Supreme King
Registered User
Which playoff defeat was more devastating to you as an Oilers fan, 1986 or 1989?
1986-The two-time defending cup champions continue their domination of the NHL posting a 56-17-7 mark and are heavy favorites to three-peat. Gretzky crushes his own assist record (from 135 to 163) and establishes the record for most points in a season (215). Paul Coffey breaks Bobby Orrs record for most goals by a defenseman (48) and comes within one point of Orrs record for points (138). The Oilers breeze by Vancouver in the first round only to be shockingly eliminated in 7 games (in bizarre fashion) by their arch-rival Calgary Flames ending their quest for a third straight Stanley Cup.
1989-The Oilers struggle through the regular season and more importantly struggle with the loss of Wayne Gretzky who was traded prior to the season in what was the biggest trade in the history of sports. The 4 time cup champions meet Gretzky's new team the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs and jump out to a 3-1 series lead. The Kings rally back and win the series in 7 games putting salt into the wounds of losing the great Gretzky and end the Oilers dreams of a third consecutive cup.
1986-The two-time defending cup champions continue their domination of the NHL posting a 56-17-7 mark and are heavy favorites to three-peat. Gretzky crushes his own assist record (from 135 to 163) and establishes the record for most points in a season (215). Paul Coffey breaks Bobby Orrs record for most goals by a defenseman (48) and comes within one point of Orrs record for points (138). The Oilers breeze by Vancouver in the first round only to be shockingly eliminated in 7 games (in bizarre fashion) by their arch-rival Calgary Flames ending their quest for a third straight Stanley Cup.
1989-The Oilers struggle through the regular season and more importantly struggle with the loss of Wayne Gretzky who was traded prior to the season in what was the biggest trade in the history of sports. The 4 time cup champions meet Gretzky's new team the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs and jump out to a 3-1 series lead. The Kings rally back and win the series in 7 games putting salt into the wounds of losing the great Gretzky and end the Oilers dreams of a third consecutive cup.