1983–84 NHL season

1983–84 NHL season
League National Hockey League
Sport Ice hockey
Duration October 4, 1983 – May 19, 1984
Number of games 80
Number of teams 21
Regular season
Season champions Edmonton Oilers
Season MVP Wayne Gretzky, (Edmonton)
Top scorer Wayne Gretzky, (Edmonton)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVP Mark Messier, (Edmonton)
Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup champions Edmonton Oilers
  Runners-up New York Islanders
NHL seasons
← 1982–83

1984–85 →

The 1983–84 NHL season was the 67th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers de-throned the four-time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders four games to one in the Cup finals.

Contents

League business

Not since World War II travel restrictions caused the NHL to drop regular season overtime games in 1942–43 had the NHL used overtime to decide regular season games. Starting this season, the NHL introduced a five minute extra period of overtime following the third period in the event of a tied game. A team losing in overtime would get no points. This rule remained in effect until the 1999–2000 season, where a team losing in overtime was awarded 1 point. If the game remained tied after the five minute extra period, it remained a tie, until the NHL shootout arrived in the 2005–06 season. Overtime in the Stanley Cup playoffs remained unchanged.

In the entry draft, Brian Lawton became the first American to be chosen first overall by the Minnesota North Stars. Three Americans were chosen in the top five: Lawton, Pat Lafontaine (third) and Tom Barrasso (fifth). Sylvain Turgeon was chosen second and Steve Yzerman was chosen fourth overall. The St. Louis Blues did not participate in the draft, having been 'orphaned' by Ralston Purina. The NHL took control of the franchise after the draft. Harry Ornest purchased the Blues for $3 million USD.[1]

Arthur M. Wirtz, long-time chairman and part-owner of the Chicago Black Hawks died at the age of 82 on July 21, 1983.[2]

Regular season

The Edmonton Oilers ran away with the best record in the league, and for the third straight year set a new record for most goals in a season, 446. The Oilers' new captain Wayne Gretzky was once again breaking records and re-writing the record book with his name. This season saw Gretzky score at least one point in the first 51 games of the season, a mark that is often compared to Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak in baseball. During those 51 games, Gretzky had 61 goals and 92 assists for 153 points, which is exactly three points a game. He also won his fifth straight Hart Trophy and his fourth straight Art Ross Trophy.

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Paul Coffey became the third defenceman to score 100 points in a season.

The Calgary Flames played their inaugural season at the Olympic Saddledome.

Prior to the season, the St. Louis Blues were purchased by Harry Ornest, keeping the team from moving to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and remaining in the Missouri city, where it remains to this date.

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes

Prince of Wales Conference

Adams Division
  GP W L T GF GA PIM PTS
Boston Bruins 80 49 25 6 336 261 1606 104
Buffalo Sabres 80 48 25 7 315 257 1190 103
Quebec Nordiques 80 42 28 10 360 278 1600 94
Montreal Canadiens 80 35 40 5 286 295 1371 75
Hartford Whalers 80 28 42 10 288 320 1184 66

[3]

Patrick Division
  GP W L T GF GA PTS
New York Islanders 80 50 26 4 357 269 104
Washington Capitals 80 48 27 5 308 226 101
Philadelphia Flyers 80 44 26 10 350 290 98
New York Rangers 80 42 29 9 314 304 93
New Jersey Devils 80 17 56 7 231 350 41
Pittsburgh Penguins 80 16 58 6 254 390 38

[3]

Clarence Campbell Conference

Norris Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Minnesota North Stars 80 39 31 10 345 344 88
St. Louis Blues 80 32 41 7 293 316 71
Detroit Red Wings 80 31 42 7 298 323 69
Chicago Black Hawks 80 30 42 8 277 311 68
Toronto Maple Leafs 80 26 45 9 303 387 61

[3]

Smythe Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
Edmonton Oilers 80 57 18 5 446 314 119
Calgary Flames 80 34 32 14 311 314 82
Vancouver Canucks 80 32 39 9 306 328 73
Winnipeg Jets 80 31 38 11 340 374 73
Los Angeles Kings 80 23 44 13 309 376 59

[3]

Playoffs

Wales Conference

In the Adams division semi-finals, Montreal and Quebec City both defeated their higher-placed opponents to set up a Battle of Quebec series, won by Montreal. Montreal defeated Quebec in six games to advance to the conference final. In the Patrick division, the Islanders defeated their cross-city rival Rangers in the division semi-final and the Washington Capitals in the division final. In the Eastern Conference final, the Islanders defeated Montreal in six games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the fifth consecutive season.

Campbell Conference

In the Norris, there were no upsets and the first-place Minnesota North Stars won the division playoff to advance to the conference final. In the Smythe, Edmonton and Calgary won their division semi-final to set up a Battle of Alberta playoff. The Oilers defeated the Flames in a close series four games to three to advance to the conference final. In the conference final, the North Stars were no match for the Oilers, who swept the series in four games.

Stanley Cup Final

Main article: 1984 Stanley Cup Final

It was a rematch of the 1983 final as the Islanders attempted to match the 1950s Montreal Canadiens and win five consecutive Stanley Cup champions, against the Edmonton Oilers attempting to win the franchise's first-ever championship. The Islanders lost the first game at home 1-0, but bounced back to defeat the Oilers 6-1 in the second game. Edmonton took over the series from that point, winning the next three games, all played in Edmonton.

Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Islanders
Away Score Home Score Notes
Edmonton 1 New York 0
Edmonton 1 New York 6
New York 2 Edmonton 7
New York 2 Edmonton 7
New York 2 Edmonton 5

Edmonton wins series 4–1 and Stanley Cup

Mark Messier (Edmonton) wins Conn Smythe Trophy

Playoff bracket

  Division Semi-finals Division Finals Conference Finals Stanley Cup Final
                                     
A1  Boston Bruins 0  
A4  Montreal Canadiens 3  
  A3  Quebec Nordiques 2  
 
  A4  Montreal Canadiens 4  
A2  Buffalo Sabres 0
A3  Quebec Nordiques 3  
  A4  Montreal Canadiens 2  
  P1  New York Islanders 4  
P1  New York Islanders 3  
P4  New York Rangers 2  
  P1  New York Islanders 4
 
  P2  Washington Capitals 1  
P2  Washington Capitals 3
P3  Philadelphia Flyers 0  
  P1  New York Islanders 1
  S1  Edmonton Oilers 4
N1  Minnesota North Stars 3  
N4  Chicago Black Hawks 2  
  N1  Minnesota North Stars 4
 
  N2  St. Louis Blues 3  
N2  St. Louis Blues 3
N3  Detroit Red Wings 1  
  N1  Minnesota North Stars 0
  S1  Edmonton Oilers 4  
S1  Edmonton Oilers 3  
S4  Winnipeg Jets 0  
  S1  Edmonton Oilers 4
 
  S2  Calgary Flames 3  
S2  Calgary Flames 3
S3  Vancouver Canucks 1  

Source: Total Stanley Cup[4]

NHL awards

Prince of Wales Trophy: New York Islanders
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Edmonton Oilers
Art Ross Trophy: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Brad Park, Detroit Red Wings
Calder Memorial Trophy: Tom Barrasso, Buffalo Sabres
Conn Smythe Trophy: Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Doug Jarvis, Washington Capitals
Hart Memorial Trophy: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Jack Adams Award: Bryan Murray, Washington Capitals
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Rod Langway, Washington Capitals
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Mike Bossy, New York Islanders
Lester B. Pearson Award: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers,
William M. Jennings Trophy: Al Jensen/Pat Riggin, Washington Capitals
Vezina Trophy: Tom Barrasso, Buffalo Sabres
Lester Patrick Trophy: John A. Ziegler, Jr., Arthur Howie Ross

All-Star teams

First Team   Position   Second Team
Tom Barrasso, Buffalo Sabres G Pat Riggin, Washington Capitals
Rod Langway, Washington Capitals D Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers
Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins D Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers C Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders
Mike Bossy, New York Islanders RW Jari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers
Michel Goulet, Quebec Nordiques LW Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers

Source: NHL.[5]

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 74 87 118 212 39
Paul Coffey Edmonton Oilers 80 40 86 126 104
Michel Goulet Quebec Nordiques 75 56 65 121 76
Peter Stastny Quebec Nordiques 80 46 73 119 73
Mike Bossy New York Islanders 76 51 67 118 8
Barry Pederson Boston Bruins 80 39 77 116 64
Jari Kurri Edmonton Oilers 64 52 61 113 14
Bryan Trottier New York Islanders 68 40 71 111 59
Bernie Federko St. Louis Blues 79 41 66 107 43
Rick Middleton Boston Bruins 80 47 58 105 14

Source: NHL.[6]

Leading goaltenders

Milestones

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1983–84 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1983–84 (listed with their last team):

1984 Trading Deadline

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ McFarlane 1989, p. 232.
  2. ^ McFarlane 1989, p. 233.
  3. ^ a b c d Dinger, Ralph, ed (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 152. ISBN 9781894801225. 
  4. ^ Diamond 2008, p. 42.
  5. ^ Dinger 2011, p. 229.
  6. ^ Dinger 2011, p. 152.
  7. ^ NHL trade deadline: Deals since 1980 | Habs Inside/Out

External links

1983–84 NHL season by team
Patrick
Adams
Norris
Smythe
See also
 
Category · Portal  · 2011–12 season