- Game 1 of the 1982 Kings-Oilers series stands as the highest-scoring playoff game in NHL history.
- The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers combined for 15 goals in their memorable 2022 encounter.
- Wayne Gretzky played in five of the top 10 highest-scoring NHL playoff games.
Hockey fans love a good fight, but goal fests often steal the show. NHL playoff games are high-tension affairs, making offensive explosions unforgettable nights.
Let’s examine the top 10 highest-scoring NHL playoff games ever played, ranked by the total number of goals scored.
10 Highest-Scoring NHL Playoff Games
| Matchup | Year | Goals |
| Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers | 1989 | 18 |
| Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | 1989 | 17 |
| Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers | 1987 | 16 |
| Calgary Flames vs. Los Angeles Kings | 1990 | 16 |
| Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens | 1973 | 15 |
| Minnesota North Stars vs. Boston Bruins | 1981 | 15 |
| Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers | 1985 | 15 |
| Calgary Flames vs. Los Angeles Kings | 1993 | 15 |
| Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames | 2022 | 15 |
| Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins | 1974 | 14 |
1. Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers 1982 – 18 Goals
Game 1 of the 1982 Kings-Oilers series stands the test of time as the highest-scoring NHL playoff game in league history.
The upstart Los Angeles Kings came back from a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Oilers. NHL Hall-of-Famer Marcel Dionne scored twice, Daryl Evans potted two goals of his own, and the Kings beat up the young Oilers.
1982 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 1.
Under 2 min in regulation to go. 9-8 Kings.
The Oilers counter a Marcel Dionne rush with a breakaway pass to Wayne Gretzky. It's Gretzky & Mario Lessard 1 on 1 with the game on the line. #LetsGoOilers #GOKINGSGO pic.twitter.com/dZs4hFba6u
— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) June 25, 2022
A young Wayne Gretzky lit the lamp with a goal and three assists in the contest to boost the Oilers Stanley Cup odds.
2. Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins 1989 – 17 Goals
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Mario Lemieux scored five goals and added three assists for his squad in a 10-7 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 of the Patrick Division finals.
Lemieux scored four goals in the first period alone, and Pittsburgh rolled.
3. Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers 1987 – 16 Goals
Jarri Kurri scored four goals, Mark Messier scored two of his own and the Oilers destroyed the Kings 13-3 in Game 2 of the 1987 Smythe Division semifinals.
Wayne Gretzky scored a goal to go along with six assists for the dominant Edmonton squad. The Oilers would go on to win the series in five games.
4. Calgary Flames vs Los Angeles Kings 1990 – 16 Goals
No. 99 was part of yet another of the highest-scoring NHL playoff games in 1990. A 29-year-old Gretzky sniped a goal and added four helpers in a 12-4 Game 4.
Tony Granato and Tomas Sandstrock each scored a hat trick, with Todd Elik and Jay Miller adding a goal apiece.
5. Chicago Blackhawks vs Montreal Canadiens 1973 – 15 Goals
The Chicago Blackhawks overcame goals from Claude Larose, and Pete and Frank Mahovlich to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 8-7 in Game 5 of the 1973 Stanley Cup Final.
Montreal would go on to lift the Stanley Cup two nights later.
6. Minnesota North Stars vs Boston Bruins 1981 – 15 Goals
Minnesota scored three early first-period goals to vanquish the Boston Bruins 9-6 in Game 2 of their 1981 first-round series.
Steve Payne scored twice and added two assists, with Al MacAdam also scoring two goals for the North Stars. Minnesota would go on to sweep the series 3-0.
7. Chicago Blackhawks vs Edmonton Oilers 1985 – 15 Goals
Game 5 of the 1985 Campbell Conference finals saw the Edmonton Oilers defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 10-5.
Gretzky scored two goals and added two assists, Jari Kurri notched a hat trick, and Mark Messier even scored in the victory. Paul Coffey chipped in from the blue line with five assists.
8. Calgary Flames vs Los Angeles Kings 1993 – 15 Goals
Calgary faced Los Angeles in a thrilling Smythe Division semifinal Game 6 in 1993. As this list demonstrates, the hockey odds were very often on Wayne Gretzky’s side.
Pat Conacher and Luc Robitaille each scored twice, while Gretzky added a goal and three assists.
Gretzky’s Kings smacked the Flames 9-4 and would go on to win the series in six games.
9. Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames 2022 – 15 Goals
The most recent entry on this list, Game 2 of the 2022 Battle of Alberta lived up to the hype.
Matthew Tkachuk notched a hat trick with Brandon Coleman also scoring twice for the Flames. On the flip side, Zach Hyman scored two goals for Edmonton, with Leon Draisaitl adding a goal and two assists, and Connor McDavid chipping in with a goal and three assists of his own.
10. Chicago Blackhawks vs Boston Bruins 1974 – 14 Goals
Game 2 of the 1974 Stanley Cup semifinal was an absolute barnburner. The Bruins and Blackhawks entered the third period tied at 4-4 before Boston exploded for four games in the third period.
Johnny Bucyk scored a hat trick, with Bobby Orr racking up three assists in an 8-6 Bruins victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
