1981–82 Edmonton Oilers season

NHL team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1981–82 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' third season in the NHL. The Oilers dramatically improved on their previous two seasons, as they finished with a franchise record 48 wins and 111 points, winning the Smythe Division[a] for the first time in team history. The Oilers set an NHL record with 417 goals, the first time in NHL history that a team finished with over 400 goals.

Division1st Smythe
Conference1st Campbell
1981–82 record48–17–15
Home record31–5–4
Quick facts Edmonton Oilers, Division ...
1981–82 Edmonton Oilers
Smythe Division champions
Division1st Smythe
Conference1st Campbell
1981–82 record48–17–15
Home record31–5–4
Road record17–12–11
Goals for417
Goals against295
Team information
General managerGlen Sather
CoachGlen Sather
CaptainLee Fogolin
Alternate captainsNone
ArenaNorthlands Coliseum
Average attendance17,488 (99.99%)
Minor league affiliateWichita Wind (CHL)
Team leaders
GoalsWayne Gretzky (92)
AssistsWayne Gretzky (120)
PointsWayne Gretzky (212)
Penalty minutesDave Semenko (194)
Plus/minusWayne Gretzky (+81)
WinsGrant Fuhr (28)
Goals against averageGrant Fuhr (3.31)
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Wayne Gretzky continued rewriting the record books, scoring an NHL record 92 goals, which included 50 goals in 39 games, also an NHL record. Gretzky's 212 points was also a record, and it was the first time in NHL history that a player had over 200 points, as he won his third Hart Memorial Trophy and his second Art Ross Trophy.

Mark Messier broke the 50 goal plateau for the first time in his career, while Glenn Anderson got 105 points. Paul Coffey led the defense with 89 points.

In goal, Grant Fuhr became the starting goalie, and would break the Oilers franchise record for wins in a season with 28. He also led the club with a 3.31 GAA and a .898 save percentage.

For the first time in their short NHL history, the Oilers entered the Stanley Cup playoffs as a clear favorite to make a deep postseason run. Going into the playoffs, the Oilers faced the Los Angeles Kings, and after splitting the first 2 games, the Oilers held a 5–0 lead on the Kings heading into the 3rd period of game 3. Los Angeles came back to tie the game 5–5, before completing the comeback with an overtime goal, taking a 2–1 series lead. The game came to be known as the Miracle on Manchester. Edmonton came back to tie the series in game 4, but the Kings eliminated Edmonton in game 5, shocking the hockey world, and ending the Oilers season a lot sooner than expected.

Season standings

More information GP, W ...
Smythe Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
Edmonton Oilers80481715417295111
Vancouver Canucks8030331729028677
Calgary Flames8029341733434575
Los Angeles Kings8024411531436963
Colorado Rockies8018491324136249
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[1]

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Record vs. opponents

More information Smythe Division record vs. opponents, NHL records ...
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Schedule and results

More information Game, Date ...
1981–82 regular season[3]
October: 9–4–0 (home: 5–1–0; road: 4–3–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
1October 7Colorado Rockies4 – 7Edmonton OilersMoog17,4901–0–02[4]
2October 9Edmonton Oilers2 – 6Vancouver CanucksMoog13,1221–1–02[5]
3October 10Edmonton Oilers7 – 4Los Angeles KingsLow8,8392–1–04[6]
4October 14Winnipeg Jets4 – 2Edmonton OilersFuhr17,4302–2–04[7]
5October 16Calgary Flames4 – 8Edmonton OilersMoog17,4903–2–06[8]
6October 18Edmonton Oilers5 – 7Chicago Black HawksMoog12,3953–3–06[9]
7October 20Edmonton Oilers5 – 4Calgary FlamesLow7,2264–3–08[10]
8October 21Hartford Whalers2 – 5Edmonton OilersFuhr17,4905–3–010[11]
9October 23Pittsburgh Penguins3 – 8Edmonton OilersFuhr17,4906–3–012[12]
10October 24Edmonton Oilers3 – 1Colorado RockiesLow9,2837–3–014[13]
11October 27Edmonton Oilers3 – 4New York IslandersMoog14,5947–4–014[14]
12October 28Edmonton Oilers5 – 3New York RangersFuhr17,3228–4–016[15]
13October 31Quebec Nordiques4 – 11Edmonton OilersLow17,4909–4–018[16]
November: 8–2–3 (home: 5–1–0; road: 3–1–3)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
14November 4Toronto Maple Leafs4 – 6Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49010–4–020[17]
15November 7Colorado Rockies5 – 4Edmonton OilersMoog17,49010–5–020[18]
16November 11Edmonton Oilers4 – 4Hartford WhalersFuhr11,10110–5–121[19]
17November 12Edmonton Oilers2 – 5Boston BruinsLow10,66610–6–121[20]
18November 14Edmonton Oilers5 – 5New York IslandersFuhr15,14310–6–222[21]
19November 15Edmonton Oilers5 – 3New York RangersFuhr17,41811–6–224[22]
20November 17Edmonton Oilers5 – 1St. Louis BluesLow15,22912–6–226[23]
21November 19Edmonton Oilers2 – 2Minnesota North StarsFuhr15,78412–6–327[24]
22November 21Vancouver Canucks3 – 8Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49013–6–329[25]
23November 23Detroit Red Wings4 – 8Edmonton OilersLow17,49014–6–331[26]
24November 25Los Angeles Kings4 – 11Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49015–6–333[27]
25November 27Chicago Black Hawks1 – 8Edmonton OilersLow17,49016–6–335[28]
26November 29Edmonton Oilers10 – 2Winnipeg JetsFuhr15,75617–6–337[29]
December: 8–3–3 (home: 6–1–0; road: 2–2–3)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
27December 1Edmonton Oilers3 – 3Montreal CanadiensFuhr18,09417–6–438[30]
28December 2Edmonton Oilers8 – 9Quebec NordiquesLow15,23017–7–438[31]
29December 4Vancouver Canucks3 – 7Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49018–7–440[32]
30December 5Edmonton Oilers3 – 3Vancouver CanucksFuhr15,27118–7–541[33]
31December 9Edmonton Oilers5 – 5Los Angeles KingsFuhr11,25918–7–642[34]
32December 13New York Islanders3 – 4Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49019–7–644[35]
33December 16Edmonton Oilers7 – 4Colorado RockiesLow6,16820–7–646[36]
34December 17Edmonton Oilers5 – 4Calgary FlamesLow7,22621–7–648[37]
35December 19Minnesota North Stars6 – 9Edmonton OilersMoog17,49022–7–650[38]
36December 20Calgary Flames7 – 5Edmonton OilersMoog17,49022–8–650[39]
37December 23Vancouver Canucks1 – 6Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49023–8–652[40]
38December 27Los Angeles Kings3 – 10Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49024–8–654[41]
39December 30Philadelphia Flyers5 – 7Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49025–8–656[42]
40December 31Edmonton Oilers1 – 3Vancouver CanucksLow16,41325–9–656[43]
January: 8–3–4 (home: 6–0–1; road: 2–3–3)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
41January 2Boston Bruins4 – 4Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49025–9–757[44]
42January 6Colorado Rockies3 – 5Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49026–9–759[45]
43January 9Calgary Flames2 – 7Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49027–9–761[46]
44January 10Edmonton Oilers1 – 5Calgary FlamesLow7,23427–10–761[47]
45January 13Edmonton Oilers6 – 6Washington CapitalsFuhr3,28427–10–862[48]
46January 14Edmonton Oilers2 – 8Philadelphia FlyersLow17,14727–11–862[49]
47January 16Edmonton Oilers1 – 7Toronto Maple LeafsFuhr16,36027–12–862[50]
48January 17Edmonton Oilers4 – 4Detroit Red WingsFuhr20,62827–12–963[51]
49January 20St. Louis Blues6 – 8Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49028–12–965[52]
50January 22Edmonton Oilers4 – 3Vancouver CanucksLow16,41329–12–967[53]
51January 24Colorado Rockies4 – 7Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49030–12–969[54]
52January 26Edmonton Oilers6 – 4St. Louis BluesLow17,53331–12–971[55]
53January 27Edmonton Oilers3 – 3Chicago Black HawksFuhr17,40131–12–1072[56]
54January 29Buffalo Sabres1 – 3Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49032–12–1074[57]
55January 31Philadelphia Flyers4 – 7Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49033–12–1076[58]
February: 9–1–1 (home: 5–1–1; road: 4–0–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
56February 3Montreal Canadiens6 – 3Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49033–13–1076[59]
57February 6Toronto Maple Leafs1 – 5Edmonton OilersLow17,49034–13–1078[60]
58February 7New York Rangers4 – 8Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49035–13–1080[61]
59February 12Washington Capitals3 – 5Edmonton OilersLow17,49036–13–1082[62]
60February 14Boston Bruins2 – 2Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49036–13–1183[63]
61February 17Minnesota North Stars4 – 7Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49037–13–1185[64]
62February 19Hartford Whalers4 – 7Edmonton OilersLow17,49038–13–1187[65]
63February 21Edmonton Oilers7 – 3Detroit Red WingsLow20,27039–13–1189[66]
64February 24Edmonton Oilers6 – 3Buffalo SabresFuhr16,43340–13–1191[67]
65February 27Edmonton Oilers4 – 1Pittsburgh PenguinsLow16,03341–13–1193[68]
66February 28Edmonton Oilers4 – 1Washington CapitalsFuhr18,13042–13–1195[69]
March: 5–4–4 (home: 3–1–2; road: 2–3–2)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
67March 2Edmonton Oilers3 – 3Montreal CanadiensFuhr18,10142–13–1296[70]
68March 3Edmonton Oilers4 – 6Quebec NordiquesLow15,29042–14–1296[71]
69March 6Edmonton Oilers2 – 5Colorado RockiesFuhr16,38442–15–1296[72]
70March 10Edmonton Oilers2 – 3Los Angeles KingsFuhr16,00542–16–1296[73]
71March 12Buffalo Sabres3 – 2Edmonton OilersLow17,49042–17–1296[74]
72March 13Vancouver Canucks3 – 5Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49043–17–1298[75]
73March 15Los Angeles Kings3 – 3Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49043–17–1399[76]
74March 17Pittsburgh Penguins4 – 10Edmonton OilersLow17,49044–17–13101[77]
75March 19Calgary Flames3 – 3Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49044–17–14102[78]
76March 25Edmonton Oilers7 – 2Calgary FlamesFuhr7,23445–17–14104[79]
77March 26Edmonton Oilers6 – 6Colorado RockiesLow16,38445–17–15105[80]
78March 28Edmonton Oilers6 – 2Los Angeles KingsFuhr16,00546–17–15107[81]
79March 31Los Angeles Kings3 – 7Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49047–17–15109[82]
April: 1–0–0 (home: 1–0–0; road: 0–0–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
80April 4Winnipeg Jets1 – 2Edmonton OilersFuhr17,49048–17–15111[83]

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

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Playoffs

More information 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
1982 Stanley Cup playoffs[3]
Smythe Division Semifinals vs. (S4) Los Angeles Kings – Kings win 3–2
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 7Los Angeles Kings10 – 8Edmonton OilersFuhr17,4900–1
2April 8Los Angeles Kings2 – 3Edmonton OilersOTFuhr17,4901–1
3April 10Edmonton Oilers5 – 6Los Angeles KingsOTFuhr16,0051–2[link removed]
4April 12Edmonton Oilers3 – 2Los Angeles KingsFuhr16,0052–2
5April 13Los Angeles Kings7 – 4Edmonton OilersFuhr17,4902–3[link removed]

Legend:   Win   Loss

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Season stats

Scoring leaders

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Wayne Gretzky809212021226
Glenn Anderson80386710571
Paul Coffey80296089106
Mark Messier78503888119
Jari Kurri7132548632
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Goaltending

PlayerGPTOIWLTGASOSave %GAA
Grant Fuhr482847285141570.8983.31
Ron Low29155417711000.8743.86
Andy Moog8399350320.8424.81

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Wayne Gretzky557128
Glenn Anderson52578
Jari Kurri525710
Risto Siltanen532510
Dave Lumley521321
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Goaltending

PlayerGPTOIWLGASOSave %GAA
Grant Fuhr530923260N/A5.05

Awards and records

Awards

Records

  • 417: An NHL team record for most goals in a single season.
  • 400: A new NHL team record for most goals in a single season on March 26, 1982.
  • 212: An NHL record for most points in a single season by Wayne Gretzky.
  • 165: A new NHL record for most points in a single season by Wayne Gretzky on February 19, 1982.
  • 200: First NHL player to hit a 200-point-milestone by Wayne Gretzky on March 25, 1982.
  • 120: An NHL record for most assists in a single season by Wayne Gretzky.
  • 110: A new NHL record for most assists in a single season by Wayne Gretzky on March 19, 1982.
  • 92: An NHL record for most goals in a single season by Wayne Gretzky.
  • 77: A new NHL record for most goals in a single season by Wayne Gretzky on February 24, 1982.
  • 53: A new NHL record for most even strength goals in a single season by Wayne Gretzky on February 17, 1982.

Milestones

Regular Season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Walt Poddubny1st NHL GameOctober 7, 1981
Garry Unger1,000th NHL PIM
Grant Fuhr1st NHL GameOctober 14, 1981
Mark Messier100th NHL Point
Wayne Gretzky200th NHL AssistOctober 18, 1981
Doug Hicks500th NHL Game
Grant Fuhr1st NHL WinOctober 21, 1981
Risto Siltanen100th NHL Point
Grant Fuhr1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		October 23, 1981
Lee Fogolin100th NHL AssistOctober 24, 1981
Lee Fogolin500th NHL GameOctober 27, 1981
Wayne Gretzky7th NHL Hat-trick
2nd Four-Goal NHL Game		October 31, 1981
Matti Hagman100th NHL Point
Paul Coffey100th NHL GameNovember 11, 1981
Dave Semenko300th NHL PIMNovember 12, 1981
Pat Hughes300th NHL PIMNovember 14, 1981
Lee Fogolin700th NHL PIMNovember 17, 1981
Stan Weir300th NHL PointNovember 19, 1981
Ken Berry1st NHL GameNovember 21, 1981
Glenn Anderson3rd NHL Hat-trickNovember 23, 1981
Todd Strueby1st NHL Game
Wayne Gretzky8th NHL Hat-trick
3rd Four-Goal NHL Game		November 25, 1981
Marc Habscheid1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
Marc Habscheid1st NHL GoalNovember 29, 1981
Pat Hughes200th NHL GameDecember 1, 1981
Mark Messier2nd NHL Hat-trickDecember 2, 1981
Ken Berry1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		December 4, 1981
Mike Forbes1st NHL GoalDecember 5, 1981
Dave Lumley100th NHL PointDecember 9, 1981
Jari Kurri100th NHL GameDecember 16, 1981
Jari Kurri100th NHL PointDecember 17, 1981
Wayne Gretzky9th NHL Hat-trickDecember 19, 1981
Dave Lumley1st NHL Hat-trick
Kevin Lowe200th NHL PIMDecember 23, 1981
Ken Berry1st NHL GoalDecember 27, 1981
Wayne Gretzky400th NHL Point
10th NHL Hat-trick
4th Four-Goal NHL Game
Doug Hicks400th NHL PIM
Glenn Anderson100th NHL PointDecember 30, 1981
Wayne Gretzky50th Goal in 39 Games
11th NHL Hat-trick
2nd Five-Goal NHL Game
Matti Hagman200th NHL Game
Wayne Gretzky200th NHL GameJanuary 2, 1982
Glenn Anderson100th NHL GameJanuary 6, 1982
Paul Coffey200th NHL PIMJanuary 14, 1982
Wayne Gretzky12th NHL Hat-trickJanuary 20, 1982
Paul Coffey100th NHL PointJanuary 26, 1982
Pat Hughes100th NHL PointJanuary 29, 1982
Mark Messier200th NHL Game
Wayne Gretzky13th NHL Hat-trickJanuary 31, 1982
Kevin Lowe200th NHL GameFebruary 6, 1982
Paul Coffey2nd NHL Gordie Howe hat trickFebruary 12, 1982
Dave Hunter200th NHL Game
Mark Messier300th NHL PIM
Mark Messier3rd NHL Hat-trickFebruary 17, 1982
Risto Siltanen100th NHL Assist
Wayne Gretzky14th NHL Hat-trickFebruary 19, 1982
Dave Hunter100th NHL PointFebruary 21, 1982
Garry Unger800th NHL Point
Wayne Gretzky15th NHL Hat-trick
4th NHL Natural Hat-trick		February 24, 1982
Wayne Gretzky300th NHL AssistMarch 10, 1982
Wayne Gretzky16th NHL Hat-trickMarch 17, 1982
Risto Siltanen200th NHL Game
Wayne Gretzky500th NHL PointMarch 19, 1982
Laurie Boschman3rd NHL Gordie Howe Hat-trickMarch 25, 1982
Risto Siltanen100th NHL PIMMarch 26, 1982
Garry Lariviere200th NHL GameMarch 28, 1982
Dave Lumley300th NHL PIM
1st NHL Gordie Howe Hat-trick
200th NHL Game
Dave Semenko400th NHL PIM
Lee Fogolin800th NHL PIMMarch 31, 1982
Mark Messier50th Goal in 79 Games
Playoffs
PlayerMilestoneReached
Grant Fuhr1st NHL GameApril 7, 1982
Charlie Huddy1st NHL Game
1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point
Tom Roulston
Risto Siltanen1st NHL Assist
Grant Fuhr1st NHL WinApril 8, 1982
Charlie Huddy1st NHL Assist
Dave Hunter1st NHL Assist
Dave Lumley
Lee Fogolin1st NHL GoalApril 10, 1982
Randy Gregg1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
Dave Hunter50th NHL PIM
Garry Unger100th NHL PIM
Grant Fuhr1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		April 12, 1982
Garry Unger50th NHL Game
Randy Gregg1st NHL GameTBD

Transactions

Trades

August 10, 1981 To Los Angeles Kings

5th-round pick in 1983 – Garry Galley

 To Edmonton Oilers

Jay McFarlane

August 21, 1981 To Minnesota North Stars

Don Murdoch

 To Edmonton Oilers

Don Jackson
*3rd-round pick in 1982 – Wally Chapman

December 11, 1981 To New York Rangers

Eddie Mio

 To Edmonton Oilers

Lance Nethery

March 9, 1982 To Colorado Rockies

Stan Weir

 To Edmonton Oilers

Ed Cooper

March 9, 1982 To Toronto Maple Leafs

Walt Poddubny
Phil Drouillard

 To Edmonton Oilers

Laurie Boschman

March 9, 1982 To Washington Capitals

Doug Hicks

 To Edmonton Oilers

Todd Bidner

* Later traded to the Minnesota North Stars

More information Date, Player ...
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Waivers

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTeam
October 5, 1981 (1981-10-05)Gary Edwardsto St. Louis Blues
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTerm
July 7, 1981 (1981-07-07)Matti Hagman1-year
Dave Hunter3-year
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Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at the 1981 NHL entry draft

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
18Grant Fuhr CanadaVictoria Cougars (WHL)
229Todd Strueby CanadaRegina Pats (WHL)
471Paul Houck CanadaKelowna Buckaroos (BCJHL)
592Phil Drouillard CanadaNiagara Falls Flyers (OHL)
6111Steve Smith CanadaLondon Knights (OHL)
7132Marc Habscheid CanadaSaskatoon Blades (WHL)
8155Mike Sturgeon CanadaKelowna Buckaroos (BCJHL)
9176Miloslav Horava CzechoslovakiaKladno Poldi (Czechoslovak Extraliga)
10197Gord Sherven CanadaWeyburn Red Wings (SJHL)
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Notes

  1. [a]
    With the NHL adopting a new playoff format with division-only brackets for the first two rounds, the Oilers elected to follow a convention of recognizing winning the Division Final as constituting a division championship. As a result, due to their early playoff exit the team did not raise a division championship banner.

References

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