1992 Stanley Cup playoffs


The 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League began on April 18, after the conclusion of the 1991–92 NHL season. It was the 100th anniversary of the first awarding of the Stanley Cup, and it was won by the Pittsburgh Penguins, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 1992 playoffs saw history being made, as for the first time ever, all four division winners were eliminated in the same round. In the division finals, the Norris Division champion Detroit Red Wings were swept by the Chicago Blackhawks in four straight games, and the Montreal Canadiens, who had won the Adams Division, suffered the same fate at the hands of the Boston Bruins. The Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated the Patrick Division titlists, the New York Rangers, in six games, while the Vancouver Canucks, the Smythe Division toppers, fell to the Edmonton Oilers, also in six games.
A record 54 games were played in the first round, with six of the eight series going the full seven games and the other two going six games. Three series featured teams coming back from 3–1 series deficits, the most in a single playoff year; this record was equaled in 2003. The only two first-round series that didn't go seven games were the Oilers' six-game win over the Kings, and the Blackhawks' six-game win over the Blues.
This was the last year the Hartford Whalers and Minnesota North Stars qualified for the playoffs. The franchises would not reach the post-season again until 1999 and 1994 respectively. By the time each franchise reached the playoffs again, they were known as the Carolina Hurricanes and the Dallas Stars, respectively.
Video replay was used to decide a playoff game for the first time in game six of the Detroit–Minnesota division semifinal. Sergei Fedorov of the Red Wings appeared to hit the crossbar behind Minnesota goalie Jon Casey during the first overtime, but after the North Stars iced the puck immediately afterward, referee Rob Shick called for a video review, which determined that the puck had entered the goal just below the crossbar and caromed off the frame at the back of the net. Fedorov was awarded the goal, giving the Red Wings a series-tying victory.

Playoff seeds

The following teams qualified for the playoffs:

Prince of Wales Conference

Adams Division

  1. Montreal Canadiens, Adams Division champions – 93 points
  2. Boston Bruins – 84 points
  3. Buffalo Sabres – 74 points
  4. Hartford Whalers – 65 points

    Patrick Division

  5. New York Rangers, Patrick Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions, Presidents' Trophy winners – 105 points
  6. Washington Capitals – 98 points
  7. Pittsburgh Penguins – 87 points
  8. New Jersey Devils – 87 points

    Clarence Campbell Conference

Norris Division

  1. Detroit Red Wings, Norris Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 98 points
  2. Chicago Blackhawks – 87 points
  3. St. Louis Blues – 83 points
  4. Minnesota North Stars – 70 points

    Smythe Division

  5. Vancouver Canucks, Smythe Division champions – 96 points
  6. Los Angeles Kings – 84 points
  7. Edmonton Oilers – 82 points
  8. Winnipeg Jets – 81 points

    Playoff bracket

Division Semifinals

Prince of Wales Conference

(A1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A4) Hartford Whalers

This was the final time that the Hartford Whalers qualified for the playoffs; the next time that this franchise would make the playoffs was in 1999 when they were known as the Carolina Hurricanes. Game six was the final playoff game played at the Hartford Civic Center.

(A2) Boston Bruins vs. (A3) Buffalo Sabres

(P1) New York Rangers vs. (P4) New Jersey Devils

(P2) Washington Capitals vs. (P3) Pittsburgh Penguins

Clarence Campbell Conference

(N1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (N4) Minnesota North Stars

This was the final playoff series played by the Minnesota North Stars. The next time that the Stars franchise made the playoffs was in 1994 when they were known as the Dallas Stars. Game six was the final playoff game played at the Met Center.

(N2) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (N3) St. Louis Blues

(S1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (S4) Winnipeg Jets

This was the first playoff series between these two teams.

(S2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (S3) Edmonton Oilers

Division Finals

Prince of Wales Conference

(A1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A2) Boston Bruins

This was the ninth consecutive year Boston and Montreal had met in the playoffs, an NHL record that still stands.

(P1) New York Rangers vs. (P3) Pittsburgh Penguins

Clarence Campbell Conference

(N1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (N2) Chicago Blackhawks

(S1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (S3) Edmonton Oilers

Conference Finals

Prince of Wales Conference Final

(P3) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (A2) Boston Bruins

Clarence Campbell Conference Final

(N2) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (S3) Edmonton Oilers

Stanley Cup Finals

Playoff statistics

Skaters

These are the top ten skaters based on points.
PlayerTeam
Mario LemieuxPittsburgh Penguins15161834+62
Kevin StevensPittsburgh Penguins21131528+228
Ron FrancisPittsburgh Penguins2181927+86
Jaromir JagrPittsburgh Penguins21111324+46
Joe MurphyEdmonton Oilers1681624+212
Jeremy RoenickChicago Blackhawks18121022+1112
Chris CheliosChicago Blackhawks1861521+1937
Bernie NichollsEdmonton Oilers1681119+225
Rick TocchetPittsburgh Penguins1461319024
Adam OatesBoston Bruins1551419-64

Goaltenders

This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage, with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.
PlayerTeam
Chicago Blackhawks18124398392.47.9021 948:47
Detroit Red Wings1137277252.51.9102 597:18
Vancouver Canucks1367364332.52.9092 784:35
Montreal Canadiens1147312302.63.9041 685:31
Buffalo Sabres734201192.63.9051 433:22