The 1990–91 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 12th season in the NHL, and they were coming off of their 5th Stanley Cup in the last seven seasons, after defeating the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals. The Oilers would finish the season with a 37–37–6 record for 80 points, their lowest point total since 1980–81, and Edmonton scored a franchise low 272 goals, however, the Oilers set a franchise record for fewest goals against, with 272. After a 2–11–2 start to the season, the Oilers rebounded and finished 3rd in the Smythe Division and continued their Stanley Cup playoff appearance streak to twelve consecutive seasons.
Prior to the season, long time Oiler Jari Kurri left the team due to a contract dispute signing with Italian club Milano Devils, leaving a big hole on the team's top line. Injuries also hurt the Oilers, as Mark Messier missed 29 games due to injuries, and his 64 points was his lowest total since 1984–85. Messier also matched the lowest goal total of his career with 12, which matched his rookie season total back in 1979–80. Esa Tikkanen led the club in points with 69, while Petr Klíma scored a career high 40 goals to lead Edmonton in that department. Steve Smith would lead the Oilers defense with 54 points, and his 193 penalty minutes led the club.
In goal, Bill Ranford had a solid season, winning a team high 27 games and posting a 3.20 GAA. Grant Fuhr was suspended by the NHL for the season, but the suspension was lifted by the league after 59 games and his completion of a two-week rehab program, finishing out the regular season with a solid 6–4–3 record and a 3.01 GAA.
The Oilers finished the regular season with the fewest short-handed goals allowed (4).
Season standings
Schedule and results
| 1 || October 6 || Winnipeg Jets || 3 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Ranford || 17,502 || 0–0–1 || 1 ||
| 2 || October 7 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,284 || 1–0–1 || 3 ||
| 3 || October 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 5 || Los Angeles Kings || OT || Ranford || 13,831 || 1–0–2 || 4 ||
| 4 || October 14 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 5 || Vancouver Canucks || OT || Ranford || 15,059 || 1–1–2 || 4 ||
| 5 || October 16 || St. Louis Blues || 5 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 15,908 || 1–2–2 || 4 ||
| 6 || October 19 || Boston Bruins || 1 – 8 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 12,553 || 2–2–2 || 6 ||
| 7 || October 21 || Calgary Flames || 2 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,054 || 2–3–2 || 6 ||
| 8 || October 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 3 || Winnipeg Jets || || Ranford || 12,185 || 2–4–2 || 6 ||
| 9 || October 25 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Calgary Flames || || Ranford || 20,132 || 2–5–2 || 6 ||
| 10 || October 28 || Washington Capitals || 1 – 0 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 15,821 || 2–6–2 || 6 ||
| 11 || October 31 || Winnipeg Jets || 1 – 0 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Ranford || 15,436 || 2–7–2 || 6 ||
| 12 || November 3 || New Jersey Devils || 5 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,547 || 2–8–2 || 6 ||
| 13 || November 6 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 2 || St. Louis Blues || || Ranford || || 2–9–2 || 6 ||
| 14 || November 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 5 || Chicago Blackhawks || || Ranford || 17,779 || 2–10–2 || 6 ||
| 15 || November 10 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 7 || Los Angeles Kings || || Ranford || 16,005 || 2–11–2 || 6 ||
| 16 || November 14 || Vancouver Canucks || 3 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 15,832 || 3–11–2 || 8 ||
| 17 || November 16 || Buffalo Sabres || 2 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,563 || 4–11–2 || 10 ||
| 18 || November 18 || New York Islanders || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,721 || 5–11–2 || 12 ||
| 19 || November 20 || Chicago Blackhawks || 3 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,474 || 5–12–2 || 12 ||
| 20 || November 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Buffalo Sabres || OT || Ranford || 16,325 || 5–13–2 || 12 ||
| 21 || November 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 1 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Takko || 16,382 || 6–13–2 || 14 ||
| 22 || November 27 || Edmonton Oilers || 7 – 3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || || Ranford || 15,789 || 7–13–2 || 16 ||
| 23 || November 29 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Boston Bruins || || Ranford || 14,448 || 7–14–2 || 16 ||
| 24 || December 1 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || Hartford Whalers || || Takko || 12,184 || 8–14–2 || 18 ||
| 25 || December 2 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 3 || Philadelphia Flyers || || Ranford || 17,382 || 9–14–2 || 20 ||
| 26 || December 5 || Quebec Nordiques || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Takko || 15,300 || 10–14–2 || 22 ||
| 27 || December 7 || New York Rangers || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,135 || 11–14–2 || 24 ||
| 28 || December 9 || Calgary Flames || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,503 || 11–15–2 || 24 ||
| 29 || December 12 || Vancouver Canucks || 4 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 15,457 || 12–15–2 || 26 ||
| 30 || December 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 8 || Los Angeles Kings || || Ranford || 16,005 || 12–16–2 || 26 ||
| 31 || December 18 || Los Angeles Kings || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Takko || 17,503 || 13–16–2 || 28 ||
| 32 || December 20 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 7 || Vancouver Canucks || || Takko || 15,725 || 13–17–2 || 28 ||
| 33 || December 22 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 2 || Calgary Flames || || Ranford || 20,132 || 14–17–2 || 30 ||
| 34 || December 23 || Vancouver Canucks || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,348 || 15–17–2 || 32 ||
| 35 || December 27 || Calgary Flames || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,503 || 16–17–2 || 34 ||
| 36 || December 28 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 2 || Vancouver Canucks || || Ranford || 16,123 || 17–17–2 || 36 ||
| 37 || December 30 || Hartford Whalers || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,913 || 18–17–2 || 38 ||
| 38 || January 2 || Montreal Canadiens || 3 – 0 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,503 || 18–18–2 || 38 ||
| 39 || January 4 || Detroit Red Wings || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,212 || 19–18–2 || 40 ||
| 40 || January 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || || Ranford || 15,728 || 19–19–2 || 40 ||
| 41 || January 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 5 || Detroit Red Wings || || Ranford || 19,857 || 19–20–2 || 40 ||
| 42 || January 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 4 || New Jersey Devils || OT || Ranford || 12,995 || 20–20–2 || 42 ||
| 43 || January 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 3 || Philadelphia Flyers || || Ranford || 17,382 || 21–20–2 || 44 ||
| 44 || January 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 2 || New York Rangers || OT || Ranford || 15,391 || 21–20–3 || 45 ||
| 45 || January 17 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 1 || New York Islanders || || Ranford || 10,476 || 22–20–3 || 47 ||
| 46 || January 22 || Los Angeles Kings || 2 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,503 || 23–20–3 || 49 ||
| 47 || January 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 6 || Vancouver Canucks || || Takko || 15,716 || 23–21–3 || 49 ||
| 48 || January 25 || New York Rangers || 4 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Takko || 17,208 || 23–22–3 || 49 ||
| 49 || January 27 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 2 || Winnipeg Jets || || Ranford || 12,892 || 24–22–3 || 51 ||
| 50 || January 30 || Vancouver Canucks || 4 – 9 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 12,892 || 25–22–3 || 53 ||
| 51 || February 1 || Chicago Blackhawks || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Ranford || 17,503 || 26–22–3 || 55 ||
| 52 || February 3 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 2 || Buffalo Sabres || || Ranford || 15,489 || 27–22–3 || 57 ||
| 53 || February 5 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 6 || Boston Bruins || OT || Ranford || 14,448 || 27–23–3 || 57 ||
| 54 || February 6 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 5 || Hartford Whalers || || Reddick || 11,364 || 27–24–3 || 57 ||
| 55 || February 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 6 || Washington Capitals || || Takko || 17,318 || 27–25–3 || 57 ||
| 56 || February 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5 – 7 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,588 || 28–25–3 || 59 ||
| 57 || February 12 || St. Louis Blues || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Reddick || 16,249 || 28–26–3 || 59 ||
| 58 || February 14 || Los Angeles Kings || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,503 || 28–27–3 || 59 ||
| 59 || February 16 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Ranford || 16,382 || 28–28–3 || 59 ||
| 60 || February 18 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 0 || New Jersey Devils || || Fuhr || 11,617 || 29–28–3 || 61 ||
| 61 || February 20 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 5 || Minnesota North Stars || || Ranford || 6,195 || 29–29–3 || 61 ||
| 62 || February 22 || Detroit Red Wings || 5 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Fuhr || || 29–29–4 || 62 ||
| 63 || February 24 || Quebec Nordiques || 3 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,375 || 30–29–4 || 64 ||
| 64 || February 27 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Calgary Flames || || Fuhr || 20,132 || 30–30–4 || 64 ||
| 65 || March 1 || Minnesota North Stars || 1 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Fuhr || 16,516 || 30–30–5 || 65 ||
| 66 || March 2 || Montreal Canadiens || 2 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Fuhr || || 30–31–5 || 65 ||
| 67 || March 5 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 4 || Winnipeg Jets || || Fuhr || 11,568 || 31–31–5 || 67 ||
| 68 || March 6 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 5 || Minnesota North Stars || || Ranford || 6,882 || 31–32–5 || 67 ||
| 69 || March 8 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Fuhr || 17,503 || 32–32–5 || 69 ||
| 70 || March 10 || Washington Capitals || 5 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 16,482 || 32–33–5 || 69 ||
| 71 || March 13 || New York Islanders || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Fuhr || 16,253 || 33–33–5 || 71 ||
| 72 || March 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || Winnipeg Jets || || Fuhr || 14,768 || 33–34–5 || 71 ||
| 73 || March 17 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || Montreal Canadiens || || Fuhr || 16,336 || 34–34–5 || 73 ||
| 74 || March 19 || Edmonton Oilers || 7 – 6 || Quebec Nordiques || OT || Ranford || 15,194 || 35–34–5 || 75 ||
| 75 || March 23 || Winnipeg Jets || 3 – 0 || Edmonton Oilers || || Ranford || 17,503 || 35–35–5 || 75 ||
| 76 || March 24 || Los Angeles Kings || 4 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Fuhr || 17,503 || 35–36–5 || 75 ||
| 77 || March 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 2 || Los Angeles Kings || || Ranford || 16,005 || 35–37–5 || 75 ||
| 78 || March 28 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 4 || Calgary Flames || OT || Fuhr || 20,132 || 35–37–6 || 76 ||
| 79 || March 29 || Calgary Flames || 5 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Ranford || 17,503 || 36–37–6 || 78 ||
| 80 || March 31 || Winnipeg Jets || 3 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || || Fuhr || 16,926 || 37–37–6 || 80 ||
Legend:
Playoffs In the playoffs, the Oilers faced their Battle of Alberta rivals, the Calgary Flames, who finished with 20 more points than they did, were huge favourites to win the series. The series went the full 7 games, with the Oilers winning the series in OT at the Saddledome in Calgary to advance to the division finals. There, they met the Los Angeles Kings, who finished 22 points better than Edmonton, however, the Oilers overtime magic continued after dropping game one, as Edmonton won 2 games in a row in double OT to take the series lead. Edmonton won the series in 6 games, clinching the series in OT. Having defeated the top two teams of their division, the Oilers advanced to the Conference Finals, facing the even more surprising Minnesota North Stars, who finished the season 12 games under .500, yet defeated the Presidents' Trophy winning Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues, who finished 1 point behind Chicago, to make it to the 3rd round against Edmonton. The North Stars cinderella playoff run continued, as they defeated the Oilers in 5 games, ending Edmonton's chance for back-to-back Stanley Cups.
| 1 || April 4 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 1 || Calgary Flames || || Fuhr || 20,176 || 1–0 ||
| 2 || April 6 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 3 || Calgary Flames || || Fuhr || 20,176 || 1–1 ||