In the opening round of the playoffs, the Oilers faced the 3rd place Winnipeg Jets for the sixth time in club history; the Oilers had won all previous five series played against the Jets, and had only lost one game in the five series combined. However, the Jets stunned Edmonton by winning the first game 7-5 at Northlands Coliseum, and took a commanding 3-1 series lead with two thrilling one-goal victories on home ice, which included game four going into double overtime. This started speculation that the Oilers could not win without Wayne Gretzky. In Game Five in Edmonton, the Jets built up a 3-1 lead in the second period, and the Oilers' season appeared to be over. However, late in the second period, the Jets had back-to-back breakaways on the same shift, and goalie Bill Ranford stopped them both. After the second breakaway the Oilers immediately transitioned to offence, and Craig Simpson scored to make it 3-2. Seconds later, the Oilers scored again to tie the game 3-3 heading to intermission. Messier scored the winner in the third period for a 4-3 Edmonton win. In Game Six in Winnipeg, The Oilers pulled out another 4-3 victory to tie the series. Kurri scored the winner on a slapshot from the right faceoff circle late in the third period. Edmonton won Game Seven on home ice 4-1, completing the comeback and moving on to the Smythe Division Finals.