1983–84 NHL season


The 1983–84 NHL season was the 67th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers de-throned the four-time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders four games to one in the Cup finals.

League business

Not since World War II travel restrictions caused the NHL to drop regular season overtime games in 1942–43 had the NHL used overtime to decide regular season games. Starting this season, the NHL introduced a five-minute extra period of overtime following the third period in the event of a tied game. A team losing in overtime would get no points. This rule remained in effect until the 1999–2000 season, where a team losing in overtime was awarded 1 point. If the game remained tied after the five-minute extra period, it remained a tie, until the NHL shootout arrived in the 2005–06 season. Overtime in the Stanley Cup playoffs remained unchanged.
In the entry draft, Brian Lawton became the first American to be chosen first overall, by the Minnesota North Stars. Three Americans were chosen in the top five: Lawton, Pat Lafontaine and Tom Barrasso. Sylvain Turgeon was chosen second and Steve Yzerman was chosen fourth overall. The St. Louis Blues did not participate in the draft, having been "orphaned" by Ralston Purina. The NHL took control of the franchise after the draft. On July 27, 1983, Harry Ornest purchased the Blues for US$3 million.
Arthur M. Wirtz, long-time chairman and part-owner of the Chicago Black Hawks, died at the age of 82 on July 21, 1983. His son, Bill, took over ownership of the team.

Regular season

The Edmonton Oilers ran away with the best record in the league, and for the third straight year set a new record for most goals in a season, 446. The Oilers' new captain, Wayne Gretzky, was once again breaking records and rewriting his name into the record book. This season saw Gretzky score at least one point in the first 51 games of the season. During those 51 games, Gretzky had 61 goals and 92 assists for 153 points, which is equivalent to exactly three points per game. He also won his fifth straight Hart Trophy and his fourth straight Art Ross Trophy. The season's second leading scorer was Gretzky's teammate Paul Coffey, who, with 126 points, became the third defenceman to score 100 points in a season.
The Calgary Flames played their inaugural season at the Olympic Saddledome.
Prior to the season, the St. Louis Blues were purchased by Harry Ornest, keeping the team from moving to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and remaining in the Missouri city, where it remains. In addition, the team's home venue, the Checkerdome, reverted to its original name, the Arena, after six seasons.

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes

Prince of Wales Conference

Clarence Campbell Conference

Playoffs

Playoff bracket

Stanley Cup Finals

It was a rematch of the 1983 final as the Islanders attempted to match the 1950s Montreal Canadiens and win five consecutive Stanley Cup championships, against the Edmonton Oilers attempting to win the franchise's first championship. The Islanders lost the first game at home 1–0, but came back to defeat the Oilers 6–1 in the second game. Edmonton took over the series from that point, winning the next three games, all played in Edmonton.
This season's finals adopted the 2–3–2 home ice format, rather than the usual 2–2–1–1–1 format.

Awards

All-Star teams

Source: NHL.

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Wayne GretzkyEdmonton Oilers748711820539
Paul CoffeyEdmonton Oilers804086126104
Michel GouletQuebec Nordiques75566512176
Peter StastnyQuebec Nordiques80467311973
Mike BossyNew York Islanders6751671188
Barry PedersonBoston Bruins80397711664
Jari KurriEdmonton Oilers64526111314
Bryan TrottierNew York Islanders68407111159
Bernie FederkoSt. Louis Blues79416610743
Rick MiddletonBoston Bruins80475810514

Source: NHL.

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts
PlayerTeamGPMINGAGAAWLTSO
Pat RigginWashington Capitals4122991022.66211424
Tom BarrassoBuffalo Sabres4224751172.84261232
Al JensenWashington Capitals4324141172.91251334
Doug KeansBoston Bruins331779923.1019832
Bob FroesePhiladelphia Flyers4828631503.14281372
Pete PeetersBoston Bruins5028681513.16291620
Dan BouchardQuebec Nordiques5733731803.20291881
Roland MelansonN.Y. Islanders3720191103.27201120
Richard SevignyMontreal Canadiens4022031243.38161821
Murray BannermanChicago Black Hawks5633351883.38232942

Coaches

Patrick Division

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1983–84 :
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1983–84 :