The 1990–91

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

was the team's 65th season. After making the Conference Finals two years in a row, the Blackhawks hosted the

NHL All-Star Game The National Hockey League All-Star Game () is an exhibition ice hockey tournament that is traditionally held during the regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL), with many of the League's star players playing against each other. The ga ...

, and finished with 106 points winning the

NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

Presidents' Trophy The Presidents' Trophy () is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL) to the team that finishes with the most points (i.e., best overall record) during the regular season. If two teams are tied for the most points, then the Trophy ...

for best record in the league. The Hawks received terrific performances from Steve Larmer, Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios, Dirk Graham and rookie Ed Belfour. Hockey, it seemed, was back in Chicago, and dreams of the first Stanley Cup since

1961 Events January * January 1 – Monetary reform in the Soviet Union, 1961, Monetary reform in the Soviet Union. * January 3 ** United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States has severed diplomatic and cons ...

were rampant. However the playoffs matched the Blackhawks with their old rivals, the

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

, who defeated the Hawks in the first round of the 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs 4–2.

Offseason

Coach Mike Keenan assumed the role General Manager while remaining coach, and traded fan-favorite Denis Savard to the Montreal Canadiens for Chicago native Chris Chelios in the summer of 1990. Several of the older Blackhawks (Al Secord, Bob Murray and Duane Sutter) retired.

NHL Draft

Regular season

The Blackhawks played at a high level all season as they won the Norris Division, the Western Conference regular season, and their first

for having the best record in the NHL with a record of 49–23–8 – good for 106 points. The Hawks edged St. Louis for all three titles as the Blues finished second with 105 points on the last day of the season with a win over the Red Wings. In addition to winning the

as the NHL's best team during the regular season, the Blackhawks also were the NHL's best defense, having allowed only 211 goals over 80 games. Despite being the most penalized team during the regular season, with 425 short-handed situations, the Blackhawks had a penalty-killing percentage of 84.00%, good enough for 2nd place in the league. The Blackhawks also led the NHL in short-handed goals scored, with 20. On October 25, 1990, Steve Larmer scored just 8 seconds into the overtime period to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 home win over the

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

. It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1990-91 NHL regular season.

All-Star Game

The 42nd

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game that showcases the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or division, bu ...

took place in

Chicago Stadium Chicago Stadium was an indoor arena in Chicago from 1929 to 1995. When it was built, it was the largest indoor arena in the world with a maximum seating capacity of 26,000. It was the home of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks and ...

, home of the

, on January 19, 1991. The game saw the team of

Campbell conference Campbell may refer to: People Surname * Campbell (surname), includes a list of people with surname Campbell Given name * Campbell Brown (footballer), an Australian rules footballer * Campbell Brown (journalist) (born 1968), American television n ...

all-star An all-star team is a group of people all having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and has been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry. Sports "All-star" as a sport ...

s beat the team of

Wales conference Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

all-stars 11–5. While the game was high-scoring and exciting, the real story was the emotions. First from a hockey perspective, Chicago had not hosted an All-Star Game since 1974, and the Blackhawks resurgence was fueled by three All-Stars – Steve Larmer, Jeremy Roenick (his first), and Chris Chelios, all of whom received great ovations from the hometown fans during introductions. The second, larger perspective was that the game was played during the war with Iraq, and

Operation Desert Storm Operation or Operations may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity * Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory * ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Man ...

had just started two days earlier. Some players asked that the game be delayed, but the league pressed on and players wore decals on their helmets supporting the troops. When Wayne Messmer stepped to the microphone and the organ began to play the pre-game National Anthem, the roar from the Chicago Stadium crowd, many of whom waved flags and sparklers, was deafening and sustained over the length of the song, totally overwhelming the performance, and creating a patriotic moment of history that transcended the sport.

Season standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , W, , October 4, 1990, , 4–3 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1990–91) , , 1–0–0 , - , 2, , W, , October 6, 1990, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1990–91) , , 2–0–0 , - , 3, , L, , October 7, 1990, , 2–4 , , align="left",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1990–91) , , 2–1–0 , - , 4, , W, , October 11, 1990, , 4–1 , , align="left",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1990–91) , , 3–1–0 , - , 5, , W, , October 13, 1990, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 4–1–0 , - , 6, , L, , October 14, 1990, , 1–3 , , align="left",

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1990–91) , , 4–2–0 , - , 7, , L, , October 16, 1990, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1990–91) , , 4–3–0 , - , 8, , W, , October 18, 1990, , 3–0 , , align="left",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1990–91) , , 5–3–0 , - , 9, , L, , October 20, 1990, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 5–4–0 , - , 10, , W, , October 21, 1990, , 7–1 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 6–4–0 , - , 11, , W, , October 25, 1990, , 3–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 7–4–0 , - , 12, , L, , October 27, 1990, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1990–91) , , 7–5–0 , - , 13, , W, , October 28, 1990, , 2–1 OT, , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1990–91) , , 8–5–0 , - , - , 14, , W, , November 1, 1990, , 6–2 , , align="left",

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

( 1990–91) , , 9–5–0 , - , 15, , W, , November 3, 1990, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1990–91) , , 10–5–0 , - , 16, , L, , November 4, 1990, , 0–2 , , align="left",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1990–91) , , 10–6–0 , - , 17, , T, , November 6, 1990, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1990–91) , , 10–6–1 , - , 18, , W, , November 8, 1990, , 5–3 , , align="left",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1990–91) , , 11–6–1 , - , 19, , W, , November 10, 1990, , 5–1 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 12–6–1 , - , 20, , T, , November 11, 1990, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

( 1990–91) , , 12–6–2 , - , 21, , W, , November 14, 1990, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 13–6–2 , - , 22, , W, , November 16, 1990, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 14–6–2 , - , 23, , W, , November 17, 1990, , 7–2 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 15–6–2 , - , 24, , W, , November 20, 1990, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 16–6–2 , - , 25, , L, , November 21, 1990, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1990–91) , , 16–7–2 , - , 26, , W, , November 24, 1990, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 17–7–2 , - , 27, , L, , November 29, 1990, , 1–5 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 17–8–2 , - , - , 28, , L, , December 1, 1990, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 17–9–2 , - , 29, , W, , December 2, 1990, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 18–9–2 , - , 30, , W, , December 6, 1990, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 19–9–2 , - , 31, , W, , December 8, 1990, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 20–9–2 , - , 32, , L, , December 9, 1990, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 20–10–2 , - , 33, , W, , December 11, 1990, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 21–10–2 , - , 34, , W, , December 13, 1990, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 22–10–2 , - , 35, , L, , December 15, 1990, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 22–11–2 , - , 36, , W, , December 16, 1990, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 23–11–2 , - , 37, , W, , December 19, 1990, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 24–11–2 , - , 38, , L, , December 22, 1990, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 24–12–2 , - , 39, , W, , December 23, 1990, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 25–12–2 , - , 40, , T, , December 26, 1990, , 6–6 OT, , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 25–12–3 , - , 41, , L, , December 28, 1990, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1990–91) , , 25–13–3 , - , 42, , W, , December 29, 1990, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 26–13–3 , - , 43, , W, , December 31, 1990, , 4–0 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 27–13–3 , - , - , 44, , W, , January 3, 1991, , 5–3 , , align="left",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1990–91) , , 28–13–3 , - , 45, , L, , January 6, 1991, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 28–14–3 , - , 46, , W, , January 10, 1991, , 7–2 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 29–14–3 , - , 47, , W, , January 11, 1991, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 30–14–3 , - , 48, , W, , January 13, 1991, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 31–14–3 , - , 49, , T, , January 16, 1991, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 31–14–4 , - , 50, , W, , January 17, 1991, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 32–14–4 , - , 51, , L, , January 24, 1991, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 32–15–4 , - , 52, , W, , January 26, 1991, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 33–15–4 , - , 53, , W, , January 28, 1991, , 1–0 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 34–15–4 , - , - , 54, , L, , February 1, 1991, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 34–16–4 , - , 55, , L, , February 2, 1991, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 34–17–4 , - , 56, , W, , February 6, 1991, , 8–3 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 35–17–4 , - , 57, , L, , February 9, 1991, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 35–18–4 , - , 58, , L, , February 10, 1991, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 35–19–4 , - , 59, , W, , February 14, 1991, , 2–1 OT, , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 36–19–4 , - , 60, , T, , February 17, 1991, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 36–19–5 , - , 61, , L, , February 18, 1991, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 36–20–5 , - , 62, , W, , February 21, 1991, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 37–20–5 , - , 63, , T, , February 23, 1991, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 37–20–6 , - , 64, , W, , February 24, 1991, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 38–20–6 , - , 65, , L, , February 26, 1991, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 38–21–6 , - , 66, , W, , February 28, 1991, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 39–21–6 , - , - , 67, , W, , March 3, 1991, , 8–0 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 40–21–6 , - , 68, , L, , March 6, 1991, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 40–22–6 , - , 69, , W, , March 8, 1991, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 41–22–6 , - , 70, , W, , March 10, 1991, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 42–22–6 , - , 71, , W, , March 14, 1991, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 43–22–6 , - , 72, , W, , March 16, 1991, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 44–22–6 , - , 73, , W, , March 17, 1991, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 45–22–6 , - , 74, , T, , March 21, 1991, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 45–22–7 , - , 75, , W, , March 23, 1991, , 7–5 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 46–22–7 , - , 76, , W, , March 24, 1991, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 47–22–7 , - , 77, , T, , March 26, 1991, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 47–22–8 , - , 78, , W, , March 28, 1991, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 48–22–8 , - , 79, , L, , March 30, 1991, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1990–91) , , 48–23–8 , - , 80, , W, , March 31, 1991, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1990–91) , , 49–23–8 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Regular season

;Scoring ;Goaltending

Playoffs

After reaching the Conference finals the prior two years and winning the Presidents' Trophy, hopes were extremely high entering the playoffs. The first round again reunited the Hawks with their old rivals from Minnesota who the Blackhawks needed seven games to dispatch in the prior year when the North Stars were the last place team in the division. This series however would not last seven games. The teams needed overtime to determine the winner of Game 1 at the Chicago Stadium, however it was Minnesota who emerged as the 4–3 winner. The Blackhawks won Games 2 and 3, an easy 5–2 win in Chicago, and a close 6–5 win in Minnesota. However the North Stars swept the remaining games in blowout fashion including a 6–0 shutout on the Hawks home ice in Game 5. What was looking like it could be one of the greatest seasons in Hawks history was suddenly over. Minnesota won their next two series and reached the

Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...

where they lost to Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. ;Scoring ;Goaltending Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

Calder Memorial Trophy The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)." It is named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL. Serving ...

Ed Belfour Edward John Belfour (born April 21, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the National Collegia ...

* Frank J. Selke Trophy:

Dirk Graham Dirk Milton Graham (born July 29, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League. He was honored in 1991 as the Frank J. Selke Trophy winn ...

Vezina Trophy The Vezina Trophy ( ) is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the thirty-two List of NHL general managers, NHL general managers vote to dete ...

William M. Jennings Trophy The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League (NHL) award given to "the goaltender(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it ... based on regular-season play." From 1946 until ...

* Ed Belfour, Goaltender, NHL All-Rookie Team * Chris Chelios, Defence, NHL Second Team All-Star * Jeremy Roenick, Center, NHL Second Team All-Star * Steve Larmer, Right Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star

References

Blackhawks on Hockey Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chicago Blackhawks Season 1990-91 1990-91 1990–91 NHL season by team

1990 Important events of 1990 include the Reunification of Germany and the unification of Yemen, the formal beginning of the Human Genome Project (finished in 2003), the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, the separation of Namibia from South ...

1990 in sports in Illinois 1991 in sports in Illinois 1990 in Chicago 1991 in Chicago