STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS : In Past, Oilers Turned Lights On, Off for Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks were just another doormat along the way to NHL greatness for the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s. The teams are set to meet again, one series from the Stanley Cup finals, beginning tonight.

The Oilers have faced the Blackhawks twice in the playoffs and twice set league scoring records, winning the Campbell Conference final in a sweep in 1983 and in six games two years later.

In 1983, they outscored Chicago, 25-11, setting the record for most goals in a four-game series.

In 1985, Edmonton set the mark for most goals in a six-game series, outscoring Chicago 44-25. That series also yielded six other offensive records for the Oilers, who beat the Blackhawks by scores of 11-2, 7-3, 10-5 and 8-2. Chicago’s wins--both in Chicago Stadium--were by 5-2 and 8-6.

“Chicago wasn’t as good a defensive hockey club as they are now though,” said Oiler assistant coach Ron Low, who watched the Blackhawks advance to the conference final with Monday night’s convincing 8-2 seventh-game victory over the St. Louis Blues.

“I think they’re a good skating club, they can play physical, they work really hard and if they get their power play on track they’re going to be a tough hockey club to beat.”

“They have a strong nucleus of veteran players,” Oilers defenseman Randy Gregg said of Chicago. “That’s always a worry because the Doug Wilsons, the Denis Savards, the Troy Murrays have been there.”