1988–89 NHL season

The 1988–89 NHL season was the 72nd season of the National Hockey League. Twenty-one teams each played 80 games. The Calgary Flames won an all Canadian Stanley Cup final against the Montreal Canadiens four games to two. To date, this is the last time two Canadian teams squared off for the Stanley Cup.

1988–89 NHL season
League	National Hockey League
Sport	Ice hockey
Duration	October 6, 1988 – May 25, 1989
Number of games	80
Number of teams	21
Draft
Top draft pick	Mike Modano
Picked by	Minnesota North Stars
Regular season
Presidents' Trophy	Calgary Flames
Season MVP	Wayne Gretzky (Kings)
Top scorer	Mario Lemieux (Penguins)
Playoffs
Eastern champions	Montreal Canadiens
Eastern runners-up	Philadelphia Flyers
Western champions	Calgary Flames
Western runners-up	Chicago Blackhawks
Playoffs MVP	Al MacInnis (Flames)
Stanley Cup
Champions	Calgary Flames
Runners-up	Montreal Canadiens

Regular season

Final standings

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Prince of Wales Conference

Adams Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	PIM
Montreal Canadiens	80	53	18	9	115	315	218	1537
Boston Bruins	80	37	29	14	88	289	256	1929
Buffalo Sabres	80	38	35	7	83	291	299	2034
Hartford Whalers	80	37	38	5	79	299	290	1672
Quebec Nordiques	80	27	46	7	61	269	342	2004

Patrick Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	PIM
Washington Capitals	80	41	29	10	92	305	259	1836
Pittsburgh Penguins	80	40	33	7	87	347	349	2670
New York Rangers	80	37	35	8	82	310	307	1891
Philadelphia Flyers	80	36	36	8	80	307	285	2317
New Jersey Devils	80	27	41	12	66	281	325	2499
New York Islanders	80	28	47	5	61	265	325	1822

Clarence Campbell Conference

Norris Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	PIM
Detroit Red Wings	80	34	34	12	80	313	316	2245
St. Louis Blues	80	33	35	12	78	275	285	1675
Minnesota North Stars	80	27	37	16	70	258	278	1972
Chicago Blackhawks	80	27	41	12	66	297	335	2496
Toronto Maple Leafs	80	28	46	6	62	259	342	1740

Smythe Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	PIM
Calgary Flames	80	54	17	9	117	354	226	2444
Los Angeles Kings	80	42	31	7	91	376	335	2215
Edmonton Oilers	80	38	34	8	84	325	306	1931
Vancouver Canucks	80	33	39	8	74	251	253	1569
Winnipeg Jets	80	26	42	12	64	300	355	1843

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Mario Lemieux	Pittsburgh Penguins	76	85	114	199	100
Wayne Gretzky	Los Angeles Kings	78	54	114	168	26
Steve Yzerman	Detroit Red Wings	80	65	90	155	61
Bernie Nicholls	Los Angeles Kings	79	70	80	150	96
Rob Brown	Pittsburgh Penguins	68	49	66	115	118
Paul Coffey	Pittsburgh Penguins	75	30	83	113	193
Joe Mullen	Calgary Flames	79	51	59	110	16
Jari Kurri	Edmonton Oilers	76	44	58	102	69
Jimmy Carson	Edmonton Oilers	80	49	51	100	36
Luc Robitaille	Los Angeles Kings	78	46	52	98	65

Stanley Cup playoffs

The Stanley Cup

Division semi-finals

Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 5	Hartford Whalers	2	Montreal Canadiens	6
April 6	Hartford Whalers	2	Montreal Canadiens	3
April 8	Montreal Canadiens	5	Hartford Whalers	4	(OT)
April 9	Montreal Canadiens	4	Hartford Whalers	3

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0

Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 5	Buffalo Sabres	6	Boston Bruins	0
April 6	Buffalo Sabres	3	Boston Bruins	5
April 8	Boston Bruins	4	Buffalo Sabres	2
April 9	Boston Bruins	3	Buffalo Sabres	2
April 11	Buffalo Sabres	1	Boston Bruins	4

Boston wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1

Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 5	Philadelphia Flyers	2	Washington Capitals	3
April 6	Philadelphia Flyers	3	Washington Capitals	2
April 8	Washington Capitals	4	Philadelphia Flyers	3	(OT)
April 9	Washington Capitals	2	Philadelphia Flyers	5
April 11	Philadelphia Flyers	8	Washington Capitals	5
April 13	Washington Capitals	3	Philadelphia Flyers	4

Philadelphia wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 2

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 5	New York Rangers	1	Pittsburgh Penguins	3
April 6	New York Rangers	4	Pittsburgh Penguins	7
April 8	Pittsburgh Penguins	5	New York Rangers	4	(OT)
April 9	Pittsburgh Penguins	4	New York Rangers	3

Pittsburgh wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 5	Chicago Blackhawks	2	Detroit Red Wings	3
April 6	Chicago Blackhawks	5	Detroit Red Wings	4	(OT)
April 8	Detroit Red Wings	2	Chicago Blackhawks	4
April 9	Detroit Red Wings	2	Chicago Blackhawks	3
April 11	Chicago Blackhawks	4	Detroit Red Wings	6
April 13	Detroit Red Wings	1	Chicago Blackhawks	7

Chicago wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 2

Minnesota North Stars vs. St. Louis Blues

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 5	Minnesota North Stars	3	St. Louis Blues	4	(OT)
April 6	Minnesota North Stars	3	St. Louis Blues	4	(OT)
April 8	St. Louis Blues	5	Minnesota North Stars	3
April 9	St. Louis Blues	4	Minnesota North Stars	5
April 11	Minnesota North Stars	1	St. Louis Blues	6

St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1

Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 5	Vancouver Canucks	4	Calgary Flames	3	(OT)
April 6	Vancouver Canucks	2	Calgary Flames	5
April 8	Calgary Flames	4	Vancouver Canucks	0
April 9	Calgary Flames	3	Vancouver Canucks	5
April 11	Vancouver Canucks	0	Calgary Flames	4
April 13	Calgary Flames	3	Vancouver Canucks	6
April 15	Vancouver Canucks	3	Calgary Flames	4	(OT)

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 5	Edmonton Oilers	4	Los Angeles Kings	3
April 6	Edmonton Oilers	2	Los Angeles Kings	5
April 8	Los Angeles Kings	0	Edmonton Oilers	4
April 9	Los Angeles Kings	3	Edmonton Oilers	4
April 11	Edmonton Oilers	2	Los Angeles Kings	4
April 13	Los Angeles Kings	4	Edmonton Oilers	1
April 15	Edmonton Oilers	3	Los Angeles Kings	6

Los Angeles wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3

Division finals

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 17	Boston Bruins	2	Montreal Canadiens	3
April 19	Boston Bruins	2	Montreal Canadiens	3	(OT)
April 21	Montreal Canadiens	5	Boston Bruins	4
April 23	Montreal Canadiens	2	Boston Bruins	3
April 25	Boston Bruins	2	Montreal Canadiens	3

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 17	Philadelphia Flyers	3	Pittsburgh Penguins	4
April 19	Philadelphia Flyers	4	Pittsburgh Penguins	2
April 21	Pittsburgh Penguins	4	Philadelphia Flyers	3	(OT)
April 23	Pittsburgh Penguins	1	Philadelphia Flyers	4
April 25	Philadelphia Flyers	7	Pittsburgh Penguins	10
April 27	Pittsburgh Penguins	2	Philadelphia Flyers	6
April 29	Philadelphia Flyers	4	Pittsburgh Penguins	1

Philadelphia wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 18	Chicago Blackhawks	3	St. Louis Blues	1
April 20	Chicago Blackhawks	4	St. Louis Blues	5
April 22	St. Louis Blues	2	Chicago Blackhawks	5
April 24	St. Louis Blues	2	Chicago Blackhawks	3
April 26	Chicago Blackhawks	4	St. Louis Blues	2

Chicago wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1

Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
April 18	Los Angeles Kings	3	Calgary Flames	4	(OT)
April 20	Los Angeles Kings	3	Calgary Flames	8
April 22	Calgary Flames	5	Los Angeles Kings	2
April 24	Calgary Flames	5	Los Angeles Kings	3

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0

Conference finals

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
May 1	Philadelphia Flyers	3	Montreal Canadiens	1
May 3	Philadelphia Flyers	0	Montreal Canadiens	3
May 5	Montreal Canadiens	5	Philadelphia Flyers	1
May 7	Montreal Canadiens	3	Philadelphia Flyers	0
May 9	Philadelphia Flyers	2	Montreal Canadiens	1	(OT)
May 11	Montreal Canadiens	4	Philadelphia Flyers	2

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 2

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	Notes
May 2	Chicago Blackhawks	0	Calgary Flames	3
May 4	Chicago Blackhawks	4	Calgary Flames	2
May 6	Calgary Flames	5	Chicago Blackhawks	2
May 8	Calgary Flames	2	Chicago Blackhawks	1	(OT)
May 10	Chicago Blackhawks	1	Calgary Flames	3

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1

Finals

Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames

The Stanley Cup Finals was decided between the top two teams during the 1988–89 NHL regular season. Captain Lanny McDonald scored the second Flames goal in Game 6. This turned out to be the last goal in his NHL Hall of Fame career because he retired during the following off-season. Doug Gilmour scored two goals in the third period, including the eventual game and Cup winner to cement the victory for the Flames.

May 14

Montreal Canadiens

2–3

Calgary Flames

Olympic Saddledome

May 17

Montreal Canadiens

4–2

Calgary Flames

Olympic Saddledome

May 19

Calgary Flames

3–4

2OT

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Forum

May 21

Calgary Flames

4–2

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Forum

May 23

Montreal Canadiens

2–3

Calgary Flames

Olympic Saddledome

May 25

Calgary Flames

4–2

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Forum

Calgary won series 4–2

Playoff scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Al MacInnis	Calgary Flames	22	7	24	31

NHL awards

Presidents' Trophy:	Calgary Flames
Prince of Wales Trophy:	Montreal Canadiens
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl:	Calgary Flames
Art Ross Memorial Trophy:	Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy:	Tim Kerr, Philadelphia Flyers
Calder Memorial Trophy:	Brian Leetch, New York Rangers
Conn Smythe Trophy:	Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames
Frank J. Selke Trophy:	Guy Carbonneau, Montreal Canadiens
Hart Memorial Trophy:	Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings
Jack Adams Award:	Pat Burns, Montreal Canadiens
James Norris Memorial Trophy:	Chris Chelios, Montreal Canadiens
King Clancy Memorial Trophy:	Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy:	Joe Mullen, Calgary Flames
Lester B. Pearson Award:	Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings
NHL Plus/Minus Award:	Joe Mullen, Calgary Flames,
William M. Jennings Trophy:	Patrick Roy/Brian Hayward, Montreal Canadiens
Vezina Trophy:	Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens
Lester Patrick Trophy:	Dan Kelly, Lou Nanne, Lynn Patrick, Bud Poile

All-Star teams

First Team	Position	Second Team
Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens	G	Mike Vernon, Calgary Flames
Chris Chelios, Montreal Canadiens	D	Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames
Paul Coffey, Pittsburgh Penguins	D	Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins	C	Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings
Joe Mullen, Calgary Flames	RW	Jari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers
Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles Kings	LW	Gerard Gallant, Detroit Red Wings

First games

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1988–89 (listed with their first team, stars(*) mark start in playoffs):

• Don Sweeney, Boston Bruins
• Stephane Quintal, Boston Bruins
• Sergei Priakin, Calgary Flames
• Paul Ranheim, Calgary Flames
• Theoren Fleury, Calgary Flames
• Ed Belfour, Chicago Blackhawks
• Jeremy Roenick, Chicago Blackhawks
• Randy McKay, Detroit Red Wings
• Tim Cheveldae, Detroit Red Wings
• Martin Gelinas, Edmonton Oilers
• Mike Modano*, Minnesota North Stars
• Eric Desjardins, Montreal Canadiens
• Jyrki Lumme, Montreal Canadiens
• Mike Keane, Montreal Canadiens
• Eric Weinrich, New Jersey Devils
• Paul Ysebaert, New Jersey Devils
• Tom Fitzgerald, New York Islanders
• Tony Granato, New York Rangers
• Mike Richter*, New York Rangers
• John Cullen, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Mark Recchi, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Curtis Leschyshyn, Quebec Nordiques
• Joe Sakic, Quebec Nordiques
• Rod Brind'Amour*, St. Louis Blues
• Trevor Linden, Vancouver Canucks
• Bob Essensa, Winnipeg Jets

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1988–89 (listed with their last team):

• Mark Napier, Buffalo Sabres
• Hakan Loob, Calgary Flames
• Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
• Doug Halward, Edmonton Oilers
• Tomas Jonsson, Edmonton Oilers
• John Anderson, Hartford Whalers
• Ron Duguay, Los Angeles Kings
• Craig Hartsburg, Minnesota North Stars
• Dennis Maruk, Minnesota North Stars
• Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadiens
• Billy Smith, New York Islanders
• Marcel Dionne, New York Rangers
• Anton Stastny, Quebec Nordiques
• Mel Bridgman, Vancouver Canucks
• Bengt Gustafsson, Washington Capitals

References

• Hockey Database
• NHL.com