1979 Stanley Cup playoffs


The 1979 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League, began on April 10, after the conclusion of the 1978–79 NHL season. The playoffs concluded on May 21, with the three-time defending champion Montreal Canadiens defeating the New York Rangers 4–1 to win the Final series four games to one for the Stanley Cup. Three Original Six teams made the semifinals, which would not happen again until the 2014 Conference Finals.
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Playoff seeds

The twelve teams that qualified for the playoffs are ranked 1–12 based on regular season points.
Note: Only teams that qualified for the playoffs are listed here.
  1. New York Islanders, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 116 points
  2. Montreal Canadiens, Norris Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 115 points
  3. Boston Bruins, Adams Division champions – 100 points
  4. Philadelphia Flyers – 95 points
  5. New York Rangers – 91 points
  6. Atlanta Flames – 90 points
  7. Buffalo Sabres – 88 points
  8. Pittsburgh Penguins – 85 points
  9. Toronto Maple Leafs – 81 points
  10. Los Angeles Kings – 80 points
  11. Chicago Black Hawks, Smythe Division champions – 73 points
  12. Vancouver Canucks – 63 points

    Playoff bracket

(1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (8) Vancouver Canucks

(2) New York Rangers vs. (7) Los Angeles Kings

(3) Atlanta Flames vs. (6) Toronto Maple Leafs

(4) Buffalo Sabres vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins

Quarterfinals

(1) New York Islanders vs. (8) Chicago Black Hawks

(2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (7) Toronto Maple Leafs

As of 2019, this was the last time these two teams faced off against each other in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

(3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Pittsburgh Penguins

(4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) New York Rangers

Semifinals

(1) New York Islanders vs. (4) New York Rangers

(2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (3) Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup Finals

Prior to 2013, this was the last time two Original Six clubs met in the finals. Both teams would next appear in the Stanley Cup Finals: Canadiens winning in, Rangers winning in.