1990–91 Edmonton Oilers season
The 1990–91 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 12th season in the NHL, and they were coming off of their 5th Stanley Cup in the last 7 seasons, after defeating the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals. The Oilers would finish the season with a 37–37–6 record for 80 points, their lowest point total since 1980–81, and Edmonton scored a franchise low 272 goals, however, the Oilers set a franchise record for fewest goals against, with 272. After a 2–11–2 start to the season, the Oilers rebounded and finished 3rd in the Smythe Division and continued their playoff streak of making the playoffs every year they've been in the NHL.
| 1990–91 Edmonton Oilers | |
|---|---|
| Division | 3rd Smythe |
| Conference | 5th Campbell |
| 1990–91 record | 37–37–6 |
| Home record | 22–15–3 |
| Road record | 15–22–3 |
| Goals for | 272 (T-11th) |
| Goals against | 272 (12th) |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Glen Sather |
| Coach | John Muckler |
| Captain | Mark Messier |
| Alternate captains | Kevin Lowe Craig MacTavish |
| Arena | Northlands Coliseum |
| Average attendance | 16,843 (96.2%) |
| Minor league affiliate(s) | Cape Breton Oilers (AHL) Knoxville Cherokees (ECHL) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Petr Klíma (40) |
| Assists | Mark Messier (52) |
| Points | Esa Tikkanen (69) |
| Penalty minutes | Steve Smith (193) |
| Plus/minus | Petr Klíma (+24) |
| Wins | Bill Ranford (27) |
| Goals against average | Bill Ranford (3.20) |
Prior to the season, long time Oiler Jari Kurri left the team due to a contract dispute signing with Italian club Milano Devils, leaving a big hole on the team's top line. Injuries also hurt the Oilers, as Mark Messier missed 29 games due to injuries, and his 64 points was his lowest total since 1984–85. Messier also matched the lowest goal total of his career with 12, which matched his rookie season total back in 1979–80. Esa Tikkanen led the club in points with 69, while Petr Klíma scored a career high 40 goals to lead Edmonton in that department. Steve Smith would lead the Oilers defense with 54 points, and his 193 penalty minutes led the club.
In goal, Bill Ranford had a solid season, winning a team high 27 games and posting a 3.20 GAA. Grant Fuhr was suspended by the NHL for the season, but the suspension was lifted by the league after 59 games and his completion of a two-week rehab program, finishing out the regular season with a solid 6–4–3 record and a 3.01 GAA.
The Oilers finished the regular season with the fewest short-handed goals allowed (4).