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.

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 Canadiens80  53  18  9 115 315  218  1537 Boston Bruins80  37  29  1488  289  256  1929 Buffalo Sabres 80 38  35  783  291  299  2034 Hartford Whalers 80  37  38  5 79 299  290  1672 Quebec Nordiques 80  27  46  761  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 Rangers80  37  35  882  310  307  1891 Philadelphia Flyers80  36  36  8 80 307  285  2317 New Jersey Devils 80 27  41  1266  281  325 2499 New York Islanders80  28  47  561  265  325 1822

Clarence Campbell Conference
 Norris Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM Detroit Red Wings80  34  34  12 80 313  316  2245 St. Louis Blues  80 33  35  1278  275  285  1675 Minnesota North Stars80  27  37  16 70 258  278 1972 Chicago Blackhawks80  27  41  1266  297  335  2496 Toronto Maple Leafs80  28  46  6 62 259  342 1740

 Smythe Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM Calgary Flames  80  54  17  9117  354  226  2444 Los Angeles Kings  80  42  31  791  376  335  2215 Edmonton Oilers  80  38  34  884  325  306  1931 Vancouver Canucks  80  33  39  874  251  253  1569 Winnipeg Jets  80  26  42  1264  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
Division semi-finals
Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens
 Date Away Score Home Score NotesApril 5 Hartford Whalers 2  Montreal Canadiens  6April 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 NotesApril 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 NotesApril 5 Philadelphia Flyers 2  Washington Capitals  3April 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 NotesApril 5 New York Rangers 1  Pittsburgh Penguins  3April 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 NotesApril 5 Chicago Blackhawks 2  Detroit Red Wings  3April 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 NotesApril 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 NotesApril 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 NotesApril 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 NotesApril 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 NotesApril 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 NotesApril 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 NotesApril 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 NotesMay 1 Philadelphia Flyers 3  Montreal Canadiens 1 May 3 Philadelphia Flyers 0  Montreal Canadiens 3May 5 Montreal Canadiens 5  Philadelphia Flyers 1May 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 NotesMay 2 Chicago Blackhawks 0  Calgary Flames  3May 4 Chicago Blackhawks 4  Calgary Flames 2 May 6 Calgary Flames 5  Chicago Blackhawks 2May 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.

Playoff scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points
 Player Team GP G A Pts PIMAl 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 TeamPatrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens GMike Vernon, Calgary FlamesChris Chelios, Montreal Canadiens DAl MacInnis, Calgary FlamesPaul Coffey, Pittsburgh Penguins DRay Bourque, Boston BruinsMario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins CWayne Gretzky, Los Angeles KingsJoe Mullen, Calgary Flames RWJari Kurri, Edmonton OilersLuc Robitaille, Los Angeles Kings LWGerard 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

Category:National Hockey League seasons