1994 finals vs. 1987 finals: Which was better?

[MarkMessier11]

Hi everyone. I was just curious as to which finals you think were better overall, and why. There is a great debate as to which finals was better. In 1994 you had the Rangers and the long cup drought vs. 1987 in the greatest team ever (perhaps) against an underdog Flyers team. 87 had Hextall vs. Gretzky while 94 had Bure, Richter and the infamous penalty shot!

Which finals was better as far as the games go? Which finals had the better story line? Which finals meant more to the NHL?

I think I have to go with 1994 being slightly better based on the unbelievable Game 7, although 1987's Game 7 was also great. It's close. How do you rank the 2 finals when compared to each other? Which one was better?

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[Glen Sathers Cigar]

I mean we're Rangers fans, so 1994 was better for that reason. But even just for hockey in general, 1994 was one of the best SCF of the modern era. 7 game series, 54 year cup drought vs Canadian city to never win a cup, Messier leading the Rangers, 1st American to win Conn Smythe, Richter penalty shot save. Hockey was at the peak of its popularity after the Rangers won the cup in 1994, Sports Illustrated even had that famous cover story saying the NHL was surpassing the NBA in popularity.

 

[MarkMessier11]

I mean we're Rangers fans, so 1994 was better for that reason. But even just for hockey in general, 1994 was one of the best SCF of the modern era. 7 game series, 54 year cup drought vs Canadian city to never win a cup, Messier leading the Rangers, 1st American to win Conn Smythe, Richter penalty shot save. Hockey was at the peak of its popularity after the Rangers won the cup in 1994, Sports Illustrated even had that famous cover story saying the NHL was surpassing the NBA in popularity.

Putting our Ranger fan bias aside, I feel exactly as you do. I was debating with a Flyers fan friend of mine about this though, and he insists the 1987 finals were better based on the fact that Hextall was great, Flyers comebacks in the games, the high-flying Oilers with Gretzky etc. He thinks the story line was better in 1987. I disagree with him on virtually everything. I think the 1994 story line was better. I think each series basically had 4 great games and 3 games that weren't as close. But I think in the end I give the edge to 94 based on Game 7, and a more interesting scenario of New York with the drought vs. the Cinderella Canadian team.

 

[Machinehead]

Game 7 of the 1994 Finals was the most watched event in CBC history until the 2010 Gold Medal Game.

 

[Fugazy]

We would be lucky to see something similar to the 1994 finals every so often. That series had everything you could want.

 

[Boruto]

I personally prefer the 1928 finals but I doubt any of you kids remember it.

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

1994 SCF and Hawks-Kings 2014 WCF were the greatest series I've ever seen.
2013 SCF close behind.

The level of play and the drama was intense.
Two powerhouse teams. Richter and McLean both were on fire. Bure in his prime.
Messier, Linden, etc.

 

[Boris Zubov]

1994 SCF and Hawks-Kings 2014 WCF were the greatest series I've ever seen.
2013 SCF close behind.

The level of play and the drama was intense.
Two powerhouse teams. Richter and McLean both were on fire. Bure in his prime.
Messier, Linden, etc.

If you're going to bring up series that weren't in the Finals, '94 Rangers/Devils ECF was the best/ hardest fought I've ever watched. 3 Double OT games including Game 7. That was the best playoff series ever IMHO, Finals included. The intensity of Games 6 & 7 were just insane. You could cut the tension with a knife.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

I personally prefer the 1928 finals but I doubt any of you kids remember it.

Can you tell us a story about it grandpa?

 

[Boris Zubov]

The Finals in 87 & 94 were actually quite comparable. Two heavily favored teams who took 3-1 leads. Both of them took Game 5 for granted & gave the other teams life, which they almost took full advantage of. Edmonton blew leads in Game's 5 & 6 that the Rangers never had.

Both Game 7's were low scoring, tight games with all 4 teams afraid to make mistakes. Philly actually scored early in Game 7 to scare the hell out of the crowd, but I remember Messier & Anderson taking over about half way thru the first period. I also remember Anderson hitting the crossbar in the first that the light came on for. The PA started playing the Oilers goal song, but ultimately it was ruled no goal. Their line was dominant the entire game.

The biggest difference, in my opinion, was the '87 Flyers with Hextall & Keenan were so unlikable. Hextall gave Ken Nilson a nasty slash to the back of his legs at the end of Game 4 that he should've been suspended for. He was such an antagonizing *******.

Edit: I just looked it up. Hextall was actually suspended 8 games for the slash, but not until the start of the 87-88 season. Typical NHL crap.


In '94 I didn't dislike the Canucks at all before the series started, they were just in our way. Had I been a neutral observer, it would have been riveting watching Bure take over shifts & entire periods. He was just a phenomenal player.

 

[MarkMessier11]

If you're going to bring up series that weren't in the Finals, '94 Rangers/Devils ECF was the best/ hardest fought I've ever watched. 3 Double OT games including Game 7. That was the best playoff series ever IMHO, Finals included. The intensity of Games 6 & 7 were just insane. You could cut the tension with a knife.

I agree 100% with this, but I'd prefer opinions on just the 1994 finals vs. 1987 finals. I think it's an interesting topic considering the 2 finals are kind of linked in a way. Keenan, Messier, other ex-Oilers, 7 games, USA vs. Canada etc.

 

[Boris Zubov]

I agree 100% with this, but I'd prefer opinions on just the 1994 finals vs. 1987 finals. I think it's an interesting topic considering the 2 finals are kind of linked in a way. Keenan, Messier, other ex-Oilers, 7 games, USA vs. Canada etc.

I commented on both finals above your last post.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

The Finals in 87 & 94 were actually quite comparable. Two heavily favored teams who took 3-1 leads. Both of them took Game 5 for granted & gave the other teams' life which they took advantage of. Both Game 7's were low scoring, tight games with all 4 teams afraid to make mistakes.

The only difference in my opinion was the '87 Flyers with Hextall & Keenan were so unlikable. Hextall gave Ken Nilson a nasty slash to the back of his legs at the end of Game 4 that he should've been suspended for. He was such an antagonizing *******.

Edit: I just looked it up. Hextall was actually suspended 8 games for the slash, but not until the start of the 87-88 season. Typical NHL crap.


In '94 I didn't dislike the Canucks at all before the series started, they were just in our way. Had I been a neutral observer, it would have been riveting watching Bure take over shifts & entire periods. He was just a phenomenal player.

The Flyers were neither an underdog nor a Cinderella team in 1987. They had a rough time making it out of the East [PoW], and they rode Hextall a lot, but they were not an underdog in sense of the story. Although they might have been a slight underdog in the betting line.

Anyway, in regard to the OP, there are many great playoffs, but I don't really see the comparison between the 1987 finals and the 1994 finals at all.

Was he trying to allude to the finals being the same because of "the save" by Richter 1994 and Hextall winning the Conn Smythe on the losing team in 1987?

Hextall carried the Flyers in the last 2 rounds, and although Richter was fantastic and solidified himself as an all time Ranger great that year, I would have put him at most at 4th in running for Conn Smythe that year if not lower behind at the very least Leetch, Messier, Bure, Linden, and maybe even McLean.

I mean if let's say the Rangers ended up losing game 7 to Vancouver, yet everyone played the same besides that, Richter would definitely not have won the Conn Smythe for the losing team as Hextall did in 1987.

Furthermore, in regard to NHL lore, Hextall's 1987 performance is definitely commendable and probably a neat find for someone perusing stats one day, but in general, the Flyers would be remembered for the broad street bullies in the 70s, and the Oilers for the 80s.

I've quite honestly never remotely even hear a comparison between those two series.

Anyway, It just sounds like sour grapes by your Fly-hairs friend because they couldn't punch their way to a cup in the late 80s.

1994 was definitely one of the best storylines of the modern era.

 

[aufheben]

We would be lucky to see something similar to the 1994 finals every so often. That series had everything you could want.

That transitional time in the early 1990's from the high-flying 80's to the DPE was really the peak of NHL hockey IMO.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

That transitional time in the early 1990's from the high-flying 80's to the DPE was really the peak of NHL hockey IMO.

I agree 110% in regard to pure traditional hockey.

The new era is really the national + casual fan push. The old guard focus really stopped after the lockout. I mean this isn't an issue only in hockey, but since hockey wasn't the number one sport, hockey lagged a bit in the transition from sport + business to just another business as the other big sports leagues already were.

I really miss that era. T_T

 

[MarkMessier11]

The Flyers were neither an underdog nor a Cinderella team in 1987. They had a rough time making it out of the East [PoW], and they rode Hextall a lot, but they were not an underdog in sense of the story. Although they might have been a slight underdog in the betting line.

Anyway, in regard to the OP, there are many great playoffs, but I don't really see the comparison between the 1987 finals and the 1994 finals at all.

Was he trying to allude to the finals being the same because of "the save" by Richter 1994 and Hextall winning the Conn Smythe on the losing team in 1987?

Hextall carried the Flyers in the last 2 rounds, and although Richter was fantastic and solidified himself as an all time Ranger great that year, I would have put him at most at 4th in running for Conn Smythe that year if not lower behind at the very least Leetch, Messier, Bure, Linden, and maybe even McLean.

I mean if let's say the Rangers ended up losing game 7 to Vancouver, yet everyone played the same besides that, Richter would definitely not have won the Conn Smythe for the losing team as Hextall did in 1987.

Furthermore, in regard to NHL lore, Hextall's 1987 performance is definitely commendable and probably a neat find for someone perusing stats one day, but in general, the Flyers would be remembered for the broad street bullies in the 70s, and the Oilers for the 80s.

I've quite honestly never remotely even hear a comparison between those two series.

Anyway, It just sounds like sour grapes by your Fly-hairs friend because they couldn't punch their way to a cup in the late 80s.

1994 was definitely one of the best storylines of the modern era.

So overall, you think the 1994 finals were better than 1987 finals, right? My Flyers friend keeps saying the 1987 finals were like "Rocky vs. Apollo" and that it was better because the Oilers were the "best team ever" vs. an injury riddled underdog Flyers team, and he says the games were better because the Flyers had more comebacks. What's your take on that? I think the games in the 94 finals were also great, with Game 7 being better in 94 than in 87.

 

[Boris Zubov]

The Flyers were neither an underdog nor a Cinderella team in 1987. They had a rough time making it out of the East [PoW], and they rode Hextall a lot, but they were not an underdog in sense of the story. Although they might have been a slight underdog in the betting line.

Disagree. You're correct that the Flyers weren't a Cinderella, per se, but the Oilers were head & shoulders better than that Philly team. Philly had a tougher D & grittier forwards, but Edmonton was the clear favorite heading into that series. They were on a mission for the Cup again after blowing game 7 to Calgary the year before. (That was the Steve Smith game when he banked it off Fuhr to lose the game & the 3 peat.) They only lost 2 or 3 playoff games heading into that Final.

Not saying Philly wasn't a very good team, they were, but that Edmonton dynasty was the best team I've ever seen in pro sports. It almost seemed they were toying with Philly. When they turned it on, it wasn't close; they had a 2 goal lead in every game of the Finals. They just seemed to have mental lapses & let them back in the games they lost.

 

[MarkMessier11]

I commented on both finals above your last post.

Thanks I appreciate that. So you think overall the 94 finals were better than the 87 finals, is that right?

 

[Boris Zubov]

So overall, you think the 1994 finals were better than 1987 finals, right? My Flyers friend keeps saying the 1987 finals were like "Rocky vs. Apollo" and that it was better because the Oilers were the "best team ever" vs. an injury riddled underdog Flyers team, and he says the games were better because the Flyers had more comebacks. What's your take on that? I think the games in the 94 finals were also great, with Game 7 being better in 94 than in 87.

I agree with your buddy on the best team ever aspect, although I don't recall the Flyer injuries(other than Tim Kerr, who was always hurt). I didn't care, I couldn't stand those dirty ********, I just wanted them to lose.

The games in both series were great, but the Flyer comebacks did add a lot of drama/intrigue that the '94 finals didn't have. However, the penalty shot in '94 was the most dramatic play I've ever witnessed in the Finals.

 

[Boris Zubov]

Thanks I appreciate that. So you think overall the 94 finals were better than the 87 finals, is that right?

It's hard to say objectively. I was fixated on the games in '94 like I was part of the team. The '87 Finals were entertaining because I understood I was witnessing greatness....plus the Flyers lost!

From a personal POV, the '94 Finals were just a culmination of emotion from an entire city. It was an awesome time to be a fan, & I was very fortunate I got to attend 3 games at MSG including Game 7.

 

[aufheben]

I agree 110% in regard to pure traditional hockey.

The new era is really the national + casual fan push. The old guard focus really stopped after the lockout. I mean this isn't an issue only in hockey, but since hockey wasn't the number one sport, hockey lagged a bit in the transition from sport + business to just another business as the other big sports leagues already were.

I really miss that era. T_T

I like it now just fine but ~1990-1995 had a perfect balance of entertainment, quality of play, and skill. Also the best era of jerseys AINEC. That said I haven't seen any hockey before the 1980's and everything I've seen before the late 1990's has been a recording.

 

[Doctor King Schultz]

Can you tell us a story about it grandpa?

Refs blew the game on an early whistle

 

[NickyFotiu]

1978-79 run was the most fun for me. Beating the Flyers then the Islanders didn't hurt at all

As far as the finals games you listed Im a Rangers fan so.....

 

[RangerLifer]

1978-79 run was the most fun for me. Beating the Flyers then the Islanders didn't hurt at all

As far as the finals games you listed Im a Rangers fan so.....

I agree! That was the most fun playoff run for me as well. I fell in love with that team and got hooked on hockey that year. Good times!!

 

[cwede]

i don't even get the whole idea that there is a best
for me, no reason to choose just one
i've been lucky enough to enjoy dozens of great series

there is great hockey, great plays, great drama, great players, great matchups, great stories, clutch plays
great fun and feelings that are why we love the game

what is interesting sometimes is how things repeat
unfortunately for the Rangers, sometimes that has meant too many late blown leads - look no further than '94 ( 3 in 8 games vs NJ and 'nucks), '14 and '17 ...