1980-81 NHL season

 The 1980-81 season had 21 teams and an 80 game schedule. Highlights include: 1. the Flames moving from Atlanta to Calgary. 2. Wayne Gretzky sets assists (109) and points (164). 3. Quebec adds Peter and Anton Stastny. 4. December 18, Chicago trades Mike O'Connell to Boston for Al Secord. 5. February 22, Peter and Anton Stastny each sets a rookie record, scoring 8 points in and 11-7 win over Washington. 6. May 17, Dino Ciccarelli sets a rookie playoff record with 21 points. 7. November 2, Philadelphia wins 500th game. 8. February 18, Wayne Gretzky records 5th hat trick before 21st birthday. 9. Last season of the 1 v 16, 2 v 15 etc. 10. Wayne Gretzky records 5 assists in a 6-3 game one win over Montreal. 11. March 11, Larry Murphy (Los Angeles) sets a rookie defenseman record for points. 12. March 22, Jim Rutherford is the first goalie to play for 3 teams. (Detroit, Toronto, Los Angeles). 13. Minnesota wins first ever game in Boston. Playoffs: preliminary round. New York Islanders 3 Toronto 0, St Louis 3 Pittsburgh 2, Edmonton 3 Montreal 0, New York Rangers 3 Los Angeles 1, Buffalo 3 Vancouver 0, Philadelphia 3 Quebec 2, Calgary 3 Chicago 0, Minnesota 3 Boston 0. Quarter finals, New York Islanders 4 Edmonton 2, New York Rangers 4 St Louis 2, Minnesota 4 Buffalo 1, Calgary 4 Philadelphia 3. Semi finals: New York Islanders 4 New York Rangers 0, Minnesota 4 Calgary 2. Stanley Cup finals New York Islanders 4 Minnesota 1. Butch Goring wins Conn Smythe trophy. 1981 first round draft pick is Dale Hawerchuk of Winnipeg. He played in Winnipeg, Buffalo, St Louis and Philadelphia. He played 1188 games, scored 518 goals, 891 assists and 1409 points. Soon the 1981-82 season.