

This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. New York won the only previous meeting in seven games in the 1975 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals after falling behind 3–0 in the series.

John Tonelli scored the game-tying goal late in the third period and game-winning overtime goal in the decisive Game 5 to lift the Islanders over the Penguins.


April 7Pittsburgh Penguins1–8New York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
Pat Boutette (1) – pp – 14:42First period05:52 – Mike Bossy (1)
06:44 – Clark Gillies (1)
18:56 – Bryan Trottier (1)
No scoringSecond period08:52 – Clark Gillies (2)
13:32 – Bryan Trottier (2)
16:24 – Wayne Merrick (1)
No scoringThird period02:26 – ppStefan Persson (1)
18:02 – Brent Sutter (1)
Michel Dion 29 saves / 37 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 22 saves / 23 shots
April 8Pittsburgh Penguins2–7New York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period07:57 – ppMike Bossy (2)
15:25 – Wayne Merrick (2)
17:12 – Butch Goring (1)
17:53 – Brent Sutter (2)
Rick MacLeish (1) – 05:32Second period07:30 – Clark Gillies (3)
12:51 – John Tonelli (1)
Pat Boutette (2) – pp – 17:04Third period00:40 – Greg Gilbert (1)
Michel Dion 27 saves / 34 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 34 saves / 36 shots
April 10New York Islanders1–2OTPittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Civic ArenaRecap 
Mike McEwen (1) – 17:36First periodNo scoring
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
No scoringThird period06:51 – Pat Boutette (3)
No scoringFirst overtime period04:14 – Rick Kehoe (1)
Billy Smith 31 saves / 33 shotsGoalie statsMichel Dion 38 saves / 39 shots
April 11New York Islanders2–5Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Civic ArenaRecap 
Clark Gillies (4) – pp – 04:16First period12:44 – Andre St. Laurent (1)
14:13 – ppPaul Gardner (1)
Wayne Merrick (3) – 17:18Second period01:52 – Rick Kehoe (2)
16:20 – Andre St. Laurent (2)
No scoringThird period17:12 – Rod Schutt (1)
Roland Melanson 24 saves / 29 shotsGoalie statsMichel Dion 24 saves / 26 shots
April 13Pittsburgh Penguins3–4OTNew York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
Kevin McClelland (1) – 11:01
Mike Bullard (1) – 16:10
Randy Carlyle (1) – 18:31
Second period10:18 – Bobby Nystrom (1)
No scoringThird period14:33 – ppMike McEwen (2)
17:39 – John Tonelli (2)
No scoringFirst overtime period06:19 – John Tonelli (3)
Michel Dion 43 saves / 47 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 18 saves / 21 shots
Roland Melanson 0 saves / 0 shots
New York won series 3–2


(P2) New York Rangers vs. (P3) Philadelphia Flyers

This was the fourth playoff series meeting between the two teams. Philadelphia won two of the previous three meetings, including their most recent meeting in the 1980 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals in five games.

Game two saw New York's Mikko Leinonen set an NHL playoff record with six assists, a feat only matched by Wayne Gretzky.


April 7Philadelphia Flyers4–1New York RangersMadison Square GardenRecap 
Darryl Sittler (1) – pp – 06:31
Brian Propp (1) – 15:24
First period03:10 – Eddie Johnstone (1)
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
Darryl Sittler (2) – 02:30
Ray Allison (1) – pp – 05:17
Third periodNo scoring
Pete Peeters 35 saves / 36 shotsGoalie statsEddie Mio 16 saves / 20 shots
April 8Philadelphia Flyers3–7New York RangersMadison Square GardenRecap 
Bobby Clarke (1) – 00:48First period01:57 – Carol Vadnais (1)
13:47 – ppRon Duguay (1)
Ray Allison (2) – pp – 13:08Second period06:17 – ppDon Maloney (1)
11:26 – ppRobbie Ftorek (1)
18:50 – Dave Silk (1)
Ken Linseman (1) – pp – 19:27Third period04:31 – Rob McClanahan (1)
17:03 – ppEddie Johnstone (2)
Pete Peeters 17 saves / 24 shotsGoalie statsEddie Mio 23 saves / 26 shots
April 10New York Rangers4–3Philadelphia FlyersSpectrumRecap 
No scoringFirst period04:51 – shBobby Clarke (2)
06:24 – ppBehn Wilson (1)
10:46 – Brian Propp (2)
Mike Rogers (1) – 5:44
Reijo Ruotsalainen (1) – pp – 08:43
Don Maloney (2) – 19:06
Second periodNo scoring
Cam Connor (1) – 18:51Third periodNo scoring
Eddie Mio 28 saves / 31 shotsGoalie statsPete Peeters 26 saves / 30 shots
April 11New York Rangers7–5Philadelphia FlyersSpectrumRecap 
Robbie Ftorek (2) – pp – 09:37First periodNo scoring
Andre Dore (1) – 02:09
Robbie Ftorek (3) – pp – 03:42
Ron Duguay (2) – 12:45
Mark Pavelich (1) – 17:17
Second period04:05 – Paul Holmgren (1)
16:14 – Bobby Clarke (3)
Dave Maloney (1) – pp – 01:25
Ron Duguay (3) – en – 19:53
Third period04:08 – pp – Bobby Clarke (4)
13:33 – Darryl Sittler (3)
16:19 – shBill Barber (1)
Eddie Mio 38 saves / 43 shotsGoalie statsPete Peeters 11 saves / 16 shots
Rick St. Croix 7 saves / 8 shots
New York won series 3–1


Clarence Campbell Conference

(N1) Minnesota North Stars vs. (N4) Chicago Black Hawks

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 7Chicago Black Hawks3–2OTMinnesota North StarsMet CenterRecap 
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
Doug Wilson (1) – sh – 07:05Second period04:18 – Tim Young (1)
Glen Sharpley (1) – 03:14Third period09:13 – Al McAdam (1)
Greg Fox (1) – 03:34First overtime periodNo scoring
Murray Bannerman 45 saves / 47 shotsGoalie statsGilles Meloche 20 saves / 23 shots
April 8Chicago Black Hawks5–3Minnesota North StarsMet CenterRecap 
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
Tom Lysiak (1) – pp – 03:17
Dave Feamster (1) – 04:01
Second period10:14 – ppSteve Payne (1)
16:28 – Mark Johnson (1)
Al Secord (1) – pp – 07:46
Denis Savard (1) – 12:07
Tom Lysiak (2) – en – 19:42
Third period17:03 – Bobby Smith (1)
Murray Bannerman 33 saves / 36 shotsGoalie statsDon Beaupre 24 saves / 28 shots
Gilles Meloche 0 saves / 0 shots
April 10Minnesota North Stars7–1Chicago Black HawksChicago StadiumRecap 
Bobby Smith (2) – 02:25
Dino Ciccarelli (1) – 10:22
Mark Johnson (2) – pp – 12:25
First period12:51 – Glen Sharpley (2)
Steve Payne (2) – 01:39
Steve Payne (3) – pp – 05:01
Dino Ciccarelli (2) – pp – 09:20
Second periodNo scoring
Dino Ciccarelli (3) – pp – 01:30Third periodNo scoring
Gilles Meloche 38 saves / 39 shotsGoalie statsMurray Bannerman 21 saves / 28 shots
April 11Minnesota North Stars2–5Chicago Black HawksChicago StadiumRecap 
No scoringFirst period00:35 – Rich Preston (1)
07:28 – Grant Mulvey (1)
Craig Hartsburg (1) – 06:58
Steve Payne (4) – 12:43
Second period16:15 – ppAl Secord (2)
No scoringThird period00:40 – Tim Higgins (1)
19:49 – enGlen Sharpley (3)
Gilles Meloche 22 saves / 26 shots
Don Beaupre 0 saves / 0 shots
Goalie statsTony Esposito 31 saves / 33 shots
Chicago won series 3–1


(N2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (N3) St. Louis Blues

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 7St. Louis Blues4–3Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg ArenaRecap 
Perry Turnbull (1) – 19:51First period01:20 – Willy Lindstrom (1)
15:20 – Dale Hawerchuk (1)
Perry Turnbull (2) – 06:07Second periodNo scoring
Brian Sutter (1) – 15:17
Guy Lapointe (1) – pp – 18:02
Third period15:03 – Willy Lindstrom (2)
Mike Liut 33 saves / 36 shotsGoalie statsEd Staniowski 13 saves / 17 shots
April 8St. Louis Blues2–5Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg ArenaRecap 
Brian Sutter (2) – 08:05First period15:35 – ppPaul MacLean (1)
No scoringSecond period05:23 – ppDave Babych (1)
10:07 – pp – Paul MacLean (2)
11:07 – Lucien DeBlois (1)
15:37 – ppNorm Dupont (1)
Brian Sutter (3) – 15:15Third periodNo scoring
Mike Liut 28 saves / 33 shotsGoalie statsDoug Soetaert 33 saves / 35 shots
April 10Winnipeg Jets3–6St. Louis BluesCheckerdomeRecap 
Bengt Lundholm (1) – 01:39First period07:36 – Brian Sutter (4)
14:24 – Joe Mullen (1)
No scoringSecond period08:10 – Blake Dunlop (1)
09:32 – Mike Crombeen (1)
19:35 – Brian Sutter (5)
Moe Mantha (1) – 06:08
Paul MacLean (3) – 11:56
Third period01:54 – Joe Mullen (2)
Doug Soetaert 21 saves / 27 shotsGoalie statsMike Liut 27 saves / 30 shots
April 11Winnipeg Jets2–8St. Louis BluesCheckerdomeRecap 
No scoringFirst period05:36 – ppPerry Turnbull (3)
06:17 – Larry Patey (1)
07:18 – Brian Sutter (6)
16:01 – Brian Sutter (7)
Lucien DeBlois (2) – 12:32Second period07:44 – Blake Dunlop (2)
17:07 – Ed Kea (1)
18:37 – Bernie Federko (1)
Norm Dupont (2) – pp – 06:36Third period08:17 – Joe Mullen (3)
Ed Staniowski 17 saves / 25 shotsGoalie statsMike Liut 39 saves / 41 shots
St. Louis won series 3–1


(S1) Edmonton Oilers vs. (S4) Los Angeles Kings

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. Game Three is known as "The Miracle on Manchester" as the Kings scored five goals to force overtime and ultimately winning the game in OT.


April 7Los Angeles Kings10–8Edmonton OilersNorthlands ColiseumRecap 
Steve Bozek (1) – pp – 06:00
Jim Fox (1) – 14:09
Dave Taylor (1) – pp – 19:53
First period01:35 – Glenn Anderson (1)
06:16 – Tom Roulston (1)
06:36 – Risto Siltanen (1)
09:02 – Risto Siltanen (2)
Doug Smith (1) – 03:11
Marcel Dionne (1) – pp – 09:17
Marcel Dionne (2) – pp – 14:17
Daryl Evans (1) – 15:00
Daryl Evans (2) – 19:36
Second period13:30 – shCharlie Huddy (1)
17:22 – Dave Lumley (1)
Charlie Simmer (1) – 14:56
Bernie Nicholls (1) – en – 19:08
Third period10:20 – Wayne Gretzky (1)
12:20 – Matti Hagman (1)
Mario Lessard 25 saves / 33 shotsGoalie statsGrant Fuhr 25 saves / 34 shots
April 8Los Angeles Kings2–3OTEdmonton OilersNorthlands ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period01:55 – Pat Hughes (1)
Bernie Nicholls (2) – 05:33
Daryl Evans (3) – 13:07
Second periodNo scoring
No scoringThird period15:06 – Jari Kurri (1)
No scoringFirst overtime period06:20 – Wayne Gretzky (2)
Mario Lessard 43 saves / 46 shotsGoalie statsGrant Fuhr 33 saves / 35 shots
April 10Edmonton Oilers5–6OTLos Angeles KingsThe ForumRecap 
Mark Messier (1) – 10:39
Wayne Gretzky (3) – sh – 19:23
First periodNo scoring
Lee Fogolin (1) – sh – 00:43
Risto Siltanen (3) – 05:15
Wayne Gretzky (4) – pp – 14:02
Second periodNo scoring
No scoringThird period02:46 – Jay Wells (1)
05:58 – ppDoug Smith (2)
14:38 – Charlie Simmer (2)
15:59 – Mark Hardy (1)
19:55 – ppSteve Bozek (2)
No scoringFirst overtime period02:35 – Daryl Evans (4)
Grant Fuhr 46 saves / 52 shotsGoalie statsMario Lessard 31 saves / 36 shots
Doug Keans 0 saves / 0 shots
April 12Edmonton Oilers3–2Los Angeles KingsThe ForumRecap 
Jari Kurri (2) – 10:18First period05:27 – ppMarcel Dionne (3)
Pat Hughes (2) – 11:40
Glenn Anderson (2) – 14:44
Second periodNo scoring
No scoringThird period08:44 – Mike Murphy (1)
Grant Fuhr 23 saves / 25 shotsGoalie statsMario Lessard 18 saves / 21 shots
April 13Los Angeles Kings7–4Edmonton OilersNorthlands ColiseumRecap 
Charlie Simmer (3) – 03:22
Charlie Simmer (4) – 06:20
Daryl Evans (5) – pp – 15:53
First period07:59 – ppWayne Gretzky (5)
19:26 – ppPaul Coffey (1)
Marcel Dionne (4) – 01:09
Bernie Nicholls (3) – pp – 06:49
Dan Bonar (1) – 15:15
Second periodNo scoring
Dan Bonar (2) – 03:06Third period05:51 – Garry Unger (1)
14:24 – Dave Lumley (2)
Mario Lessard 40 saves / 44 shotsGoalie statsGrant Fuhr 24 saves / 31 shots
Los Angeles won series 3–2


(S2) Vancouver Canucks vs. (S3) Calgary Flames

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 7Calgary Flames3–5Vancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
Mel Bridgman (1) – 13:07First period00:08 – Stan Smyl (1)
10:29 – ppIvan Boldirev (1)
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
Willi Plett (1) – pp – 08:08
Mel Bridgman (2) – 12:47
Third period03:06 – Lars Lindgren (1)
07:09 – Lars Molin (1)
13:58 – Gary Lupul (1)
Pat Riggin 30 saves / 35 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 22 saves / 25 shots
April 8Calgary Flames1–2OTVancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
Ken Houston (1) – 07:49Second period18:00 – Marc Crawford (1)
No scoringThird periodNo scoring
No scoringFirst overtime period14:20 – Dave Williams (1)
Pat Riggin 38 saves / 40 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 39 saves / 40 shots
April 10Vancouver Canucks3–1Calgary FlamesStampede CorralRecap 
Thomas Gradin (1) – pp – 16:14First period13:14 – ppJim Peplinski (1)
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
Dave Williams (2) – 08:17
Thomas Gradin (2) – 17:59
Third periodNo scoring
Richard Brodeur 42 saves / 43 shotsGoalie statsPat Riggin 20 saves / 23 shots
Vancouver won series 3–0


Division finals

Prince of Wales Conference

(A2) Boston Bruins vs. (A4) Quebec Nordiques

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 15Quebec Nordiques3–4Boston BruinsBoston GardenRecap 
Michel Goulet (2) – 04:12
Real Cloutier (1) – 11:24
First period05:18 – Barry Pederson (4)
07:29 – Dave Barr (1)
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
Real Cloutier (2) – 08:10Third period10:50 – Steve Kasper (3)
19:05 – Ray Bourque (1)
Dan Bouchard 34 saves / 38 shotsGoalie statsMike Moffat 21 saves / 24 shots
April 16Quebec Nordiques4–8Boston BruinsBoston GardenRecap 
Wilf Paiement (2) – 00:29
Mario Marois (1) – 16:24
First period08:10 – Keith Crowder (1)
14:34 – Rick Middleton (3)
No scoringSecond period00:37 – Barry Pederson (5)
05:36 – Tom Fergus (1)
13:37 – Barry Pederson (6)
Marian Stastny (1) – 18:39
Michel Goulet (3) – 19:36
Third period02:34 – Bruce Crowder (2)
03:45 – Terry O'Reilly (4)
19:51 – Bruce Crowder (3)
John Garrett 32 saves / 40 shotsGoalie statsMike Moffat 27 saves / 31 shots
April 18Boston Bruins2–3OTQuebec NordiquesQuebec ColiseumRecap 
Mike O'Connell (2) – 09:26First period19:13 – Anton Stastny (3)
Rick Middleton (4) – 04:15Second period14:53 – ppReal Cloutier (3)
No scoringThird periodNo scoring
No scoringFirst overtime period11:44 – Wilf Paiement (3)
Mike Moffat 32 saves / 35 shotsGoalie statsJohn Garrett 28 saves / 30 shots
April 19Boston Bruins2–7Quebec NordiquesQuebec ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period08:10 – Marian Stastny (2)
08:44 – Wilf Paiement (4)
Bruce Crowder (4) – pp – 11:55Second period02:16 – Real Cloutier (4)
08:53 – ppMichel Goulet (4)
10:51 – sh – Michel Goulet (5)
18:49 – Anton Stastny (4)
Tom Fergus (2) – pp – 17:01Third period02:30 – ppPeter Stastny (1)
Mike Moffat 20 saves / 26 shots
Rogie Vachon 2 saves / 3 shots
Goalie statsJohn Garrett 33 saves / 35 shots
April 21Quebec Nordiques4–3Boston BruinsBoston GardenRecap 
Marian Stastny (3) – pp – 02:08
Peter Stastny (2) – 06:47
First period06:18 – ppTom Fergus (3)
Real Cloutier (5) – 16:55Second period08:57 – ppRick Middleton (5)
Peter Stastny (3) – 03:02Third period05:46 – Rick Middleton (6)
John Garrett 20 saves / 23 shotsGoalie statsMike Moffat 13 saves / 17 shots
April 23Boston Bruins6–5OTQuebec NordiquesQuebec ColiseumRecap 
Keith Crowder (2) – 04:18
Terry O'Reilly (5) – 05:16
Peter McNab (4) – pp – 08:44
First period09:54 – ppPeter Stastny (4)
Barry Pederson (7) – 07:50
Bruce Crowder (5) – 09:42
Second period01:47 – Real Cloutier (6)
16:01 – Wilf Paiement (5)
17:41 – Real Cloutier (7)
No scoringThird period04:06 – Michel Goulet (6)
Peter McNab (5) – 10:54First overtime periodNo scoring
Mike Moffat 23 saves / 28 shotsGoalie statsJohn Garrett 24 saves / 30 shots
April 25Quebec Nordiques2–1Boston BruinsBoston GardenRecap 
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
Michel Goulet (7) – pp – 09:56Second period13:35 – Peter McNab (6)
Dave Pichette (1) – pp – 09:39Third periodNo scoring
Dan Bouchard 28 saves / 29 shotsGoalie statsMike Moffat 20 saves / 22 shots
Quebec won series 4–3


(P1) New York Islanders vs. (P2) New York Rangers

This was fourth playoff series meeting between these two teams. The Islanders won two of the previous three meetings. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Semifinals, in which the Islanders won in a four-game sweep.


April 15New York Rangers5–4New York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
Ron Duguay (4) – 03:19
Cam Connor (2) – 07:13
Rob McClanahan (2) – 17:28
First period04:04 – Dave Langevin (1)
11:43 – Mike Bossy (3)
16:51 – Bobby Nystrom (2)
Robbie Ftorek (4) – 14:56Second periodNo scoring
Reijo Ruotsalainen (2) – 18:02Third period15:44 – John Tonelli (4)
Steve Weeks 28 saves / 29 shots
Eddie Mio 7 saves / 10 shots
Goalie statsBilly Smith 24 saves / 29 shots
April 16New York Rangers2–7New York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period05:34 – ppDenis Potvin (1)
11:03 – shBilly Carroll (1)
16:29 – Duane Sutter (1)
Robbie Ftorek (5) – pp – 17:32Second period10:21 – Duane Sutter (2)
13:05 – Mike Bossy (4)
Mikko Leinonen (1) – 17:41Third period04:48 – Bryan Trottier (3)
12:09 – ppMike McEwen (3)
Steve Weeks 19 saves / 26 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 18 saves / 20 shots
April 18New York Islanders4–3OTNew York RangersMadison Square GardenRecap 
Mike Bossy (5) – 12:12First period14:06 – Robbie Ftorek (6)
Bob Bourne (1) – pp – 07:44Second periodNo scoring
Bob Bourne (2) – 08:26Third period00:19 – Reijo Ruotsalainen (3)
03:19 – Mike Allison (1)
Bryan Trottier (4) – 03:00First overtime periodNo scoring
Billy Smith 22 saves / 25 shotsGoalie statsEddie Mio 29 saves / 33 shots
April 19New York Islanders5–3New York RangersMadison Square GardenRecap 
Mike Bossy (6) – 10:21First period13:38 – Ron Duguay (5)
Denis Potvin (2) – 05:37
Clark Gillies (5) – pp – 13:08
Second period04:31 – ppDon Maloney (3)
Duane Sutter (3) – 12:27
Butch Goring (2) – en – 19:25
Third period06:19 – Cam Connor (3)
Billy Smith 22 saves / 25 shotsGoalie statsJohn Davidson 12 saves / 15 shots
Steve Weeks 7 saves / 8 shots
April 21New York Rangers4–2New York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
Don Maloney (4) – 08:47First period18:09 – ppJohn Tonelli (5)
Don Maloney (5) – 00:39
Dave Silk (2) – 03:24
Second period13:14 – shBob Bourne (3)
Cam Connor (4) – pp – 01:31Third periodNo scoring
Eddie Mio 29 saves / 31 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 23 saves / 27 shots
Roland Melanson 0 saves / 0 shots
April 23New York Islanders5–3New York RangersMadison Square GardenRecap 
Butch Goring (3) – 11:01First period13:13 – ppReijo Ruotsalainen (4)
Butch Goring (4) – 00:33
Bob Bourne (4) – 18:17
Second period11:34 – ppBarry Beck (1)
Dave Langevin (2) – 13:52
Bob Bourne (5) – en – 19:28
Third period05:46 – Robbie Ftorek (7)
Billy Smith 22 saves / 25 shotsGoalie statsEddie Mio 25 saves / 29 shots
Steve Weeks 0 saves / 0 shots
New York Islanders won series 4–2


Clarence Campbell Conference

(N3) St. Louis Blues vs. (N4) Chicago Black Hawks

This was the third playoff series meeting between these two teams. Chicago won both previous meetings, including their most recent meeting in a three-game sweep in the 1980 Preliminary Round.


April 15Chicago Black Hawks5–4St. Louis BluesCheckerdomeRecap 
Tim Higgins (2) – 01:47
Dave Hutchison (1) – 08:08
First periodNo scoring
No scoringSecond period01:49 – Ralph Klassen (1)
07:14 – Wayne Babych (1)
11:54 – Mike Crombeen (2)
Denis Savard (2) – 00:19
Tom Lysiak (3) – 02:39
Doug Wilson (2) – 14:44
Third period12:57 – Joe Mullen (4)
Murray Bannerman 31 saves / 34 shots
Tony Esposito 5 saves / 6 shots
Goalie statsMike Liut 23 saves / 28 shots
April 16Chicago Black Hawks1–3St. Louis BluesCheckerdomeRecap 
Tom Lysiak (4) – pp – 04:46First period09:10 – ppBernie Federko (2)
No scoringSecond period01:58 – Wayne Babych (2)
No scoringThird period15:57 – Joe Mullen (5)
Tony Esposito 29 saves / 32 shotsGoalie statsMike Liut 26 saves / 27 shots
April 18St. Louis Blues5–6Chicago Black HawksChicago StadiumRecap 
Wayne Babych (3) – 11:59First period01:21 – Bob Murray (1)
02:44 – ppTom Lysiak (5)
03:01 – Tim Higgins ()
Joe Mullen (6) – 14:03Second period01:09 – shRick Paterson (1)
12:39 – ppDenis Savard (3)
Joe Mullen (7) – pp – 17:41
Brian Sutter (8) – 17:56
Mike Zuke (1) – 19:57
Third period12:26 – Bill Gardner (1)
Glen Hanlon 27 saves / 30 shots
Mike Liut 0 saves / 3 shots
Goalie statsMurray Bannerman 30 saves / 35 shots
April 19St. Louis Blues4–7Chicago Black HawksChicago StadiumRecap 
Mike Crombeen (3) – 05:53First period09:05 – ppDenis Savard (4)
12:54 – pp – Denis Savard (5)
Larry Patey (2) – sh – 00:27
Ralph Klassen (2) – 04:25
Perry Anderson (1) – 07:51
Second period12:04 – Rick Paterson (2)
17:18 – Troy Murray (1)
No scoringThird period04:23 – Ted Bulley (1)
11:24 – Denis Savard (6)
17:59 – Ted Bulley (2)
Glen Hanlon 22 saves / 28 shots
Mike Liut 1 save / 2 shots
Goalie statsMurray Bannerman 28 saves / 32 shots
April 21Chicago Black Hawks2–3OTSt. Louis BluesCheckerdomeRecap 
Denis Savard (7) – 09:11First period05:51 – ppPerry Anderson (2)
Grant Mulvey (2) – 04:08Second period02:29 – ppJorgen Pettersson (1)
No scoringThird periodNo scoring
No scoringFirst overtime period03:28 – Bernie Federko (3)
Murray Bannerman 20 saves / 23 shotsGoalie statsMike Liut 22 saves / 24 shots
April 23St. Louis Blues0–2Chicago Black HawksChicago StadiumRecap 
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
No scoringSecond period12:18 – Denis Savard (8)
16:55 – Rich Preston (2)
No scoringThird periodNo scoring
Mike Liut 25 saves / 27 shots
Glen Hanlon 0 saves / 0 shots
Goalie statsTony Esposito 31 saves / 31 shots
Chicago won series 4–2


(S2) Vancouver Canucks vs. (S4) Los Angeles Kings

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 15Los Angeles Kings2–3Vancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
Steve Bozek (3) – 16:51First periodNo scoring
Larry Murphy (1) – 12:30Second period12:05 – ppIvan Hlinka (1)
15:38 – pp – Ivan Hlinka (2)
No scoringThird period05:00 – Gary Lupul (2)
Mario Lessard 36 saves / 39 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 27 saves / 29 shots
April 16Los Angeles Kings3–2OTVancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period06:10 – Darcy Rota (1)
Dave Taylor (2) – 00:50
Marcel Dionne (5) – 10:02
Second period11:24 – Stan Smyl (2)
No scoringThird periodNo scoring
Steve Bozek (4) – 04:33First overtime periodNo scoring
Mario Lessard 21 saves / 23 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 32 saves / 35 shots
April 18Vancouver Canucks4–3OTLos Angeles KingsThe ForumRecap 
Colin Campbell (1) – 18:09First periodNo scoring
Thomas Gradin (3) – 19:15Second period03:14 – ppJohn-Paul Kelly (1)
13:08 – ppDave Taylor (3)
Stan Smyl (3) – 14:12Third period10:03 – Marcel Dionne (6)
Colin Campbell (2) – 01:23First overtime periodNo scoring
Richard Brodeur 41 saves / 44 shotsGoalie statsMario Lessard 23 saves / 27 shots
April 19Vancouver Canucks5–4Los Angeles KingsThe ForumRecap 
Ivan Boldirev (2) – 08:08First period15:23 – ppMarcel Dionne (7)
Curt Fraser (1) – 00:31
Dave Williams (3) – 06:19
Darcy Rota (2) – pp – 08:02
Second period09:05 – Mike Murphy (2)
11:08 – ppDave Taylor (4)
Ivan Boldirev (3) – 01:41Third period13:40 – Doug Smith (3)
Richard Brodeur 33 saves / 37 shotsGoalie statsMario Lessard 6 saves / 10 shots
Doug Keans 4 saves / 5 shots
April 21Los Angeles Kings2–5Vancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
Bernie Nicholls (4) – 01:30First period08:15 – James Nill (1)
18:04 – Doug Halward (1)
Larry Murphy (2) – pp – 19:23Second period03:50 – Darcy Rota (3)
19:49 – Darcy Rota (4)
No scoringThird period01:25 – Curt Fraser (2)
Mario Lessard 27 saves / 32 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 28 saves / 30 shots
Vancouver won series 4–1


Conference finals

Prince of Wales Conference final

(P1) New York Islanders vs. (A4) Quebec Nordiques

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 27Quebec Nordiques1–4New York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period05:29 – ppBryan Trottier (5)
No scoringSecond period12:15 – ppButch Goring (5)
Peter Stastny (5) – pp – 07:02Third period13:46 – Denis Potvin (3)
15:14 – Wayne Merrick (4)
Dan Bouchard 28 saves / 32 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 27 saves / 28 shots
April 29Quebec Nordiques2–5New York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
Marc Tardif (1) – 11:04First period07:46 – Wayne Merrick (5)
Peter Stastny (6) – 14:17Second period01:33 – Mike Bossy (7)
17:56 – pp – Mike Bossy (8)
No scoringThird period03:46 – Bob Bourne (6)
08:59 – Bobby Nystrom (3)
Dan Bouchard 26 saves / 31 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 35 saves / 37 shots
May 1New York Islanders5–4OTQuebec NordiquesQuebec ColiseumRecap 
Mike Bossy (9) – pp – 07:10
Bob Bourne (7) – pp – 11:43
First period01:10 – Basil McRae (1)
08:02 – ppPeter Stastny (7)
Anders Kallur (1) – sh – 19:12Second periodNo scoring
Mike Bossy (10) – 10:48Third period06:53 – ppAnton Stastny (5)
14:39 – ppWilf Paiement (6)
Wayne Merrick (6) – 16:52First overtime periodNo scoring
Billy Smith 31 saves / 35 shotsGoalie statsDan Bouchard 33 saves / 38 shots
May 4New York Islanders4–2Quebec NordiquesQuebec ColiseumRecap 
Bob Bourne (8) – 02:01First periodNo scoring
John Tonelli (6) – 01:09Second periodNo scoring
Clark Gillies (6) – pp – 15:35
Duane Sutter (4) – en – 19:58
Third period16:09 – Dave Pichette (2)
16:46 – Michel Goulet (8)
Billy Smith 20 saves / 22 shotsGoalie statsDan Bouchard 26 saves / 29 shots
New York won series 4–0


Clarence Campbell Conference final

(N4) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (S2) Vancouver Canucks

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.

Canucks Coach Roger Neilson was tossed out of game 2 for holding up a white towel on a hockey stick as a form of protest. He was ejected from the game along with two players but the protest began the Canucks Towel Power tradition that still exists to this day and has since been copied by other teams.


April 27Vancouver Canucks2–12OTChicago Black HawksChicago StadiumRecap 
Thomas Gradin (4) – 08:02First period10:11 – Terry Ruskowski (1)
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
No scoringThird periodNo scoring
James Nill (2) – 08:58Second overtime periodNo scoring
Richard Brodeur 46 saves / 47 shotsGoalie statsTony Esposito 39 saves / 41 shots
April 29Vancouver Canucks1–4Chicago Black HawksChicago StadiumRecap 
No scoringFirst period18:28 – Glen Sharpley (4)
No scoringSecond period11:35 – Dave Feamster (2)
Stan Smyl (4) – 01:01Third period04:42 – Denis Savard (9)
16:23 – pp – Denis Savard (10)
Richard Brodeur 34 saves / 38 shotsGoalie statsMurray Bannerman 30 saves / 31 shots
May 1Chicago Black Hawks3–4Vancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
Glen Sharpley (5) – 10:18
Doug Wilson (3) – 15:57
First period11:31 – ppThomas Gradin (5)
14:54 – ppNeil Belland (1)
No scoringSecond period10:03 – Curt Fraser (3)
Rick Paterson (3) – 03:14Third period02:05 – Stan Smyl (5)
Murray Bannerman 26 saves / 30 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 24 saves / 27 shots
May 4Chicago Black Hawks3–5Vancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period01:06 – ppDarcy Rota (5)
Glen Sharpley (6) – 16:19Second period04:16 – ppIvan Boldirev (4)
14:08 – Ivan Boldirev (5)
Denis Savard (11) – pp – 02:33
Grant Mulvey (3) – 16:10
Third period04:48 – Doug Halward (2)
05:51 – Thomas Gradin (6)
Tony Esposito 26 saves / 31 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 27 saves / 30 shots
May 6Vancouver Canucks6–2Chicago Black HawksChicago StadiumRecap 
James Nill (3) – pp – 02:40
Stan Smyl (6) – 03:48
Lars Molin (2) – 15:35
First period05:09 – Tom Lysiak (6)
No scoringSecond periodNo scoring
Darcy Rota (6) – 05:14
Stan Smyl (7) – 11:20
Ivan Boldirev (6) – 16:17
Third period02:38 – ppGrant Mulvey (4)
Richard Brodeur 36 saves / 38 shotsGoalie statsTony Esposito 14 saves / 17 shots
Murray Bannerman 8 saves / 11 shots
Vancouver won series 4–1


Stanley Cup Finals

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. New York won the only previous meeting in a two-game sweep in the 1976 Preliminary Round.

In the Stanley Cup Finals, the Cinderella run of the Vancouver Canucks came to an end with a four-game sweep by the Islanders, winning their third consecutive Stanley Cup.


May 8Vancouver Canucks5–6OTNew York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
Thomas Gradin (7) – 01:29
Thomas Gradin (8) – pp – 17:40
First period11:35 – ppClark Gillies (7)
15:52 – Mike Bossy (11)
19:51 – ppDenis Potvin (4)
Stan Smyl (8) – pp – 05:06
Ivan Boldirev (7) – 09:27
Second period03:15 – ppDenis Potvin (5)
James Nill (4) – 13:06Third period15:14 – Mike Bossy (12)
No scoringFirst overtime period19:58 – Mike Bossy (13)
Richard Brodeur 30 saves / 36 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 30 saves / 35 shots
May 11Vancouver Canucks4–6New York IslandersNassau ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst period15:55 – shBilly Carroll (2)
Thomas Gradin (9) – pp – 08:28
Ivan Boldirev (8) – pp – 13:12
Lars Lindgren (2) – 19:42
Second period17:06 – ppMike Bossy (14)
Gerry Minor (1) – 02:27Third period00:32 – ppBob Bourne (9)
01:19 – Duane Sutter (5)
07:18 – ppBryan Trottier (6)
14:10 – Bobby Nystrom (4)
Richard Brodeur 30 saves / 36 shotsGoalie statsBilly Smith 26 saves / 30 shots
May 13New York Islanders3–0Vancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
No scoringFirst periodNo scoring
Clark Gillies (8) – 02:56
Mike Bossy (15) – 12:30
Second periodNo scoring
Bobby Nystrom (5) – en – 18:40Third periodNo scoring
Billy Smith 23 saves / 23 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 29 saves / 31 shots
May 16New York Islanders3–1Vancouver CanucksPacific ColiseumRecap 
Butch Goring (6) – 11:38First period18:09 – Stan Smyl (9)
Mike Bossy (16) – pp – 05:00
Mike Bossy (17) – pp – 08:00
Second periodNo scoring
No scoringThird periodNo scoring
Billy Smith 23 saves / 24 shotsGoalie statsRichard Brodeur 25 saves / 28 shots
New York won series 4–0


Player statistics

Skaters

These are the top ten skaters based on points.[2]

PlayerTeamGPGAPts+/–PIM
Bryan TrottierNew York Islanders1962329+940
Mike BossyNew York Islanders19171027+70
Denis PotvinNew York Islanders1951621+930
Thomas GradinVancouver Canucks1791019+810
Denis SavardChicago Black Hawks1511718-252
Stan SmylVancouver Canucks179918+425
Peter StastnyQuebec Nordiques1271118+110
Barry PedersonBoston Bruins1171118+522
Joe MullenSt. Louis Blues1071118+74
Bernie FederkoSt. Louis Blues1031518+810

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 played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.[3]

PlayerTeamGPWLSAGAGAASV%SOTOI
Billy SmithNew York Islanders18153498472.51.9061 1125:15
Richard BrodeurVancouver Canucks17116594492.71.9170 1086:28
Mike LiutSt. Louis Blues1053251273.29.8920 492:58
Dan BouchardQuebec Nordiques1147359383.37.8940 676:16
Mike MoffatBoston Bruins1165290383.45.8690 661:46

See also

References

Preceded by Stanley Cup playoffs Succeeded by