1980–81 NHL season

1980–81 NHL season
League	National Hockey League
Sport	Ice hockey
Season	1980–81
Caption	Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders
No of games	80
No of teams	21
Tv	CBC, TSN, Hockey Night in Canada
Draft	1980 NHL Entry Draft
Top pick	Doug Wickenheiser
Picked by	Montreal Canadiens
Playoffs	1981 Stanley Cup playoffs
Conf winner	New York Islanders (Prince of Wales), Minnesota North Stars (Clarence S. Campbell)
Conf runner-up	New York Rangers (Prince of Wales), Calgary Flames (Clarence S. Campbell)
Playoffs mvp	Butch Goring
Season champs	New York Islanders
Mvp	Wayne Gretzky (Hart)
Top scorer	Wayne Gretzky (Art Ross)
Mvp goalie	Mike Liut (Vezina Trophy)
Rookie	Peter Šťastný (Calder)

1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. The league expanded to 21 teams with the addition of the Calgary Flames, who relocated from Atlanta. The New York Islanders continued their dynasty, capturing their second consecutive Stanley Cup by defeating the Minnesota North Stars in the finals. The season was also marked by the phenomenal scoring of a young Wayne Gretzky, who shattered numerous records.

Regular season

The 80-game schedule saw the New York Islanders finish with the league's best record, earning the Prince of Wales Trophy for the Wales Conference. In the Campbell Conference, the St. Louis Blues posted a surprising first-place finish, led by goaltender Mike Liut. The Edmonton Oilers, powered by Wayne Gretzky's historic 164-point campaign, made the playoffs for the first time in their NHL history. The Calgary Flames, in their inaugural season in Alberta, also qualified for the postseason. Notable struggles included the Hartford Whalers and the Colorado Rockies, who missed the playoffs.

Playoffs

The 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs began with a best-of-five preliminary round, where the Minnesota North Stars upset the Boston Bruins. The New York Islanders marched through the Wales Conference, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers, and the Minnesota North Stars in the finals. The North Stars' Cinderella run included victories over the Buffalo Sabres and the Calgary Flames, led by Bobby Smith and Dino Ciccarelli. The Stanley Cup Finals saw the Islanders triumph in five games, with Butch Goring winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Awards

The NHL awards ceremony was dominated by Wayne Gretzky, who won the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP and the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion. Mike Liut of the St. Louis Blues captured the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender. Peter Šťastný of the Quebec Nordiques earned the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year after a 109-point season. The Norris Trophy for best defenseman went to Randy Carlyle of the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Bob Gainey of the Montreal Canadiens won the Frank J. Selke Trophy for defensive forward.

Statistical leaders

Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers led the league with 164 points (55 goals, 109 assists), setting a new single-season record. Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings was second with 135 points. Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders scored 68 goals to lead the league. In goal, Mike Liut of the St. Louis Blues led with 33 wins, while Mario Lessard of the Los Angeles Kings posted a 3.36 goals-against average. Ron Stackhouse of the Pittsburgh Penguins led defensemen with 73 points.

Coaching changes

Several teams saw changes behind the bench. Pat Quinn was fired by the Philadelphia Flyers and replaced by Bob McCammon. The Chicago Black Hawks hired Keith Magnuson as head coach. Tom Watt took over the Winnipeg Jets, while Billy MacMillan became the head coach of the Colorado Rockies. Claude Ruel resigned from the Montreal Canadiens and was succeeded by Bob Berry. These changes reflected the competitive pressure of the expanding league.

Milestones

The season featured several historic milestones. Wayne Gretzky broke Phil Esposito's single-season points record and became the youngest player to win the Hart Memorial Trophy. Peter Šťastný set a rookie record for points by a first-year player. Mike Bossy scored 50 goals in 50 games for the second consecutive season. The New York Islanders became the first team since the Montreal Canadiens of the late 1970s to win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. Gordie Howe played his final NHL season with the Hartford Whalers.

Category:National Hockey League seasons Category:1980–81 NHL season