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.
Regular season
This season saw the
Calgary Flames win their first
Stanley Cup. They defeated the
Montreal Canadiens four games to two in a rematch of the Cup finals from the
1985-86 NHL season. The Flames would also win their second consecutive
Presidents' Trophy as the top regular season team.
Mario Lemieux of the
Pittsburgh Penguins won the
Art Ross Trophy for the second consecutive season, leading the league with 199 points. Lemieux remains the only person other than
Wayne Gretzky to approach the 200 point plateau. Gretzky, who had crossed the 200 point mark four times in five years during the 1980s, won his ninth
Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP. This year also featured the "new look Kings" as the
Los Angeles Kings changed their uniform design and team colours after Gretzky was added to their line-up. Prior to Gretzky's arrival, the Kings had the fourth worst record in the NHL at 30 wins, 42 losses, and 8 ties. After Gretzky's first season with the Kings, they moved all they way up to fourth best in the NHL with a record of 42 wins, 31 losses, and 7 ties.
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
Clarence Campbell Conference
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points
Leading goaltenders
Stanley Cup playoffs
The 1989
Stanley Cup finals featured two Canadian hockey teams, the
Montreal Canadiens and the
Calgary Flames. Montreal finished the regular season with 115 points, only two behind the league leader Calgary. On their way to the finals, Montreal lost only three games while eliminating the
Hartford Whalers,
Boston Bruins, and
Philadelphia Flyers. One of the interesting stories of these playoffs, though, was Gretzky and the
Los Angeles Kings meeting the defending champion Oilers in the first round. The
previous season saw the mighty
Edmonton Oilers sweep the
Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals as Gretzky earned the
Conn Smythe Trophy setting playoff records for playoff assists, assists in a finals series and points in a finals series. On
August 9,
1988 the Oilers traded Gretzky to the Kings. The Gretzky-led Kings and Oilers (with many veteran super-stars) met in the first round of the Smythe Division playoffs, which made for an exciting "return" of Gretzky to Edmonton. In a tough seven game series, Gretzky and the Kings took down the defending Stanley Cup champions after falling behind 3 games to 1. In the second round Gretzky and the Kings were no match for the Calgary Flames, who swept them in 4 games. The Flames then went on to beat the
Chicago Blackhawks in 5 before going into the finals to meet the Canadiens, in a finals rematch from the
1985-86 NHL season.
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 | 3 | (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
Stanley Cup finals
Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames
| Date
| Away
| Score
| Home
| Score
| Notes
|
| May 14 | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | Calgary Flames | 3 |
|
| May 17 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | Calgary Flames | 2 |
|
| May 19 | Calgary Flames | 3 | Montreal Canadiens | 4 | (2nd OT)
|
| May 21 | Calgary Flames | 4 | Montreal Canadiens | 2 |
|
| May 23 | Montreal Canadiens | 2 | Calgary Flames | 3 |
|
| May 25 | Calgary Flames | 4 | Montreal Canadiens | 2 |
|
Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 2
Playoff scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points
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
|
See also
References
NHL 1988/89 | Saison LNH 1988-89
"1988-89 NHL season"