1983–84 NHL season
| 1983–84 NHL season | |
|---|---|
| League | National Hockey League |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration | October 4, 1983 – May 19, 1984 |
| Number of games | 80 |
| Number of teams | 21 |
| Regular season | |
| Season champions | Edmonton Oilers |
| Season MVP | Wayne Gretzky (Oilers) |
| Top scorer | Wayne Gretzky (Oilers) |
| Playoffs | |
| Playoffs Playoffs MVP | Mark Messier (Oilers) |
| Stanley Cup | |
| Champions | Edmonton Oilers |
| Runners-up | New York Islanders |
The 1983–84 NHL season was the 67th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers de-throned the four-time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders four games to one in the Cup finals.
Not since World War II travel restrictions caused the NHL to drop regular season overtime games in 1942–43 had the NHL used overtime to decide regular season games. Starting this season, the NHL introduced a five-minute extra period of overtime following the third period in the event of a tied game. A team losing in overtime would get no points. This rule remained in effect until the 1999–2000 season, where a team losing in overtime was awarded 1 point. If the game remained tied after the five-minute extra period, it remained a tie, until the NHL shootout arrived in the 2005–06 season. Overtime in the Stanley Cup playoffs remained unchanged.
In the entry draft, Brian Lawton became the first American to be chosen first overall by the Minnesota North Stars. Three Americans were chosen in the top five: Lawton, Pat Lafontaine (third) and Tom Barrasso (fifth). Sylvain Turgeon was chosen second and Steve Yzerman was chosen fourth overall. The St. Louis Blues did not participate in the draft, having been 'orphaned' by Ralston Purina. The NHL took control of the franchise after the draft. Harry Ornest purchased the Blues for US$3 million.
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