The 1981 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the Minnesota North Stars making their first Finals appearance and the defending champion New York Islanders, in their second-ever Finals appearance. The Islanders would win the best-of-seven series four games to one, to win their second Stanley Cup. This would be the last all american finals for a decade.
This was Detroit’s 23rd appearance in the championship series, and its first since winning the Cup in 2002. This was Detroit’s 11th Stanley Cup title and was also the first Cup Final between two United States-based NHL teams since 2003. This was also Pittsburgh’s third appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, and its first since winning consecutive championships in 1991 and 1992.
The 2008 Stanley Cup Final marked the first time that the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins have met in postseason play. The Red Wings and Penguins did not play each other during the 2007–08 regular season.