1985-86 NHL season
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The 1985-86 NHL season was the 69th season of the National Hockey League. Twenty-one teams each played 80 games. This season saw the league's Board of Governors introduce the Presidents' Trophy, which would go to the team with the best overall record in the NHL regular season. The Edmonton Oilers would be the first winners of this award.
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames four games to one in the final series to win the Stanley Cup.
Contents |
[edit] Regular season
The Edmonton Oilers once again regained control of top spot in the NHL and last year's best team, the Philadelphia Flyers slipped to second. Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky continued his dominance of the NHL by winning his seventh straight Hart Trophy and his sixth straight Art Ross Trophy. This season saw Gretzky score "only" 52 goals, but he set impossible records of 163 assists and 215 points. This was the fourth time in five years that Gretzky reached the 200 point plateau. Gretzky would never again reach the 200 point mark, but neither would any other player. Mario Lemieux, however, came close with 199 points in 1988-89. Edmonton's defenceman Paul Coffey broke legendary Bobby Orr's record for most goals in a season by a defenceman by scoring 48 times.
[edit] Final standings
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalty Minutes
[edit] Prince of Wales Conference
| Adams Division | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec Nordiques | 80 | 43 | 31 | 6 | 92 | 330 | 289 | 1847 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 40 | 33 | 7 | 87 | 330 | 280 | 1372 |
| Boston Bruins | 80 | 37 | 31 | 12 | 86 | 311 | 288 | 1919 |
| Hartford Whalers | 80 | 40 | 36 | 4 | 84 | 332 | 302 | 1759 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 80 | 37 | 37 | 6 | 80 | 296 | 291 | 1608 |
| Patrick Division | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Flyers | 80 | 53 | 23 | 4 | 110 | 335 | 241 | 2025 |
| Washington Capitals | 80 | 50 | 23 | 7 | 107 | 315 | 272 | 1418 |
| New York Islanders | 80 | 39 | 29 | 12 | 90 | 327 | 284 | 1343 |
| New York Rangers | 80 | 36 | 38 | 6 | 78 | 280 | 276 | 1496 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 80 | 34 | 38 | 8 | 76 | 313 | 305 | 1538 |
| New Jersey Devils | 80 | 28 | 49 | 3 | 59 | 300 | 374 | 1424 |
[edit] Clarence Campbell Conference
| Norris Division | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago BlackHawks | 80 | 39 | 33 | 8 | 86 | 351 | 349 | 1537 |
| Minnesota North Stars | 80 | 38 | 33 | 9 | 85 | 327 | 305 | 1672 |
| St. Louis Blues | 80 | 37 | 34 | 9 | 83 | 302 | 291 | 1478 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 80 | 25 | 48 | 7 | 57 | 311 | 386 | 1716 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 80 | 17 | 57 | 6 | 40 | 266 | 415 | 2393 |
| Smythe Division | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | 80 | 56 | 17 | 7 | 119 | 426 | 310 | 1928 |
| Calgary Flames | 80 | 40 | 31 | 9 | 89 | 354 | 315 | 2297 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 80 | 26 | 47 | 7 | 59 | 295 | 372 | 1774 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 80 | 23 | 44 | 13 | 59 | 282 | 333 | 1813 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 80 | 23 | 49 | 8 | 54 | 284 | 389 | 2004 |
[edit] Leading Scorers
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 80 | 52 | 163 | 215 |
| Mario Lemieux | Pittsburgh Penguins | 79 | 48 | 93 | 141 |
| Paul Coffey | Edmonton Oilers | 79 | 48 | 90 | 138 |
| Jari Kurri | Edmonton Oilers | 78 | 68 | 63 | 131 |
| Mike Bossy | New York Islanders | 80 | 61 | 62 | 123 |
| Peter Stastny | Quebec Nordiques | 76 | 41 | 81 | 122 |
| Denis Savard | Chicago Black Hawks | 80 | 47 | 69 | 116 |
| Mats Naslund | Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 43 | 67 | 110 |
| Dale Hawerchuk | Winnipeg Jets | 80 | 46 | 59 | 105 |
| Neal Broten | Minnesota North Stars | 80 | 29 | 76 | 105 |
[edit] Leading Goaltenders
| Player | Team | GP | MIN | GA | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Froese | Philadelphia Flyers | 51 | 2728 | 116 | 5 | 2.55 |
| Al Jensen | Washington Capitals | 44 | 2437 | 129 | 2 | 3.18 |
| Clint Malarchuk | Quebec Nordiques | 46 | 2657 | 142 | 4 | 3.21 |
| Kelly Hrudey | New York Islanders | 45 | 2563 | 137 | 1 | 3.21 |
| John Vanbiesbrouck | New York Rangers | 61 | 3326 | 184 | 3 | 3.32 |
| Patrick Roy | Montreal Canadiens | 47 | 2651 | 148 | 1 | 3.35 |
| Pat Riggin | Washington/Boston | 46 | 2641 | 150 | 1 | 3.41 |
| Rick Wamsley | St. Louis Blues | 42 | 2517 | 144 | 1 | 3.43 |
| Pete Peeters | Boston/Washington | 42 | 2506 | 144 | 1 | 3.45 |
| Don Beaupre | Minnesota North Stars | 52 | 3073 | 182 | 1 | 3.55 |
[edit] Stanley Cup playoffs
Note: all dates in 1986
The Montreal Canadiens decided to go with a rookie goaltender by the name of Patrick Roy. This decision proved to be a good one just like when the Canadiens rode rookie goalie Ken Dryden to a Stanley Cup championship in 1971. Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP and had a sparkling 1.92 goals against average along with 15 wins.
[edit] Adams Division Semi-Finals
Hartford Whalers vs. Quebec Nordiques
This was Hartford's lone playoff series victory in their NHL history prior to moving to Carolina.
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | Hartford Whalers | 3 | Quebec Nordiques | 2 | (OT) |
| April 10 | Hartford Whalers | 4 | Quebec Nordiques | 1 | |
| April 12 | Quebec Nordiques | 4 | Hartford Whalers | 9 |
Hartford wins best-of-five series 3-0
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | Boston Bruins | 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 3 | |
| April 10 | Boston Bruins | 2 | Montreal Canadiens | 3 | |
| April 12 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | Boston Bruins | 3 |
Montreal wins best-of-five series 3-0
[edit] Patrick Division Semi-Finals
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | New York Rangers | 6 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | |
| April 10 | New York Rangers | 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | |
| April 12 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | New York Rangers | 5 | |
| April 13 | Philadelphia Flyers | 7 | New York Rangers | 1 | |
| April 15 | New York Rangers | 5 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 |
New York Rangers wins best-of-five series 3-2
New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | New York Islanders | 1 | Washington Capitals | 3 | |
| April 10 | New York Islanders | 2 | Washington Capitals | 5 | |
| April 12 | Washington Capitals | 3 | New York Islanders | 1 |
Washington wins best-of-five series 3-0
[edit] Norris Division Semi-Finals
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Black Hawks
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 5 | Chicago BlackHawks | 3 | |
| April 10 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 6 | Chicago BlackHawks | 4 | |
| April 12 | Chicago BlackHawks | 2 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 7 |
Toronto wins best-of-five series 3-0
St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota North Stars
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | St. Louis Blues | 2 | Minnesota North Stars | 1 | |
| April 10 | St. Louis Blues | 2 | Minnesota North Stars | 6 | |
| April 12 | Minnesota North Stars | 3 | St. Louis Blues | 4 | |
| April 13 | Minnesota North Stars | 7 | St. Louis Blues | 4 | |
| April 15 | St. Louis Blues | 6 | Minnesota North Stars | 3 |
St. Louis wins best-of-five series 3-2
[edit] Smythe Division Semi-Finals
Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | Vancouver Canucks | 3 | Edmonton Oilers | 7 | |
| April 10 | Vancouver Canucks | 1 | Edmonton Oilers | 5 | |
| April 12 | Edmonton Oilers | 5 | Vancouver Canucks | 1 |
Edmonton wins best-of-five series 3-0
Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | Winnipeg Jets | 1 | Calgary Flames | 5 | |
| April 10 | Winnipeg Jets | 4 | Calgary Flames | 6 | |
| April 12 | Calgary Flames | 4 | Winnipeg Jets | 3 | (OT) |
Calgary wins best-of-five series 3-0
[edit] Divisional Finals
Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 17 | Hartford Whalers | 4 | Montreal Canadiens | 1 | |
| April 19 | Hartford Whalers | 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 3 | |
| April 21 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | Hartford Whalers | 1 | |
| April 23 | Montreal Canadiens | 1 | Hartford Whalers | 2 | (OT) |
| April 25 | Hartford Whalers | 3 | Montreal Canadiens | 5 | |
| April 27 | Montreal Canadiens | 0 | Hartford Whalers | 1 | |
| April 29 | Hartford Whalers | 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | (OT) |
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4-3
New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 17 | New York Rangers | 4 | Washington Capitals | 3 | (OT) |
| April 19 | New York Rangers | 1 | Washington Capitals | 8 | |
| April 21 | Washington Capitals | 6 | New York Rangers | 3 | |
| April 23 | Washington Capitals | 5 | New York Rangers | 6 | (OT) |
| April 25 | New York Rangers | 4 | Washington Capitals | 2 | |
| April 27 | Washington Capitals | 1 | New York Rangers | 2 |
New York Rangers wins best-of-seven series 4-2
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. St. Louis Blues
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 18 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1 | St. Louis Blues | 6 | |
| April 20 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 3 | St. Louis Blues | 0 | |
| April 22 | St. Louis Blues | 2 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 5 | |
| April 24 | St. Louis Blues | 7 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 4 | |
| April 26 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 3 | St. Louis Blues | 4 | (OT) |
| April 28 | St. Louis Blues | 3 | Toronto Maple Leafs' | 5 | |
| April 30 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1 | St. Louis Blues | 2 |
St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 4-3
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
The deciding goal of game seven between the Oilers and Flames was scored five minutes into the third period when Edmonton's Steve Smith attempted a cross-ice pass from the side of his own net and the puck struck goaltender Grant Fuhr's leg and went in the Edmonton goal. This is significant because it eliminated the Oilers from the playoffs and prevented them from possibly winning a third straight Stanley Cup. The series was the Flames' only playoff victory over the Oilers in the Battle of Alberta (Edmonton beat Calgary in 4 other playoff series), but significantly fueled the rivalry between the teams.
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 18 | Calgary Flames | 4 | Edmonton Oilers | 1 | |
| April 20 | Calgary Flames | 5 | Edmonton Oilers | 6 | (OT) |
| April 22 | Edmonton Oilers | 2 | Calgary Flames | 3 | |
| April 24 | Edmonton Oilers | 7 | Calgary Flames | 4 | |
| April 26 | Calgary Flames | 4 | Edmonton Oilers | 1 | |
| April 28 | Edmonton Oilers | 5 | Calgary Flames | 2 | |
| April 30 | Calgary Flames | 3 | Edmonton Oilers | 2 |
Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4-3
[edit] Conference Finals
New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | New York Rangers | 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | |
| May 3 | New York Rangers | 2 | Montreal Canadiens | 6 | |
| May 5 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | New York Rangers | 3 | (OT) |
| May 7 | Montreal Canadiens | 0 | New York Rangers | 2 | |
| May 9 | New York Rangers | 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 3 |
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4-1
St. Louis Blues vs. Calgary Flames
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2 | St. Louis Blues | 3 | Calgary Flames | 2 | |
| May 4 | St. Louis Blues | 2 | Calgary Flames | 8 | |
| May 6 | Calgary Flames | 5 | St. Louis Blues | 3 | |
| May 8 | Calgary Flames | 2 | St. Louis Blues | 5 | |
| May 10 | St. Louis Blues | 2 | Calgary Flames | 4 | |
| May 12 | Calgary Flames | 5 | St. Louis Blues | 6 | (OT) |
| May 14 | St. Louis Blues | 1 | Calgary Flames | 2 |
Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4-3
[edit] Stanley Cup finals
Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames
This Stanley Cup final was the first to feature two Canadian teams since 1967 when the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens four games to two. Brian Skrudland's game-winning goal in game two ended the shortest overtime in NHL playoff history, at a mere nine seconds. Montreal rookie goaltender Patrick Roy was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16 | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | Calgary Flames | 5 | |
| May 18 | Montreal Canadiens | 3 | Calgary Flames | 2 | (OT) |
| May 20 | Calgary Flames | 3 | Montreal Canadiens | 5 | |
| May 22 | Calgary Flames | 0 | Montreal Canadiens | 1 | |
| May 24 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | Calgary Flames | 3 |
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4-1
[edit] Stanley Cup leading scorers
[edit] NHL awards
[edit] See also
- List of Stanley Cup champions
- 1985 NHL Entry Draft
- 38th National Hockey League All-Star Game
- National Hockey League All-Star Game
- NHL All-Rookie Team
- 1985 in sports
- 1986 in sports
[edit] References
| NHL seasons |
|---|
|
1981-82 | 1982-83 | 1983-84 | 1984-85 | 1985-86 | 1986-87 | 1987-88 | 1988-89 | 1989-90 |
