Oilers vs Canucks
A season of transition and playoff heartbreak after the Gretzky trade.
The 1988–89 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' tenth season in the NHL, and they were coming off a Stanley Cup championship after defeating the Boston Bruins the previous season, which was their fourth Stanley Cup in the past 5 seasons. The Oilers finished third in the Smythe Division with 84 points, their lowest point total since the 1980–81 season.
Quick Facts
- Teams involved
- Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks
- Conference alignment
- Western Conference
- Division alignment
- Pacific Division (Current)
- Historical division
- Smythe Division (1980s Era)
- Geographic region
- Western Canada (Alberta & British Columbia)
- Peak intensity
- Late 1980s Dynasty Years
Lore & Background
Prior to the season, the Oilers were involved in one of the biggest trades in NHL history, dealing Wayne Gretzky, Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, the Kings' first round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993, and $15 million. Jari Kurri led the club with 102 points, while Jimmy Carson scored a team high 49 goals, and Mark Messier had a team best 61 assists. Charlie Huddy led the defense with 44 points, while Kelly Buchberger provided the team toughness, leading the Oilers with 234 penalty minutes. In goal, Grant Fuhr got the majority of the starts, leading the team with 23 wins, while Bill Ranford had a team best 3.50 GAA. The Oilers finished the regular season first in short-handed goals scored, with 27.
Reader's Guide
In the playoffs, the Oilers faced Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round. The heavily favored Oilers took a 3–1 series lead, however, the Kings responded by winning 3 games in a row by a combined score of 16–6 to win the series, ending the Oilers bid at winning a third straight Stanley Cup. It marked the first time since 1982 that Edmonton had lost in the first round of the playoffs, coincidentally it was also the Kings who eliminated them in the opening round that year.
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