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 | |
| Stanley Cup champions | Calgary Flames |
| Runners-up | Montreal Canadiens |
| NHL seasons | |
|
← 1987–88 |
1989–90 → |
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
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
All-Star teams
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