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1990–91 Edmonton Oilers season

NHL team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1990–91 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 12th season in the NHL, and they were coming off of their 5th Stanley Cup in the last seven seasons, after defeating the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals. The Oilers would finish the season with a 37–37–6 record for 80 points, their lowest point total since 1980–81, and Edmonton scored a franchise low 272 goals, however, the Oilers set a franchise record for fewest goals against, with 272. After a 2–11–2 start to the season, the Oilers rebounded and finished 3rd in the Smythe Division and continued their Stanley Cup playoff appearance streak to twelve consecutive seasons.

Division3rd Smythe
Conference5th Campbell
1990–91 record37–37–6
Home record22–15–3
Quick facts Edmonton Oilers, Division ...
1990–91 Edmonton Oilers
Division3rd Smythe
Conference5th Campbell
1990–91 record37–37–6
Home record22–15–3
Road record15–22–3
Goals for272
Goals against272
Team information
General managerGlen Sather
CoachJohn Muckler
CaptainMark Messier
Alternate captainsKevin Lowe
Craig MacTavish
ArenaNorthlands Coliseum
Average attendance16,843 (96.2%)
Minor league affiliatesCape Breton Oilers (AHL)
Knoxville Cherokees (ECHL)
Team leaders
GoalsPetr Klíma (40)
AssistsMark Messier (52)
PointsEsa Tikkanen (69)
Penalty minutesSteve Smith (193)
Plus/minusPetr Klíma (+24)
WinsBill Ranford (27)
Goals against averageBill Ranford (3.20)
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Prior to the season, long time Oiler Jari Kurri left the team due to a contract dispute signing with Italian club Milano Devils, leaving a big hole on the team's top line. Injuries also hurt the Oilers, as Mark Messier missed 29 games due to injuries, and his 64 points was his lowest total since 1984–85. Messier also matched the lowest goal total of his career with 12, which matched his rookie season total back in 1979–80. Esa Tikkanen led the club in points with 69, while Petr Klíma scored a career high 40 goals to lead Edmonton in that department. Steve Smith would lead the Oilers defense with 54 points, and his 193 penalty minutes led the club.

In goal, Bill Ranford had a solid season, winning a team high 27 games and posting a 3.20 GAA. Grant Fuhr was suspended by the NHL for the season, but the suspension was lifted by the league after 59 games and his completion of a two-week rehab program,[1] finishing out the regular season with a solid 6–4–3 record and a 3.01 GAA.

The Oilers finished the regular season with the fewest short-handed goals allowed (4).[2]

Season standings

More information GP, W ...
Smythe Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Los Angeles Kings80462410340254102
Calgary Flames8046268344263100
Edmonton Oilers803737627227280
Vancouver Canucks802843924331565
Winnipeg Jets8026431126028863
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[3]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.

More information R, Div ...
Campbell Conference[4]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1p – Chicago BlackhawksNRS8049238284211106
2St. Louis BluesNRS80472211310250105
3Los Angeles KingsSMY80462410340254102
4Calgary FlamesSMY8046268344263100
5Edmonton OilersSMY803737627227280
6Detroit Red WingsNRS803438827329876
7Minnesota North StarsNRS8027391425626668
8Vancouver CanucksSMY802843924331565
9Winnipeg JetsSMY8026431126028863
10Toronto Maple LeafsNRS8023461124131857
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Divisions: NRS – Norris, SMY – Smythe

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy

Schedule and results

More information Game, Date ...
1990–91 regular season[5]
October : 2–7–2 (home: 2–4–1; road: 0–3–1)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
1October 6Winnipeg Jets3 – 3Edmonton OilersOTRanford17,5020–0–11[6]
2October 7Toronto Maple Leafs2 – 3Edmonton OilersRanford16,2841–0–13[7]
3October 11Edmonton Oilers5 – 5Los Angeles KingsOTRanford13,8311–0–24[8]
4October 14Edmonton Oilers4 – 5Vancouver CanucksOTRanford15,0591–1–24[9]
5October 16St. Louis Blues5 – 2Edmonton OilersRanford15,9081–2–24[10]
6October 19Boston Bruins1 – 8Edmonton OilersRanford12,5532–2–26[11]
7October 21Calgary Flames2 – 1Edmonton OilersRanford17,0542–3–26[12]
8October 24Edmonton Oilers1 – 3Winnipeg JetsRanford12,1852–4–26[13]
9October 25Edmonton Oilers2 – 4Calgary FlamesRanford20,1322–5–26[14]
10October 28Washington Capitals1 – 0Edmonton OilersRanford15,8212–6–26[15]
11October 31Winnipeg Jets1 – 0Edmonton OilersOTRanford15,4362–7–26[16]
November: 5–7–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 2–5–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
12November 3New Jersey Devils5 – 2Edmonton OilersRanford16,5472–8–26[17]
13November 6Edmonton Oilers1 – 2St. Louis BluesRanford2–9–26[18]
14November 8Edmonton Oilers3 – 5Chicago BlackhawksRanford17,7792–10–26[19]
15November 10Edmonton Oilers4 – 7Los Angeles KingsRanford16,0052–11–26[20]
16November 14Vancouver Canucks3 – 5Edmonton OilersRanford15,8323–11–28[21]
17November 16Buffalo Sabres2 – 4Edmonton OilersRanford16,5634–11–210[22]
18November 18New York Islanders1 – 3Edmonton OilersRanford16,7215–11–212[23]
19November 20Chicago Blackhawks3 – 1Edmonton OilersRanford16,4745–12–212[24]
20November 23Edmonton Oilers2 – 3Buffalo SabresOTRanford16,3255–13–212[25]
21November 24Edmonton Oilers4 – 1Toronto Maple LeafsTakko16,3826–13–214[26]
22November 27Edmonton Oilers7 – 3Pittsburgh PenguinsRanford15,7897–13–216[27]
23November 29Edmonton Oilers2 – 4Boston BruinsRanford14,4487–14–216[28]
December: 11–3–0 (home: 7–1–0; road: 4–2–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
24December 1Edmonton Oilers4 – 2Hartford WhalersTakko12,1848–14–218[29]
25December 2Edmonton Oilers6 – 3Philadelphia FlyersRanford17,3829–14–220[30]
26December 5Quebec Nordiques2 – 3Edmonton OilersTakko15,30010–14–222[31]
27December 7New York Rangers3 – 4Edmonton OilersRanford17,13511–14–224[32]
28December 9Calgary Flames3 – 2Edmonton OilersRanford17,50311–15–224[33]
29December 12Vancouver Canucks4 – 5Edmonton OilersRanford15,45712–15–226[34]
30December 15Edmonton Oilers3 – 8Los Angeles KingsRanford16,00512–16–226[35]
31December 18Los Angeles Kings3 – 4Edmonton OilersTakko17,50313–16–228[36]
32December 20Edmonton Oilers4 – 7Vancouver CanucksTakko15,72513–17–228[37]
33December 22Edmonton Oilers6 – 2Calgary FlamesRanford20,13214–17–230[38]
34December 23Vancouver Canucks3 – 4Edmonton OilersRanford17,34815–17–232[39]
35December 27Calgary Flames1 – 4Edmonton OilersRanford17,50316–17–234[40]
36December 28Edmonton Oilers5 – 2Vancouver CanucksRanford16,12317–17–236[41]
37December 30Hartford Whalers3 – 4Edmonton OilersRanford16,91318–17–238[42]
January: 7–5–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 4–3–1)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
38January 2Montreal Canadiens3 – 0Edmonton OilersRanford17,50318–18–238[43]
39January 4Detroit Red Wings2 – 3Edmonton OilersRanford17,21219–18–240[44]
40January 8Edmonton Oilers1 – 6Pittsburgh PenguinsRanford15,72819–19–240[45]
41January 9Edmonton Oilers3 – 5Detroit Red WingsRanford19,85719–20–240[46]
42January 12Edmonton Oilers5 – 4New Jersey DevilsOTRanford12,99520–20–242[47]
43January 13Edmonton Oilers5 – 3Philadelphia FlyersRanford17,38221–20–244[48]
44January 15Edmonton Oilers2 – 2New York RangersOTRanford15,39121–20–345[49]
45January 17Edmonton Oilers6 – 1New York IslandersRanford10,47622–20–347[50]
46January 22Los Angeles Kings2 – 4Edmonton OilersRanford17,50323–20–349[51]
47January 23Edmonton Oilers5 – 6Vancouver CanucksTakko15,71623–21–349[52]
48January 25New York Rangers4 – 3Edmonton OilersTakko17,20823–22–349[53]
49January 27Edmonton Oilers3 – 2Winnipeg JetsRanford12,89224–22–351[54]
50January 30Vancouver Canucks4 – 9Edmonton OilersRanford12,89225–22–353[55]
February: 5–8–1 (home: 3–2–1; road: 2–6–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
51February 1Chicago Blackhawks3 – 4Edmonton OilersOTRanford17,50326–22–355[56]
52February 3Edmonton Oilers3 – 2Buffalo SabresRanford15,48927–22–357[57]
53February 5Edmonton Oilers5 – 6Boston BruinsOTRanford14,44827–23–357[58]
54February 6Edmonton Oilers1 – 5Hartford WhalersReddick11,36427–24–357[59]
55February 8Edmonton Oilers3 – 6Washington CapitalsTakko17,31827–25–357[60]
56February 11Pittsburgh Penguins5 – 7Edmonton OilersRanford16,58828–25–359[61]
57February 12St. Louis Blues4 – 2Edmonton OilersReddick16,24928–26–359[62]
58February 14Los Angeles Kings4 – 2Edmonton OilersRanford17,50328–27–359[63]
59February 16Edmonton Oilers2 – 3Toronto Maple LeafsRanford16,38228–28–359[64]
60February 18Edmonton Oilers4 – 0New Jersey DevilsFuhr11,61729–28–361[65]
61February 20Edmonton Oilers1 – 5Minnesota North StarsRanford6,19529–29–361[66]
62February 22Detroit Red Wings5 – 5Edmonton OilersOTFuhr29–29–462[67]
63February 24Quebec Nordiques3 – 6Edmonton OilersRanford16,37530–29–464[68]
64February 27Edmonton Oilers2 – 4Calgary FlamesFuhr20,13230–30–464[69]
March: 7–7–2 (home: 4–4–1; road: 3–3–1)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPtsRecap
65March 1Minnesota North Stars1 – 1Edmonton OilersOTFuhr16,51630–30–565[70]
66March 2Montreal Canadiens2 – 1Edmonton OilersOTFuhr30–31–565[71]
67March 5Edmonton Oilers5 – 4Winnipeg JetsFuhr11,56831–31–567[72]
68March 6Edmonton Oilers1 – 5Minnesota North StarsRanford6,88231–32–567[73]
69March 8Philadelphia Flyers4 – 5Edmonton OilersFuhr17,50332–32–569[74]
70March 10Washington Capitals5 – 3Edmonton OilersRanford16,48232–33–569[75]
71March 13New York Islanders1 – 2Edmonton OilersFuhr16,25333–33–571[76]
72March 15Edmonton Oilers3 – 4Winnipeg JetsFuhr14,76833–34–571[77]
73March 17Edmonton Oilers4 – 2Montreal CanadiensFuhr16,33634–34–573[78]
74March 19Edmonton Oilers7 – 6Quebec NordiquesOTRanford15,19435–34–575[79]
75March 23Winnipeg Jets3 – 0Edmonton OilersRanford17,50335–35–575[80]
76March 24Los Angeles Kings4 – 3Edmonton OilersFuhr17,50335–36–575[81]
77March 26Edmonton Oilers0 – 2Los Angeles KingsRanford16,00535–37–575[82]
78March 28Edmonton Oilers4 – 4Calgary FlamesOTFuhr20,13235–37–676[83]
79March 29Calgary Flames5 – 6Edmonton OilersOTRanford17,50336–37–678[84]
80March 31Winnipeg Jets3 – 6Edmonton OilersFuhr16,92637–37–680[85]

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

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Playoffs

In the playoffs, the Oilers faced their Battle of Alberta rivals, the Calgary Flames, who finished with 20 more points than they did, were huge favourites to win the series. The series went the full 7 games, with the Oilers winning the series in OT at the Saddledome in Calgary to advance to the division finals. There, they met the Los Angeles Kings, who finished 22 points better than Edmonton, however, the Oilers overtime magic continued after dropping game one, as Edmonton won 2 games in a row in double OT to take the series lead. Edmonton won the series in 6 games, clinching the series in OT. Having defeated the top two teams of their division, the Oilers advanced to the Conference Finals, facing the even more surprising Minnesota North Stars, who finished the season 12 games under .500, yet defeated the Presidents' Trophy winning Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues, who finished 1 point behind Chicago, to make it to the 3rd round against Edmonton. The North Stars cinderella playoff run continued, as they defeated the Oilers in 5 games, ending Edmonton's chance for back-to-back Stanley Cups.

More information 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
1991 Stanley Cup playoffs[5]
Smythe Division Semifinals vs. (S2) Calgary Flames – Oilers win 4–3
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 4Edmonton Oilers3 – 1Calgary FlamesFuhr20,1761–0
2April 6Edmonton Oilers1 – 3Calgary FlamesFuhr20,1761–1
3April 8Calgary Flames3 – 4Edmonton OilersFuhr17,2422–1
4April 10Calgary Flames2 – 5Edmonton OilersFuhr17,5033–1
5April 12Edmonton Oilers3 – 5Calgary FlamesFuhr20,1763–2
6April 14Calgary Flames2 – 1Edmonton OilersOTFuhr17,5033–3
7April 16Edmonton Oilers5 – 4Calgary FlamesOTFuhr20,1764–3
Smythe Division Semifinals vs. (S1) Los Angeles Kings – Oilers win 4–2
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 18Edmonton Oilers3 – 4Los Angeles KingsOTRanford16,0050–1
2April 20Edmonton Oilers4 – 3Los Angeles Kings2OTFuhr16,0051–1
3April 22Los Angeles Kings3 – 4Edmonton Oilers2OTFuhr17,5032–1
4April 24Los Angeles Kings2 – 4Edmonton OilersFuhr17,5033–1
5April 26Edmonton Oilers2 – 5Los Angeles KingsFuhr16,0053–2
6April 28Los Angeles Kings3 – 4Edmonton OilersOTFuhr17,5034–2
Campbell Conference Finals vs. (N4) Minnesota North Stars – North Stars win 4–1
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1May 2Minnesota North Stars3 – 1Edmonton OilersFuhr17,0820–1[link removed]
2May 4Minnesota North Stars2 – 7Edmonton OilersFuhr17,5001–1
3May 6Edmonton Oilers3 – 7Minnesota North StarsRanford15,0731–2
4May 8Edmonton Oilers1 – 5Minnesota North StarsFuhr15,2741–3
5May 10Minnesota North Stars3 – 2Edmonton OilersFuhr17,5031–4[link removed]

Legend:   Win   Loss

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Season stats

Scoring leaders

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Esa Tikkanen7927426985
Petr Klíma70402868113
Mark Messier5312526434
Joe Murphy8027356235
Craig Simpson7530275766
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Goaltending

PlayerGPTOIWLTGASOSave %GAA
Grant Fuhr13778643391.8973.01
Bill Ranford603415272731820.8933.20
Kari Takko11529440370.8674.20
Pokey Reddick212002090.8474.50

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Esa Tikkanen181282024
Craig Simpson185111612
Mark Messier184111516
Petr Klíma18761316
Glenn Anderson18671341
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Goaltending

PlayerGPTOIWLGASOSave %GAA
Grant Fuhr17101987510.8953.00
Bill Ranford31351280.8973.56

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Regular Season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Jeff Beukeboom200th NHL GameOctober 6, 1990
Anatoli Semenov1st NHL Game
Mark Messier800th NHL GameOctober 7, 1990
Anatoli Semenov1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		October 11, 1990
Esa Tikkanen5th NHL Hat-trickOctober 14, 1990
Dave Brown400th NHL GameOctober 16, 1990
Kelly Buchberger500th NHL PIMOctober 19, 1990
Steve Smith1st NHL Gordie Howe hat trick
900th NHL PIM
Craig MacTavish400th NHL PIMOctober 24, 1990
Tomas Srsen1st NHL GameOctober 31, 1990
David Haas1st NHL GameNovember 6, 1990
David Haas1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point		November 8, 1990
Mark Messier600th NHL AssistNovember 24, 1990
Craig Simpson400th NHL GameDecember 5, 1990
Igor Vyazmikin1st NHL GameDecember 12, 1990
Petr Klíma300th NHL PointDecember 15, 1990
Igor Vyazmikin1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point		December 18, 1990
Chris Joseph100th NHL PIMDecember 20, 1990
Mark Messier1,100th NHL PIM
Craig MacTavish??? NHL Hat-trickDecember 22, 1990
Geoff Smith100th NHL GameDecember 23, 1990
Dave Brown1,300th NHL PIMDecember 27, 1990
Steve Smith1,000th NHL PIM
Kevin Lowe1,000th NHL PIMDecember 30, 1990
Esa Tikkanen600th NHL PIMJanuary 4, 1991
Jeff Beukeboom600th NHL PIMJanuary 9, 1991
Steve Smith200th NHL PointJanuary 12, 1991
Glenn Anderson400th NHL GoalJanuary 13, 1991
Mark Messier1,000th NHL Point
Esa Tikkanen200th NHL Assist
Chris Joseph100th NHL GameJanuary 17, 1991
Petr Klíma300th NHL PIM
400th NHL Game		January 25, 1991
Joe Murphy200th NHL Game
Glenn Anderson800th NHL GameJanuary 30, 1991
Kelly Buchberger600th NHL PIM
Adam Graves1st NHL Gordie Howe hat trick
Petr Klíma??? NHL Hat-trick
Martin Gélinas100th NHL GameFebruary 3, 1991
Petr Klíma??? NHL Hat-trickFebruary 5, 1991
Ken Linseman800th NHL Point
Craig Simpson500th NHL PIMFebruary 6, 1991
Adam Graves300th NHL PIMFebruary 8, 1991
Geoff Smith100th NHL PIM
Ken Linseman1,700th NHL PIMFebruary 11, 1991
Shaun Van Allen1st NHL GameFebruary 18, 1991
Dan Currie1st NHL GameFebruary 22, 1991
Kevin Lowe900th NHL Game
Joe Murphy100th NHL Point
Adam Graves200th NHL GameFebruary 24, 1991
Esa Tikkanen400th NHL Game
Kelly Buchberger200th NHL GameMarch 24, 1991
Charlie Huddy500th NHL PIMMarch 28, 1991
Petr Klíma??? NHL Hat-trickMarch 31, 1991
Playoffs
PlayerMilestoneReached
Mark Messier150th NHL GameApril 6, 1991
Craig Simpson50th NHL Game
Glenn Anderson150th NHL GameApril 10, 1991
Jeff Beukeboom1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
Kelly Buchberger1st NHL Goal
Petr Klíma50th NHL PIMApril 12, 1991
Kevin Lowe150th NHL Game
Grant Fuhr100th NHL GameApril 14, 1991
Charlie Huddy100th NHL PIM
Esa Tikkanen150th NHL PIM
Norm Maciver1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		April 16, 1991
Anatoli Semenov1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point
Craig Simpson50th NHL PIM
Esa Tikkanen2nd NHL Hat-trick
Anatoli Semenov1st NHL AssistApril 20, 1991
Jeff Beukeboom1st NHL GoalApril 22, 1991
Mark Lamb50th NHL GameApril 24, 1991
Steve Smith200th NHL PIMApril 26, 1991
Glenn Anderson100th NHL AssistApril 28, 1991
Petr Klíma??? NHL Hat-trick
??? NHL Natural Hat-trick		May 4, 1991
Glenn Anderson300th NHL PIMMay 8, 1991
Jeff Beukeboom50th NHL PIMMay 10, 1991
Dave Brown200th NHL PIM

Transactions

Trades

October 22, 1990 To Boston Bruins
Vladimir Ruzicka		 To Edmonton Oilers
Greg Hawgood
November 10, 1990 To New Jersey Devils
9th round pick in 1991		 To Edmonton Oilers
Max Middendorf
November 22, 1990 To Minnesota North Stars
Bruce Bell
Future considerations		 To Edmonton Oilers
Kari Takko
March 5, 1991 To Philadelphia Flyers
Kim Issel		 To Edmonton Oilers
Brad Aitken

Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer team
July 1, 1990 (1990-07-01)Kevin McDonaldPhoenix Roadrunners (IHL)
August 31, 1990 (1990-08-31)Ken LinsemanPhiladelphia Flyers
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew team
July 16, 1990 (1990-07-16)Steve GravesLos Angeles Kings
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Waivers

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTeam
October 1, 1990 (1990-10-01)Randy Greggto Vancouver Canucks
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Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at the 1990 NHL entry draft

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
117Scott Allison CanadaPrince Albert Raiders (WHL)
238Alexander Legault CanadaBoston University (NCAA)
359Joe Crowley United StatesLawrence Academy (USHS)
467Joel Blain CanadaHull Olympiques (QMJHL)
5101Greg Louder United StatesCushing Academy (USHS)
6122Keijo Säilynoja FinlandJokerit (SM-liiga)
7143Mike Power CanadaWestern Michigan University (NCAA)
8164Roman Mejzlik CzechoslovakiaDukla Jihlava (Czech.)
9185Richard Žemlička CzechoslovakiaSparta Praha (Czech.)
10206Petr Korinek CzechoslovakiaDukla Jihlava (Czech.)
12248Sami Nuutinen FinlandKiekko-Espoo (SM-liiga)
S22Sandy Galuppo United StatesBoston College (Hockey East)
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References

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