Oilers vs Flyers

Lore & Background

The Oilers defeated the Flyers in a seven-game Stanley Cup Final. The Flyers pushed the series to the full seven games, but Edmonton won the deciding game 3–1. No Oiler won the Conn Smythe Trophy; Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall won it despite his team losing the series.

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with anticipation as the Flyers' orange jerseys clashed against Edmonton's blue and orange. Wayne Gretzky circled the perimeter, eyes locked on the crease. A Flyers defender checked him hard into the boards, drawing a whistle but no penalty. The crowd roared, sensing the tension between old-school grit and new-age genius. One breakaway later, the net bulged, silencing the visiting fans.

Reader's Guide

The Oilers won the Presidents' Trophy with 106 points and their sixth-straight Smythe Division title. In the playoffs, they lost their opening game to the Los Angeles Kings 5–2, then won eight games in a row to eliminate the Kings and sweep the Winnipeg Jets. They defeated the Detroit Red Wings in five games in the Conference Finals to reach the Stanley Cup Final against the Flyers.

Did You Know?

• Wayne Gretzky led the league with 183 points, earning his seventh consecutive Art Ross Trophy and eighth straight Hart Trophy.
• Mark Messier set an NHL record for most career short-handed goals in a playoffs on May 22, 1987.
• Jari Kurri tied the NHL record for most game-winning goals in a playoffs on May 31, 1987.
• As of 2026, this is the Oilers' most recent regular season division title, the longest such active drought in North American major professional sports.