1981–82 Quebec Nordiques season

1981–82 Quebec Nordiques
Division	4th Adams
Conference	7th Wales
1981–82 record	33–31–16
Home record	24–13–3
Road record	9–18–13
Goals for	356
Goals against	345
Team information
General manager	Maurice Filion
Coach	Michel Bergeron
Captain	Robbie Ftorek (Oct.–Dec.) Andre Dupont (Dec.–May)
Alternate captains	None
Arena	Colisée de Québec
Team leaders
Goals	Peter Stastny (46)
Assists	Peter Stastny (93)
Points	Peter Stastny (139)
Penalty minutes	Dale Hunter (272)
Plus/minus	Michel Goulet (+35)
Wins	Dan Bouchard (27)
Goals against average	Dan Bouchard (3.86)

The 1981–82 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques' third season in the National Hockey League. The Nordiques had a successful regular season, qualifying for the playoffs, but they had a better playoff, making it to the Wales Final before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders.

Off-season

During the off-season, the four divisions of the NHL were re-aligned to better reflect the geographical locations of the teams. Quebec remained in the Adams Division with the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres, while the Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs were replaced with the Hartford Whalers and the Nordiques' provincial rival, the Montreal Canadiens. The Nordiques signed Marian Stastny out of Czechoslovakia, the brother of Peter Stastny and Anton Stastny. Quebec replaced team captain Marc Tardif with Robbie Ftorek prior to the season. Ftorek did not remain the Nordiques captain for long, as he was traded to the New York Rangers in December, and was replaced with Andre Dupont.

Regular season

The Nordiques found themselves under .500 only once throughout the season, and that was five games in when they had a record of 2–3–0. Quebec got hot, and eventually reached a season-high nine games over .500 in the middle of January, however, a late season slump had the Nords finish the year only two games above .500, with a 33-31-16 record, earning 82 points, which was good enough to finish fourth in the Adams Division, and the Nordiques second post-season appearance in a row.

Offensively, the Nordiques were led by Peter Stastny, who set a team record with 139 points, as he scored 46 goals and earned 93 assists. Stastny finished behind only Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers and Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders in the NHL scoring race. Real Cloutier rebounded from an injury plagued 1980–81 season by scoring 37 goals and 97 points, while rookie Marian Stastny scored 35 goals and 89 points. Michel Goulet notched 42 goals and 84 points, while Dale Hunter had a breakout season, scoring 22 goals and 72 points, as well as a team record 272 penalty minutes. On defense, Mario Marois led the way, scoring 11 goals and 43 points.

In goal, Dan Bouchard held on to the number one job, winning a team record 27 games, while posting a team best 3.86 GAA, as well as earning a shutout in 60 games.

Season standings

Adams Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	PIM	PTS
Montreal Canadiens	80	46	17	17	360	223	1463	109
Boston Bruins	80	43	27	10	323	285	1266	96
Buffalo Sabres	80	39	26	15	307	273	1425	93
Quebec Nordiques	80	33	31	16	356	345	1757	82
Hartford Whalers	80	21	41	18	264	351	1493	60

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.

Record vs. opponents

Adams Division record vs. opponents

Vs. Wales Conference Vs. Adams Division 1981–82 NHL records Team BOS BUF HFD MTL QUE Total Boston — 5–2–1 4–2–2 0–7–1 4–4 13–15–4 Buffalo 2–5–1 — 4–1–3 3–2–3 4–3–1 13–11–8 Hartford 2–4–2 1–4–3 — 0–7–1 2–3–3 5–18–9 Montreal 7–0–1 2–3–3 7–0–1 — 3–3–2 19–6–7 Quebec 4–4 3–4–1 3–2–3 3–3–2 — 13–13–6 Vs. Patrick Division 1981–82 NHL records Team NYI NYR PHI PIT WSH Total Boston 2–1 2–1 1–2 1–1–1 3–0 9–5–1 Buffalo 2–1 0–2–1 1–2 2–1 3–0 8–6–1 Hartford 0–2–1 1–1–1 0−3 0–2–1 1–2 2–10–3 Montreal 1–2 2–1 2–1 2–1 1–2 8–7–0 Quebec 1–1–1 1–1–1 1–1–1 0–3 2–0–1 5–6–4 Vs. Campbell Conference Vs. Norris Division 1981–82 NHL records Team CHI DET MIN STL TOR WIN Total Boston 1−2 2−0−1 1−2 1−1–1 3−0 3−0 11−5−2 Buffalo 2−1 3−0 1−1−1 2−1 2−0−1 1−0−2 11−3−4 Hartford 1–1–1 2–0–1 1–2 2–1 3–0 2−1 11−5−2 Montreal 2−0−1 2−1 1–0−2 2−0−1 2–0−1 1−0−2 10−1−7 Quebec 2−1 3−0 0−2–1 2−1 1−1–1 2−0−1 10−5−3 Vs. Smythe Division 1981–82 NHL records Team CGY COL EDM LAK VAN Total Boston 1−1−1 3−0 1−0–2 3−0 2−1 10−2−3 Buffalo 0−2−1 3–0 1−2 2−1 1−1−1 7−6−2 Hartford 1–2 0–2–1 0–2–1 2–0–1 0–2–1 3–8–4 Montreal 2−1 2−0−1 1−0−2 2–1 2−1 9−3−3 Quebec 0−3 2−1 2−1 0–1–2 1–1−1 5−7−3

Schedule and results

1981–82 regular season
October Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 1 October 6 Hartford Whalers 5–6 Quebec Nordiques 1–0–0 2 15,007 2 October 8 Quebec Nordiques 7–5 Boston Bruins 2–0–0 4 11,274 3 October 10 Quebec Nordiques 1–2 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–1–0 4 15,215 4 October 12 Minnesota North Stars 4–2 Quebec Nordiques 2–2–0 4 15,211 5 October 14 Quebec Nordiques 2–4 Buffalo Sabres 2–3–0 4 14,764 6 October 17 Toronto Maple Leafs 4–6 Quebec Nordiques 3–3–0 6 15,019 7 October 19 Vancouver Canucks 3–6 Quebec Nordiques 4-3–0 8 14,443 8 October 21 Quebec Nordiques 6–3 Washington Capitals 5–3–0 10 7,862 9 October 22 Quebec Nordiques 2–3 Philadelphia Flyers 5–4–0 10 16,948 10 October 24 Detroit Red Wings 3–8 Quebec Nordiques 6–4–0 12 15,212 11 October 27 Quebec Nordiques 7–8 Los Angeles Kings 6–5–0 12 7,595 12 October 28 Quebec Nordiques 3–1 Colorado Rockies 7–5–0 14 N/A 13 October 31 Quebec Nordiques 4–11 Edmonton Oilers 7–6–0 14 17,490
November Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 14 November 2 Montreal Canadiens 4–5 Quebec Nordiques 8–6–0 16 15,262 15 November 4 St. Louis Blues 2–6 Quebec Nordiques 9–6–0 18 15,005 16 November 7 Boston Bruins 10–1 Quebec Nordiques 9–7–0 18 15,232 17 November 9 Detroit Red Wings 3–5 Quebec Nordiques 10–7–0 20 15,043 18 November 11 Quebec Nordiques 5–6 Vancouver Canucks 10–8–0 20 12,558 19 November 12 Quebec Nordiques 2–3 Calgary Flames 10–9–0 20 7,226 20 November 14 Quebec Nordiques 5–5 Minnesota North Stars 10–9–1 21 15,784 21 November 17 New York Islanders 2–7 Quebec Nordiques 11–9–1 23 15,148 22 November 19 Quebec Nordiques 1–1 Montreal Canadiens 11–9–2 24 17,088 23 November 21 Hartford Whalers 3–7 Quebec Nordiques 12–9–2 26 15,016 24 November 22 Quebec Nordiques 6–1 Boston Bruins 13–9–2 28 10,024 25 November 24 Pittsburgh Penguins 7–1 Quebec Nordiques 13–10-2 28 14,805 26 November 25 Quebec Nordiques 3–3 Hartford Whalers 13–10–3 29 12,141 27 November 28 New York Rangers 4–7 Quebec Nordiques 14–10–3 31 15,229 28 November 29 Quebec Nordiques 4–4 New York Rangers 14–10–4 32 17,423
December Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 29 December 2 Edmonton Oilers 8–9 Quebec Nordiques 15–10–4 34 15,230 30 December 5 Boston Bruins 5–3 Quebec Nordiques 15–11–4 34 15,228 31 December 8 Calgary Flames 7–4 Quebec Nordiques 15–12–4 34 14,951 32 December 12 St. Louis Blues 6–4 Quebec Nordiques 15–13–4 34 15,204 33 December 13 Quebec Nordiques 4–4 Buffalo Sabres 15–13–5 35 15,708 34 December 15 Quebec Nordiques 7–10 New York Islanders 15–14–5 35 14,746 35 December 17 Quebec Nordiques 3–2 Detroit Red Wings 16–14–5 37 11,302 36 December 19 Buffalo Sabres 3–7 Quebec Nordiques 17–14–5 39 15,219 37 December 22 Montreal Canadiens 2–5 Quebec Nordiques 18–14–5 41 15,259 38 December 27 Quebec Nordiques 3–6 Montreal Canadiens 18–15–5 41 18,096 39 December 29 Chicago Black Hawks 1–8 Quebec Nordiques 19–15–5 43 15,227
January Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 40 January 2 Buffalo Sabres 3–6 Quebec Nordiques 20–15–5 45 15,221 41 January 5 Washington Capitals 0–3 Quebec Nordiques 21–15–5 47 15,143 42 January 9 Boston Bruins 1–6 Quebec Nordiques 22–15–5 49 15,217 43 January 11 Hartford Whalers 2–6 Quebec Nordiques 23–15–5 51 15,216 44 January 13 Quebec Nordiques 4–2 St. Louis Blues 24–15–5 53 12,530 45 January 16 Quebec Nordiques 1–4 Minnesota North Stars 24–16–5 53 15,516 46 January 17 Quebec Nordiques 7–5 Winnipeg Jets 25-16–5 55 14,061 47 January 19 Philadelphia Flyers 2–2 Quebec Nordiques 25–16–6 56 15,208 48 January 20 Quebec Nordiques 2–4 Hartford Whalers 25–17–6 56 11,197 49 January 22 Quebec Nordiques 3–5 Buffalo Sabres 25–18–6 56 16,433 50 January 23 Buffalo Sabres 3–2 Quebec Nordiques 25–19–6 56 N/A 51 January 26 Montreal Canadiens 8–3 Quebec Nordiques 25–20–6 56 15,338 52 January 30 Quebec Nordiques 2–2 Toronto Maple Leafs 25–20–7 57 16,360 53 January 31 Quebec Nordiques 4–4 Hartford Whalers 25–20–8 58 11,769
February Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 54 February 2 Colorado Rockies 7–8 Quebec Nordiques 26–20–8 60 15,177 55 February 6 Philadelphia Flyers 3-4 Quebec Nordiques 27–20–8 62 15,303 56 February 7 Quebec Nordiques 5–5 Washington Capitals 27–20–9 63 10,712 57 February 11 Quebec Nordiques 4–4 Los Angeles Kings 27–20–10 64 9,958 58 February 12 Quebec Nordiques 2–9 Colorado Rockies 27–21–10 64 7,129 59 February 14 Quebec Nordiques 2–5 New York Rangers 27–22–10 64 17,398 60 February 16 Winnipeg Jets 3–7 Quebec Nordiques 28–22–10 66 15,265 61 February 19 Quebec Nordiques 4–4 Winnipeg Jets 28–22–11 67 13,661 62 February 21 Quebec Nordiques 3–5 Chicago Black Hawks 28–23–11 67 12,563 63 February 23 Montreal Canadiens 3–4 Quebec Nordiques 29–23–11 69 15,330 64 February 25 Quebec Nordiques 4-4 Montreal Canadiens 29–23–12 70 16,969 65 February 27 Quebec Nordiques 5–5 New York Islanders 29–23–13 71 15,271
March Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 66 March 1 Los Angeles Kings 5–5 Quebec Nordiques 29–23-14 72 15,288 67 March 3 Edmonton Oilers 4–6 Quebec Nordiques 30–23–14 74 15,290 68 March 6 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–4 Quebec Nordiques 30–24–14 74 15,222 69 March 9 Calgary Flames 9–4 Quebec Nordiques 30–25–14 74 15,189 70 March 13 Chicago Black Hawks 3–9 Quebec Nordiques 31–25–14 76 15,288 71 March 16 Hartford Whalers 7-5 Quebec Nordiques 31–26-14 76 15,285 72 March 17 Quebec Nordiques 3–6 Toronto Maple Leafs 31–27–14 76 16,360 73 March 20 Vancouver Canucks 3–3 Quebec Nordiques 31–27–15 77 15,289 74 March 22 Quebec Nordiques 4–5 Boston Bruins 31–28–15 77 10,851 75 March 24 Quebec Nordiques 3–3 Hartford Whalers 31–28–16 78 10,509 76 March 27 Quebec Nordiques 2–4 Montreal Canadiens 31–29–16 78 18,175 77 March 30 Buffalo Sabres 6–4 Quebec Nordiques 31–30–16 78 15,201
April Game Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Attendance 78 April 1 Quebec Nordiques 8–5 Boston Bruins 32–30–16 80 11,407 79 April 3 Boston Bruins 5–4 Quebec Nordiques 32–31–16 80 15,276 80 April 4 Quebec Nordiques 7–4 Buffalo Sabres 33–31–16 82 16,433
Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

The Nordiques opened the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs with a best of five Adams Division semi-final series with their Battle of Quebec rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal finished the season on top of the Adams Division with a 46-17-17 record, earning 109 points, which was 27 more than the Nordiques.

The series opened with two games at the Montreal Forum, and the Canadiens handled the Nordiques easily in the first game, as Mario Tremblay and Mark Napier each scored twice for Montreal, leading them to a 5–1 victory. The Nordiques fought back in the second game, as goaltender Dan Bouchard made 33 saves as Quebec defeated Montreal 3–2 to even the series up. The series shifted to Le Colisée for the next two games, and in the third game of the series, the Nordiques were led by Dale Hunter and his two goals late in the first period, as well as another spectacular goaltending performance by Dan Bouchard, who made 22 saves, as the Nordiques edged the Canadiens 2–1 to take the series lead. Montreal fought back in the fourth game, which featured a brawl in which every player from both teams was involved. The brawl lasted for twenty minutes. There were 149 penalty minutes, and two game misconducts. The Canadiens easily defeated the underdog Nordiques 6–2 to even the series up at two games each, with the fifth and deciding game back at the Montreal Forum. In the fifth game, the Nordiques took an early 2–0 lead with first period goals by Wilf Paiement and Anton Stastny, however, the Canadiens tied the game in the third period, setting up overtime. In the extra period, Dale Hunter emerged as the hero, scoring 22 seconds into the period against Montreal goalie Rick Wamsley to clinch the series for the Nordiques, who then moved on to the Adams Division finals.

Quebec would face the Boston Bruins in the best of seven Adams Division finals. Boston had a 43-27-10 record, earning 96 points, and a second-place finish in the division. The Bruins defeated the Buffalo Sabres in four games in their first playoff round. The series opened with two games at the Boston Garden. In the first game, the Nordiques and Bruins were tied up at three heading into the final minute of the third period, however, Ray Bourque scored for Boston, as the Bruins won the game 4–3. In the second game, the Bruins easily defeated Quebec by a score of 8–4, taking a commanding 2–0 series lead. The series moved to Le Colisée for the next two games, and the Nordiques responded on their home ice, as Wilf Paiement scored the overtime winner in the third game for a 3-2 Quebec victory, cutting the Bruins series lead to 2–1. In the fourth game, the Nordiques, led by Michel Goulet and his two goals, as well as 33 saves by goaltender John Garrett, easily defeated the Bruins 7–2 to even up the series. The fifth game was back in Boston, however, the Nordiques, led by Peter Stastny and his two goals, shocked the Bruins with a 4–3 win to push Boston on the brink of elimination. In the sixth game back in Quebec City, the Bruins stormed out to an early 3–0 lead, however, the Nordiques fought back, and tied the game at five in the third period, setting up overtime. In overtime, the Bruins Peter McNab scored, as the Bruins tied the series, setting up a seventh and deciding game back in Boston. After a scoreless first period, the Nordiques Michel Goulet opened the scoring in the second period, however, Peter McNab of the Bruins tied the game. In the third period, Nordiques defenseman Dave Pichette scored on the powerplay, giving Quebec a 2–1 lead. The Bruins couldn't beat Nordiques goaltender Dan Bouchard, who made 28 saves in the game, as the Nordiques held on for the 2–1 win, and completing the series upset, advancing to the Wales Conference finals.

The Nordiques opponent in the Wales Conference finals was the two time defending Stanley Cup champions, the New York Islanders. The best of seven series opened with two games at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, New York. The powerful Islanders, led by 27 saves by goaltender Billy Smith, defeated Quebec 4–1 in the series opener. In the second game, the Islanders were led by two goals by Mike Bossy, and another solid performance by Billy Smith, who made 35 saves, as New York defeated Quebec 5–2 to take a 2–0 series lead. In the third game back in Quebec, the Nordiques took the Islanders to overtime, however, New York's Wayne Merrick emerged the hero, as he scored late in the first overtime, giving the Islanders a 5–4 victory, and 3–0 series lead. New York completed the series sweep in the fourth game, as the Islanders took a 3–0 lead late into the third period. Quebec put up a fight, scoring twice to cut the Islanders lead to 3–2, however, Duane Sutter scored an empty net goal to give the Islanders a 4–2 victory.

1982 Stanley Cup playoffs
Adams Division Semifinals vs. (A1) Montreal Canadiens – Nordiques win 3–2 Game Date Visitor Score Home Series Attendance 1 April 7 Quebec Nordiques 1–5 Montreal Canadiens 0-1 16,096 2 April 8 Quebec Nordiques 3–2 Montreal Canadiens 1-1 16,391 3 April 10 Montreal Canadiens 1–2 Quebec Nordiques 2-1 15,323 4 April 11 Montreal Canadiens 6–2 Quebec Nordiques 2-2 15,314 5 April 13 Quebec Nordiques 3–2 (OT) Montreal Canadiens 3-2 17,611
Adams Division Semifinals vs. (A2) Boston Bruins – Nordiques win 4–3 Game Date Visitor Score Home Series Attendance 1 April 15 Quebec Nordiques 3–4 Boston Bruins 0-1 14,673 2 April 16 Quebec Nordiques 4–8 Boston Bruins 0-2 14,673 3 April 18 Boston Bruins 2–3 Quebec Nordiques 1-2 15,302 4 April 19 Boston Bruins 2–7 Quebec Nordiques 2-2 15,287 5 April 21 Quebec Nordiques 4–3 Boston Bruins 3-2 14,673 6 April 23 Boston Bruins 6–5 Quebec Nordiques 3-3 15,330 7 April 25 Quebec Nordiques 2–1 Boston Bruins 4-3 14,673
Wales Conference Finals vs. (P1) New York Islanders – Islanders win 4–0 Game Date Visitor Score Home Series Attendance 1 April 27 Quebec Nordiques 1–4 New York Islanders 0-1 15,137 2 April 29 Quebec Nordiques 2–5 New York Islanders 0-2 15,230 3 May 1 New York Islanders 5–4 Quebec Nordiques 0-3 15,238 4 May 3 New York Islanders 4–2 Quebec Nordiques 0-4 15,238
Legend:   Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Regular season

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Peter Stastny	80	46	93	39	91
Real Cloutier	67	37	60	97	34
Marian Stastny	74	35	54	89	27
Michel Goulet	80	42	42	84	48
Dale Hunter	80	22	50	72	272

Playoffs

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Peter Stastny	12	7	11	18	10
Marian Stastny	16	3	14	17	5
Anton Stastny	16	5	10	15	10
Michel Goulet	16	8	5	13	6
Real Cloutier	16	7	5	12	10

Goaltending

Regular season

Player	GP	Min	W	L	T	GA	SO	GAA
Dan Bouchard	60	3572	27	22	11	230	1	3.86
John Garrett	12	720	4	5	3	62	0	5.17
Michel Plasse	8	388	2	3	1	35	0	5.41
Clint Malarchuk	2	120	0	1	1	14	0	7.00

Playoffs

Player	GP	Min	W	L	GA	SO	GAA
Dan Bouchard	11	677	4	7	38	0	3.37
John Garrett	5	323	3	2	21	0	3.90

Note:

Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals

Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Transactions

The Nordiques were involved in the following transactions during the 1981–82 season.

Trades

December 30, 1981	To New York Rangers Robbie Ftorek 8th round pick in 1982 – Brian Glynn	To Quebec Nordiques Jere Gillis Pat Hickey
January 12, 1982	To Hartford Whalers Michel Plasse 4th round pick in 1983 – Ron Chyzowski	To Quebec Nordiques John Garrett
February 1, 1982	To Washington Capitals Lee Norwood 6th round pick in 1982 – Mats Kihlstrom	To Quebec Nordiques Tim Tookey 7th round pick in 1982 – Daniel Poudrier
March 9, 1982	To Toronto Maple Leafs Miroslav Frycer 7th round pick in 1982 – Jeff Triano	To Quebec Nordiques Wilf Paiement
June 9, 1982	To Minnesota North Stars 11th round pick in 1983 – Oldrich Valek	To Quebec Nordiques 12th round pick in 1982 – Jan Jasko

Free agents

Player Former Team Pat Daley Winnipeg Jets Jean Hamel Detroit Red Wings Gary Dillon Colorado Rockies

Draft picks

Quebec's draft picks from the 1981 NHL entry draft which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.

Round	#	Player	Nationality	College/junior/club team (league)
1	11	Randy Moller	Canada	Lethbridge Broncos (WHL)
3	53	Jean-Marc Gaulin	Canada	Sorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)
4	74	Clint Malarchuk	Canada	Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
5	95	Ed Lee	United States	Princeton University (NCAA)
6	116	Mike Eagles	Canada	Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
8	158	Andre Cote	Canada	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
9	179	Marc Brisebois	Canada	Sorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)
10	200	Kari Takko	Finland	Assat Pori (Finland)