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

On 13 June 1985, the NHL board of governors voted 17–4 in favour of amending a penalty rule. Previously, coincidental minor penalties would result in 4-on-4 play. The amendment allowed teams to substitute another player to keep the play 5-on-5. It was seen by many as a shot at trying to slow down the high-flying Edmonton Oilers. Wayne Gretzky was quoted as saying, "I think the NHL is making a big mistake. I think the NHL should be more concerned with butt-ending, spearing, and three-hour hockey games than getting rid of 4-on-4 situations." It wasn't until 1993, with the Oiler dynasty (five cups in seven years) a thing of the past, that the NHL reverted back to the original 4-on-4 rules.

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. The Flyers continued their dominance of the Wales Conference despite the tragic death of their Vezina-winning goaltender, Pelle Lindbergh, in a car accident on November 11. 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 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

[edit] 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

[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 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

[edit] Stanley Cup playoffs

Note: all dates in 1986

The Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup

The playoffs of 1986 saw three first place teams eliminated in the opening round and the fourth, Edmonton, bowed out in the second.

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. In the Final, the Canadiens beat the Calgary Flames, who were also riding a rookie netminder, Mike Vernon. 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 3 Quebec 2 (OT)
April 10 Hartford 4 Quebec 1
April 12 Quebec 4 Hartford 9

Hartford wins best-of-five series 3–0

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 9 Boston 1 Montreal 3
April 10 Boston 2 Montreal 3
April 12 Montreal 4 Boston 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 6 Philadelphia 2
April 10 New York 1 Philadelphia 2
April 12 Philadelphia 2 New York 5
April 13 Philadelphia 7 New York 1
April 15 New York 5 Philadelphia 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 1 Washington 3
April 10 New York 2 Washington 5
April 12 Washington 3 New York 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 5 Chicago 3
April 10 Toronto 6 Chicago 4
April 12 Chicago 2 Toronto 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 2 Minnesota 1
April 10 St. Louis 2 Minnesota 6
April 12 Minnesota 3 St. Louis 4
April 13 Minnesota 7 St. Louis 4
April 15 St. Louis 6 Minnesota 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 3 Edmonton 7
April 10 Vancouver 1 Edmonton 5
April 12 Edmonton 5 Vancouver 1

Edmonton wins best-of-five series 3–0

Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 9 Winnipeg 1 Calgary 5
April 10 Winnipeg 4 Calgary 6
April 12 Calgary 4 Winnipeg 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 4 Montreal 1
April 19 Hartford 1 Montreal 3
April 21 Montreal 4 Hartford 1
April 23 Montreal 1 Hartford 2 (OT)
April 25 Hartford 3 Montreal 5
April 27 Montreal 0 Hartford 1
April 29 Hartford 1 Montreal 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 4 Washington 3 (OT)
April 19 New York 1 Washington 8
April 21 Washington 6 New York 3
April 23 Washington 5 New York 6 (OT)
April 25 New York 4 Washington 2
April 27 Washington 1 New York 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 1 St. Louis 6
April 20 Toronto 3 St. Louis 0
April 22 St. Louis 2 Toronto 5
April 24 St. Louis 7 Toronto 4
April 26 Toronto 3 St. Louis 4 (OT)
April 28 St. Louis 3 Toronto 5
April 30 Toronto 1 St. Louis 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 4 Edmonton 1
April 20 Calgary 5 Edmonton 6 (OT)
April 22 Edmonton 2 Calgary 3
April 24 Edmonton 7 Calgary 4
April 26 Calgary 4 Edmonton 1
April 28 Edmonton 5 Calgary 2
April 30 Calgary 3 Edmonton 2

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4–3

[edit] Conference Finals

New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens

This series is best remembered for the third game, in which the Rangers badly outshot the Habs, but were stymied by Patrick Roy. Another Montreal rookie, Claude Lemieux, scored in overtime--his second overtime goal of the playoffs.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 1 New York 1 Montreal 2
May 3 New York 2 Montreal 6
May 5 Montreal 4 New York 3 (OT)
May 7 Montreal 0 New York 2
May 9 New York 1 Montreal 3

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–1

St. Louis Blues vs. Calgary Flames

In Game 6, the Flames led 4–1 after two periods and 5–2 early in the third, but the Blues came back to tie it and then won on an overtime goal by Doug Wickenheiser. In Game 7, the Flames were up 2–0 before the Blues scored in the third to cut the lead in half. There wouldn't be another comeback, though, as Mike Vernon and the Flames withstood a late assault to advance to their first Stanley Cup Final.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 2 St. Louis 3 Calgary 2
May 4 St. Louis 2 Calgary 8
May 6 Calgary 5 St. Louis 3
May 8 Calgary 2 St. Louis 5
May 10 St. Louis 2 Calgary 4
May 12 Calgary 5 St. Louis 6 (OT)
May 14 St. Louis 1 Calgary 2

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4–3

[edit] Finals

Main article: 1986 Stanley Cup Finals

Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 16 Montreal 2 Calgary 5
May 18 Montreal 3 Calgary 2 (OT)
May 20 Calgary 3 Montreal 5
May 22 Calgary 0 Montreal 1
May 24 Montreal 4 Calgary 3

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–1

[edit] Stanley Cup leading scorers

[edit] 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

[edit] All-Star teams

First Team   Position   Second Team
John Vanbiesbrouck, New York Rangers G Bob Froese, Philadelphia Flyers
Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers D Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
Mark Howe, Philadelphia Flyers D Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers C Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
Mike Bossy, New York Islanders RW Jari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers
Michel Goulet, Quebec Nordiques LW Mats Naslund, Montreal Canadiens

[edit] 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):

[edit] 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):

[edit] 1986 Trading Deadline

  • Trading Deadline: MARCH 11, 1986 [1]
  • March 8, 1986: John Anderson traded from Quebec to Hartford for Risto Siltanen.
  • March 10, 1986: Peter Andersson traded from Washington to Quebec for Quebec's 3rd round choice in 1986 Entry Draft.
  • March 10, 1986: Reed Larson traded from Detroit to Boston for Mike O'Connell.
  • March 10, 1986: Darren Veitch traded from Washington to Detroit for John Barrett and Greg Smith.
  • March 11, 1986: Bob Crawford traded from Hartford to NY Rangers for Mike McEwen.
  • March 11, 1986: Ron Duguay traded from Detroit to Pittsburgh for Doug Shedden.
  • March 11, 1986: Dwight Foster traded from Detroit to Boston for Dave Donnelly.
  • March 11, 1986: Nick Fotiu traded from NY Rangers to Calgary for future considerations.
  • March 11, 1986: Glenn Resch traded from New Jersey to Philadelphia for Philadelphia's 3rd round choice in 1986 Entry Draft.
  • March 11, 1986: Phil Russell traded from New Jersey to Buffalo for Buffalo's 12th round choice in 1986 Entry Draft.
  • March 11, 1986: John Tonelli traded from NY Islanders to Calgary for Steve Konroyd and Richard Kromm.
  • March 11, 1986: Rik Wilson traded from Calgary to Chicago for Tom McMurchy.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

 
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1985–86 NHL season by team
Patrick
New Jersey • NY Islanders • NY Rangers • Philadelphia • Pittsburgh • Washington
Adams
Boston • Buffalo • Hartford • Montreal • Québec
Norris
Chicago • Detroit • Minnesota • St. Louis • Toronto
Smythe
Calgary • Edmonton • Los Angeles • Winnipeg • Vancouver
See also