Every 1980-81 NHL race charted day by day: Patrick, Smythe, Adams and Norris. Final standings, from a season that ran October 9, 1980 to April 5, 1981.
Loading season data…
Patrick standings, 1980-81
Team
W
L
T
PTS
L10
Streak
New York Islanders (NYI)
48
18
14
110
7-1-2
W3
Philadelphia Flyers (PHI)
41
24
15
97
3-3-4
L1
Calgary Flames (CGY)
39
27
14
92
3-5-2
W2
New York Rangers (NYR)
30
36
14
74
6-2-2
W2
Washington Capitals (WSH)
26
36
18
70
4-4-2
W1
Final standings.
Turning points
The lead changed hands 7 times.
The New York Islanders trailed by as many as 7 points on November 2, 1980.
The New York Islanders took first place for good on December 21, 1980.
The New York Islanders won 6 games in a row from November 12, 1980 to November 22, 1980, the longest run of the race.
The Philadelphia Flyers led by 7 points as late as November 10, 1980.
The New York Islanders went 11-4-2 from December 20, 1980 to January 28, 1981, turning a deficit of 1 point into a lead of 10 points.
The top two ended the day within two points of each other on 50 of the 149 days played.
Three teams held first place.
The New York Islanders spent 123 of the season's 179 charted days in first place.