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1980 PLAYOFF PREVIEW & GRETZKY WATCH
Initially after the WHA merger/expansion, the NHL had a strange playoff format based on #1 to #16 seedings. The teams weren't organized geographically yet either. Regardless of division, #1 played #16, #2 played #15, and so on. In real life the Whalers played the end-of-their-dynasty powerhouse Canadiens and got swept. This time we're up against the potential new dynasty Islanders.
FHM doesn't get these playoffs quite right, as they seem to tie division winners into the seedings somehow. Based on my look at the standings we should really be playing the Blues. But I don't blame the game too much as the early 80s was an awkward transition period for hockey, before we got to the geographic setup.
Also wanted to take a look at Wayne Gretzky in his first NHL season. He finished with 70/70/140. Normally you'd expect Gretzky to pile up a lot more assists than goals, but he really had to do it all himself on these Oilers! If you look at the rest of the team, no one else had even half of his production. Looking on Hockey Reference, this is kind of similar to what actually happened on the 79/80 Oilers, before Messier got good and they picked up more secondary scoring. But right now Gretz is just a teenager carrying the new NHL team on his back.
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