 However, due to the fact 16 of the 21 NHL teams made the playoffs at the time, the Oilers were still able to get their young players experience in the playoffs (they would make the playoffs for their first 13 years in the NHL).They won only one playoff series in their first three NHL seasons, though, upsetting the Montreal Canadiens in 1980–81.Gretzky set new NHL records in 1980–81 for assists (109) and points (164).