End of an Oilers era: 5 memorable moments at Rexall Place

The NHL's second oldest arena will host its final game Thursday when the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Vancouver Canucks.

Known today as Rexall Place, the Oilers' home rink opened in 1974 under the name Northlands Coliseum, providing the setting for several historic moments over the years.

Here's a look at five memories that will stand the test of time.

50 in 39

For the better part of a decade, Wayne Gretzky regularly provided Oilers fans with plenty of reason to be legitimately awed.

It was in 1981, however, when he achieved a level of greatness that will likely never be matched as long as the game is played.

After scoring 45 goals through the first 38 games of the season, The Great One scored five in a single game against the Philadelphia Flyers to hit 50 in 39.

1984 Cup win

The Oilers met the four-time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders in the 1984 final after having been swept by that same team the year before.

This time around, however, Edmonton would not be denied, beating the Islanders in five games and hoisting the first Cup in franchise history on home ice.

Gretzky scored a pair of goals in the series-deciding contest, while Mark Messier was named the Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP.

As it turned out, this team was just getting started, with four additional Cup wins coming in the next six years.

Gretzky breaks scoring record

Playing as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, Gretzky fittingly used Rexall Center ice to make NHL history once again on Oct. 15, 1989.

No. 99 entered the game with 1,849 career points, one back of Gordie Howe for first on the all-time scoring list. Gretzky recorded an assist early in the game to tie the record, and went on to score a game-tying, third-period goal to set a new bar.

After a lengthy celebration, in which the Oilers and their fans willingly participated, Gretzky capped the night with a game-winning, overtime goal.

Busted Wings

The past decade of Rexall Center history has not provided much to write home about, but the 2006 Oilers thrilled Edmonton with an unexpected run to the final that was kick started by a massive opening-round upset.

The Detroit Red Wings entered the playoffs as the Presidents' Trophy winners (124 regular-season points), as well as the Western Conference regular season and Central Division champions. Edmonton came in as the eight seed and as apparent easy fodder.

The Oilers managed to stun Detroit with a 4-2 series win, coming back from a 2-0 deficit on home ice in Game 6 to cap the improbable upset. Ales Hemsky broke a 3-3 tie in the late stages of the third period to play the role of hero.

Sam Gagner's 8-point night

This one came out of nowhere.

With an eight-point outburst in a win over Chicago, then 22-year-old forward Sam Gagner tied a franchise record set by Gretzky and Paul Coffey.

Gagner recorded four goals and four assists in 17:28 of ice time and on six shots.

He became only the 13th player in league history to record eight points in a single game, and by factoring into each one of Edmonton's goals, Gagner matched a feat accomplished only once before by Mario Lemieux.

The Oilers will begin playing in the brand new Rogers Place next season; you're up, Connor McDavid and Co.

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