1985-86 NHL SEASON

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
Regular season
Final standings
Prince of Wales Conference
Clarence Campbell Conference
Scoring leaders
Leading Goaltenders
Stanley Cup playoffs
Adams Division Semi-Finals
Patrick Division Semi-Finals
Norris Division Semi-Finals
Smythe Division Semi-Finals
Divisional Finals
Conference Finals
Stanley Cup finals
Stanley Cup leading scorers
NHL awards
All-Star teams
Debuts
Last games
See also
References

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.
Final standings

'''Note:' GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalty Minutes''
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

Clarence Campbell Conference

Norris Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
'Chicago Black Hawks' 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

Scoring leaders

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

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 Capitals / Boston Bruins 46 2641 150 1 3.41
Rick Wamsley St. Louis Blues 42 2517 144 1 3.43
Pete Peeters Boston Bruins / Washington Capitals 42 2506 144 1 3.45
Don Beaupre Minnesota North Stars 52 3073 182 1 3.55

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.
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''
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''
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''
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''
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''
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''
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''
Stanley Cup leading scorers

NHL awards


Presidents' Trophy: Edmonton Oilers
Prince of Wales Trophy: Montreal Canadiens
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Calgary Flames
Art Ross Memorial Trophy: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Charlie Simmer, Boston Bruins
Calder Memorial Trophy: Gary Suter, Calgary Flames
Conn Smythe Trophy: Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Troy Murray, Chicago Black Hawks
Hart Memorial Trophy: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Jack Adams Award: Glen Sather, Edmonton Oilers
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Mike Bossy, New York Islanders
Lester B. Pearson Award: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Mark Howe, Philadelphia Flyers,
William M. Jennings Trophy: Bob Froese/Darren Jensen, Philadelphia Flyers
Vezina Trophy: John Vanbiesbrouck, New York Rangers
Lester Patrick Trophy: Jack MacInnes, Jack Riley

All-Star teams

First Team   Position   Second Team
John Vanbiesbrouck, New York Rangers GBob Froese, Philadelphia Flyers
Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers DLarry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
Mark Howe, Philadelphia Flyers DRay Bourque, Boston Bruins
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers CMario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
Mike Bossy, New York Islanders RWJari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers
Michel Goulet, Quebec Nordiques LWMats Naslund, Montreal Canadiens

Debuts


The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1985-86 (listed with their first team, asterisk(
★ ) marks debut in playoffs):

Bill Ranford, Boston Bruins

Daren Puppa, Buffalo Sabres

Gary Suter, Calgary Flames

Brett Hull
★ , Calgary Flames

Adam Oates, Detroit Red Wings

Petr Klima, Detroit Red Wings

Shayne Corson, Montreal Canadiens

Kirk McLean, New Jersey Devils

Scott Mellanby, Philadelphia Flyers

Craig Simpson, Pittsburgh Penguins

Jeff Brown, Quebec Nordiques

Cliff Ronning
★ , St. Louis Blues

Wendel Clark, Toronto Maple Leafs

Dave Lowry, Vancouver Canucks

Last games


The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1985-86 (listed with their last team):

Tom Lysiak, Chicago Blackhawks

Mike Rogers, Edmonton Oilers

Mario Tremblay, Montreal Canadiens

Bob Nystrom, New York Islanders

Pelle Lindbergh, Philadelphia Flyers

Denis Herron, Pittsburgh Penguins

Don Edwards, Toronto Maple Leafs

Marian Stastny, Toronto Maple Leafs

Dan Bouchard, Winnipeg Jets

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

References



Hockey Database

NHL.com

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