This was also part of the 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup runs. When the Divisions realigned in 1998, this was the most intense rivalry in the Central division as they had many division battles until the 2003–04 season. They met during the playoffs in 2002 in the conference semifinals. The Red Wings defeated the Blues in five games en route to their 2002 Stanley Cup run. The rivalry died down in the post-lockout era as the Blues entered a slump, only reviving as the teams fought for the Central Division title in the 2011–12 season. The Red Wings' move to the Eastern Conference in 2013 ended the rivalry for good. Detroit Red Wings vs. San Jose Sharks (1994–2013) The rivalry between the Red Wings and the Sharks began in the 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, in which the upstart Sharks upset the Red Wings 4–3 in their playoff debut. Game 7 saw Sharks forward Jamie Baker score the series winning goal on the road. After the Red Wings returned the favor by sweeping them in the second round of the playoffs, the rivalry further intensified after the Red Wings acquired Russian defenseman Igor Larionov in a trade with the Sharks, eventually forming the Russian Five core that resulted in them winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998. Both teams also faced each other in three playoff series between and , with the Sharks winning two series. The 2011 meeting saw the Red Wings nearly overcome a 3–0 deficit only to lose in Game 7. However, the rivalry ended in 2013 after the Red Wings moved to the Eastern Conference. Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings (1981–1993) The rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings began more or less the instant the Oilers began playing in the NHL in the 1979–80 season. Among the first-year Oilers' players included a young Wayne Gretzky, who instantly challenged for the Art Ross Trophy against the Kings' Marcel Dionne. In the end, Gretzky and Dionne were both tied with 137 points, but the award was given to Dionne, who had two more goals (53 vs. Gretzky's 51). It should also be noted that Gretzky played 79 games to Dionne's full 80. Gretzky remarked during a press conference at which the scoring title was awarded to Dionne that he had been taught "that an assist was as good as a goal." The two