The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

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  • DrJones
    All Star
    • Mar 2003
    • 9107

    #1

    The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

    By "modern era", I mean from Gretzky's rookie year (1979/80) to now. I started watching the NHL in the 1980/81 season, so close enough. I'm judging series by the following:

    - quality of games
    - quality of teams
    - stakes
    - drama
    - bad blood
    - my personal whim

    This is gonna be a top 40 list: 30 honourable mentions (my list, so Canadian spelling applies) listed in chronological order followed by a top 10. Hopefully I can finish this before Game 1 starts on Wednesday. Comments are welcome!
    Last edited by DrJones; 06-03-2014, 03:30 AM.
    Originally posted by Thrash13
    Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
    Originally posted by slickdtc
    DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
    Originally posted by Kipnis22
    yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post
  • DrJones
    All Star
    • Mar 2003
    • 9107

    #2
    Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

    Honourable Mentions #1-5

    Kings def. Oilers 3-2 (1982 Smythe Semifinal)

    By point differential (111 to 63!), this is the biggest upset ever, though I don't consider it the greatest ever because of the Oilers' youth and inexperience. I'm sure most of you know of the Miracle on Manchester (LA scoring 5 in the 3rd and then winning in OT, still the greatest single-game comeback in NHL history), but you may not remember that the Kings' other two wins were by 10-8 and 7-4 scores, because 80s!

    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bUrWcOq11V8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    Yes, Kings fans, Bob Miller's been around for awhile.

    Islanders def. Rangers 3-2 (1984 Patrick Semifinal)

    The climax of the Islanders/Rangers rivalry. NYR coach Herb Brooks looking for another Miracle: ending the Islanders' "Drive for Five". The Rangers scored a controversial goal with under a minute to go in the decisive Game 5 (first-round series weren't best-of-7 until 1987), and OT would decide all. Take it away, Bob Cole and Dick Irvin Jr...

    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SnJuHYOe00k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    Oilers def. Flames 4-3 (1984 Smythe Final)

    Get used to this matchup. The late, great Don Wittman with the PBP.

    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GXZJ9jQbdz0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    Nordiques def. Canadiens 4-3 (1985 Adams Final)

    Perhaps the most bitter rivalry in NHL history. Big city vs small city, tradition vs underdogs, federalists vs separatists, you name it. Two teams and fanbases who absolutely despised each other. Any MTL/QUE series from '82, '84 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday_Massacre), '87, or even '93 could easily claim a spot on this list, but I'm a sucker for Game 7 OT and Stastnys.

    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uTdCOcygznQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    Islanders def. Capitals 4-3 (1987 Patrick Final)

    The Easter Epic. Back in the day when Ron MacLean and Don Cherry were young(ish) and 3-1 comebacks and multi-OT games were rare.

    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0zuQo8rCRiM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Last edited by DrJones; 05-13-2022, 05:53 PM.
    Originally posted by Thrash13
    Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
    Originally posted by slickdtc
    DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
    Originally posted by Kipnis22
    yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post

    Comment

    • ImTellinTim
      YNWA
      • Sep 2006
      • 33028

      #3
      Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

      Comment

      • DrJones
        All Star
        • Mar 2003
        • 9107

        #4
        Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

        Just for fun, here's footage of the aforementioned Good Friday Massacre from 1984. A benches-clearing-brawl at the end of the second period and another one at the beginning of the third. All this while the score was 1-0 in Game 6!!

        <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aaj-H23RziI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

        Try to imagine what Twitter (or these boards) would be like if something like this happened today. And while you watch this, remember there was no instigator penalty back then, so nobody got hurt and no stars ever got targeted, right Grapes?

        EDIT: Make sure you watch to the end for the best PA reciting of penalties ever. Amazing!
        Last edited by DrJones; 05-13-2022, 05:54 PM.
        Originally posted by Thrash13
        Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
        Originally posted by slickdtc
        DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
        Originally posted by Kipnis22
        yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post

        Comment

        • DrJones
          All Star
          • Mar 2003
          • 9107

          #5
          Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

          Honourable Mentions #6-10

          Oilers def. Flyers 4-3 (1987 Stanley Cup Final)

          Cup Finals tended to be squashes back in the day (especially when the Oilers were involved), but the '87 Flyers, led by a rookie bearded goalie with anger management issues, were no jobbers. Philly had come-from-behind wins in Games 5 and 6 and actually led Game 7 after the first period before succumbing to the inevitable.

          <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JZ-fzIsKTKQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

          Make sure you watch the final few seconds of Game 6 (about 9:00 in), where a roaming Hextall nearly makes the mother of all goalie blunders.

          NOTE: The 1987 Flyers hold the record of most playoff games played in a single season (26). The 2014 Kings and Rangers can both beat that record.

          Kings def. Oilers 4-3 (1989 Smythe Semifinal)

          Gretzky vs Edmonton in his first and most memorable playoff showdown with his old team. Game 7 of EDM/LA came on shortly after the devastating finale of the Canucks/Flames series (yes, I was wearing a Stan Smyl jersey as he went in on his breakaway against Vernon), so I watched most of this through a red haze of blood and hatred.

          <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/v-kVu6qt51k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

          Bruins def. Whalers 4-3 (1990 Adams Semifinal)

          BRASS BONANZA FOREVER.

          <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Mlg9qWeF6yI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

          Bruins def. Canadiens 4-3 (1991 Adams Final)

          The finest of the many Bourque/Neely Bruins vs Roy Habs matchups. Some fun stuff here.

          <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hP93yv14yyA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

          Canadiens def. Whalers 4-3 (1992 Adams Semifinal)

          The Last Stand of the Hartford Whalers. Oh, Yvon Corriveau...

          <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O0VEdxpguZI?start=9240" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
          Last edited by DrJones; 05-13-2022, 05:57 PM.
          Originally posted by Thrash13
          Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
          Originally posted by slickdtc
          DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
          Originally posted by Kipnis22
          yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post

          Comment

          • slickdtc
            Grayscale
            • Aug 2004
            • 17125

            #6
            Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

            Legendary.
            NHL - Philadelphia Flyers
            NFL - Buffalo Bills
            MLB - Cincinnati Reds


            Originally posted by Money99
            And how does one levy a check that will result in only a slight concussion? Do they set their shoulder-pads to 'stun'?

            Comment

            • BlueNGold
              Hall Of Fame
              • Aug 2009
              • 21817

              #7
              Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

              Watching the Bruins miss all those empty net chances in that '91 series vs Montreal was strangely entertaining.
              Originally posted by bradtxmale
              I like 6 inches. Its not too thin and not too thick. You get the support your body needs.



              Comment

              • DrJones
                All Star
                • Mar 2003
                • 9107

                #8
                Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

                Honourable Mentions #11-15

                Devils def. Sabres 4-3 (1994 East Quarterfinal)

                A strange choice, as this series was pretty much the Big Bang of the Dead Puck Era. But I was fascinated with this goaltending duel. The first and only playoff meeting between Hasek and Brodeur. Marty won the war, but had a much bigger army (NJ outshot BUF 151-88 over Games 5-7). As a bonus: Rock 'Em Sock 'Em "commentary"!

                <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RF87cSYZslU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

                Canucks def. Flames 4-3 (1994 West Quarterfinal)

                My happiest hockey moment ever. Still the only time a team has trailed a series 3-1 and won Games 5, 6, and 7 in OT.

                <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BcLj6ZsWUts?start=2727" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

                Sharks def. Red Wings 4-3 (1994 West Quarterfinal)

                Wings fans must've scrubbed YouTube pretty good, as I could barely find any decent highlights. Just a stunning upset at the time. (And yes, this game was going on concurrently with G7 Flames/Canucks above.) Better look away, Psyblast.

                <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fgmPWvDH9L8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

                Red Wings def. Blues 4-3 (1996 West Semifinal)

                It's safe to look again, Psyblast.

                <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T3Fq45uyDbY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

                BTW, if the Blues had won here, it would've been the largest upset by point differential (131 to 80!!!) in league history.

                Avalanche def. Red Wings 4-2 (1996 West Final)

                One of the rare 6-game series on this list. Kinda important in the grand scheme of things. Colorado finished 2nd overall in the NHL standings with 104 points -- 27 points behind Detroit.

                <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/b9fPTIeUmx4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

                PS: Sorry, Psyblast.
                Last edited by DrJones; 05-13-2022, 06:06 PM.
                Originally posted by Thrash13
                Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
                Originally posted by slickdtc
                DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
                Originally posted by Kipnis22
                yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post

                Comment

                • DrJones
                  All Star
                  • Mar 2003
                  • 9107

                  #9
                  Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

                  10 Series that Just Missed the Cut

                  Canadiens def. Whalers 4-3 (1986 Adams Final)
                  Capitals def. Flyers 4-3 (1988 Patrick Semifinal)
                  Flames def. Canadiens 4-2 (1989 Stanley Cup Final)
                  Penguins def. Rangers 4-2 (1992 Patrick Final)
                  Maple Leafs def. Red Wings 4-3 (1993 Norris Semifinal)
                  Devils def. Flyers 4-3 (2000 East Final)
                  Oilers def. Red Wings 4-2 (2006 West Quarterfinal)
                  Canadiens def. Capitals 4-3 (2010 East Quarterfinal)
                  Bruins def. Lightning 4-3 (2011 East Final)
                  Blackhawks def. Red Wings 4-3 (2013 West Semifinal)
                  Originally posted by Thrash13
                  Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
                  Originally posted by slickdtc
                  DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
                  Originally posted by Kipnis22
                  yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post

                  Comment

                  • DrJones
                    All Star
                    • Mar 2003
                    • 9107

                    #10
                    Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

                    Greatest Five-Game Series

                    Canadiens def. Kings 4-1 (1993 Stanley Cup Final)

                    It would kinda have to be this one. 100th anniversary of the Stanley Cup. Hockey's greatest player vs hockey's most successful team. 11:45 for the drama.

                    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jCqJOKhr3b8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
                    Originally posted by Thrash13
                    Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
                    Originally posted by slickdtc
                    DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
                    Originally posted by Kipnis22
                    yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post

                    Comment

                    • Shakes
                      Rookie
                      • Jun 2008
                      • 40

                      #11
                      Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

                      Originally posted by DrJones
                      Honourable Mentions #6-10

                      Oilers def. Flyers 4-3 (1987 Stanley Cup Final)

                      Cup Finals tended to be squashes back in the day (especially when the Oilers were involved), but the '87 Flyers, led by a rookie bearded goalie with anger management issues, were no jobbers. Philly had come-from-behind wins in Games 5 and 6 and actually led Game 7 after the first period before succumbing to the inevitable.

                      <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JZ-fzIsKTKQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

                      Make sure you watch the final few seconds of Game 6 (about 9:00 in), where a roaming Hextall nearly makes the mother of all goalie blunders.

                      NOTE: The 1987 Flyers hold the record of most playoff games played in a single season (26). The 2014 Kings and Rangers can both beat that record.
                      They also had a comeback victory in Game 3 where they were down 3-0 in the 2nd period at the Spectrum. I hope this is one heck of a list for the Top 10 because to me this was the greatest Final series ever to be played. Here's another cool fact. On the very last shift of Game 6. The Oilers had pulled there goalie, Grant Fuhr. 5 of the 6 players on that last shift are in the Hall of Fame (McSorley the odd man out).

                      Comment

                      • DrJones
                        All Star
                        • Mar 2003
                        • 9107

                        #12
                        Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

                        Greatest Four-Game Series

                        Sabres def. Bruins 4-0 (1993 Adams Semifinal)

                        One of the more underrated upsets in NHL history (Bruins were 2nd in the league with 109 points; Sabres had 86). 3 of the 4 games went to OT. Game 4 was a back-and-forth nailbiter that was 5-5 after 60 minutes. Buffalo was in the midst of losing Super Bowls. The Sabres hadn't won a playoff series in 10 years. The call.

                        <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VxnDeb-TLhE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

                        PS: I had completely forgotten that Fuhr had been yanked and Hasek was the winning goalie in this game.

                        PPS: Man, for one of the top 5 defencemen of all time, Bourque sure got owned on memorable goals a lot.
                        Originally posted by Thrash13
                        Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
                        Originally posted by slickdtc
                        DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
                        Originally posted by Kipnis22
                        yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post

                        Comment

                        • DrJones
                          All Star
                          • Mar 2003
                          • 9107

                          #13
                          Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

                          Originally posted by Shakes
                          They also had a comeback victory in Game 3 where they were down 3-0 in the 2nd period at the Spectrum. I hope this is one heck of a list for the Top 10 because to me this was the greatest Final series ever to be played. Here's another cool fact. On the very last shift of Game 6. The Oilers had pulled there goalie, Grant Fuhr. 5 of the 6 players on that last shift are in the Hall of Fame (McSorley the odd man out).
                          This series was my hardest cut and could have justifiably been in the top 5.
                          Originally posted by Thrash13
                          Dr. Jones was right in stating that. We should have believed him.
                          Originally posted by slickdtc
                          DrJones brings the stinky cheese is what we've all learned from this debacle.
                          Originally posted by Kipnis22
                          yes your fantasy world when your proven wrong about 95% of your post

                          Comment

                          • Psyblast
                            2023 National Champions
                            • Jun 2003
                            • 42582

                            #14
                            Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

                            Originally posted by DrJones
                            Sharks def. Red Wings 4-3 (1994 West Quarterfinal)

                            Wings fans must've scrubbed YouTube pretty good, as I could barely find any decent highlights. Just a stunning upset at the time. (And yes, this game was going on concurrently with G7 Flames/Canucks above.) Better look away, Psyblast.

                            <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fgmPWvDH9L8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
                            This game jaded me against Chris Osgood forever. Seriously. This is one of my faintest, earliest memories of sports, and I never truly forgave Osgood for that loss.

                            Red Wings def. Blues 4-3 (1996 West Semifinal)

                            It's safe to look again, Psyblast.

                            <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T3Fq45uyDbY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

                            BTW, if the Blues had won here, it would've been the largest upset by point differential (131 to 80!!!) in league history.
                            Funny story: I was sent to bed during Game 7. It was a "school night"; didn't matter that it was Game 7 in freaking OT.

                            About 30 seconds after I laid down in bed, I heard screaming from the living room and ran out in time to see Steve Yzerman vanish beneath a pile of red and white sweaters in the corner. Poor Jon Casey.

                            Avalanche def. Red Wings 4-2 (1996 West Final)

                            One of the rare 6-game series on this list. Kinda important in the grand scheme of things. Colorado finished 2nd overall in the NHL standings with 104 points -- 27 points behind Detroit.

                            <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/b9fPTIeUmx4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

                            PS: Sorry, Psyblast.

                            The first chapter of an epic tale; the prelude/introduction of course being the Red Wings' firebombing of Roy in Montreal that sent him to Denver that same season. This would've been a run-of-the-mill (albeit crushing) defeat, until Mr. Son of a Bitch decided to scramble Kris Draper's face in Game 6. A level of scumbaggery and villainy even the 2007-2009ish Ducks couldn't match (although they tried). One of my favorite books was written by a Denver columnist about the Red Wings/Avalanche rivalry, that began in the final game of that series.

                            Comment

                            • kehlis
                              Moderator
                              • Jul 2008
                              • 27738

                              #15
                              Re: The Greatest Playoff Series of the Modern Era

                              This is fantastic stuff.

                              Thanks DrJ.

                              Comment

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