Throwback Thursday: Today in 1987, Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky sets playoff scoring record, Oilers-Kings set playoff record for goals in game

Today in 1987, the Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky scored six assists and one goal in a 13-3 Smythe Division semi-finals win against the LA Kings passing Jean Beliveau for first place on the all-time playoff scoring list. It also tied the NHL record for most assists in a playoff game.

Not only that, but the Oilers and Kings set a playoff record for most goals scored in a Stanley Cup playoff game. The game two win helped push the Oilers enroute to their 4-1 series win over the Kings.

Beyond Gretzky’s seven-point night, Jari Kurri scored four goals and an assist and Mark Messier had a two-goal, two-assist night to boot. Glenn Anderson, Randy Gregg, Kent Nilsson, Craig MacTavish and Esa Tikkanen all chipped in with multiple point nights, too.

After beating LA in round one, Edmonton took down the Winnipeg Jets four games to none, while toppling the Detroit Red Wings four games to one. In the finals, Edmonton defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in seven games.

For the Oilers, it marked their third of five Stanley Cup championships in the 80’s and into 1990.

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