{"id":52132,"date":"2019-07-26T09:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T13:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=52132"},"modified":"2019-07-22T21:51:12","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T01:51:12","slug":"edmonton-oilers-biggest-game-in-franchise-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/07\/26\/edmonton-oilers-biggest-game-in-franchise-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Edmonton Oilers Biggest Game in Franchise History"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to Last Word on Hockey\u2019s summer series where we look at the biggest game in team history. Each day we will be back with a new team to review. Looking at things like the lead-up, what happened, followed, and why it makes it the biggest game. The biggest game does not automatically mean a win, either. Sometimes, it can be a loss that set the franchise back massively. Sit back and enjoy as we break down all 31 teams\u2019 most important game. This is the Edmonton Oilers biggest game. The\u00a0full series is found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some Oilers History<\/h2>\n

The lead up to the\u00a0Edmonton Oilers<\/a>\u00a0biggest game requires some background. From 1983\u20131990, the Oilers iced one of the most dominant teams in NHL history. Fronted by NHL icons Wayne Gretzky<\/a><\/strong> and Mark Messier<\/a><\/strong>, the franchise was able to capture five Stanley Cups (four with Gretzky) in seven years.<\/p>\n

Not only did the Oilers success put the franchise on the map \u2014 Gretzky\u2019s dominance also helped grow the game significantly in the coming years.<\/p>\n

His eventual move to the Los Angeles Kings<\/a> further inspired more Americans to take interest in the game of hockey. As a result, many believe “The Great One” influenced a new generation of American players (Auston Matthews<\/a><\/strong>, Johnny Gaudreau<\/a><\/strong>, Patrick Kane<\/a>)<\/strong>\u00a0to emerge and make a huge impact in the NHL today.<\/p>\n

The Dynasty Build Up<\/h2>\n

Ever since entering the NHL in 1979, Gretzky immediately made an impact as an 18-year-old. He scored 137 points in 79 games and the league quickly took notice.<\/p>\n

Despite the early individual success of \u201cThe Great One”, the Oilers were never really able to get over the hump.<\/p>\n

During that time (1979 – 1983), the NHL was dominated by the Islanders. Fronted by the likes of Bryan Trottier<\/a> <\/strong>and Mike Bossy<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0New York won four straight Stanley Cups leading up to 1983<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Oilers were busy assembling a fine collection of young players. The core included names likes Messier, Glenn Anderson<\/a><\/strong>, Jari Kurri<\/a><\/strong>, Paul Coffey<\/a><\/strong>, Kevin Lowe<\/a><\/strong>, Grant Fuhr<\/a><\/strong>, and Gretzky of course.<\/p>\n

Eventually, these players would play a huge part in cementing the team\u2019s dynasty.<\/p>\n

Edmonton Oilers Biggest Game<\/h2>\n

Considering how dominant the Oilers were during their dynasty years, it may be hard to pick one game that stands out.<\/p>\n

But if we had to choose one, the Oilers first Stanley Cup win in 1984 might take the crown.<\/p>\n

On May 19, 1984, the Edmonton Oilers biggest game came when they defeated the New York Islanders 5-2 to capture the franchise\u2019s first Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n

The Oilers finished the regular season with the best record in the NHL, with 57 wins and 119 points. They did not face must adversity in the first three rounds of the playoffs aside from a seven-game series against the Calgary Flames.<\/a><\/p>\n

The real test was against the Islanders in the Final \u2014 a rematch from the previous spring in which the Islanders dominated and swept the Oilers in four straight.<\/p>\n

But this time around, things began a lot different. The Oilers split the first two games of the series in New York and started to take over the next two games. They dominated the Islanders in Games 3 and 4, outscoring them\u00a07-2 in both outings.<\/p>\n

Game Five<\/h2>\n

In attempts to secure their first championship, the Oilers did not hold back in Game 5. Gretzky came out and scored two goals in the first period. Then\u00a0Ken Linesman<\/a> and Jarri Kurri added two more in the second to give the Oilers a 4-0 lead heading into the third.<\/p>\n

Pat LaFontaine<\/a> came out and scored two quick goals for the Islanders in the first 35 seconds of the third period. Unfortunately, that was as close the Islanders would get. Andy Moog<\/a> and the defense secured the lead the rest of the way to help the Oilers clinch their first championship.<\/p>\n

Mark Messier went on to win the\u00a0Conn Smythe Trophy\u00a0and the Oilers became the first\u00a0former WHA team to win the Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n

Gretzky and the Oilers Finally Arrive<\/h2>\n