1980 Stanley Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 8–May 24, 1980
Teams16
Defending championsMontreal Canadiens
Final positions
ChampionsNew York Islanders
Runner-upPhiladelphia Flyers
← 1979
1981 →

The 1980 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) began on April 8, after the conclusion of the 1979–80 NHL season. This season saw the addition of four teams from the disbanded World Hockey Association (WHA) as expansion franchises, and thus the playoffs were also expanded from 12 to 16 teams. The expanded playoff format allowed two of those former WHA clubs, the Edmonton Oilers and the Hartford Whalers, to make the playoffs in their first season in the NHL.

The playoffs concluded on May 24 when the New York Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5–4 to win the final series four games to two and win the Stanley Cup. It was the Islanders' first Stanley Cup win and was the first of four consecutive Stanley Cup wins.

The Stanley Cup

Changes

With the league expansion from 17 to 21 teams, the playoffs were also expanded, from a 12-team tournament to a 16-team tournament. The sixteen teams were composed of the four divisional champions plus the top 12 finishers of the remaining 17 teams. The 16 qualifying teams were then seeded based on regular season points, with divisional rankings ignored. Division leaders no longer received first round byes. The teams were seeded 1 through 16, with the top team playing the 16th team in the first round, and so on. In subsequent rounds, matchups were similarly arranged, with the top remaining seed against the lowest remaining seed, and so on. The Preliminary Round was expanded to be a best-of-five set, up from a best-of-three.[1] The Atlanta Flames played their final playoff games in this postseason, and moved to Calgary soon after; the playoffs returned to Atlanta in 2007.

Playoff seeds

The sixteen teams that qualified for the playoffs are ranked 1–16 based on regular season points.

  1. Philadelphia Flyers, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions, NHL regular season champions – 116 points
  2. Buffalo Sabres, Adams Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 110 points
  3. Montreal Canadiens, Norris Division champions – 107 points
  4. Boston Bruins – 105 points
  5. New York Islanders – 91 points
  6. Minnesota North Stars – 88 points
  7. Chicago Black Hawks, Smythe Division champions – 87 points
  8. New York Rangers – 86 points
  9. Atlanta Flames – 83 points
  10. St. Louis Blues – 80 points
  11. Toronto Maple Leafs – 75 points
  12. Los Angeles Kings – 74 points
  13. Pittsburgh Penguins – 73 points (30 wins)
  14. Hartford Whalers – 73 points (27 wins)
  15. Vancouver Canucks – 70 points
  16. Edmonton Oilers – 69 points

Playoff bracket

Preliminary Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals
            
1 Philadelphia 3
16 Edmonton 0
1 Philadelphia 4
8 NY Rangers 1
2 Buffalo 3
15 Vancouver 1
1 Philadelphia 4
4 Minnesota 1
3 Montreal 3
14 Hartford 0
2 Buffalo 4
7 Chicago 0
4 Boston 3
13 Pittsburgh 2
1 Philadelphia 2
3 NY Islanders 4
5 NY Islanders 3
12 Los Angeles 1
3 Montreal 3
6 Minnesota 4
6 Minnesota 3
11 Toronto 0
2 Buffalo 2
3 NY Islanders 4
7 Chicago 3
10 St. Louis 0
4 Boston 1
5 NY Islanders 4
8 NY Rangers 3
9 Atlanta 1

Preliminary round

(1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (16) Edmonton Oilers

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 8 Edmonton Oilers 3–4 OT Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Dave Lumley (1) – pp – 14:09
Wayne Gretzky (1) – 16:01 		First period 00:56 – Paul Holmgren (1)
06:19 – Reggie Leach (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Don Murdoch (1) – 08:09 Third period 18:41 – Rick MacLeish (1)
No scoring First overtime period 08:06 – Bobby Clarke (1)
Ron Low 47 saves / 51 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 14 saves / 17 shots
April 9 Edmonton Oilers 1–5 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Don Murdoch (2) – 01:14 First period 13:32 – Behn Wilson (1)
No scoring Second period 04:08 – pp – Bobby Clarke (2)
No scoring Third period 08:26 – Paul Holmgren (2)
10:05 – Reggie Leach (2)
19:33 – pp – Tom Gorence (1)
Ron Low 23 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 23 saves / 24 shots
April 11 Philadelphia Flyers 3–2 2OT Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 15:55 – Wayne Gretzky (2)
17:16 – sh – Mark Messier (1)
Behn Wilson (2) – 04:24 Second period No scoring
Brian Propp (1) – 07:03 Third period No scoring
Ken Linseman (1) – 03:56 Second overtime period No scoring
Phil Myre 45 saves / 48 shots Goalie stats Ron Low 41 saves / 43 shots
Philadelphia won series 3–0


(2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (15) Vancouver Canucks

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 8 Vancouver Canucks 1–2 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period 04:20 – pp – Derek Smith (1)
No scoring Second period 13:21 – Don Luce (1)
Brent Ashton (1) – 16:42 Third period No scoring
Gary Bromley 24 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Don Edwards 18 saves / 19 shots
April 9 Vancouver Canucks 0–6 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period 03:31 – pp – Mike Ramsey (1)
09:51 – Richard Martin (1)
16:54 – pp – Gilbert Perreault (1)
19:59 – pp – Richie Dunn (1)
No scoring Second period 06:05 – Ric Seiling (1)
16:31 – Richard Martin (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Gary Bromley 6 saves / 10 shots
Glen Hanlon 14 saves / 16 shots 		Goalie stats Bob Sauve 22 saves / 22 shots
April 11 Buffalo Sabres 4–5 Vancouver Canucks Pacific Coliseum Recap  
Danny Gare (1) – pp – 15:29 First period 04:41 – Bob Manno (1)
07:06 – Gary Lupul (1)
16:17 – Darcy Rota (1)
19:50 – Kevin McCarthy (1)
Derek Smith (2) – 02:08 Second period No scoring
Tony McKegney (1) – 17:46
Richard Martin (3) – 18:48 		Third period 03:38 – Per-Olov Brasar (1)
Don Edwards 21 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Gary Bromley 19 saves / 22 shots
Glen Hanlon 10 saves / 11 shots
April 12 Buffalo Sabres 3–1 Vancouver Canucks Pacific Coliseum Recap  
Richard Martin (4) – pp – 15:24 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 04:42 – Darcy Rota (2)
Gilbert Perreault (2) – 02:04
Ric Seiling (2) – 19:41 		Third period No scoring
Bob Sauve 23 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Gary Bromley 24 saves / 26 shots
Buffalo won series 3–1


(3) Montreal Canadiens vs. (14) Hartford Whalers

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 8 Hartford Whalers 1–6 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 05:50 – Yvon Lambert (1)
15:52 – Brian Engblom (1)
No scoring Second period 11:59 – Rick Chartraw (1)
13:59 – Guy Lafleur (1)
Mark Howe (1) – 15:01 Third period 10:27 – Yvon Lambert (2)
13:15 – pp – Steve Shutt (1)
Al Smith 31 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Denis Herron 20 saves / 21 shots
April 9 Hartford Whalers 4–8 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 00:30 – Doug Jarvis (1)
01:20 – Rejean Houle (1)
16:32 – Yvon Lambert (3)
Ray Neufeld (1) – 06:22
Gordie Roberts (1) – 11:26 		Second period 01:33 – Gaston Gingras (1)
06:46 – Bob Gainey (1)
12:45 – Yvon Lambert (4)
13:53 – Steve Shutt (2)
19:49 – Guy Lafleur (2)
Marty Howe (1) – 05:55
Gordie Howe (1) – 13:59 		Third period No scoring
John Garrett 32 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Denis Herron 23 saves / 27 shots
April 11 Montreal Canadiens 4–3 OT Hartford Whalers Hartford Civic Center Recap  
Guy Lafleur (3) – 12:17 First period 07:03 – sh – Pat Boutette (1)
Yvon Lambert (5) – pp – 05:03 Second period 01:27 – Tom Rowe (1)
Rejean Houle (2) – 02:58 Third period 08:04 – Tom Rowe (2)
Yvon Lambert (6) – 00:29 First overtime period No scoring
Michel Larocque 25 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Al Smith 23 saves / 27 shots
Montreal won series 3–0


(4) Boston Bruins vs. (13) Pittsburgh Penguins

This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of the previous year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, which Boston won in a four-game sweep.


April 8 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No Scoring First period No Scoring
Mark Johnson (1) – pp – 08:25
Gary McAdam (1) – 14:47 		Second period No Scoring
Mark Johnson (2) – 03:10
Gregg Sheppard (1) – en – 19:24 		Third period 13:44 – pp – Terry O'Reilly (1)
18:47 – Craig MacTavish (1)
Greg Millen 36 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 18 saves / 21 shots
April 10 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–4 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No Scoring First period No Scoring
No Scoring Second period 01:42 – Rick Middleton (1)
10:38 – Don Marcotte (1)
11:21 – Brad Park (1)
Rod Schutt (1) – 12:16 Third period 11:15 – Wayne Cashman (1)
Greg Millen 38 saves / 42 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 16 saves / 17 shots
April 12 Boston Bruins 1–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
No Scoring First period 13:28 – Ross Lonsberry (1)
No Scoring Second period 01:17 – Ross Lonsberry (2)
16:37 – Randy Carlyle (1)
Rick Middleton (2) – 03:48 Third period 13:51 – Rod Schutt (2)
Gerry Cheevers 24 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 19 saves / 20 shots
April 13 Boston Bruins 8–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
Peter McNab (1) – 05:13
Rick Middleton (3) – 06:42
Ray Bourque (1) – 13:26
Peter McNab (2) – pp – 16:00
Craig MacTavish (2) – 18:09 		First period No Scoring
Bob Miller (1) – sh – 06:31
Dwight Foster (1) – sh – 10:08 		Second period No Scoring
Dwight Foster 2 – 16:45 Third period 06:43 – pp – Rick Kehoe (1)
14:40 – pp – Ron Stackhouse (1)
14:47 – pp – Rick Kehoe (2)
Gerry Cheevers 23 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 21 saves / 29 shots
April 14 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–6 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No Scoring First period 03:49 – Peter McNab (3)
04:57 – Bob Miller (2)
No Scoring Second period 05:22 – Dwight Foster (3)
10:20 – pp – Wayne Cashman (2)
Bob Stewart (1) – 03:18
Nick Libett (1) – pp – 16:10 		Third period 06:25 – pp – Terry O'Reilly (2)
14:22 – Brad Park (2)
Greg Millen 24 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 22 saves / 24 shots
Boston won series 3–2


(5) New York Islanders vs. (12) Los Angeles Kings

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 8 Los Angeles Kings 1–8 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No Scoring First period 05:46 – Bryan Trottier (1)
18:07 – Wayne Merrick (1)
No Scoring Second period 04:30 – sh – Bryan Trottier (2)
10:19 – Mike Bossy (1)
11:29 – Bob Nystrom (1)
14:14 – Gord Lane (1)
19:20 – sh – Bryan Trottier (3)
Rob Palmer (1) – 19:20 Third period 02:15 – Stefan Persson (1)
Doug Keans 13 saves / 20 shots
Mario Lessard 13 saves / 14 shots 		Goalie stats Billy Smith 23 saves / 24 shots
April 9 Los Angeles Kings 6–3 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Mike Murphy (1) – sh – 05:54
Dave Taylor (1) – 13:59
Glenn Goldup (1) – 15:21
Andre St. Laurent (1) – sh – 18:31 		First period No Scoring
Dave Taylor (2) – 04:00
Steve Carlson (1) – 11:59 		Second period 15:49 – pp – Bob Bourne (1)
16:55 – John Tonelli (1)
No Scoring Third period 07:38 – Garry Howatt (1)
Mario Lessard 30 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Glenn Resch 20 saves / 26 shots
Billy Smith 6 saves / 6 shots
April 11 New York Islanders 4–3 OT Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Bob Bourne (2) – pp – 03:47 First period 01:31 – Mark Hardy (1)
06:42 – pp – Charlie Simmer (1)
No Scoring Second period 10:47 – Charlie Simmer (2)
Clark Gillies (1) – 03:22
Butch Goring (1) – 06:34 		Third period No Scoring
Ken Morrow (1) – 06:55 First overtime period No Scoring
Billy Smith 20 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Mario Lessard 34 saves / 38 shots
April 12 New York Islanders 6–0 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Garry Howatt (2) – 15:05 First period No Scoring
Bob Bourne (3) – pp – 09:27 Second period No Scoring
Alex McKendry (1) – 01:46
John Tonelli (2) – 05:22
Butch Goring (2) – 06:17
Alex McKendry (2) – 10:15 		Third period No Scoring
Billy Smith 20 saves / 20 shots Goalie stats Mario Lessard 26 saves / 32 shots
New York won series 3–1


(6) Minnesota North Stars vs. (11) Toronto Maple Leafs

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 8 Toronto Maple Leafs 3–6 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Laurie Boschman (1) – pp – 10:37
Ron Wilson (1) – pp – 15:51 		First period 02:17 – pp – Steve Payne (1)
19:15 – pp – Gary Sargent (1)
No scoring Second period 11:35 – pp – Curt Giles (1)
15:47 – Steve Payne (2)
Rick Vaive (1) – 13:03 Third period 04:47 – Mike Eaves (1)
15:41 – Steve Christoff (1)
Jiri Crha 55 saves / 61 shots Goalie stats Gary Edwards 22 saves / 25 shots
April 9 Toronto Maple Leafs 2–7 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
No scoring First period 15:49 – pp – Craig Hartsburg (1)
No scoring Second period 04:31 – Al MacAdam (1)
11:14 – Gary Sargent (2)
17:00 – pp – Tim Young (1)
Terry Martin (1) – 05:16
Darryl Sittler (1) – pp – 09:15 		Third period 12:36 – Tom McCarthy (1)
13:12 – Al MacAdam (2)
18:31 – Mike Polich (1)
Mike Palmateer 36 saves / 43 shots Goalie stats Gary Edwards 27 saves / 29 shots
April 11 Minnesota North Stars 4–3 OT Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Steve Christoff (2) – pp – 03:08 First period 11:51 – Terry Martin (2)
No scoring Second period 08:14 – pp – Borje Salming (1)
Tom McCarthy (2) – pp – 01:04
Steve Christoff (3) – 04:25 		Third period 14:47 – John Anderson (1)
Al MacAdam (3) – 00:32 First overtime period No scoring
Gary Edwards 19 saves / 21 shots
Gilles Meloche 12 saves / 13 shots 		Goalie stats Jiri Crha 27 saves / 31 shots
Minnesota won series 3–0


(7) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (10) St. Louis Blues

This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. Chicago won the only previous meeting in five games in the 1973 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals.

With their victory in Game one, Chicago snapped a record 16-game losing streak in the Stanley Cup playoffs.


April 8 St. Louis Blues 2–3 OT Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No Scoring First period 03:39 – Grant Mulvey (1)
Larry Patey (1) – 05:53 Second period No Scoring
Wayne Babych (1) – 14:42 Third period 14:10 – Ted Bulley (1)
No Scoring First overtime period 12:34 – Doug Lecuyer (1)
Mike Liut 42 saves / 45 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 31 saves / 33 shots
April 9 St. Louis Blues 1–5 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No Scoring First period 00:23 – Doug Wilson (1)
12:46 – pp – Ron Sedlbauer (1)
Perry Turnbull (1) – pp – 13:40 Second period No Scoring
No Scoring Third period 01:16 – pp – Tom Lysiak (1)
15:23 – Doug Wilson (2)
19:04 – Ted Bulley (2)
Mike Liut 31 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 30 saves / 31 shots
April 11 Chicago Black Hawks 4–1 St. Louis Blues Checkerdome Recap  
Doug Lecuyer (2) – 03:46 First period No Scoring
Darryl Sutter (1) – pp – 03:29 Second period No Scoring
Bob Murray (1) – 14:57
Doug Lecuyer (3) – 16:35 		Third period 15:37 – Bernie Federko (1)
Tony Esposito 23 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Mike Liut 25 saves / 29 shots
Chicago won series 3–0


(8) New York Rangers vs. (9) Atlanta Flames

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. Game four was also the final home game for the Flames in Atlanta, as the franchise was sold and relocated to Calgary during the offseason.


April 8 Atlanta Flames 1–2 OT New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Don Lever (1) – pp – 04:57 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 08:14 – Steve Vickers (1)
No scoring First overtime period 00:33 – Steve Vickers (2)
Dan Bouchard 29 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats John Davidson 21 saves / 22 shots
April 9 Atlanta Flames 1–5 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 03:02 – pp – Phil Esposito (1)
06:32 – Anders Hedberg (1)
12:33 – sh – Dave Maloney (1)
14:32 – Phil Esposito (2)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Willi Plett (1) – pp – 09:05 Third period 15:18 – Warren Miller (1)
Dan Bouchard 27 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats John Davidson 20 saves / 21 shots
April 11 New York Rangers 2–4 Atlanta Flames Omni Coliseum Recap  
Dave Maloney (2) – 13:11 First period 14:56 – Bob Murdoch (1)
Anders Hedberg (2) – 04:07 Second period 03:34 – Ken Houston (1)
05:47 – Eric Vail (1)
16:15 – Eric Vail (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
John Davidson 29 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Dan Bouchard 25 saves / 27 shots
April 12 New York Rangers 5–2 Atlanta Flames Omni Coliseum Recap  
Anders Hedberg (3) – 01:58
Dean Talafous (1) – pp – 06:09
Ed Hospodar (1) – 06:43 		First period 09:07 – pp – Eric Vail (3)
Carol Vadnais (1) – 04:10 Second period No scoring
Barry Beck (1) – pp – 13:23 Third period 08:14 – pp – Guy Chouinard (1)
John Davidson 30 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Dan Bouchard 22 saves / 27 shots
New York won series 3–1


Quarterfinals

(1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (8) New York Rangers

This was the third playoff series meeting between these two teams. Both teams split their previous two meetings. This was a rematch of the previous year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, which New York won in five games.


April 16 New York Rangers 1–2 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 04:49 – Rick MacLeish (2)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Ray Markham (1) – 03:47 Third period 05:44 – Behn Wilson (3)
John Davidson 40 saves / 42 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 29 saves / 30 shots
April 17 New York Rangers 1–4 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 10:25 – Paul Holmgren (3)
10:39 – Bill Barber (1)
Ron Duguay (1) – 14:41 Third period 14:26 – Rick MacLeish (3)
18:32 – sh – Reggie Leach (3)
John Davidson 37 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 31 saves / 32 shots
April 19 Philadelphia Flyers 3–0 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Bob Dailey (1) – sh – 08:39 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Bill Barber (2) – 04:16
Rick MacLeish (4) – 09:43 		Third period No scoring
Pete Peeters 29 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats John Davidson 32 saves / 35 shots
April 20 Philadelphia Flyers 2–4 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Rick MacLeish (5) – 13:10 First period 05:05 – pp – Ron Duguay (2)
No scoring Second period 05:02 – pp – Ron Duguay (3)
09:26 – Phil Esposito (3)
Reggie Leach (4) – 15:32 Third period 05:42 – Ron Duguay (4)
Pete Peeters 22 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats John Davidson 31 saves / 33 shots
April 22 New York Rangers 1–3 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 19:03 – Al Hill (1)
No scoring Second period 05:09 – Behn Wilson (4)
08:24 – Paul Holmgren (4)
Ron Duguay (5) – 14:27 Third period No scoring
John Davidson 27 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 25 saves / 26 shots
Philadelphia won series 4–1


(2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (7) Chicago Black Hawks

This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. Buffalo won the only previous meeting in five games in the 1975 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals.


April 16 Chicago Black Hawks 0–5 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period 12:09 – pp – John Van Boxmeer (1)
18:24 – pp – Gilbert Perreault (3)
No scoring Second period 11:32 – pp – Danny Gare (2)
12:08 – Bob Mongrain (1)
No scoring Third period 19:40 – pp – Rick Dudley (1)
Tony Esposito 25 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Don Edwards 17 saves / 17 shots
April 17 Chicago Black Hawks 4–6 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Tom Lysiak (2) – pp – 18:24 First period 08:48 – pp – Danny Gare (3)
13:17 – Ric Seiling (3)
Tom Lysiak (3) – pp – 03:49
Doug Lecuyer (4) – 17:06 		Second period 06:31 – Don Luce (2)
11:22 – Ric Seiling (4)
15:20 – pp – Danny Gare (4)
Darryl Sittler (2) – 02:09 Third period 16:24 – Richard Martin (5)
Mike Veisor 19 saves / 25 shots Goalie stats Bob Sauve 17 saves / 21 shots
April 19 Buffalo Sabres 2–1 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Ric Seiling (5) – 03:53
Rick Dudley (2) – 05:37 		First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 14:11 – pp – Darryl Sutter (3)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Don Edwards 38 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 30 saves / 32 shots
April 20 Buffalo Sabres 3–2 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No scoring First period 13:26 – Bob Murray (2)
John Van Boxmeer (2) – 19:32 Second period 09:55 – pp – Tom Lysiak (4)
Richard Martin (6) – 08:47
Gilbert Perreault (4) – 16:54 		Third period No scoring
Bob Sauve 46 saves / 48 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 31 saves / 34 shots
Buffalo won series 4–0


(3) Montreal Canadiens vs. (6) Minnesota North Stars

This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. Montreal won the only previous meeting in six games in the 1971 Stanley Cup Semifinals. This was Montreal's first playoff series loss since losing to Buffalo in the 1975 Stanley Cup Semifinals.


April 16 Minnesota North Stars 3–0 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Kent-Erik Andersson – 02:51
Steve Payne (3) – 15:13
Al MacAdam (4) – 16:52 		Third period No scoring
Gilles Meloche 23 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Denis Herron 25 saves / 28 shots
April 17 Minnesota North Stars 4–1 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Tom McCarthy (3) – pp – 19:11 First period No scoring
Steve Payne (4) – 04:18 Second period 05:27 – Yvon Lambert (7)
Steve Payne (5) – 03:45
Curt Giles (2) – pp – 10:01 		Third period No scoring
Gilles Meloche 40 saves / 41 shots Goalie stats Denis Herron 28 saves / 32 shots
April 19 Montreal Canadiens 5–0 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Norm Dupont (1) – 12:49
Doug Jarvis (2) – 16:27 		First period No scoring
Doug Jarvis (3) – 05:43
Rod Langway (1) – pp – 17:39 		Second period No scoring
Pierre Larouche (1) – 02:45 Third period No scoring
Michel Larocque 25 saves / 25 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 31 saves / 36 shots
April 20 Montreal Canadiens 5–1 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Rejean Houle (3) – pp – 06:33 First period No scoring
Steve Shutt (3) – 13:34 Second period No scoring
Rejean Houle (4) – 07:15
Yvon Lambert (8) – 11:40
Rod Langway (2) – 19:32 		Third period 04:15 – Steve Christoff (4)
Michel Larocque 22 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 31 saves / 36 shots
April 22 Minnesota North Stars 2–6 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Steve Christoff (5) – 11:32 First period 09:23 – Steve Shutt (4)
14:51 – Pierre Mondou (1)
Al MacAdam (5) – 05:28 Second period 08:43 – pp – Steve Shutt (5)
No scoring Third period 04:15 – sh – Doug Jarvis (4)
10:28 – pp – Brian Engblom (2)
15:07 – Steve Shutt (6)
Gilles Meloche 32 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Michel Larocque 29 saves / 31 shots
April 24 Montreal Canadiens 2–5 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Mark Napier (1) – 05:23 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 05:22 – pp – Steve Christoff (6)
10:29 – Kent-Erik Andersson (2)
13:20 – Paul Shmyr (1)
13:47 – pp – Bobby Smith (1)
19:16 – Glen Sharpley (1)
Rick Chartraw (2) – 05:08 Third period No scoring
Michel Larocque 31 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 26 saves / 28 shots
April 27 Minnesota North Stars 3–2 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Tom Younghans (1) – sh – 14:43 First period 09:12 – pp – Mark Napier (2)
Craig Hartsburg (2) – pp – 16:46 Second period No scoring
Al MacAdam (6) – 18:34 Third period 05:23 – Rod Langway (3)
Gilles Meloche 22 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Denis Herron 27 saves / 30 shots
Minnesota won series 4–3


(4) Boston Bruins vs. (5) New York Islanders

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 16 New York Islanders 2–1 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No Scoring First period No Scoring
No Scoring Second period No Scoring
Garry Howatt (3) – 03:49 Third period 00:51 – Peter McNab (4)
Clark Gillies (2) – 01:02 First overtime period No Scoring
Billy Smith 22 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 25 saves / 27 shots
April 17 New York Islanders 5–4 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Bryan Trottier (4) – 16:08 First period No Scoring
John Tonelli (3) – 10:40
Lorne Henning (1) – sh – 14:33 		Second period 01:32 – Rick Smith (1)
12:00 – Brad McCrimmon (1)
16:55 – Brad Park (3)
Bob Nystrom (2) – 11:06 Third period 10:51 – Bob Miller (3)
Bob Bourne (4) – 01:24 First overtime period No Scoring
Billy Smith 29 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 18 saves / 23 shots
April 19 Boston Bruins 3–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Don Marcotte (2) – 09:52 First period 12:16 – John Tonelli (4)
17:08 – pp – Bryan Trottier (5)
Peter McNab (5) – 09:48 Second period 06:57 – Bob Bourne (5)
15:54 – Bobby Nystrom (3)
Peter McNab (6) – pp – 12:15 Third period 04:51 – Bryan Trottier (6)
Gerry Cheevers 30 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 32 saves / 35 shots
April 21 Boston Bruins 4–3 OT New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Ray Bourque (2) – 09:21 First period 12:03 – Mike Bossy (2)
No scoring Second period 08:18 – pp – Mike Bossy (3)
Peter McNab (7) – 03:09
Rick Middleton (4) – 19:40 		Third period 13:20 – Clark Gillies (3)
Terry O'Reilly (3) – 17:13 First overtime period No scoring
Gerry Cheevers 27 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 35 saves / 39 shots
April 22 New York Islanders 4–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No Scoring First period 01:31 – Wayne Cashman (3)
03:28 – pp – Peter McNab (8)
Stefan Persson (2) – pp – 17:23 Second period No Scoring
Duane Sutter (1) – 02:38
Clark Gillies (4) – 05:58
Denis Potvin (1) – 14:27 		Third period No Scoring
Billy Smith 22 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 20 saves / 24 shots
New York won series 4–1


Semifinals

(1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (4) Minnesota North Stars

This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won the only previous meeting in six games in the 1973 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals.


April 29 Minnesota North Stars 6–5 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Steve Christoff (7) – 04:19
Paul Shmyr (2) – pp – 13:20
Steve Christoff (8) – 13:59 		First period 05:23 – pp – Al Hill (2)
14:54 – Ken Linseman (2)
15:36 – Tom Gorence (2)
16:40 – Ken Linseman (3)
Mike Eaves (2) – 14:04
Steve Payne (6) – pp – 16:46 		Second period No scoring
Steve Payne (7) – pp – 07:40 Third period 09:27 – Paul Holmgren (5)
Gilles Meloche 7 saves / 11 shots
Gary Edwards 21 saves / 22 shots 		Goalie stats Pete Peeters 30 saves / 36 shots
May 1 Minnesota North Stars 0–7 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 02:09 – pp – Paul Holmgren (6)
03:20 – sh – Bill Barber (3)
No scoring Second period 00:56 – pp – Bobby Clarke (3)
08:42 – pp – Bob Dailey (2)
11:27 – pp – Brian Propp (2)
No scoring Third period 16:23 – Al Hill (3)
19:20 – Reggie Leach (5)
Gary Edwards 33 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Phil Myre 27 saves / 27 shots
May 4 Philadelphia Flyers 5–3 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Bill Barber (4) – pp – 15:15
Bill Barber (5) – 17:09 		First period No scoring
Mel Bridgman (1) – 01:14
Bill Barber (6) – 06:07 		Second period 14:39 – sh – Tom Younghans (2)
15:34 – sh – Tim Young (2)
17:27 – pp – Tom McCarthy (4)
Bill Barber (7) – sh – 16:34 Third period No scoring
Phil Myre 31 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Gilles Meloche 23 saves / 28 shots
May 6 Philadelphia Flyers 3–2 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Reggie Leach (6) – 16:51 First period 13:18 – Tom McCarthy (5)
Bill Barber (8) – 13:54 Second period No scoring
Bill Barber (9) – 02:43 Third period 13:54 – Mike Polich (2)
Phil Myre 30 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Gary Edwards 29 saves / 32 shots
May 8 Minnesota North Stars 3–7 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Craig Hartsburg (3) – 00:44
Al MacAdam (7) – pp – 17:11 		First period 02:23 – pp – Rick MacLeish (6)
06:26 – sh – Bill Barber (10)
12:16 – pp – Reggie Leach (7)
Rob Flockhart (1) – 14:43 Second period 03:33 – Reggie Leach (8)
06:02 – Bill Barber (11)
16:19 – Bobby Clarke (4)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Gary Edwards 7 saves / 11 shots
Gilles Meloche 14 saves / 17 shots 		Goalie stats Phil Myre 22 saves / 25 shots
Philadelphia won series 4–1


(2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (3) New York Islanders

This was the third playoff series meeting between these two teams. New York won both previous meetings in consecutive years, the latter of which was a four-game sweep in the 1977 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals.


April 29 New York Islanders 4–1 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Bob Bourne (6) – sh – 13:06
Mike Bossy (4) – 17:42 		First period 05:23 – Rick Dudley (3)
John Tonelli (5) – 09:56 Second period No scoring
John Tonelli (6) – 11:10 Third period No scoring
Billy Smith 31 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Don Edwards 25 saves / 29 shots
May 1 New York Islanders 2–1 2OT Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Butch Goring (3) – 15:02 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 11:47 – Andre Savard (1)
Bobby Nystrom (4) – 01:20 Second overtime period No scoring
Billy Smith 41 saves / 42 shots Goalie stats Bob Sauve 31 saves / 33 shots
May 3 Buffalo Sabres 4–7 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Tony McKegney (2) – 19:28 First period 05:14 – Mike Bossy (5)
12:47 – Wayne Merrick (2)
Gilbert Perreault (5) – 08:12 Second period 08:57 – Bryan Trottier (7)
18:26 – pp – Bryan Trottier (8)
Derek Smith (3) – pp – 10:11
Lindy Ruff (1) – 11:09 		Third period 02:59 – sh – Lorne Henning (2)
07:47 – pp – Bob Bourne (7)
19:38 – Butch Goring (4)
Don Edwards 34 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 23 saves / 27 shots
May 6 Buffalo Sabres 7–4 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Don Luce (3) – sh – 16:14 First period 08:52 – pp – Bob Bourne (8)
19:13 – Bob Bourne (9)
Derek Smith (4) – 07:21
Gilbert Perreault (6) – pp – 09:29
Gilbert Perreault (7) – 11:10
Derek Smith (5) – pp – 19:30 		Second period 03:28 – Bobby Nystrom (5)
Tony McKegney (3) – 12:14
Gilbert Perreault (8) – 19:47 		Third period 01:51 – Bobby Nystrom (6)
Bob Sauve 27 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 19 saves / 24 shots
Glenn Resch 9 saves / 10 shots
May 8 New York Islanders 0–2 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period 01:51 – pp – John Van Boxmeer (3)
No scoring Second period 14:45 – pp – Richie Dunn (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Glenn Resch 13 saves / 15 shots Goalie stats Bob Sauve 22 saves / 22 shots
May 10 Buffalo Sabres 2–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Gilbert Perreault (9) – 02:26
Gilbert Perreault (10) – 06:53 		First period 08:08 – John Tonelli (7)
No scoring Second period 00:31 – pp – Mike Bossy (6)
11:11 – Bob Lorimer (1)
No scoring Third period 11:50 – Duane Sutter (2)
19:00 – sh – Bob Bourne (10)
Bob Sauve 26 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 22 saves / 24 shots
New York won series 4–2


Stanley Cup Finals

Main article: 1980 Stanley Cup Finals

This was the second playoff series (and only Finals) meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won the only previous meeting in seven games in the 1975 Stanley Cup Semifinals.

Ken Morrow became the first player in history to win an Olympic Gold Medal and the Stanley Cup in the same season. Game six was the last NHL game to air on American network television for nearly ten years.[2]


May 13 New York Islanders 4–3 OT Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Mike Bossy (7) – pp – 12:02 First period 10:31 – Mel Bridgman (2)
Denis Potvin (2) – 02:20 Second period 17:08 – pp – Bobby Clarke (5)
Stefan Persson (3) – pp – 16:18 Third period 13:10 – Rick MacLeish (7)
Denis Potvin (3) – pp – 04:07 First overtime period No scoring
Billy Smith 30 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 32 saves / 36 shots
May 15 New York Islanders 3–8 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Butch Goring (5) – 03:23 First period 07:22 – pp – Paul Holmgren (7)
08:37 – Bob Kelly (1)
17:23 – Bobby Clarke (6)
Bryan Trottier (9) – pp – 03:28 Second period 01:06 – Bill Barber (12)
04:13 – pp – Paul Holmgren (8)
15:47 – pp – Brian Propp (3)
Butch Goring (6) – pp – 15:00 Third period 01:40 – Tom Gorence (3)
04:19 – Paul Holmgren (9)
Billy Smith 20 saves / 26 shots
Chico Resch 3 saves / 5 shots 		Goalie stats Pete Peeters 20 saves / 23 shots
May 17 Philadelphia Flyers 2–6 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 02:38 – sh – Lorne Henning (3)
07:43 – pp – Denis Potvin (4)
13:04 – pp – Bryan Trottier (10)
14:29 – pp – Mike Bossy (8)
No scoring Second period 15:41 – pp – Clark Gillies (5)
17:25 – pp – Denis Potvin (5)
Bobby Clarke (7) – 09:48
Mike Busniuk (1) – 11:32 		Third period No scoring
Phil Myre 34 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 30 saves / 32 shots
May 19 Philadelphia Flyers 2–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 07:23 – pp – Mike Bossy (9)
13:06 – Butch Goring (7)
John Paddock (1) – 01:35 Second period No scoring
Ken Linseman (4) – 11:53 Third period 06:06 – Bryan Trottier (11)
12:35 – Bobby Nystrom (7)
14:08 – Clark Gillies (6)
Pete Peeters 22 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 34 saves / 36 shots
May 22 New York Islanders 3–6 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Stefan Persson (4) – pp – 10:58 First period No scoring
Bryan Trottier (12) – 16:16 Second period 01:45 – Bobby Clarke (8)
05:55 – Rick MacLeish (8)
17:04 – Mike Busniuk (2)
Stefan Persson (5) – pp – 14:57 Third period 09:43 – Rick MacLeish (9)
12:33 – pp – Brian Propp (4)
17:26 – Paul Holmgren (10)
Billy Smith 25 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 35 saves / 38 shots
May 24 Philadelphia Flyers 4–5 OT New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Reggie Leach (9) – pp – 07:21
Brian Propp (5) – 18:58 		First period 11:56 – pp – Denis Potvin (6)
14:08 – Duane Sutter (3)
No scoring Second period 07:34 – pp – Mike Bossy (10)
19:46 – Bobby Nystrom (8)
Bob Dailey (4) – 01:47
John Paddock (2) – 06:02 		Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period 07:11 – Bobby Nystrom (9)
Pete Peeters 28 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 21 saves / 25 shots
New York won series 4–2


See also

References

  1. ^ McCarthy, p. 249
  2. ^ Podnieks, Andrew; Szemberg, Szymon (2008). IIHF Top 100 Hockey Stories of All Time. Bolton, Ontario, Canada: Fenn Publishing. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-55168-358-4.
Preceded by1979 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup playoffs Succeeded by1981 Stanley Cup playoffs
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