[Ry1997]

**Regular Season Highlights**
- **Pierre Larouche (Montreal Canadiens)** dominated the goal-scoring race with **74 goals**, leading the league.
- **Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers)** continued to establish himself as an elite playmaker, tallying **136 assists** and finishing **second in points (136)** behind Larouche, who had **160 points**.
- **Rod Langway (Montreal Canadiens)** led the league in **plus-minus (+76)**, showcasing his defensive prowess.
- **Bill Clarke (Philadelphia Flyers)** was the league's best in **faceoff percentage (61.1%)**.
- **Reed Larson (Detroit Red Wings)** led in **blocked shots (286)**, playing a key defensive role.
- **Rocky Holt (Los Angeles Kings)** racked up **378 penalty minutes**, making him the most penalized player.

**Playoff Recap**
- The **St. Louis Blues** captured the **Stanley Cup**, defeating the heavily favored **Montreal Canadiens** in the Finals, 4-2.
- **Montreal Canadiens**, the top team in the regular season, cruised through the Wales Conference playoffs, defeating **Boston (4-2)** and **Detroit (4-1)** before falling short in the Finals.
- **St. Louis Blues** had a dramatic run, winning a tough **seven-game series against Minnesota**, sweeping **Toronto (4-0)**, and then upsetting **Montreal in six games** to win the championship.
- Other notable playoff results:
- **Boston Bruins swept Philadelphia (3-0)** in the first round.
- **Detroit Red Wings upset Edmonton (3-1)** in the first round.
- **Winnipeg Jets defeated the New York Rangers (3-1)** in the opening round before losing to **Toronto (4-1)** in the second round.
- **Minnesota North Stars eliminated Washington (3-1)** in the opening round but lost a tough series to **St. Louis (4-3)**.

**Stanley Cup Final Summary**
- **St. Louis Blues (4) - Montreal Canadiens (2)**
- The Blues' combination of balanced scoring, strong goaltending, and solid defensive play was key in overcoming the offensive firepower of Montreal.
- Pierre Larouche was dominant in the Finals for Montreal but couldn’t carry the team alone against a determined St. Louis squad.
- The Blues completed their Cinderella run with a statement 4-2 series win, capturing the franchise's **first-ever Stanley Cup in this alternate timeline**.

**Conclusion**
The **1980-81 NHL season** was a thrilling campaign, with **Pierre Larouche, Wayne Gretzky, and Guy Lafleur** leading the offensive charge. However, it was the **St. Louis Blues** who defied expectations and secured a **historic championship**