1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season

1980–81 Quebec Nordiques
Division	4th Adams
Conference	6th Wales
1980–81 record	30–32–18
Home record	18–11–11
Road record	12–21–7
Goals for	314
Goals against	318
Team information
General manager	Maurice Filion
Coach	Maurice Filion (1-3-2) Michel Bergeron (29-29-16)
Captain	Marc Tardif Robbie Ftorek
Arena	Colisée de Québec
Average attendance	12,243
Minor league affiliate(s)	Rochester Americans (AHL)
Team leaders
Goals	Jacques Richard (52)
Assists	Peter Stastny (70)
Points	Peter Stastny (109)
Penalty minutes	Dale Hunter (226)
Plus/minus	Mario Marois (+11)
Wins	Dan Bouchard (19)
Goals against average	Dan Bouchard (3.17)

The 1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques second season in the National Hockey League. Quebec improved on their inaugural NHL season, making the playoffs, only to lose in the first round.

Off-season

During the off-season, the Nordiques fired head coach Jacques Demers, and general manager Maurice Filion would begin the season as the head coach. This would mark Filion's third time behind the Nordiques bench, as he was the head coach of the club in the 1972–73 WHA season, and he served as an interim head coach at the end of the 1977–78 season. Quebec was able to sign brothers Peter Šťastný and Anton Šťastný, who both defected from Czechoslovakia. The brothers would have a huge impact in the league, as Peter would win the Calder Memorial Trophy awarded to the NHL's Rookie of the Year, and both Peter and Anton would set rookie records, each earning eight points in a game on February 22, 1981, leading Quebec to an 11–7 win over the Washington Capitals.

Regular season

The Nordiques season began with a nine-game road trip, and head coach Maurice Filion would replace himself with Michel Bergeron after the club had a 1-3-2 record in their opening six games. Quebec continued to struggle, and fifteen games into the season, they had a 1-9-5 record. The Nordiques would continue to struggle, and found themselves a season high fourteen games under .500 with an 11-26-12 record after 49 games. Quebec would then get red hot, posting a record of 19-6-6 in their remaining 31 games to finish the season at 30–32–18, earning 78 points, and their first ever berth into the NHL playoffs.

Offensively, the Nordiques were led by rookie Peter Šťastný, who set a team record with 109 points, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy. Jacques Richard became the first Nordique to score over 50 goals in a season, as he scored 52, and registered 103 points. Anton Šťastný also had a great rookie season, earning 85 points, while Robbie Ftorek and Michel Goulet had 75 and 73 points respectively. Pierre Lacroix led the Nordiques blueline, earning 39 points, while Dale Hunter had a team high 226 penalty minutes.

In goal, Dan Bouchard emerged as the number one goalie late in the season, winning a team record 19 games, while posting a team best 3.17 GAA, along with two shutouts. Michel Plasse had the most playing time, and he won 10 games with a 3.66 GAA in 33 games.

Season standings

Adams Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
Buffalo Sabres	80	39	20	21	327	250	99
Boston Bruins	80	37	30	13	316	272	87
Minnesota North Stars	80	35	28	17	291	263	87
Quebec Nordiques	80	30	32	18	314	318	78
Toronto Maple Leafs	80	28	37	15	322	367	71

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

League standings

R		Div	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
1	p – New York Islanders	PTK	80	48	18	14	355	260	110
2	x – St. Louis Blues	SMY	80	45	18	17	352	281	107
3	y – Montreal Canadiens	NRS	80	45	22	13	332	232	103
4	Los Angeles Kings	NRS	80	43	24	13	337	290	99
5	x – Buffalo Sabres	ADM	80	39	20	21	327	250	99
6	Philadelphia Flyers	PTK	80	41	24	15	313	249	97
7	Calgary Flames	PTK	80	39	27	14	329	298	92
8	Boston Bruins	ADM	80	37	30	13	316	272	87
9	Minnesota North Stars	ADM	80	35	28	17	291	263	87
10	Chicago Black Hawks	SMY	80	31	33	16	304	315	78
11	Quebec Nordiques	ADM	80	30	32	18	314	318	78
12	Vancouver Canucks	SMY	80	28	32	20	289	301	76
13	New York Rangers	PTK	80	30	36	14	312	317	74
14	Edmonton Oilers	SMY	80	29	35	16	328	327	74
15	Pittsburgh Penguins	NRS	80	30	37	13	302	345	73
16	Toronto Maple Leafs	ADM	80	28	37	15	322	367	71
17	Washington Capitals	PTK	80	26	36	18	286	317	70
18	Hartford Whalers	NRS	80	21	41	18	292	372	60
19	Colorado Rockies	SMY	80	22	45	13	258	344	57
20	Detroit Red Wings	NRS	80	19	43	18	252	339	56
21	Winnipeg Jets	SMY	80	9	57	14	246	400	32

Divisions: ADM – Adams, NRS – Norris, PTK – Patrick, SMY – Smythe

bold – The top 16 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, regardless of division or conference.
x – Won division; y – Won Conference (and division); p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and conference and division)

Record vs. opponents

Adams Division record vs. opponents

Vs. Wales Conference Vs. Adams Division 1980–81 NHL records Team BOS BUF MIN QUE TOR Total Boston — 2–1–1 2–1–1 1–3 1–1–2 6–6–4 Buffalo 1–2–1 — 0–1–3 3–0–1 3–1 7–4–5 Minnesota 1–2–1 1–0–3 — 2–2 0–4 4–8–4 Quebec 3–1 0–3–1 2–2 — 0–2–2 5–8–3 Toronto 1–1–2 1–3 4–0 2–0–2 — 8–4–4 Vs. Norris Division 1980–81 NHL records Team DET HFD LAK MTL PIT Total Boston 2−0−2 1−1−2 2−2 1−3 3−0−1 9–6–5 Buffalo 3−0−1 2−1−1 2−1−1 1−3 3−0−1 11–5–4 Minnesota 2−0−2 3−1 0−4 2−1−1 3−1 10–7–3 Quebec 3−0−1 2−2 1−3 1−1−2 1−2–1 8–8–4 Toronto 1−3 1–1−2 0−3−1 1−3 2−1–1 5–11–4 Vs. Campbell Conference Vs. Patrick Division 1980–81 NHL records Team CGY NYI NYR PHI WSH Total Boston 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–1–1 9–10–1 Buffalo 2–1–1 2–2 2–1–1 2–0–2 2–0–2 10–4–6 Minnesota 2–2 0–2–2 1–1–2 1–2–1 3–0–1 7–7–6 Quebec 1–1–2 1–3 1–1–2 2–1–1 4–0 9–6–5 Toronto 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0–2 1–3 8–10–2 Vs. Smythe Division 1980–81 NHL records Team CHI COL EDM STL VAN WIN Total Boston 3−1 2−1−1 3−1 1−3 2−2 2−0−2 13−8−3 Buffalo 2−2 3–0−1 1−1−2 0−3−1 1−1−2 4−0 11−7−6 Minnesota 2−2 2−1–1 2−1−1 2−1–1 2−1−1 4−0 14−6−4 Quebec 0−3−1 2−2 3−1 1−2–1 1–1−2 1–1−2 8−10−6 Toronto 2−1–1 1−1−2 1−2−1 1−3 0–3−1 2−2 7−12−5

Schedule and results

1980–81 regular season
October Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 1 October 9 Quebec Nordiques 5–5 Calgary Flames 0–0–1 1 7,243 2 October 10 Quebec Nordiques 7–4 Edmonton Oilers 1–0–1 3 17,334 3 October 12 Quebec Nordiques 2–8 Vancouver Canucks 1–1–1 3 13,130 4 October 14 Quebec Nordiques 1–4 Colorado Rockies 1–2–1 3 4,627 5 October 16 Quebec Nordiques 4–6 Los Angeles Kings 1–3–1 3 6,490 6 October 19 Quebec Nordiques 4–4 Winnipeg Jets 1–3–2 4 12,728 7 October 22 Quebec Nordiques 2–4 Minnesota North Stars 1–4–2 4 11,537 8 October 25 Quebec Nordiques 2–4 Hartford Whalers 1–5–2 4 11,005 9 October 26 Quebec Nordiques 4–7 Chicago Black Hawks 1–6–2 4 8,741 10 October 29 Vancouver Canucks 3–3 Quebec Nordiques 1–6–3 5 N/A
November Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 11 November 1 Philadelphia Flyers 3–3 Quebec Nordiques 1–6–4 6 N/A 12 November 2 Colorado Rockies 5–4 Quebec Nordiques 1–7–4 6 10,400 13 November 4 Quebec Nordiques 4–5 Montreal Canadiens 1–8–4 6 16,803 14 November 9 Quebec Nordiques 1–3 Philadelphia Flyers 1–9–4 6 17,077 15 November 11 Chicago Black Hawks 6–6 Quebec Nordiques 1–9–5 7 N/A 16 November 12 Winnipeg Jets 1–5 Quebec Nordiques 2–9–5 9 N/A 17 November 16 Quebec Nordiques 1–8 Buffalo Sabres 2–10–5 9 16,433 18 November 18 Washington Capitals 2–6 Quebec Nordiques 3–10–5 11 9,023 19 November 19 Detroit Red Wings 1–2 Quebec Nordiques 4–10–5 13 9,817 20 November 22 Calgary Flames 3–3 Quebec Nordiques 4–10–6 14 10,185 21 November 24 Los Angeles Kings 4–3 Quebec Nordiques 4–11–6 14 10,690 22 November 26 Minnesota North Stars 2–5 Quebec Nordiques 5–11–6 16 10,290 23 November 30 New York Islanders 7–3 Quebec Nordiques 5–12–6 16 10,159
December Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 24 December 2 Quebec Nordiques 2–5 St. Louis Blues 5–13–6 16 9,115 25 December 4 Quebec Nordiques 4–1 Detroit Red Wings 6–13-6 18 9,212 26 December 6 Quebec Nordiques 2–5 Toronto Maple Leafs 6–14–6 18 16,485 27 December 7 Toronto Maple Leafs 4–4 Quebec Nordiques 6–14–7 19 9,330 28 December 10 Boston Bruins 6–4 Quebec Nordiques 6–15–7 19 10,693 29 December 11 Quebec Nordiques 5–3 Boston Bruins 7–15–7 21 8,241 30 December 14 Edmonton Oilers 5–6 Quebec Nordiques 8–15–7 23 9,346 31 December 17 St. Louis Blues 1–4 Quebec Nordiques 9–15–7 25 9,805 32 December 20 Quebec Nordiques 2–5 New York Islanders 9–16–7 25 14,942 33 December 21 Hartford Whalers 5–6 Quebec Nordiques 10–16–7 27 10,241 34 December 23 Montreal Canadiens 2–2 Quebec Nordiques 10–16–8 28 10,672 35 December 27 Quebec Nordiques 4–6 Pittsburgh Penguins 10–17–8 28 9,763 36 December 30 New York Rangers 6–3 Quebec Nordiques 10–18–8 28 10,868
January Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 37 January 3 Buffalo Sabres 3–3 Quebec Nordiques 10–18–9 29 10,868 38 January 4 Quebec Nordiques 2–2 New York Rangers 10–18–10 30 17,425 39 January 6 Quebec Nordiques 3–6 St. Louis Blues 10–19–10 30 12,080 40 January 7 Quebec Nordiques 1–5 Buffalo Sabres 10–20–10 30 16,433 41 January 10 Quebec Nordiques 5–5 Montreal Canadiens 10–20–11 31 17,199 42 January 11 Edmonton Oilers 6–3 Quebec Nordiques 10–21–11 31 10,532 43 January 13 Winnipeg Jets 3–3 Quebec Nordiques 10–21–12 32 9,425 44 January 15 Quebec Nordiques 4–1 Philadelphia Flyers 11–21–12 34 17,077 45 January 17 Quebec Nordiques 1–7 Minnesota North Stars 11–22–12 34 14,354 46 January 18 Quebec Nordiques 2–7 Chicago Black Hawks 11-23–12 34 11,963 47 January 21 Buffalo Sabres 6–5 Quebec Nordiques 11–24–12 34 14,060 48 January 24 Quebec Nordiques 4–7 New York Islanders 11–25–12 34 15,008 49 January 26 Los Angeles Kings 7–5 Quebec Nordiques 11–26–12 34 13,653 50 January 28 Detroit Red Wings 2–2 Quebec Nordiques 11–26–13 35 14,734 51 January 31 New York Islanders 1–5 Quebec Nordiques 12–26–13 37 14,900
February Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 52 February 2 Hartford Whalers 2–4 Quebec Nordiques 13–26–13 39 12,435 53 February 4 Minnesota North Stars 2–6 Quebec Nordiques 14–26–13 41 14,852 54 February 7 Philadelphia Flyers 3–5 Quebec Nordiques 15–26–13 43 14,837 55 February 8 Quebec Nordiques 4–3 Boston Bruins 16–26–13 45 10,865 56 February 12 Quebec Nordiques 3–5 Calgary Flames 16–27–13 45 7,225 57 February 13 Quebec Nordiques 4–2 Edmonton Oilers 17–27–13 47 17,490 58 February 15 Quebec Nordiques 3–4 Winnipeg Jets 17–28–13 47 13,352 59 February 17 Quebec Nordiques 6–3 Colorado Rockies 18–28–13 49 5,817 60 February 18 Quebec Nordiques 4–2 Los Angeles Kings 19–28–13 51 9,841 61 February 20 Quebec Nordiques 9–3 Vancouver Canucks 20–28–13 53 14,879 62 February 22 Quebec Nordiques 11–7 Washington Capitals 21–28–13 55 10,346 63 February 25 Boston Bruins 3–5 Quebec Nordiques 22–28–13 57 14,846
March Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 64 March 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 Quebec Nordiques 22–29–13 57 14,743 65 March 4 Washington Capitals 4–7 Quebec Nordiques 23–29–13 59 14,801 66 March 8 Chicago Black Hawks 3–2 Quebec Nordiques 23–30-13 59 14,467 67 March 10 New York Rangers 4–6 Quebec Nordiques 24–30–13 61 14,826 68 March 11 St. Louis Blues 5–5 Quebec Nordiques 24–30–14 62 14,820 69 March 14 Quebec Nordiques 3–3 Pittsburgh Penguins 24–30–15 63 14,836 70 March 15 Colorado Rockies 0–3 Quebec Nordiques 25–30–15 65 14,499 71 March 17 Quebec Nordiques 4-3 Detroit Red Wings 26–30-15 67 14,150 72 March 18 Quebec Nordiques 6–4 Washington Capitals 27–30–15 69 8,520 73 March 22 Quebec Nordiques 7–7 New York Rangers 27–30–16 70 17,414 74 March 23 Vancouver Canucks 3–3 Quebec Nordiques 27–30–17 71 15,002 75 March 25 Calgary Flames 2–4 Quebec Nordiques 28–30–17 73 14,970 76 March 29 Montreal Canadiens 0–4 Quebec Nordiques 29–30–17 75 15,149 77 March 31 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–5 Quebec Nordiques 30–30–17 77 15,118
April Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 78 April 1 Quebec Nordiques 4–5 Hartford Whalers 30–31–17 77 10,734 79 April 4 Quebec Nordiques 5–5 Toronto Maple Leafs 30–31–18 78 16,485 80 April 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 4–2 Quebec Nordiques 30–32–18 78 15,100
Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

The Nordiques opened the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs with a best of five preliminary round against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers finished the season with a 41-24-15 record, earning 97 points, and second place in the Patrick Division. The series opened up with two games at the Philadelphia Spectrum, and in the series opener, the Flyers took a 1–0 lead on a goal by Brian Propp early in the game. The Nordiques Anton Šťastný tied the game, however, the Flyers Bill Barber made it 2–1, and then Brian Propp added a second goal before the first period was over to give the Flyers a 3–1 lead. In the second period, Quebec fought back on goals by Michel Goulet and Dale Hunter to tie the game at 3-3. Philadelphia took control of the game in the third period, as Paul Holmgren and Al Hill made it 5-3 for the Flyers before Anton Šťastný scored his second of the game for Quebec, making it 5-4 Flyers. Bill Barber scored an empty net goal in the last minute, as the Flyers took the series opener 6–4.

In the second game, the Flyers took an early 2–0 lead in the first period on goals by Bill Barber and Mel Bridgman before Peter Šťastný responded for the Nordiques, cutting the Flyers lead to 2–1. Bill Barber added a second goal late in the first period, giving the Flyers a 3–1 lead. Anton Šťastný cut the Flyers lead to 3–2 with a goal early in the second, however, Bill Barber completed the hat trick 5:55 into the period, giving Philadelphia a 4–2 lead. The Flyers Tom Gorence made it 5-2 Philadelphia before Jacques Richard responded for the Nordiques, making it 5–3 after two periods. In the third period, Ken Linseman made it 6-3 for Philadelphia before the Nordiques fought back with two quick goals, one by Dale Hunter and another by Marc Tardif, putting the Nordiques within a goal at 6–5. Philadelphia's Mel Bridgman scored, followed by an empty net goal by Bobby Clarke, as the Flyers took a 2–0 series lead with an 8–5 victory.

The series shifted to Le Colisée for the next two games, and after two scoreless periods, the Nordiques Michel Goulet scored midway through the third to give the Nordiques a 1–0 lead. Peter Šťastný scored late in the game, as Quebec shutout the Flyers 2–0, with Dan Bouchard made 32 saves, earning the victory and shutout.

In the fourth game, the Flyers Terry Murray scored seven seconds into the game, as Philadelphia took an early 1–0 lead. Robbie Ftorek responded for the Nordiques, however, the Flyers Behn Wilson and Tom Gorence added goals in the opening period, as the Flyers took a 3–1 lead. After a scoreless second period, and with the Nordiques facing elimination, Dale Hunter cut into the Flyers lead with a goal with less than five minutes remaining in the third period, making the score 3-2 for Philadelphia. Less than two minutes later, Jacques Richard completed the comeback, as the Nordiques scored to make it 3-3, heading into overtime. In overtime, Dale Hunter scored a quick goal 37 seconds into the extra period, as Quebec stunned the Flyers with a 4–3 win, and tied the series.

The fifth game was played in Philadelphia, and the Flyers opened the scoring on a goal by Rick MacLeish late in the first period. The Nordiques Michel Goulet quickly responded before the period was over, tying the game. In the second period, the Flyers re-took the lead, when Al Hill scored ten minutes into the period, making it 2-1 Philadelphia. In the third period, the Flyers took control of the game, scoring three quick goals to make it 5–1. Quebec's Anton Šťastný scored to make it 5–2, however, that would be as close of the Nordiques got, as the Flyers won the game and took the series.

1981 Stanley Cup playoffs
Preliminary Round vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers win 3–2 Game Date Visitor Score Home Series Attendance 1 April 8 Quebec Nordiques 4–6 Philadelphia Flyers 0-1 17,077 2 April 9 Quebec Nordiques 5–8 Philadelphia Flyers 0-2 17,077 3 April 11 Philadelphia Flyers 0–2 Quebec Nordiques 1-2 15,081 4 April 12 Philadelphia Flyers 3–4 Quebec Nordiques 2-2 15,130 5 April 14 Quebec Nordiques 2–5 Philadelphia Flyers 2-3 17,077
Legend:   Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Regular season

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Peter Stastny	77	39	70	109	37
Jacques Richard	78	52	51	103	39
Anton Stastny	80	39	46	85	12
Robbie Ftorek	78	24	49	73	104
Michel Goulet	76	32	39	71	45

Playoffs

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Peter Stastny	5	2	8	10	7
Anton Stastny	5	4	3	7	2
Michel Goulet	4	3	4	7	7
Dale Hunter	5	4	2	6	34
Jacques Richard	5	2	4	6	14

Goaltending

Regular season

Player	GP	Min	W	L	T	GA	SO	GAA
Dan Bouchard	29	1740	19	5	5	92	2	3.17
Michel Plasse	33	1933	10	14	9	118	0	3.66
Michel Dion	12	688	0	8	3	61	0	5.32
Ron Grahame	8	439	1	5	1	40	0	5.47

Playoffs

Player	GP	Min	W	L	GA	SO	GAA
Dan Bouchard	5	286	2	3	19	1	3.99
Michel Plasse	1	15	0	0	1	0	4.00

Awards

• Calder Memorial Trophy: Peter Šťastný

Transactions

The Nordiques were involved in the following transactions during the 1980–81 season.

Trades

August 11, 1980	To Philadelphia Flyers Cash	To Quebec Nordiques John Paddock
September 15, 1980	To Philadelphia Flyers 7th round pick in 1981 – Vladimir Svitek Cash	To Quebec Nordiques Andre Dupont
October 8, 1980	To Winnipeg Jets Danny Geoffrion	To Quebec Nordiques Cash
December 12, 1980	To Los Angeles Kings Cash	To Quebec Nordiques Ron Grahame
January 30, 1981	To Calgary Flames Jamie Hislop	To Quebec Nordiques Dan Bouchard
February 10, 1981	To Winnipeg Jets Michel Dion	To Quebec Nordiques Cash
March 10, 1981	To Vancouver Canucks Garry Lariviere	To Quebec Nordiques Mario Marois
June 9, 1981	To Minnesota North Stars Nelson Burton	To Quebec Nordiques Dan Chicoine

Waivers

October 10, 1980	To Edmonton Oilers Curt Brackenbury
October 10, 1980	From Boston Bruins John Wensink

Free agents

Player Former Team Peter Šťastný Slovan Bratislava (Czechoslovakia) Louis Sleigher Syracuse Firebirds (AHL) Michel Plasse Colorado Rockies Pierre Aubry Trois-Rivières Draveurs (QMJHL) Marian Stastny Slovan Bratislava (Czechoslovakia)

Player New Team Paul Baxter Pittsburgh Penguins Gerry Hart St. Louis Blues

Draft picks

Quebec's draft picks from the 1980 NHL Entry Draft which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.

Round	#	Player	Nationality	College/junior/club team (league)
2	24	Normand Rochefort	Canada	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
4	66	Jay Miller	United States	University of New Hampshire (NCAA)
5	87	Basil McRae	Canada	London Knights (OMJHL)
6	108	Mark Kumpel	United States	University of Lowell (NCAA)
7	129	Gaston Therrien	Canada	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
8	150	Michel Bolduc	Canada	Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
9	171	Christian Tanguay	Canada	Trois-Rivières Draveurs (QMJHL)
10	192	Bill Robinson	United States	Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (USHS)