Esa Tikkanen should have won the 1990 Conn Smythe Trophy. Did Bill Ranford play well during the Oilers’ last successful run to the Cup? Yes, yes, he did. Was the playoff MVP awarded the trophy? I don’t think so. I was stunned after the final game against the Bruins when Esa didn’t win. Had I watched a different playoff run? The Grate One was robbed.

Tikkanen was a unique left winger with skill and grit. At the age of 17, he came over early from Finland and played for the Regina Pat Blues in 1981. This was unusual for Europeans at the time. That season he had 38 goals, 37 assists, and 216 penalty minutes in 59 games. For years, the Oilers had looked for a left winger to play with Gretzky and Kurri. Fearless Esa was the perfect fit until No. 99 was traded. In an interview with Jason Gregor, Perry Berezan admitted his Calgary team hated Tikkanen more than any other Oiler.

The former Flame said the Finn was a menace and they could never get him off his game: “There was nothing you could do that would break the guy.” Berezan also spoke of Esa’s famous Tikkanese or Tiki Talk: “You couldn’t understand a word he said.”

The Oilers’ No. 10 had the skill to play with world-class players, was responsible defensively, and got under the skin of opponents. Imagine an impish, Loki-like character on skates.

Then in the 1989-90 regular season, Tikkanen had 30 goals, 33 assists, and 161 penalty minutes. This was a different team from the one that had won four Stanley Cups; there was no Gretzky, no Coffey, and no Fuhr. They were a more defensive team, and Tikkanen was a major part of it.

The Oilers’ 1990 playoffs almost ended abruptly in the first round. After being down three games to one against the Winnipeg Jets, the team rebounded and went 13-3. Tikkanen was the key reason for this remarkable turnaround. Not only did he contribute offensively, but he also checked Dale Hawerchuk, Wayne Gretzky, Denis Savard, and Craig Janney (in that order).

Round 1 vs. the Winnipeg Jets — four goals and five assists. It did not look good for the Oil. After the first four games, Hawerchuk and Co. ran the show and were up three games to one. However, the team rallied, and the Oilers prevailed in seven games. Tikkanen was front and centre in the legendary comeback. In the final four games, Esa had a goal in each game, including the opening goals in Game 5 and Game 6. He also assisted on the winner to tie the series. Hawerchuk didn’t score a goal in the last four games and had no points in Game 7.

Round 2 vs. the Los Angeles Kings — four goals. The Oil absolutely overwhelmed their fierce rivals in a sweep with Tikkanen easily outclassing his old linemate. At the conclusion of the series,  No. 99 had one point, and Esa had four goals in four games.

Round 3 vs. the Chicago Blackhawks — two goals and four assists. This was a hard-fought series, and it took time for Tikkanen to deal with Savard. After three games, the Oilers were down two games to one and in trouble. Savard had one goal and six assists to Tikkanen’s one goal and two assists. But then Edmonton won three of the next four games, with the Oilers’ No. 10 equaling Savard’s three points. Esa opened the scoring in the series-clinching win, and Chicago’s top centre was held pointless.

Round 4 vs. the Boston Bruins — three goals and two assists. The opening game of the series was an epic clash. Bill Ranford was brilliant with 50 saves, and Klima scored deep into the third overtime. However, Tikkanen made his impact on the playoffs once again with five points in five games. Boston’s top centre, Craig Janney, finished the series with no points.

During the Oilers’ incredible run, Esa scored 13 goals and had 11 assists to finish fourth in playoff scoring. His goal total tied Brett Hull for third in goals, one more than Cam Neely. Tikkanen was also at his feisty best with 26 penalty minutes.

Were there other candidates? Yes, there were. Bill Ranford, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Steve Smith all played well. Why was Esa overlooked? Maybe it didn’t fit a certain narrative at the time. European players are completely immersed in the NHL now; that wasn’t the case in 1990.

I also think the 50-save performance was weighed too heavily. Bill Ranford’s story was impressive, and it made the Oilers look like geniuses for picking him up. I’m sure it didn’t hurt that he was a western Canadian guy. However, the true playoff MVP should have been the one and only Esa Tikkanen.

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