On This Date in Stanley Cup Playoffs History: April 17, 1983
There have been so many great moments throughout the annals of hockey history, especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. So much so, that it’s almost become too hard to keep track of. Today we look back at April 17, 1983.
On this date, Not one, but two significant events took place during the playoffs which set the tone for the rest of the 1980′s in the NHL.
The Edmonton Oilers of the 1980′s will go down in history as one of the greatest collections of players on one roster ever. Led by Wayne Gretzky, the Oilers shattered records on an almost daily basis and April 17, 1983 was no different.
The Oilers were facing the Calgary Flames in the second round of the playoffs. Edmonton won the first two games of the series easily, but in game three they unleashed a whooping on Calgary. Gretzky set a then playoff record for moist points in a game with seven (4g 3a), in a 10-2 thumping of the Flames in their own building.
Unfortunately for Calgary, Gretzky wasn’t the only record setter on this night. In the same game, Oilers defenseman Paul Coffey set a NHL record for defenseman in the playoffs by scoring a goal in his fifth straight game.
Calgary would bounce back to win game four only to get spanked 9-1 in game five and lose the series.
Gretzky’s point record wouldn’t last long though. In 1988 New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Sundstrom collected eight points (3g 5a) to break the “Great One’s” mark. It’s a record that still stands today.
The Oilers went on to sweep the Chicago Blackhawks in the Conference finals but the run ended there. Edmonton was swept by the three-time defending champion, New York Islanders in the Cup Finals.
All was not lost though. The series against the Flames was a sign of things to come for the upstart Oilers. Edmonton would go on to win the following two Stanley Cups and five of the next seven.
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