1980–81 Minnesota North Stars season
The 1980–81 Minnesota North Stars season was the North Stars' 14th season. Although the North Stars finished the season with one less win and one less point than the previous year, they made a surprise appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Islanders, which they lost 4 games to 1.Offseason
NHL Draft
Regular season
Season standings
Schedule and results
Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
| Bobby Smith | 78 | 29 | 64 | 93 | +1 | 73 |
| Tim Young | 74 | 25 | 41 | 66 | +6 | 40 |
| Al MacAdam | 78 | 21 | 39 | 60 | -6 | 94 |
| Steve Payne | 76 | 30 | 28 | 58 | +14 | 88 |
| Tom McCarthy | 62 | 23 | 25 | 48 | +3 | 62 |
| Craig Hartsburg | 74 | 13 | 30 | 43 | -9 | 124 |
| Kent-Erik Andersson | 77 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 8 | 22 |
| Steve Christoff | 56 | 26 | 13 | 39 | -9 | 58 |
| Gordie Roberts | 50 | 6 | 31 | 37 | 2 | 94 |
| Mike Eaves | 48 | 10 | 24 | 34 | 1 | 18 |
| Dino Ciccarelli | 32 | 18 | 12 | 30 | | |
| Curt Giles | | | | | | |
| Greg Smith | | | | | | |
| Glen Sharpley | | | | | | |
| Mike Fidler | | | | | | |
| Ron Zanussi | | | | | | |
| Brad Maxwell | | | | | | |
| Mike Polich | | | | | | |
| Fred Barrett | | | | | | |
| Gary Sargent | | | | | | |
| Tom Younghans | | | | | | |
| Paul Shmyr | | | | | | |
| Jack Carlson | | | | | | |
| Brad Palmer | | | | | | |
| Kevin Maxwell | | | | | | |
| Don Jackson | | | | | | |
Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
Playoffs
New York Islanders vs. Minnesota North Stars
| Date | Visitors | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
| May 12 | Minnesota | 3 | New York | 6 | |
| May 14 | Minnesota | 3 | New York | 6 | |
| May 17 | New York | 7 | Minnesota | 5 | |
| May 19 | New York | 2 | Minnesota | 4 | |
| May 21 | Minnesota | 1 | New York | 5 | OT |
New York wins the series 4–1.Awards and records
Roster
