Prepare yourself to be reminded of 1984. As Detroit and Pittsburgh hook up for a second straight year in the Stanley Cup Finals, we're going to get beaten over the head with talk about how this is the first Cup Finals rematch in 25 years.It was 1984 where the Edmonton Oilers dynasty got its start, while the New York Islanders dynasty began its fade. Before we look forward to what should be a great series, let's take a moment to look back at the coronation of The Great One.
The Islanders had won four straight Cups. In fact, they didn't lose a Stanley Cup Finals game in either 1982 or 1983 (when they swept Edmonton in the Finals). They looked like an unstoppable machine, rolling towards a "fivepeat".
Wayne Gretzky had other ideas. After having a hand in four of Edmonton's six goals during the Islanders' sweep in 1983, the Oilers' captain led his team to the next step in 1984. Edmonton shut out the Islanders 1-0 behind Grant Fuhr in the opener, then were blown out in Game 2. The NHL used a 2-3-2 format in 1984 (they have used the "normal" 2-2-1-1-1 series format since 1986), so Edmonton was able to clinch the Cup by winning the next three games on home ice.
Though the Oilers outscored New York 19-6 during the three games in Edmonton, it wasn't until the closing seconds of Game 5 that the deal was sealed.
The Oilers made it clear that they learned a lot from their experience in 1983.
"We had a great teacher in the Islanders," said Edmonton general manager and coach Glen Sather. Patterned forechecking and disciplined play in front of its own goal were crucial to Edmonton's success. Without that defense, it lost in four straight last year.Similarly, it has been interesting to hear the Penguins -- especially captain Sidney Crosby -- reference the way last season ended. Actually, the Penguins' end-of-series anguish was so famous that the NHL made a promo out of it.
"Glen told us, 'In their end you can play your way, but in our end you play my way,'" said Kevin Lowe, the Oilers' best defenseman throughout the series.
"There were times they looked like us," said the Islanders' Mike Bossy ...
Those were scripted thoughts, obviously, but they don't seem too far off the mark. The Penguins look like a smarter team in these playoffs, even though they don't look as strong on paper. Yes, stars Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury have been unbelieveable, but it's the contributions of veteran role players like Bill Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko that have made the biggest difference.
The Penguins aren't as young or dynamic as the 1984 Oilers, and these Red Wings are certainly a formidable team. This series won't go Pittsburgh's way simply because of what happened in 1984. No outcome in sports can be determined by something that happened 25 years earlier.
Instead, it will be decided by how much Pittsburgh really did learn from their 2008 experience. We know what Detroit will bring. It's up to the Penguins to match it. If they don't, Crosby will indeed be in that picture again.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-28-2009 @ 2:04PM
James said...
Enough about Crosby already. He's good but do not even try to compare him to The Great One. Oh and enough about Pittsburgh as well. How can you possibly link the now Penguins to the then Oilers? The Penn’s don't have half the talent that the Oilers had and if you’re trying to assure us that it was about the same, then your dismissing the Oilers roster all together. Now then, Detroit is nothing that sport has seen in decades. I listen to writers like you dismiss the Red Wings like many have tried over the past ten or more years and each time they shove in your face. Detroit isn't just a dynasty they ARE hockey. Go to any game (ok, that's not fair to NYR, Boston, Edmonton or the Canadians) and you will hear the chant "Red Wings Red Wings Red Wings". That's not because every person in those arena's are from Detroit either, it's because they have earned the respect of the people! The show us what it means to "Grid" it out in every day life, and even when they loose some of there greatest talent, they find a way to win. They have more heart and team-men-ship than any other team in the league. Hey, to the to rest of the NHL teams ... learn to play as a team and treat one another as equals and you will figure out the magic that has man the Detroit Red Wings the franchise they are. Go Wings ... we believe in you!
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5-28-2009 @ 3:43PM
thetrutheh said...
bad calls by refs helped the pens get to the finals and then idiots in toronto moved up the start date from june 5th to this saturday. giving an edge to the pens. they must think this is the only way for the pens to have a chance to beat the wings. pens had better hope that datsyuk and lidstrom can't play, cause if they do, the pens are toast once again.
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5-28-2009 @ 4:48PM
wstreps said...
There's no comparing this rematch to the Oilers / Isles. The timing ruined what could have been a classic between those two. The Oilers were to young the first time around for the hardcore Islanders and Isles were out of gas for the ultra talented Oilers the second time.
The Islanders were the closet thing to Americas team the NHL has ever produce. The perfect combination of skill and butt kicking. Nystrom, Gillies. Potvin , Miracle on ice star Ken Morrow. Their battles with the Flyers are legendary . This was a team the everyday guy could identified with. The Steelers of Hockey. Even their goalie Billy Smith created excitement.
The Oilers , had the best known hockey player in history and he always put on a show. Maybe the most talented team ever. The only thing that stood between them and 5 straight was a Steve Smith flub.
Revisiting those series only accents how lifeless last years final was and how little excitement a rematch generates. Crosby needs to play like a star or else nothing else will make this series entertaining. He's all the intrigue this match up. No matter how well the Wings play they are a faceless team.
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5-28-2009 @ 8:12PM
hafttwo said...
thank you james i feel the exact same way give the wings there due even if they dont win this series they are a dynasty period but i believe they will win
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