Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s weren’t exactly known for defense. They pressed the attack at all times and often let Grant Fuhr fend for himself in net. That same aggression even extended to penalty killing, allowing the Oilers to turn in the four most productive shorthanded seasons the league has ever seen.
1. 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers, 36 Shorthanded Goals
No team in NHL history did more damage with a man in the box than the 1983-84 Oilers. Gretzky led the shorthanded assault, setting a then NHL record with 12 shorthanded goals. Mario Lemieux would break the record five years later, scoring 13 shorthanded goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1988-89 to establish the current mark.
Jari Kurri, Gretzky’s favorite triggerman, finished second on the club with five shorties, while Mark Messier and Glenn Anderson recorded four each. All told, 12 different Oilers notched a shorthanded tally.
2. 1986-87 Edmonton Oilers, 28 Shorthanded Goals
Gretzky once again led the charge, collecting a team-high seven shorthanded goals. Kurri chipped in five more, followed by Messier (4) and Craig MacTavish (4). Ten different players scored at least once on the penalty kill.
3. 1985-86 Edmonton Oilers, 27 Shorthanded Goals
This time, Gretzky scored only three shorthanded goals, ranking him fourth on the team. Defenseman Paul Coffey wasn’t scared to jump into the play on the kill and lit the lamp nine times while shorthanded, establishing an NHL record for blueliners that still stands today. Kurri again finished second on the team, this time potting a career-high six shorthanded goals. Messier chipped in five more. Seven Oilers accounted for the 27 goals.
1988-89 Edmonton Oilers, 27 Shorthanded Goals
By 1988-89, Gretzky was skating for the Los Angeles Kings, but it did little to slow down the Oilers’ vaunted penalty kill. Super-pest Esa Tikkanen led the team with a career-high eight shorthanded goals. Messier was second with six. Kurri, who assumed the team scoring lead in Gretzky’s absence with 102 points, added five shorthanded tallies. Once again, seven Oilers combined to produce the 27 goals.
Considering Edmonton’s dominance in terms of shorthanded scoring, it’s not surprising to find Gretzky, Messier, and Kurri among the all-time leading shorthanded scorers. Gretzky holds the record for most career shorthanded goals with 73, notching seven seasons with at least five shorthanded scores.
Messier ranks second on the all-time list with 63 shorthanded goals. He had five seasons with at least five shorthanded tallies, and he scored a career-high six twice.
Kurri’s 37 shorthanded goals rank him seventh on the all-time list.
Michael Dell - Michael Dell has been the Head Writer and Editor-in-Chief of LCS Hockey (www.lcshockey.com) since 1994. In his spare time he enjoys ...
