Whalers Humiliate Oilers 11-0 in Stunning 1984 Rout

On February 12, 1984, the Hartford Civic Center played host to one of the most stunning results of the 1983-84 NHL season. With Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri absent from the lineup, the Edmonton Oilers were missing two of their most dangerous offensive weapons. Still, few could have anticipated the magnitude of what followed, as the Hartford Whalers delivered an emphatic 11-0 victory that was never in doubt.

Ron Francis set the tone almost immediately, scoring just 1:26 into the opening period. That goal would stand as the game-winner, but it was only the beginning of a historic night for the young star. Francis scored four goals and added an assist for a five-point performance, establishing a franchise record with his fourth goal just eight seconds into the third period. The Whalers also overwhelmed Edmonton on special teams, striking for six power-play goals in a dominant display.

Greg Malone enjoyed a career night of his own. The offseason acquisition from the Pittsburgh Penguins recorded a hat trick and added two assists for five points. Malone assisted on goals by Francis and Bob Crawford, turning what had been a modest offensive season into a memorable personal highlight. His production, paired with Francis’ explosion, powered Hartford’s relentless attack.

The game also featured a classic Gordie Howe Hat Trick from Ray Neufeld, who picked up an assist on Francis’ first goal, scored in the second period, and engaged in a first-period fight with Randy Gregg. In goal, Greg Millen completed the effort with a 28-save shutout, turning aside every Edmonton opportunity to preserve the lopsided final score.

While the Oilers would go on to capture the Stanley Cup that spring, this February night belonged entirely to Hartford. Even accounting for the absence of Gretzky and Kurri, an 11-0 result spoke volumes. For one remarkable evening, the Whalers showcased their full offensive firepower and secured one of the most decisive victories in franchise history.

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Pat Lafontaine Finds His NHL Groove in Just His Second Game with the Islanders

Pat Lafontaine wasted little time proving he belonged in the NHL. Less than two weeks after representing the United States at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Yugoslavia, the highly touted rookie was already making his presence felt with the New York Islanders.

Selected third overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, behind Brian Lawton and Sylvain Turgeon, Lafontaine joined a veteran Islanders lineup late in the 1983-84 season. Despite appearing in just 15 regular-season games, he produced an impressive 13 goals and 19 points, an early sign of the elite scoring touch that would define his career.

Lafontaine’s second NHL game, played on March 3, 1984, came at Maple Leaf Gardens against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In classic high-scoring 1980s fashion, the Islanders erupted for an 11-6 road victory and Lafontaine stole the spotlight.

At 11:31 of the first period, he scored his first NHL goal, beating Allan Bester with assists from Bob Bourne and Denis Potvin. Before the opening frame ended, Lafontaine added his first NHL assist, setting up John Tonelli as New York piled on four first-period goals.

The rookie wasn’t finished. In the third period, Lafontaine recorded three more points in a span of just over eight minutes. He scored his second goal at 4:05 against Rick St. Croix, picked up another assist on a Tonelli goal at 11:22, and completed his first NHL hat trick at 12:14. When the dust settled, Lafontaine had five points in just his second NHL appearance.

That explosive night was an early glimpse of what would become a remarkable NHL career. Between 1983-84 and 1997-98, Lafontaine scored 468 regular-season goals while starring for the Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Rangers. He reached the 50-goal mark twice, highlighted by a career-best 54-goal season in 1989-90. In recognition of his achievements, Pat Lafontaine was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

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