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1990-91 NHL season facts for kids

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1990–91 NHL season
League National Hockey League
Sport Ice hockey
Duration October 4, 1990 – May 25, 1991
Regular season
Presidents' Trophy Chicago Blackhawks
Season MVP Brett Hull, (St. Louis)
Top scorer Wayne Gretzky, (Los Angeles)
Playoffs
Eastern champions Pittsburgh Penguins
  Eastern runners-up Boston Bruins
Western champions Minnesota North Stars
  Western runners-up Edmonton Oilers
Playoffs MVP Mario Lemieux, (Pittsburgh)
Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins
  Runners-up Minnesota North Stars
NHL seasons

← 1989–90

1991–92 →

The 1990–91 NHL season was the 74th regular season of the National Hockey League. Twenty-one teams each played 80 games. The Stanley Cup winners were the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won the best of seven series 4–2 against the Minnesota North Stars. The North Stars defeated the Edmonton Oilers to become the first Norris Division team to appear in the Stanley Cup Finals since all the teams were moved around in 1981. The championship was the first in Penguins history. A record high 92 playoff games were held, and for the first time since the 1973 playoffs, no team was beat in four games in a playoff series.

This was the last NHL season to end in the month of May.

Regular season

Final standings

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points

Wales Conference
Adams Division
Team W L T GF GA Pts
Boston Bruins 44 24 12 299 264 100
Montreal Canadiens 39 30 11 273 249 89
Buffalo Sabres 31 30 19 292 278 81
Hartford Whalers 31 38 11 238 276 73
Quebec Nordiques 16 50 14 236 354 46
Patrick Division
Team W L T GF GA Pts
Pittsburgh Penguins 41 33 6 342 305 88
New York Rangers 36 31 13 297 265 85
Washington Capitals 37 36 7 258 258 81
New Jersey Devils 32 33 15 272 264 79
Philadelphia Flyers 33 37 10 252 267 76
New York Islanders 25 45 10 223 290 60
Campbell Conference
Norris Division
Team W L T GF GA Pts
Chicago Blackhawks 49 23 8 284 211 106
St. Louis Blues 47 22 11 310 250 105
Detroit Red Wings 34 38 8 273 298 76
Minnesota North Stars 27 39 14 256 266 68
Toronto Maple Leafs 23 46 11 241 318 57
Smythe Division
Team W L T GF GA Pts
Los Angeles Kings 46 24 10 340 254 102
Calgary Flames 46 26 8 344 263 100
Edmonton Oilers 37 37 6 272 272 80
Vancouver Canucks 28 43 9 243 315 65
Winnipeg Jets 26 43 11 260 288 63

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Wayne Gretzky Los Angeles Kings 78 41 122 163
Brett Hull St. Louis Blues 78 86 45 131
Adam Oates St. Louis Blues 61 25 90 115
Mark Recchi Pittsburgh Penguins 78 40 73 113
John Cullen Pittsburgh Penguins / Hartford Whalers 78 39 71 110
Joe Sakic Quebec Nordiques 80 48 61 109
Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings 80 51 57 108
Theoren Fleury Calgary Flames 79 51 53 104
Al MacInnis Calgary Flames 78 28 75 103
Steve Larmer Chicago Blackhawks 80 44 57 101

Stanley Cup playoffs

Note: All dates in 1991

Playoff bracket

  Division Semifinals Division Finals Conference Finals Stanley Cup Finals
                                     
1  Boston 4  
4  Hartford 2  
  1  Boston 4  
 
  2  Montreal 3  
2  Montreal 4
3  Buffalo 2  
  A1  Boston 2  
Prince of Wales Conference
  P1  Pittsburgh 4  
1  Pittsburgh 4  
4  New Jersey 3  
  1  Pittsburgh 4
 
  3  Washington 1  
2  NY Rangers 2
3  Washington 4  
  P1  Pittsburgh 4
  N4  Minnesota 2
1  Chicago 2  
4  Minnesota 4  
  2  St. Louis 2
 
  4  Minnesota 4  
2  St. Louis 4
3  Detroit 3  
  S3  Edmonton 1
Clarence Campbell Conference
  N4  Minnesota 4  
1  Los Angeles 4  
4  Vancouver 2  
  1  Los Angeles 2
 
  3  Edmonton 4  
2  Calgary 3
3  Edmonton 4  

Division semi-finals

Wales Conference

Boston vs. Hartford
Date Away Home
April 3 Hartford 5 2 Boston
April 5 Hartford 3 4 Boston
April 7 Boston 6 3 Hartford
April 9 Boston 3 4 Hartford
April 11 Hartford 1 6 Boston
April 13 Boston 3 1 Hartford
Boston wins series 4–2
Montreal vs. Buffalo
Date Away Home
April 3 Buffalo 5 7 Montreal
April 5 Buffalo 4 5 Montreal
April 7 Montreal 4 5 Buffalo
April 9 Montreal 4 6 Buffalo
April 11 Buffalo 3 4 Montreal OT
April 13 Montreal 5 1 Buffalo
Montreal wins series 4–2
Pittsburgh vs. New Jersey
Date Away Home
April 3 New Jersey 3 1 Pittsburgh
April 5 New Jersey 4 5 Pittsburgh OT
April 7 Pittsburgh 4 3 New Jersey
April 9 Pittsburgh 1 4 New Jersey
April 11 New Jersey 4 2 Pittsburgh
April 13 Pittsburgh 4 3 New Jersey
April 15 New Jersey 0 4 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh wins series 4–3
NY Rangers vs. Washington
Date Away Home
April 3 Washington 1 2 NY Rangers
April 5 Washington 3 0 NY Rangers
April 7 NY Rangers 6 0 Washington
April 9 NY Rangers 2 3 Washington
April 11 Washington 5 4 NY Rangers
April 13 NY Rangers 2 4 Washington
Washington wins series 4–2

Campbell Conference

Chicago vs. Minnesota
Date Away Home
April 4 Minnesota 4 3 Chicago OT
April 6 Minnesota 2 5 Chicago
April 8 Chicago 6 5 Minnesota
April 10 Chicago 1 3 Minnesota
April 12 Minnesota 6 0 Chicago
April 14 Chicago 1 3 Minnesota
Minnesota wins series 4–2
St. Louis vs. Detroit
Date Away Home
April 4 Detroit 6 3 St. Louis
April 6 Detroit 2 4 St. Louis
April 8 St. Louis 2 5 Detroit
April 10 St. Louis 3 4 Detroit
April 12 Detroit 1 6 St. Louis
April 14 St. Louis 3 0 Detroit
April 16 Detroit 2 3 St. Louis
St. Louis wins series 4–3
Los Angeles vs. Vancouver
Date Away Home
April 4 Vancouver 6 5 Los Angeles
April 6 Vancouver 2 3 Los Angeles OT
April 8 Los Angeles 1 2 Vancouver OT
April 10 Los Angeles 6 1 Vancouver
April 12 Vancouver 4 7 Los Angeles
April 14 Los Angeles 4 1 Vancouver
Los Angeles wins series 4–2
Calgary vs. Edmonton
Date Away Home
April 4 Edmonton 3 1 Calgary
April 6 Edmonton 1 3 Calgary
April 8 Calgary 3 4 Edmonton
April 10 Calgary 2 5 Edmonton
April 12 Edmonton 3 5 Calgary
April 14 Calgary 2 1 Edmonton OT
April 16 Edmonton 5 4 Calgary OT
Edmonton wins series 4–3

Division Finals

Wales Conference
Boston vs. Montreal
Date Away Home
April 17 Montreal 1 2 Boston
April 19 Montreal 4 3 Boston OT
April 21 Boston 3 2 Montreal
April 23 Boston 2 6 Montreal
April 25 Montreal 1 4 Boston
April 27 Boston 2 3 Montreal OT
April 29 Montreal 1 2 Boston
Boston win series 4–3
Pittsburgh vs. Washington
Date Away Home
April 17 Washington 4 2 Pittsburgh
April 19 Washington 6 7 Pittsburgh OT
April 21 Pittsburgh 3 1 Washington
April 23 Pittsburgh 3 1 Washington
April 25 Washington 1 4 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh wins series 4–1
Campbell Conference
St. Louis vs. Minnesota
Date Away Home
April 18 Minnesota 2 1 St. Louis
April 20 Minnesota 2 5 St. Louis
April 22 St. Louis 1 5 Minnesota
April 24 St. Louis 4 8 Minnesota
April 26 Minnesota 2 4 St. Louis
April 28 St. Louis 2 3 Minnesota
Minnesota wins series 4–2
Los Angeles vs. Edmonton
Date Away Home
April 18 Edmonton 3 4 Los Angeles OT
April 20 Edmonton 4 3 Los Angeles 2OT
April 22 Los Angeles 3 4 Edmonton 2OT
April 24 Los Angeles 2 4 Edmonton
April 26 Edmonton 2 5 Los Angeles
April 28 Los Angeles 3 4 Edmonton OT
Edmonton wins series 4–2

Conference Finals

Wales Conference
Boston vs. Pittsburgh
Date Away Home
May 1 Pittsburgh 3 6 Boston
May 3 Pittsburgh 4 5 Boston OT
May 5 Boston 1 4 Pittsburgh
May 7 Boston 1 4 Pittsburgh
May 9 Pittsburgh 7 2 Boston
May 11 Boston 3 5 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh wins series 4–2
and Prince of Wales Trophy
Campbell Conference
Edmonton vs. Minnesota
Date Away Home
May 2 Minnesota 3 1 Edmonton
May 4 Minnesota 2 7 Edmonton
May 6 Edmonton 3 7 Minnesota
May 8 Edmonton 1 5 Minnesota
May 10 Minnesota 3 2 Edmonton
Minnesota wins series 4–1 and
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

Finals

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Minnesota North Stars
Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 15 Minnesota 5 Pittsburgh 4
May 17 Minnesota 1 Pittsburgh 4
May 19 Pittsburgh 1 Minnesota 3
May 21 Pittsburgh 5 Minnesota 3
May 23 Minnesota 4 Pittsburgh 6
May 25 Pittsburgh 8 Minnesota 0
Pittsburgh wins series 4–2
and Stanley Cup
Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh)
wins Conn Smythe Trophy

NHL Awards

Presidents' Trophy: Chicago Blackhawks
Prince of Wales Trophy: Pittsburgh Penguins
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Minnesota North Stars
Art Ross Memorial Trophy: Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings
Calder Memorial Trophy: Ed Belfour, Chicago Blackhawks
Conn Smythe Trophy: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Dirk Graham, Chicago Blackhawks
Hart Memorial Trophy: Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues
Jack Adams Award: Brian Sutter, St. Louis Blues
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings
Lester B. Pearson Award: Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Marty McSorley, Los Angeles Kings & Theo Fleury, Calgary Flames
Vezina Trophy: Ed Belfour, Chicago Blackhawks
William M. Jennings Trophy: Ed Belfour, Chicago Blackhawks
Lester Patrick Trophy: Rod Gilbert, Mike Ilitch

All-Star teams

First Team   Position   Second Team
Ed Belfour, Chicago Blackhawks G Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens
Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins D Chris Chelios, Chicago Blackhawks
Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames D Brian Leetch, New York Rangers
Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings C Adam Oates, St. Louis Blues
Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues RW Cam Neely, Boston Bruins
Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles Kings LW Kevin Stevens, Pittsburgh Penguins

First games

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1990–91 (listed with their first team, stars(*) mark start in playoffs):

  • Robert Reichel, Calgary Flames
  • Dominik Hasek, Chicago Blackhawks
  • Keith Primeau, Detroit Red Wings
  • Mike Sillinger, Detroit Red Wings
  • Sergei Fedorov, Detroit Red Wings
  • Bobby Holik, Hartford Whalers
  • Geoff Sanderson, Hartford Whalers
  • John LeClair, Montreal Canadiens
  • Patrice Brisebois, Montreal Canadiens
  • Sean Hill*, Montreal Canadiens
  • Doug Weight*, New York Rangers
  • Tony Amonte*, New York Rangers
  • Mike Ricci, Philadelphia Flyers
  • Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Mats Sundin, Quebec Nordiques
  • Owen Nolan, Quebec Nordiques
  • Petr Nedved, Vancouver Canucks
  • Dmitri Khristich, Washington Capitals
  • Peter Bondra, Washington Capitals
  • Kris Draper, Winnipeg Jets

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1990–91 (listed with their last team):

  • Gord Kluzak, Boston Bruins
  • Tony McKegney, Chicago Blackhawks
  • Glen Hanlon, Detroit Red Wings
  • Don Maloney, New York Islanders
  • Lindy Ruff, New York Rangers
  • Pete Peeters, Philadelphia Flyers
  • Guy Lafleur, Quebec Nordiques
  • Harold Snepsts, St. Louis Blues
  • Paul MacLean, St. Louis Blues
  • Rick Meagher, St. Louis Blues
  • Stan Smyl, Vancouver Canucks
  • Joel Quenneville, Washington Capitals

1991 Trading Deadline

  • Trading Deadline: MARCH 5, 1991
  • March 4, 1991: Ron Francis, Grant Jennings and Ulf Samuelsson traded from Hartford to Pittsburgh for John Cullen, Jeff Parker and Zarley Zalapski.
  • March 5, 1991: Allan Bester traded from Toronto to Detroit for Detroit's 6th round pick in 1991 Entry Draft.
  • March 5, 1991: Geoff Courtnall, Robert Dirk, Sergio Momesso, Cliff Ronning and future considerations traded from St. Louis to Vancouver for Dan Quinn and Garth Butcher.
  • March 5, 1991: Mark Hunter traded from Calgary to Hartford for Carey Wilson.
  • March 5, 1991: Mark Pederson traded from Montreal to Philadelphia for Philadelphia's 2nd round pick in 1991 Entry Draft and future considerations.
  • March 5, 1991: Keith Osborne traded from St. Louis to Toronto for Darren Veitch and future considerations.
  • March 5, 1991: Ken Priestlay traded from Buffalo to Pittsburgh for Tony Tanti.
  • March 5, 1991: Dana Murzyn traded from Calgary to Vancouver for Ron Stern, Kevan Guy and future considerations.
  • March 5, 1991: Kim Issel traded from Edmonton to Pittsburgh for Brad Aitken.
  • March 5, 1991: Steve Weeks traded from Vancouver to Buffalo for future considerations.
  • March 5, 1991: Marc Bureau traded from Calgary to Minnesota for Minnesota's 3rd round choice in 1991 Entry Draft.
  • March 5, 1991: Joey Kocur and Per Djoos traded from Detroit to NY Rangers for Kevin Miller, Jim Cummins and Dennis Vial.
  • March 5, 1991: Bobby Reynolds traded from Toronto to Washington for Robert Mendel.
  • March 5, 1991: Mike McNeill and Ryan McGill traded from Chicago to Quebec for Paul Gillis and Daniel Vincelette.
  • March 5, 1991: Ilkka Sinisalo traded from Minnesota to Los Angeles for Los Angeles' 8th round choice in 1991 Entry Draft.
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