 New York defeated the Washington Capitals 3–1, the New York Rangers 4–2, and the Boston Bruins 4–2 to reach the Finals.Billy Smith limited the Oilers to just six goals in the four games, and shut them out in seven out of twelve periods.Smith was also noted for his slashes and feigned injuries in that series, which made him unpopular with the "Edmonton Journal", which named him "PUBLIC ENEMY NO.