The 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League (NHL) championship began on April 3, 1991, following the 1990–91 regular season. The 16 teams that qualified, from the top four teams of the four divisions, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the division finals. The Conference Champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup. This was the first of the 25 consecutive years in which the Detroit Red Wings qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs until their streak finally ended in 2017. Their streak is tied for the third longest in NHL history, and while it was running, it was the longest active playoff appearance streak in the four major American professional sports. The finals concluded on May 25 with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning the Stanley Cup, defeating the Minnesota North Stars in the final series four games to two. Pittsburgh forward Mario Lemieux was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the playoffs. This was the first NHL playoffs without any series sweeps since the 1973 playoffs. In addition, this season set the record for most playoff games played with 92, which stood until 2014. Playoff seeds In the 1990–91 season, teams qualified based on their division standing at the end of the regular season. Playoffs then proceeded among the top four teams in each division, providing a division winner. The two division winners of each conference then played off to provide a conference winner. The two conference winners then played in the Finals to produce a Stanley Cup champion. The following teams qualified for the playoffs: Prince of Wales Conference Adams Division Boston Bruins, Adams Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 100 points Montreal Canadiens – 89 points Buffalo Sabres – 81 points Hartford Whalers – 73 points Division finals Prince of Wales Conference (A1) Boston Bruins vs. (A2) Montreal Canadiens This was the eighth straight and 26th overall playoff meeting between these two teams. Montreal lead the all-time meetings 21–4. Boston won last year's Adams Division Finals in five games. April 17 Montreal Canadiens 1–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap April 19 Montreal Canadiens 4–3 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap April 21 Boston Bruins 3–2 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap April 23 Boston Bruins 2–6 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap April 25 Montreal Canadiens 1–4 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap April 27 Boston Bruins 2–3 OT Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap April 29 Montreal Canadiens 1–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap Boston won series 4–3 Prince of Wales Conference final (A1) Boston Bruins vs. (P1) Pittsburgh Penguins This was the third playoff series between these two teams. Boston won both previous series in consecutive years, with Boston winning the most recent series 3–2 in the 1980 Preliminary Round. Boston made their second consecutive and fourth overall Conference Finals appearance; they defeated the Washington Capitals the previous year in a four-game sweep. This was the first conference final for Pittsburgh since the playoffs went to a conference format starting in 1982. Pittsburgh last played a semifinal series in 1970 where they lost to the St. Louis Blues in six games. These teams split their three-game regular season series. May 1 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–6 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap May 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–5 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap May 5 Boston Bruins 1–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap May 7 Boston Bruins 1–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap May 9 Pittsburgh Penguins 7–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap May 11 Boston Bruins 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap Pittsburgh won series 4–2