Regular season
Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold
Prince of Wales Conference
Clarence Campbell Conference
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points
Stanley Cup playoffs
Playoff bracket
Finals
New York Islanders vs. Minnesota North Stars
New York wins the series 4–1.
NHL awards
All-Star teams
First games
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1980–81 (listed with their first team, star(*) marks debut in playoffs): Barry Pederson, Boston Bruins Steve Kasper, Boston Bruins Denis Savard, Chicago Black Hawks Steve Larmer, Chicago Black Hawks Andy Moog, Edmonton Oilers Charlie Huddy, Edmonton Oilers Glenn Anderson, Edmonton Oilers Jari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers Larry Murphy, Los Angeles Kings Dino Ciccarelli, Minnesota North Stars Don Beaupre, Minnesota North Stars Neal Broten, Minnesota North Stars Doug Wickenheiser, Montreal Canadiens Guy Carbonneau, Montreal Canadiens Rick Wamsley, Montreal Canadiens Brent Sutter, New York Islanders Rollie Melanson, New York Islanders Tim Kerr, Philadelphia Flyers Mike Bullard, Pittsburgh Penguins Anton Stastny, Quebec Nordiques Peter Stastny, Quebec Nordiques Dale Hunter, Quebec Nordiques Paul MacLean, St. Louis Blues Dave Babych, Winnipeg Jets
Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1980–81 (listed with their last team): Jean Ratelle, Boston Bruins Terry Harper, Colorado Rockies Pete Mahovlich, Detroit Red Wings Tom Bladon, Detroit Red Wings Jean Potvin, New York Islanders Phil Esposito, New York Rangers Walt Tkaczuk, New York Rangers Ron Ellis, Toronto Maple Leafs Dennis Kearns, Vancouver Canucks Bobby Schmautz, Vancouver Canucks Dennis Ververgaert, Washington Capitals Guy Charron, Washington Capitals Wayne Stephenson, Washington Capitals Jude Drouin, Winnipeg Jets
