1981 Stanley Cup playoffs

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1981 Stanley Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 8–May 21, 1981
Teams16
Defending championsNew York Islanders
Final positions
ChampionsNew York Islanders
Runner-upMinnesota 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.

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.[1]

These were the last Stanley Cup playoffs conducted under a format that paired teams in each round without regard to division or conference.

Playoff seeds[]

The sixteen teams that qualified for the playoffs are ranked 1–16 based on regular season points.

  1. New York Islanders, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 110 points
  2. St. Louis Blues, Smythe Division champions – 107 points
  3. Montreal Canadiens, Norris Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 103 points
  4. Los Angeles Kings – 99 points (43 wins)
  5. Buffalo Sabres, Adams Division champions – 99 points (39 wins)
  6. Philadelphia Flyers – 97 points
  7. Calgary Flames – 92 points
  8. Boston Bruins – 87 points (37 wins)
  9. Minnesota North Stars – 87 points (35 wins)
  10. Chicago Black Hawks – 78 points (31 wins)
  11. Quebec Nordiques – 78 points (30 wins)
  12. Vancouver Canucks – 76 points
  13. New York Rangers – 74 points (30 wins)
  14. Edmonton Oilers – 74 points (29 wins)
  15. Pittsburgh Penguins – 73 points
  16. Toronto Maple Leafs – 71 points

Playoff bracket[]

Preliminary Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals
            
1 NY Islanders 3
16 Toronto 0
1 NY Islanders 4
8 Edmonton 2
2 St. Louis 3
15 Pittsburgh 2
1 NY Islanders 4
4 NY Rangers 0
3 Montreal 0
14 Edmonton 3
2 St. Louis 2
7 NY Rangers 4
4 Los Angeles 1
13 NY Rangers 3
1 NY Islanders 4
Note: Pairings are re-seeded after the first and second rounds.
3 Minnesota 1
5 Buffalo 3
12 Vancouver 0
3 Buffalo 1
6 Minnesota 4
6 Philadelphia 3
11 Quebec 2
2 Calgary 2
3 Minnesota 4
7 Calgary 3
10 Chicago 0
4 Philadelphia 3
5 Calgary 4
8 Boston 0
9 Minnesota 3

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 also only 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.


April 8 Toronto Maple Leafs 2–9 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No Scoring First period 05:27 – sh – Billy Carroll (1)
11:26 – pp – Clark Gillies (1)
Bill Derlago (1) – pp – 01:39 Second period 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 Third period 02:25 – Mike Bossy (2)
07:25 – Bob Bourne (1)
11:30 – sh – Bob Bourne (2)
Jiri Crha 21 saves / 27 shots
Michel Larocque 5 saves / 8 shots 		Goalie stats Billy Smith 29 saves / 30 shots
Roland Melanson 10 saves / 11 shots
April 9 Toronto Maple Leafs 1–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 07:39 – Mike Bossy (3)
08:18 – Bryan Trottier (3)
19:16 – pp – Bryan Trottier (4)
Bruce Boudreau (1) – 6:06 Third period 09:27 – Mike McEwen (1)
13:40 – Bryan Trottier (5)
Michel Larocque 19 saves / 24 shots
Jiri Crha 3 saves / 3 shots 		Goalie stats Billy Smith 25 saves / 26 shots
April 11 New York Islanders 6–1 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Wayne Merrick (1) – 08:58
Mike Bossy (4) – pp – 12:05
Hector Marini (1) – 14:03
Mike McEwen (2) – pp – 17:40
Clark Gillies (2) – 19:35 		First period No scoring
Bryan Trottier (6) – 13:34 Second period 13:53 – Rick Vaive (1)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Billy Smith 22 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Jiri Crha 9 saves / 14 shots
Paul Harrison 16 saves / 17 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.[2]


April 8 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–4 St. Louis Blues Checkerdome Recap  
Greg Malone (1) – 00:15 First period 04:48 – pp – Mike Zuke (1)
15:58 – Tony Currie (1)
Rod Schutt (1) – 13:21 Second period 14:44 – Jorgen Pettersson (1)
No scoring Third period 19:59 – en – Mike Crombeen (1)
Greg Millen 44 saves / 47 shots Goalie stats Mike Liut 24 saves / 26 shots
April 9 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–4 St. Louis Blues Checkerdome Recap  
No scoring First period 02:35 – pp – Joe Micheletti (1)
Randy Carlyle (1) – 02:03
Gregg Sheppard (1) – 04:58
Mario Faubert (1) – pp – 06:59
George Ferguson (1) – 11:13 		Second period 03:11 – Tony Currie (2)
Rod Schutt (2) – 00:35
Randy Carlyle (2) – 03:06 		Third period 10:49 – Blair Chapman (1)
16:04 – pp – Bernie Federko (1)
Greg Millen 19 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Mike Liut 24 saves / 30 shots
April 11 St. Louis Blues 5–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Civic Arena Recap  
Brian Sutter (1) – pp – 11:51 First period 07:04 – pp – Rod Schutt (3)
Ralph Klassen (1) – 06:36
Wayne Babych (1) – 09:58
Bernie Federko (2) – pp – 14:38 		Second period 08:57 – Mike Bullard (1)
10:31 – Mark Johnson (1)
Bernie Federko (3) – 15:54 Third period 05:08 – pp – Gregg Sheppard (2)
Mike Liut 27 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 27 saves / 32 shots
April 12 St. Louis Blues 3–6 Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Civic Arena Recap  
Ralph Klassen (2) – 05:53
Mike Zuke (2) – pp – 07:10 		First period 14:52 – pp – Mike Bullard (2)
Mike Zuke (3) – pp – 13:55 Second period 07:45 – pp – Mark Johnson (2)
11:49 – sh – Randy Carlyle (3)
No scoring Third period 00:44 – Mike Bullard (3)
09:21 – Randy Carlyle (4)
14:02 – Pat Price (1)
Mike Liut 28 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 21 saves / 24 shots
April 14 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–4 2OT St. Louis Blues Checkerdome Recap  
Paul Gardner (1) – pp – 07:48 First period No scoring
George Ferguson (2) – 15:06 Second period 11:17 – Brian Sutter (2)
16:06 – pp – Bernie Federko (4)
Greg Malone (2) – 10:36 Third period 03:34 – Rick Lapointe (1)
No scoring Second overtime period 05:16 – Mike Crombeen (2)
Greg Millen 48 saves / 52 shots Goalie stats 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 playoff meeting between these two teams. These teams split this year's four-game regular season series.

The Oilers recorded the first series sweep in franchise history and their first playoff series victory since joining the NHL in 1979. 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).


April 8 Edmonton Oilers 6–3 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Glenn Anderson (1) – 06:41
Jari Kurri (1) – 11:42
Jari Kurri (2) – 17:36 		First period 11:15 – Steve Shutt (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Brett Callighen (1) – 01:14
Paul Coffey (1) – 13:38
Brett Callighen (2) – en – 19:21 		Third period 07:39 – pp – Doug Risebrough (1)
16:55 – Rejean Houle (1)
Andy Moog 28 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Richard Sevigny 22 saves / 27 shots
April 9 Edmonton Oilers 3–1 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Paul Coffey (2) – 05:24 First period No scoring
Risto Siltanen (1) – pp – 04:43 Second period 00:32 – pp – Gaston Gingras (1)
Jari Kurri (3) – 14:27 Third period No scoring
Andy Moog 40 saves / 41 shots Goalie stats Richard Sevigny 26 saves / 29 shots
April 11 Montreal Canadiens 2–6 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 06:09 – Matti Hagman (1)
11:54 – Paul Coffey (3)
Brian Engblom (1) – 08:49
Steve Shutt (2) – 15:33 		Second period 08:15 – Wayne Gretzky (1)
18:56 – Wayne Gretzky (2)
No scoring Third period 19:23 – en – Dave Lumley (1)
19:53 – Wayne Gretzky (3)
Richard Sevigny 23 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Andy Moog 22 saves / 24 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.


April 8 New York Rangers 3–1 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Anders Hedberg (1) – 09:04 First period No scoring
Ulf Nilsson (1) – 01:25 Second period No scoring
Ron Duguay (1) – en – 19:52 Third period 12:31 – Billy Harris (1)
Steve Baker 31 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Mario Lessard 16 saves / 18 shots
April 9 New York Rangers 4–5 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Ed Hospodar (1) – 00:27 First period 08:22 – pp – Larry Murphy (1)
08:48 – pp – Marcel Dionne (1)
Ron Duguay (2) – 16:44 Second period 15:04 – pp – Dave Taylor (1)
Anders Hedberg (2) – pp – 07:01
Ulf Nilsson (2) – 11:17 		Third period 02:34 – Billy Harris (2)
17:16 – Dean Hopkins (1)
Steve Baker 34 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Mario Lessard 23 saves / 27 shots
April 11 Los Angeles Kings 3–10 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Mark Hardy (1) – pp – 01:13
Dave Taylor (2) – 02:48 		First period 01:51 – pp – Don Maloney (1)
08:28 – Barry Beck (1)
14:29 – Ron Greschner (1)
19:44 – Ed Johnstone (1)
No scoring Second period 07:34 – Ron Duguay (3)
12:25 – Ed Johnstone (2)
13:40 – Dean Talafous (1)
16:44 – Ulf Nilsson (3)
Larry Murphy (2) – 18:59 Third period 02:51 – Mike Allison (1)
07:38 – pp – Ulf Nilsson (4)
Mario Lessard 22 saves / 30 shots
Jim Rutherford 6 saves / 8 shots 		Goalie stats Steve Baker 16 saves / 18 shots
Steve Weeks 7 saves / 8 shots
April 12 Los Angeles Kings 3–6 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Greg Terrion (1) – pp – 01:47
Dan Bonar (1) – sh – 13:26 		First period 00:46 – Ron Duguay (4)
05:53 – Lance Nethery (1)
Larry Murphy (3) – 14:30 Second period 08:22 – Ulf Nilsson (5)
No scoring Third period 06:44 – Tom Laidlaw (1)
12:11 – Anders Hedberg (3)
15:08 – Ron Duguay (5)
Mario Lessard 42 saves / 48 shots Goalie stats Steve Baker 24 saves / 27 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.


April 8 Vancouver Canucks 2–3 OT Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Darcy Rota (1) – pp – 12:31 First period No Scoring
Curt Fraser (1) – 04:51 Second period 00:14 – Ric Seiling (1)
No Scoring Third period 19:52 – Andre Savard (1)
No Scoring First overtime period 05:00 – Alan Haworth (1)
Richard Brodeur 24 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Don Edwards 17 saves / 19 shots
April 9 Vancouver Canucks 2–5 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Jerry Butler (1) – 07:40 First period 05:02 – pp – Alan Haworth (2)
09:09 – Andre Savard (2)
19:41 – pp – Danny Gare (1)
No scoring Second period 4:05 – Andre Savard (3)
15:52 – pp – Lindy Ruff (1)
Stan Smyl (1) – 01:59 Third period No Scoring
Richard Brodeur 32 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Don Edwards 20 saves / 22 shots
April 11 Buffalo Sabres 5–3 Vancouver Canucks Pacific Coliseum Recap  
Danny Gare (2) – 11:10
Tony McKegney (1) – 14:37
Danny Gare (3) – pp – 17:12 		First period 13:57 – Darcy Rota (2)
Lindy Ruff (2) – 10:25 Second period No Scoring
Tony McKegney (2) – 15:42 Third period 01:13 – Thomas Gradin (1)
13:08 – Ivan Boldirev (1)
Don Edwards 23 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Richard Brodeur 19 saves / 24 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.[3]

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. 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.


April 8 Quebec Nordiques 4–6 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Anton Stastny (1) – 14:08 First period 06:45 – Bill Barber (1)
09:09 – Brian Propp (1)
16:00 – Brian Propp (2)
Michel Goulet (1) – 01:28
Dale Hunter (1) – 04:34 		Second period No scoring
Anton Stastny (2) – pp – 17:55 Third period 01:41 – Paul Holmgren (1)
09:59 – Al Hill (1)
19:19 – en – Bill Barber (2)
Dan Bouchard 39 saves / 44 shots Goalie stats Rick St. Croix 16 saves / 20 shots
April 9 Quebec Nordiques 5–8 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Peter Stastny (1) – pp – 16:50 First period 02:07 – Bill Barber (3)
14:56 – Mel Bridgman (1)
18:31 – pp – Bill Barber (4)
Anton Stastny (3) – 02:31
Jacques Richard (1) – pp – 19:29 		Second period 05:55 – sh – Bill Barber (5)
09:47 – Tom Gorence (1)
Dale Hunter (2) – 10:36
Marc Tardif (1) – 13:25 		Third period 03:25 – Ken Linseman (1)
15:21 – Mel Bridgman (2)
18:46 – sh-en – Bobby Clarke (1)
Dan Bouchard 16 saves / 22 shots
Michel Plasse 7 saves / 8 shots 		Goalie stats Pete Peeters 20 saves / 25 shots
April 11 Philadelphia Flyers 0–2 Quebec Nordiques Quebec Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 09:48 – Michel Goulet (2)
17:26 – Peter Stastny (2)
Rick St. Croix 29 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Dan Bouchard 32 saves / 32 shots
April 12 Philadelphia Flyers 3–4 OT Quebec Nordiques Quebec Coliseum Recap  
Terry Murray (1) – 00:07
Behn Wilson (1) – 07:39
Tom Gorence (2) – 13:34 		First period 06:13 – pp – Robbie Ftorek (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 15:35 – Dale Hunter (3)
17:08 – Jacques Richard (2)
No scoring First overtime period 00:37 – Dale Hunter (4)
Rick St. Croix 19 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Dan Bouchard 19 saves / 22 shots
April 14 Quebec Nordiques 2–5 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Michel Goulet (3) – 18:04 First period 17:16 – pp – Rick MacLeish (1)
No scoring Second period 10:05 – Al Hill (2)
Anton Stastny (4) – pp – 06:16 Third period 00:18 – Ken Linseman (2)
02:48 – Paul Holmgren (2)
05:07 – Brian Propp (3)
Dan Bouchard 32 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats 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.[2]


April 8 Chicago Black Hawks 3–4 Calgary Flames Stampede Corral Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Darryl Sutter (1) – 17:54
Al Secord (1) – 18:03 		Second period 01:14 – Bob MacMillan (1)
19:29 – Phil Russell (1)
Darryl Sutter (2) – pp – 08:40 Third period 07:34 – Kent Nilsson (1)
08:20 – pp – Dan Labraaten (1)
Tony Esposito 29 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 22 saves / 25 shots
April 9 Chicago Black Hawks 2–6 Calgary Flames Stampede Corral Recap  
No scoring First period 08:38 – Bob MacMillan (2)
Al Secord (2) – 06:53 Second period 16:15 – Bob MacMillan (3)
17:12 – pp – Willi Plett (1)
Peter Marsh (1) – 03:57 Third period 04:47 – Kent Nilsson (2)
05:22 – Guy Chouinard (1)
08:37 – Bill Clement (1)
Tony Esposito 36 saves / 42 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 38 saves / 40 shots
April 11 Calgary Flames 5–4 2OT Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Willi Plett (2) – pp – 03:19
Ken Houston (1) – 17:34 		First period 02:55 – sh – Rick Paterson (1)
09:56 – Al Secord (3)
Bob MacMillan (4) – 10:32
Don Lever (1) – 11:20 		Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 17:12 – Al Secord (4)
19:17 – Darryl Sutter (3)
Willi Plett (3) – 15:17 Second overtime period No scoring
Rejean Lemelin 61 saves / 65 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 43 saves / 48 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.[2] 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).[4] 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.


April 8 Minnesota North Stars 5–4 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Steve Payne (1) – pp – 05:32
Dino Ciccarelli (1) – 19:28 		First period 12:54 – Don Marcotte (1)
No scoring Second period 02:29 – Dwight Foster (1)
07:20 – pp – Peter McNab (1)
Steve Payne (2) – 00:37
Jack Carlson (1) – 11:55 		Third period 07:14 – Peter McNab (2)
Steve Payne (3) – 03:34 First overtime period No scoring
Gilles Meloche 28 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Rogie Vachon 35 saves / 40 shots
April 9 Minnesota North Stars 9–6 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Bobby Smith (1) – 01:15
Steve Payne (4) – pp – 07:00
Al MacAdam (1) – 09:32 		First period 00:56 – pp – Brad Park (1)
19:29 – Terry O'Reilly (1)
Brad Maxwell (1) – pp – 02:49
Steve Payne (5) – 10:15
Al MacAdam (2) – 19:38 		Second period 00:41 – Peter McNab (3)
Dino Ciccarelli (2) – pp – 02:47
Kevin Maxwell (2) – 03:17
Tim Young (1) – 14:25 		Third period 00:29 – Don Marcotte (2)
07:07 – Keith Crowder (1)
08:05 – Keith Crowder (2)
Don Beaupre 34 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Rogie Vachon 14 saves / 20 shots
Marco Baron 9 saves / 12 shots
April 11 Boston Bruins 3–6 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Mike O'Connell (1) – sh – 19:47 First period 03:36 – Brad Palmer (1)
04:57 – Al MacAdam (3)
12:00 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (3)
18:33 – Steve Payne (6)
No scoring Second period 18:05 – sh – Greg Smith (1)
Bobby Lalonde (1) – sh – 11:10
Bobby Lalonde (2) – sh – 15:42 		Third period 18:34 – en – Steve Payne (7)
Rogie Vachon 39 saves / 44 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 36 saves / 39 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.


April 16 Edmonton Oilers 2–8 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 03:14 – Bob Nystrom (1)
19:15 – pp – Butch Goring (1)
Wayne Gretzky (4) – pp – 08:06 Second period 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 Third period 07:15 – Clark Gillies (4)
10:50 – sh – Denis Potvin (2)
Andy Moog 14 saves / 20 shots
Gary Edwards 4 saves / 6 shots 		Goalie stats Billy Smith 26 saves / 28 shots
April 17 Edmonton Oilers 3–6 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Glenn Anderson (2) – pp – 06:11 First period No scoring
Risto Siltanen (2) – pp – 06:05
Glenn Anderson (3) – 12:23 		Second period 02:26 – pp – Denis Potvin (3)
04:47 – pp – Butch Goring (2)
09:44 – pp – Denis Potvin (4)
No scoring Third period 03:47 – pp – Denis Potvin (5)
07:59 – Mike Bossy (5)
17:41 – sh-en – Bryan Trottier (7)
Andy Moog 23 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 19 saves / 22 shots
April 19 New York Islanders 2–5 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Mike Bossy (6) – pp – 12:30 Second period 02:16 – sh – Wayne Gretzky (5)
16:44 – pp – Wayne Gretzky (6)
Clark Gillies (5) – 10:33 Third period 03:24 – Matti Hagman (3)
06:59 – Wayne Gretzky (7)
16:25 – Jari Kurri (4)
Billy Smith 22 saves / 26 shots
Roland Melanson 7 saves / 8 shots 		Goalie stats Andy Moog 28 saves / 30 shots
April 20 New York Islanders 5–4 OT Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
Denis Potvin (6) – pp – 07:57
Bob Nystrom (2) – 16:11 		First period 03:02 – pp – Paul Coffey (4)
05:19 – Jari Kurri (5)
Bryan Trottier (8) – pp – 08:59
John Tonelli (2) – 13:52 		Second period 10:46 – Mark Messier (1)
No scoring Third period 07:00 – pp – Brett Callighen (3)
Ken Morrow (1) – 05:41 First overtime period No scoring
Roland Melanson 29 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Andy Moog 33 saves / 38 shots
April 22 Edmonton Oilers 4–3 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Doug Hicks (1) – 06:00
Glenn Anderson (4) – pp – 18:51 		First period 12:56 – pp – Bryan Trottier (9)
16:31 – Mike Bossy (7)
Brett Callighen (4) – 18:44 Second period No scoring
Matti Hagman (4) – 15:19 Third period 18:25 – pp – Mike Bossy (8)
Andy Moog 29 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 18 saves / 22 shots
April 24 New York Islanders 5–2 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
Hector Marini (3) – 04:54 First period No scoring
Anders Kallur (1) – 13:12
Bob Nystrom (3) – 15:45 		Second period 00:39 – pp – Glenn Anderson (5)
Duane Sutter (1) – 09:16
Mike McEwen (3) – pp – 12:38 		Third period 05:31 – Mark Messier (2)
Billy Smith 21 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Andy Moog 21 saves / 26 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.[5] Anders Hedberg's go ahead goal in third period of Game two was just the second successful penalty shot in Stanley Cup playoff history.[6] 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 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.


April 16 New York Rangers 3–6 St. Louis Blues Checkerdome Recap  
Lance Nethery (2) – 07:25 First period 11:15 – pp – Bernie Federko (5)
14:55 – Brian Sutter (3)
17:39 – Blair Chapman (2)
Lance Nethery (3) – 01:34 Second period 08:56 – Mike Crombeen (3)
16:42 – Bernie Federko (6)
19:42 – Mike Zuke (4)
Jere Gillis (1) – 05:39 Third period No scoring
Steve Baker 22 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Mike Liut 28 saves / 31 shots
April 17 New York Rangers 6–4 St. Louis Blues Checkerdome Recap  
Barry Beck (2)– sh – 03:07 First period 01:22 – Jorgen Pettersson (2)
02:16 – Larry Patey (1)
18:06 – pp – Brian Sutter (4)
Dean Talafous (2) – 16:24 Second period No scoring
Jere Gillis (2) – 07:30
Anders Hedberg (4) – ps – 08:29
Mike Allison (2) – 10:16
Ron Duguay (6) – 19:13 		Third period 15:04 – Brian Sutter (5)
Steve Baker 25 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Mike Liut 24 saves / 30 shots
April 19 St. Louis Blues 3–6 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Wayne Babych (2) – pp – 02:47 First period 00:40 – Ron Greschner (2)
Bill Stewart (1) – 15:35 Second period 05:13 – pp – Ulf Nilsson (6)
06:41 – Barry Beck (3)
13:49 – pp – Mike Allison (3)
17:56 – Steve Vickers (1)
Tony Currie (3) – 00:24 Third period 02:23 – Lance Nethery (4)
Mike Liut 25 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Steve Baker 14 saves / 17 shots
April 20 St. Louis Blues 1–4 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Tony Currie (4) – pp – 07:40 First period 06:14 – Anders Hedberg (4)
18:37 – Ron Duguay (7)
No scoring Second period 09:01 – pp – Steve Vickers (2)
No scoring Third period 03:24 – Steve Vickers (3)
Mike Liut 24 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Steve Baker 33 saves / 34 shots
April 22 New York Rangers 3–4 St. Louis Blues Checkerdome Recap  
Ron Greschner (3) – 06:35
Ulf Nilsson (7) – pp – 10:06 		First period 14:17 – pp – Brian Sutter (6)
Carol Vadnais (1) – 02:54 Second period 08:25 – Larry Patey (2)
14:55 – Jorgen Pettersson (3)
No scoring Third period 06:09 – pp – Jorgen Pettersson (4)
Steve Baker 26 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Mike Liut 34 saves / 37 shots
April 24 St. Louis Blues 4–7 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 03:27 – Steve Vickers (4)
05:49 – Anders Hedberg (6)
16:10 – sh – Ron Duguay (8)
Bernie Federko (7) – 02:16
Rick Lapointe (2) – 03:14
Bernie Federko (8) – 04:06 		Second period 01:59 – Barry Beck (4)
17:03 – Lance Nethery (5)
Ed Kea (1) – 06:00 Third period 04:31 – Peter Wallin (1)
14:54 – Ulf Nilsson (8)
Mike Liut 13 saves / 20 shots Goalie stats Steve Baker 12 saves / 16 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.[7] 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.


April 16 Minnesota North Stars 4–3 OT Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Brad Palmer (2) – sh – 09:40 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 05:13 – pp – Andre Savard (4)
11:28 – Lindy Ruff (3)
Al MacAdam (4) – 01:46
Steve Payne (8) – 11:58 		Third period 14:46 – Craig Ramsay (1)
Steve Payne (9) – 00:22 First overtime period No scoring
Gilles Meloche 29 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Don Edwards 22 saves / 26 shots
April 17 Minnesota North Stars 5–2 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period 09:17 – pp – Tony McKegney (3)
Steve Christoff (1) – pp – 14:47
Steve Christoff (2) – 18:17 		Second period No scoring
Dino Ciccarelli (4) – 04:01
Bobby Smith (2) – 09:59
Dino Ciccarelli (5) – en – 19:35 		Third period 02:01 – Tony McKegney (4)
Gilles Meloche 25 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Don Edwards 21 saves / 25 shots
April 19 Buffalo Sabres 4–6 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Alan Haworth (3) – pp – 18:10 First period 06:41 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (6)
12:17 – Brad Palmer (3)
13:14 – Al MacAdam (5)
Gilbert Perreault (1) – 11:13
Ric Seiling (2) – 19:40 		Second period No scoring
Derek Smith (1) – pp – 18:16 Third period 08:46 – Kevin Maxwell (2)
09:09 – Neal Broten (1)
19:22 – en – Tim Young (2)
Don Edwards 43 saves / 48 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 31 saves / 35 shots
April 20 Buffalo Sabres 5–4 OT Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Jean-Francois Sauve (1) – 09:39 First period No scoring
Gilbert Perreault (2) – 02:04
Alan Haworth (4) – pp – 06:35 		Second period 07:29 – Dino Ciccarelli (7)
10:16 – pp – Steve Christoff (3)
19:46 – pp – Steve Payne (10)
John Van Boxmeer (1) – 04:58 Third period 18:54 – Bobby Smith (3)
Craig Ramsay (2) – 16:32 First overtime period No scoring
Don Edwards 46 saves / 50 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 33 saves / 38 shots
April 22 Minnesota North Stars 4–3 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Ken Solheim (1) – 15:36 First period 05:06 – pp – Jean-Francois Sauve (2)
Kent-Erik Andersson (1) – 15:14
Brad Maxwell (2) – 18:01 		Second period No scoring
Al MacAdam (6) – 00:18 Third period 02:03 – Bob Hess (1)
18:18 – Tony McKegney (5)
Don Beaupre 36 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats 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).


April 16 Calgary Flames 0–4 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 03:30 – pp – Paul Holmgren (3)
08:41 – Bill Barber (6)
No scoring Second period 10:44 – Paul Holmgren (4)
19:26 – Terry Murray (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Rejean Lemelin 24 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Rick St. Croix 35 saves / 35 shots
April 17 Calgary Flames 5–4 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Paul Reinhart (1) – pp – 12:34
Kent Nilsson (3) – 18:02 		First period 05:49 – pp – Bill Barber (7)
16:16 – pp – Rick MacLeish (2)
Ken Houston (2) – pp – 05:58
Willi Plett (4) – 10:45
Jamie Hislop (1) – pp – 17:08 		Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 13:37 – pp – Behn Wilson (2)
17:08 – Tom Gorence (3)
Pat Riggin 42 saves / 46 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 17 saves / 22 shots
April 19 Philadelphia Flyers 1–2 Calgary Flames Stampede Corral Recap  
Rick MacLeish (3) – pp – 09:54 First period 05:25 – Don Lever (2)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 02:26 – Willi Plett (5)
Rick St. Croix 23 saves / 25 shots Goalie stats Pat Riggin 47 saves / 48 shots
April 20 Philadelphia Flyers 4–5 Calgary Flames Stampede Corral Recap  
Paul Holmgren (5) – pp – 19:43 First period 04:38 – Jamie Hislop (2)
No scoring Second period 06:38 – Jim Peplinski (1)
07:10 – Don Lever (3)
Rick MacLeish (4) – 07:21
Bobby Clarke (2) – 09:23
Bill Barber (8) – 15:55 		Third period 10:00 – Randy Holt (1)
14:44 – Randy Holt (2)
Rick St. Croix 23 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Pat Riggin 28 saves / 32 shots
April 22 Calgary Flames 4–9 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Phil Russell (2) – 14:56 First period 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 Second period 10:16 – Glen Cochrane (1)
18:21 – pp – Tim Kerr (1)
Bobby Gould (1) – 01:41
Bob MacMillan (5) – pp – 16:31 		Third period 03:38 – Ron Flockhart (1)
11:04 – pp – Bill Barber (10)
Pat Riggin 26 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Rick St. Croix 23 saves / 27 shots
April 24 Philadelphia Flyers 3–2 Calgary Flames Stampede Corral Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Ken Linseman (3) – 03:35
Bobby Clarke (3) – 03:51
Ken Linseman (4) – 18:34 		Second period 16:13 – Guy Chouinard (2)
No scoring Third period 13:49 – pp – Ken Houston (4)
Rick St. Croix 34 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 24 saves / 27 shots
April 26 Calgary Flames 4–1 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Willi Plett (6) – pp – 03:03
Ken Houston (5) – pp – 08:33 		First period No scoring
Kevin LaVallee (1) – pp – 13:00 Second period 13:49 – Bill Barber (11)
Bob MacMillan (6) – 06:09 Third period No scoring
Pat Riggin 31 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats 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.


April 28 New York Rangers 2–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Anders Hedberg (7) – pp – 12:10 First period No scoring
Ed Hospodar (2) – 03:34 Second period 00:16 – Duane Sutter (2)
04:50 – pp – Mike McEwen (4)
06:47 – John Tonelli (3)
No scoring Third period 05:45 – John Tonelli (4)
15:23 – Billy Carroll (2)
Steve Baker 25 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 18 saves / 20 shots
April 30 New York Rangers 3–7 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Doug Sulliman (1) – 01:57
Dean Talafous (3) – 08:18
Anders Hedberg (8) – pp – 16:39 		First period 00:48 – Wayne Merrick (2)
No scoring Second period 08:11 – sh – Butch Goring (3)
10:21 – pp – Mike Bossy (9)
12:44 – Butch Goring (4)
No scoring Third period 12:59 – pp – Clark Gillies (6)
14:27 – sh – Anders Kallur (2)
17:47 – Mike Bossy (10)
Steve Baker 22 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 17 saves / 20 shots
May 2 New York Islanders 5–1 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Mike Bossy (11) – pp – 14:36
Bob Bourne (3) – 18:33 		First period No scoring
Ken Morrow (2) – 15:31
Bob Nystrom (4) – 19:55 		Second period No scoring
Wayne Merrick (3) – 14:54 Third period 05:13 – Peter Wallin (2)
Billy Smith 24 saves / 25 shots Goalie stats Steve Baker 26 saves / 31 shots
May 5 New York Islanders 5–2 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
John Tonelli (5) – 01:02
Mike Bossy (12) – pp 13:46
Mike Bossy (13) – pp 17:11 		First period No scoring
Butch Goring (5) – sh – 01:29 Second period 13:39 – pp – Ron Greschner (4)
17:22 – pp – Barry Beck (5)
Duane Sutter (3) – 10:49 Third period No scoring
Billy Smith 27 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Steve Baker 18 saves / 23 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.


April 28 Minnesota North Stars 4–1 Calgary Flames Stampede Corral Recap  
Craig Hartsburg (1) – pp – 15:00 First period No scoring
Tim Young (3) – 04:38
Gordie Roberts (1) – sh – 19:48 		Second period 15:12 – Jim Peplinski (2)
Al MacAdam (7) – sh – 00:12 Third period No scoring
Gilles Meloche 35 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Pat Riggin 40 saves / 44 shots
April 30 Minnesota North Stars 2–3 Calgary Flames Stampede Corral Recap  
No scoring First period 05:11 – Pekka Rautakallio (1)
08:35 – Guy Chouinard (3)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Curt Giles (1) – 04:24
Steve Christoff (4) – pp – 10:34 		Third period 06:25 – Kevin LaVallee (2)
Gilles Meloche 25 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Pat Riggin 31 saves / 33 shots
May 3 Calgary Flames 4–6 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Ken Houston (6) – 03:23 First period 06:43 – Bobby Smith (4)
16:08 – Brad Maxwell (3)
Bob Murdoch (1) – 02:00
Bobby Gould (2) – 06:54
Bill Clement (2) – 17:40 		Second period 09:00 – pp – Steve Payne (11)
12:37 – pp – Brad Palmer (4)
No scoring Third period 04:24 – Steve Christoff (5)
19:37 – en – Bobby Smith (5)
Pat Riggin 25 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 30 saves / 34 shots
May 5 Calgary Flames 4–7 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Pekka Rautakallio (2) – pp – 09:26 First period 03:01 – pp – Dino Ciccarelli (8)
13:18 – pp – Steve Christoff (6)
16:32 – Bobby Smith (6)
Jamie Hislop (3) – 01:31 Second period 02:42 – Dino Ciccarelli (9)
03:56 – Dino Ciccarelli (10)
10:51 – Brad Palmer (5)
Bobby Gould (3) – 10:22
Mike Dwyer (1) – 10:37 		Third period 08:44 – sh – Kevin Maxwell (3)
Rejean Lemelin 21 saves / 27 shots
Pat Riggin 16 saves / 17 shots 		Goalie stats Don Beaupre 29 saves / 33 shots
May 7 Minnesota North Stars 1–3 Calgary Flames Stampede Corral Recap  
No scoring First period 18:54 – pp – Bob MacMillan (7)
No scoring Second period 00:55 – Bob MacMillan (8)
Craig Hartsburg (2) – pp – 16:02 Third period 03:54 – pp – Willi Plett (7)
Gilles Meloche 24 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Pat Riggin 33 saves / 34 shots
May 9 Calgary Flames 3–5 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
No scoring First period 13:52 – pp – Al MacAdam (8)
Willi Plett (8) – pp – 02:57 Second period 11:36 – Dino Ciccarelli (11)
Ken Houston (7) – pp – 15:07
Don Lever (4) – 19:20 		Third period 05:59 – pp – Steve Payne (12)
14:09 – sh – Brad Palmer (6)
18:40 – Brad Palmer (7)
Pat Riggin 30 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 23 saves / 26 shots
Minnesota won series 4–2


Stanley Cup Finals[]

Main article: 1981 Stanley Cup Finals

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.


May 12 Minnesota North Stars 3–6 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap
May 14 Minnesota North Stars 3–6 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap
May 17 New York Islanders 7–5 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap
May 19 New York Islanders 2–4 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap
May 21 Minnesota North Stars 1–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap
New York won series 4–1


See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jenish, D'Arcy (2009). The Montreal Canadiens:100 Years of Glory. Doubleday. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-385-66325-0.
  2. ^ a b c "Overtime Games: 1980-89". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  3. ^ "Stanley Cup Playoffs". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  4. ^ "Young Gives North Stars First-Ever Win at Boston". The Palm Beach Post. April 9, 1981. p. 94. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  5. ^ Clarity, James F. (April 17, 1981). "RANGERS RALLY TO BEAT BLUES, 6-4; HEDBERG SCORES ON PENALTY SHOT". The New York Times. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  6. ^ "Penalty Shots In Stanley Cup History". May 28, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  7. ^ "All-Time Overtime Games, Playoff History". Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  • Diamond, Dan, ed. (2000). Total Stanley Cup. Total Sports Canada. ISBN 1-892129-07-8.
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