In the spring of 1983, Hockey fans every where were eagerly anticipating the Cup final between the three time defending Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders, and the team with the best player in the game and the most exciting group of young talent, The Edmonton Oilers.
By the Spring a lot of people had written the Islanders off, for starters they didn't finish with the best record in the league after two straight years of having done so. And they even lost the regular season division title to Philadelphia, by 10 points! The Islanders were having some problems, as their star goaltender Billy Smith suffered through injury and inconsistent play. However, Roland Melanson their back up goaltender had a stellar season. Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and was the best pure sniper in the league and again named a first team all-star. However, many members of the hockey media were quick to point out that Brian Trottier's production had slowed a bit. Clark Gillies wasn't the threat he used to be, and one of the best defenseman in the league, and team captain, Denis Potvin, was having injury problems, which had been bothering him over the course of their Stanley Cup run, but yet he was generally healthy during playoff time. But of course, the failure to mention, that the supporting cast of John Tonelli, Brent Sutter, and Bob Bourne, were playing stellar hockey.
But then again, look at the Edmonton Oilers! Since their shocking playoff upset against the Montreal Canadiens in 1981, they've been climbing the ladder. You had the best player in the game that was just blowing everyone's minds, a 22 year old kid by the name of Wayne Gretzky, who had an astronomical 196 points that season. Second best of all time, the first? Him the year before with 212. He also set the record for assists in a season with 125. The previous record? Him the year before with 120. Not to mention you had an aggressive power forward in Mark Messier, the speed and superb two-way play of Jari Kurri, and the clutch play of Glenn Anderson, all of whom along with Gretzky, finished in the top ten in NHL scoring, and all had 100 point seasons. And on the blueline, you had one of the top scoring and skilled playmaking defensemen in Paul Coffey, who himself had 96 points. But you also had the stay-at-home blueline prowess of Kevin Lowe, as well as Charlie Huddy. And between the pipes, the superb Grant Fuhr, and Andy Moog. Behind the bench, one of the great hockey minds Glen Sather. Overall you had a team that finished with 106 points, tied for second best record in the league, and a team that was a whole lot of pure skill and talent. No question, the Oilers had the best crop of young players in the league.
The Oilers were ready to shake off the playoff disappointment from the year before, their journey to the Cup finals, was only met with one loss! As they breezed through Winnipeg, Calgary, and Chicago. To be realistic Winnipeg didn't stand a chance, Calgary while fighting hard just couldn't get a win, and Chicago was too outmatched as well. The Islanders on the other hand beat a young and determined but still highly inexperienced Capitals squad in four games (in a best of five), also the underdog New York Rangers gave a lot for the Isles to handle in the second round, needing six games to beat them in a series known for the superb play of Bob Bourne. And in the conference final, many people thought the Isles were done for, facing an amazing Boston Bruins team, lead by Ray Bourque, Rick Middleton, Barry Pederson, and that year's Vezina Trophy winner Pete Peeters, who had the best record in the league at 110 points. It was tough, but the Isles managed to win in six games. The perseverance of the playoff warriors came through. But there's no way they'd beat Edmonton right?
The Isles were 11-5 prior to the Finals, while the Oilers were 11-1. Gretzky was leading all playoff scoring. The new kids in town, were ready to dispose of a team many deemed washed up. Quite ridiculous, considering that Bossy & Trottier were only 26 and 27 respectively.
Game 1 took place in Edmonton, the first time the Islanders hadn't opened a Cup final at home since their first one in 1980. The Edmonton crowd was one of the loudest ever, the ovation given to the Oilers was uncanny. They looked ready, Sather looked confident, but the Islanders, had determination in their eyes, something that Wayne Gretzky would soon see, when he stepped to the faceoff circle with Trottier. Goaltender Billy Smith was brilliant in all the previous series' leading up to the finals, but here he'd truly show his worth. It was a rough year for him, but obviously head coach Al Arbour had to go with the man who had been there through the previous three. The Oilers bombarded Smith, the defense at times was left dumbfounded, but Smith was a wall. The Oilers just couldn't solve him, the Isles walked away with a 2-0 win, and Gretzky seemed to have an Islander on his back at all times.
Game 2 the Oilers found their scoring touch, but so did the Islanders, in a 6-3 win, which saw Mike Bossy return to the line-up after missing Game 1. The media was left dumfounded, how is this happening? How is the team that has been dominating the league, and has the most exciting group of talent that'll dominate the league for the next decade, failing to win games?
Game 3, the series shifted to Long Island, and again, Smith had an answer for every thing, and Gretzky was not able to find his groove whatsoever. The Islanders again lit Andy Moog up, and skated away with a 5-1 victory.
Game 4, it was academic at this point, 4-2 Islanders....and a fourth straight Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP was Billy Smith. The Sutter brothers (Brent & Duane) stepped up their game, Bob Bourne was also credited big time by the media for the Islanders success. Mike Bossy had 17 goals, and Bryan Trottier had 20 points.
But wait? Wasn't this supposed to be the time for the talented Oilers? Where was Gretzky? He had 4 assists, yet no goals in the finals. How could a team that went above and beyond skill and talent lose the Cup? Even so, shouldn't a series with two teams like this go at least six or seven games? How did they not only lose, but get dominated? It just don't make sense right?
Well, Mark Messier would soon see why. To leave the arena, the Oilers had to walk past the Islanders dressing room. Almost as if salt is being added to their wound of defeat. As they walked by, the Champagne had been sipped, the jubilation had expired, and now the reality set in. Sure the team celebrated, but the young Oilers players probably figured, they'd be celebrating until the wee hours of the morning. But what did they see? Ice packs, therapeutic equipment, exhaustion, fatigue, the celebration was over, and what really made this team champions, is what set in. Messier, along the likes of Kevin Lowe, and of course Gretzky discovered this, and came to a realization that it wasn't just talented players like Bossy & Trottier that made them champions, it was a fact that those two all-stars, along with their outstanding captain Denis Potvin, were putting it all on the line and playing fearlessly while sacrificing their bodies and putting themselves all out there to gain the ultimate prize. It was the fact that role players like the Sutter's, or Bob Bourne, or Bob Nystrom, or Butch Goring, were playing like there was no tomorrow at every turn. It takes grit, determination, and a warrior like effort to be a champion. All the skill and talent can take you far, but it won't take you to the top, and that spring, the Oilers learned the hard way.
Fast forward one year later, to 1984. Both teams find themselves in the finals again.
The Islanders, are looking to tie the Habs record for five straight Cups. They had a great regular season, with 104 points second best in the league, reclaiming the division. Bossy & Trotter both had injury troubles, yet both had over 100 points and finished in the top ten in scoring. Their road to the finals wasn't easy, it took the full five games of the opening round for the Isles to dispose of the underdog Rangers. They did however dispose of the Capitals in five games, and took six games to defeat a determined Montreal Canadiens squad. They were 11-5 again headed into the finals, and Clark Gillies emerged from the shadows almost back to his old self in these playoffs.
The Oilers were a year older, and a year wiser. This group of kids seemed to be maturing, showing discipline, and ready for the next level. But could they get there? Well, they again dominated the regular season with the best record in the league at 119 points, including a 57 wins, tied for third best of all time. Gretzky had a mind blowing 205 points, including 87 goals, only five less than his record of 92. Paul Coffey actually finishsed second to Gretzky with 126 points, while Kurri and Messier each had over 100 points, and Anderson had 54 goals to his name. The Oilers playoff run was a bit more difficult, while they again breezed through the Jets in three straight, they ran into a speed bump with the Calgary Flames, as Lanny McDonald and company gave the Oilers a lot to handle, but the Oilers buckled down and grinded through thanks in large part to Messier, and came through in seven games, but the Oilers didn't let that series wear them down, as they swept the North Stars to make the finals, and were 11-3 going into the Cup.
But now the media had changed its tune. Suddenly, it was the Oilers who were being doubted. Too hot-headed, too cocky, too young, not understanding what it takes to be a champion. The Islanders of course were still the hardest working team in hockey. So now the Oilers were being written off as "All skill, no kill".
Game 1. The playoff format was under a weird rule a that point, so the series started in Long Island. Grant Fuhr and Billy Smith were brilliant in goal, they turned away everything and anything thrown at them. Early in the third period however, Oilers defenseman Kevin McLelland, scored on Smith, to make it 1-0. Fuhr barred the door, and the Oilers took Game 1. But the media and the public weren't convinced. Gretzky was again, being checked at every turn. Basically saying the Oilers were lucky to skate away with that one and won't take Game 2.
Game 2. The Islanders humiliated the Oilers, 6-1, Clark Gillies scored a hat trick, and Trottier was outstanding. The Oilers were rattled like they were the year before, and it looked bad for them once again, the Islanders were riding high, and it looked as if once again, the young crop was going to walk away with their tails tucked between their legs. The Oilers had been knocking at the Islanders door for two years, but the Isles said on this night, we're not ready to leave yet. The media and public jumped on the Oilers saying they're still to immature and undisciplined to be champions. Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Anderson, and Coffey, were combined for 0 points.
Game 3, the Edmonton crowd was their usual excited selves. Only a minute in however, Gillies struck again. The collective groans could be heard across Canada. Kevin Lowe tied the game late in the period to wake up the crowd. Gillies scored again, and made it 2-1 early in the 2nd. But that sparked something in the Oilers that changed the series. Mark Messier had a look on his face full of fire and determination, he was going to change the series or die trying. In an infamous goal, Messier took a pass from Lee Fogolin, went in on Billy Smith, made a beautiful move, and scored as the Edmonton crowd erupted. The series would not be the same after that goal.
Messier knew, something had to be done, he knew that the only way this series would swing in the Oilers favor was for someone to step up in a huge way. Anderson and Coffey scored to give Edmonton a 4-2 lead to end the 2nd, and in the third, Messier scored again, as did McClleland and Dave Semenko to give the Oilers a 7-2 lead. If the Islanders weren't ready to leave yet, the Oilers were certainly willing to make them.
Public opinion and the media began to sway a bit, but Gretzky was still at the forefront of criticism. In the combined seven games of the last two years against the Islanders in the finals, he had only five points, and so far just 1 assists and no goals in three games in this series.
In Game 4, Gretzky was ready to step it up as well. Barely two minutes into Game 4, #99 shook the monkey of his back known as Billy Smith, and scored on a beautiful play in his first of two goals that night. The Oilers again dominated the Islanders winning 7-2 back-to-back. The Oilers were one game away from achieving which many thought they never could, a championship. Gretzky showed that despite being the biggest superstar in the game, he was also human, so he had to go above and beyond and even he, yes, even he the biggest superstar in the game had to forget about the scoring titles, forget about the MVP's, endorsement deals and everything, to be a winner. And he did just that. Being the best means more than personal accolades. Something that perhaps Alexander Ovechkin needs to learn.
In Game 5, it was academic, Gretzky had two goals and an assist, the Oilers won 5-2, the Island had finally been sunk, and there he was, hoisting his first Stanley Cup. As superb as Gretzky had been in the playoffs through his leadership skills, hard work ethic, and natural skill, not mention leading the playoffs in scoring with a record 35 points. It was Mark Messier, who was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for his big determination, stepping up when it counted, and no holds barred grinding effort and leadership. Gretzky himself has said nobody deserved that award more that year than Messier.
In the end, skill got them far, but it was the warrior like attitude and effort, that made them champions. The big stars had to step up, the supporting cast upped their game, and in the end it got them what they wanted.
Fast forward over 30 years later. As the big debate for several years has been Crosby/Ovechkin. To me it's no contest. Ovechkin has all the skill in the world, but he's been in the league 12 years, and has never once played in a conference final despite being on contending teams year after year. Simple as this, he lacks that killer instinct, that warrior like mentality to win it all and put it all on the line.
Sidney Crosby has that. And showed it last year and is showing it again this year. He's in on ever play, he's tackling the defensive side of things, winning face-offs, being a leader, and yes, getting some goals and assists as well. Despite what many of Crosby's detractors say, he's a true warrior in every sense of the word. He steps up beyond his skill like Gretzky did many years ago, has the same stand up and fight to win attitude that Messier had, and the fire on the ice, that the late great Rocket Richard had some 60 years ago. Meanwhile, a lot of his detractors will harp on him for things he did years ago, and whine more than they claim he does. It's sad to see people so blinded by their ignorance and dislike of another player they can't see it. But it's plain as day, Crosby represents everything it takes to be a playoff warrior and Cup champion. He's not just content with his own personal accolades.
Maurice Richard was naturally gifted and hard working, but he needed a whole lot more to be a champion, and he found out within his teammates Elmer Lach and Toe Blake, who all made each other better by playing together. The fire of the Rocket showed in a 1952 playoff game against Boston, where he was knocked out of the game, bloodied up and taken off the ice. He returned, the blood still dripping down his face, took the puck behind his own net, outskated the all the Boston players, parked the puck right in past Jim Henry, and the Habs won the series and made it to the final. That is a warrior going beyond his own skill and talent.
Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur, were both the most naturally gifted and stylish players of their respective times with the Habs. But pure finesse and skill wasn't what won Beliveau 10, or Lafleur 5 cups respectively. It their heart and determination. Those are warriors going beyond their skill and talent.
Bob Baun, a talented stay-at-home defensemen for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Goes does in a heap in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 1964 against the Detroit Red Wings. He blocked a Gordie Howe slap shot, and was carted off the ice in a stretcher. The teams were going to overtime and the Leafs were on the verge of elimination. Baun instructed the trainers to tape it tightly and freeze it. And he was back out for overtime, and just a couple minutes in, Baun from several feet out, launched a shot that fooled Terry Sawchuk, and the series was headed back to Toronto for Game 7. Baun also played in Game 7, and the Leafs won the Cup. Baun's leg was later revealed to be broken. That is a warrior going beyond his skill and talent.
Patrick Roy was a rookie in 1986, but if he played like one, Montreal would not have stood a chance, and his sensational heroics won them the cup in his rookie year. By 1993, he was arguably the best goaltender in hockey, but had struggled in the playoffs. After going down 2 games to 0 against Quebec in the first round after an overtime loss, Roy vowed "I will not let in another overtime goal". He was right, his clutch goaltending, helped the Habs to win 10 straight overtime games as well as 11 straight playoff games tying an NHL record en-route to a cup. He'd win two more in his career, and an NHL record three Conn Smythe trophy's as playoff MVP ('86, '93' '01). That is a warrior going beyond his skill and talent.
By 1989, Lanny McDonald was at the end of his career. His whole 16 year NHL tenure, he was one of the most hardest working go-get-it players of his time. That also lead to many injuries, but Lanny never gave up, he was in on every play, despite being scratched out of the line-up in some games. However, the beloved Flames captain, desperately wanted to be a champion. They dressed him for Game 6 of the Cup finals against the Habs, and with the game tied at 1-1, Lanny took a beautiful pass and scored his only goal of the playoffs, his celebration said it all. And he proudly wears his only Sanley Cup ring to this day. That is a warrior going beyond his skill and and talent.
By 1990, the spirt of the Oilers dynasty had been crushed, again, enter Mark Messier. Gretzky was traded, and the team lacked a fighting spirit. Now he was the team Captain and urged his crew to step it up, reminding them of how good they really were. The team won another Cup in 1990. And when Mess went to New York, it took a great struggle to get the high powered Rangers to win their first cup in 54 years, but he delivered on his promise. That is a warrior going beyond his skill and talent.
Mario Lemieux was one of the most gifted hockey players of all time, if not the most best. But he was missing that fighting spirit, but after a year of playing with a back injury trying so hard not to miss any games, he returned a year later, and became a whole new player on top of his statistical prowess to lead the Penguins to back-to-back Cups. That is a warrior going beyond his skill and talent.
Steve Yzerman had it all, class, skill, leadership, great offensive numbers, and the ability to work harder than anyone on the ice. He was part of a Red Wings team that was stacked with talent. But it wasn't until Scotty Bowman took over as head coach, that Steve realized, he has to be even more than that. He has to find a whole new set of skills to become a champion, and he found them and later became the best two-way player in the game, and has three Stanley Cups to show for it. That is a warrior going beyond his skill and talent.
Ray Bourque, an NHL defensemen for 22 glorious seasons, 21 of which spent in Boston. After two finals appearances, he still hadn't won a cup. He had done it all, he was a first or second team all-star most of his career, five Norris Trophy's as NHL's top blueliner. But no Cup. He was traded to Colorado. Bourque could've easily step back and let this team stacked full of talent at all ends do all the work, and he at the age of 40 could just phone it in. But that would be an indictment on the legacy he carved for himself. He was working as hard in June of 2001 as he did when he first stepped on NHL ice in October if 1979. He scored an important goal in Game 3, and he rest of the way he inspired his team, while still playing above his level. That is a warrior going beyond his skill and talent.
And present era, you look at guys like Jonathan Toews, who is one of the best pure athletes in the game of hockey, but it was his leadership and focus, that helped him attain three Stanley Cup rings before the age of 30. Or the Los Angeles Kings, Brown, Kopitar, Carter, Doughty and Quick, who all knew they were better than their record suggested and won their first of two. And of course Sidney Crosby, who enjoyed early championship success in his career, but knew he had to grow up, buckle down, and keep cool and collected if he was going to have any more.
All in all, playoff hockey is full of warriors going beyond skill and talent to win the big prize, and that's the beauty of it.
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