Quebec remained in the Adams Division with the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres, while the Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs were replaced with the Hartford Whalers and the Nordiques' provincial rival, the Montreal Canadiens.
Ftorek did not remain the Nordiques captain for long, as he was traded to the New York Rangers in December, and was replaced with Andre Dupont.
Quebec got hot, and eventually reached a season-high nine games over .500 in the middle of January, however, a late season slump had the Nords finish the year only two games above .500, with a 33-31-16 record, earning 82 points, which was good enough to finish fourth in the Adams Division, and the Nordiques second post-season appearance in a row.
Offensively, the Nordiques were led by Peter Stastny, who set a team record with 139 points, as he scored 46 goals and earned 93 assists.
Stastny finished behind only Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers and Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders in the NHL scoring race.
The Nordiques opened the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs with a best of five Adams Division semi-final series with their Battle of Quebec rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.
The Nordiques fought back in the second game, as goaltender Dan Bouchard made 33 saves as Quebec defeated Montreal 3–2 to even the series up.
In the fourth game, the Nordiques, led by Michel Goulet and his two goals, as well as 33 saves by goaltender John Garrett, easily defeated the Bruins 7–2 to even up the series.
The Nordiques opponent in the Wales Conference finals was the two time defending Stanley Cup champions, the New York Islanders.
In the second game, the Islanders were led by two goals by Mike Bossy, and another solid performance by Billy Smith, who made 35 saves, as New York defeated Quebec 5–2 to take a 2–0 series lead.