The 1988–89

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

season was the club's 80th

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

of play. The Canadiens finished first in the

Adams Division The National Hockey League's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins. It is th ...

, as well as the

Prince of Wales Conference A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The fema ...

, with a 53–18–9 record for 115 points. The team finished second overall in the league behind the

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

, who had 117 points. Montreal defeated the

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

and

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

in the playoffs before meeting the Flames in the

Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...

. Calgary took the series 4–2, clinching the Cup in Game 6 on the Canadiens' vaunted home ice, the

Montreal Forum Montreal Forum () is a historic building located facing Cabot Square, Montreal, Cabot Square in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by ''Sporting News'', it was an indoor arena which served as the home o ...

. This marked the only time that a visiting team defeated them to win the Stanley Cup on Forum ice. The Canadiens were coached by

Pat Burns Patrick John Joseph Burns (April 4, 1952 – November 19, 2010) was a National Hockey League head coach. Over 14 seasons between 1988 and 2004, he coached in 1,019 games with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New Je ...

and captained by

Bob Gainey Robert Michael Gainey (born December 13, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens from 1973 until 1989. After retiring from active play, he became a hockey coach and later an executive with ...

Offseason

Regular season

* November 7, 1988 – The Canadiens traded RW John Kordic and a 6th-round choice ( Michael Doers) to the

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

in exchange for RW

Russ Courtnall Russell William Courtnall (born June 2, 1965) is a Canadian former ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, New York Range ...

. For the third straight season, the Canadiens allowed the fewest goals in the NHL (218), were the least penalized team (326 short-handed situations) and allowed the fewest power-play goals (58).

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , L, , October 6, 1988, , 2–3 , , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres, , 0–1–0 , - , 2, , W, , October 8, 1988, , 4–3 , , align="left", Minnesota North Stars, , 1–1–0 , - , 3, , L, , October 12, 1988, , 5–6 , , align="left", Quebec Nordiques, , 1–2–0 , - , 4, , W, , October 14, 1988, , 7–3 , , align="left", @ New Jersey Devils, , 2–2–0 , - , 5, , L, , October 15, 1988, , 1–2 , , align="left", @ New York Islanders, , 2–3–0 , - , 6, , L, , October 17, 1988, , 2–6 , , align="left", Toronto Maple Leafs, , 2–4–0 , - , 7, , W, , October 19, 1988, , 5–4 , , align="left", Hartford Whalers, , 3–4–0 , - , 8, , L, , October 21, 1988, , 3–5 , , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres, , 3–5–0 , - , 9, , W, , October 22, 1988, , 4–3 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres, , 4–5–0 , - , 10, , T, , October 25, 1988, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @ Boston Bruins, , 4–5–1 , - , 11, , L, , October 26, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left", @ Detroit Red Wings, , 4–6–1 , - , 12, , L, , October 29, 1988, , 4–5 , , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins, , 4–7–1 , - , - , 13, , W, , November 1, 1988, , 5–3 , , align="left", @ Hartford Whalers, , 5–7–1 , - , 14, , W, , November 2, 1988, , 5–3 , , align="left", Los Angeles Kings, , 6–7–1 , - , 15, , W, , November 5, 1988, , 7–2 , , align="left", Winnipeg Jets, , 7–7–1 , - , 16, , T, , November 7, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", St. Louis Blues, , 7–7–2 , - , 17, , T, , November 9, 1988, , 6–6 OT, , align="left", @ Chicago Blackhawks, , 7–7–3 , - , 18, , W, , November 11, 1988, , 3–1 , , align="left", @ Vancouver Canucks, , 8–7–3 , - , 19, , L, , November 13, 1988, , 3–7 , , align="left", @ Winnipeg Jets, , 8–8–3 , - , 20, , W, , November 16, 1988, , 5–4 OT, , align="left", New York Islanders, , 9–8–3 , - , 21, , W, , November 17, 1988, , 5–2 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins, , 10–8–3 , - , 22, , W, , November 19, 1988, , 5–3 , , align="left", Chicago Blackhawks, , 11–8–3 , - , 23, , W, , November 21, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left", @ New York Rangers, , 12–8–3 , - , 24, , W, , November 23, 1988, , 2–0 , , align="left", Boston Bruins, , 13–8–3 , - , 25, , L, , November 24, 1988, , 3–5 , , align="left", @ Quebec Nordiques, , 13–9–3 , - , 26, , W, , November 26, 1988, , 7–5 , , align="left", Edmonton Oilers, , 14–9–3 , - , 27, , W, , November 30, 1988, , 6–3 , , align="left", @ Hartford Whalers, , 15–9–3 , - , - , 28, , T, , December 1, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @ Philadelphia Flyers, , 15–9–4 , - , 29, , W, , December 3, 1988, , 3–2 OT, , align="left", Buffalo Sabres, , 16–9–4 , - , 30, , W, , December 5, 1988, , 7–2 , , align="left", Detroit Red Wings, , 17–9–4 , - , 31, , T, , December 7, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @ Minnesota North Stars, , 17–9–5 , - , 32, , W, , December 8, 1988, , 5–1 , , align="left", @ St. Louis Blues, , 18–9–5 , - , 33, , T, , December 10, 1988, , 0–0 OT, , align="left", Washington Capitals, , 18–9–6 , - , 34, , W, , December 12, 1988, , 3–1 , , align="left", Boston Bruins, , 19–9–6 , - , 35, , L, , December 15, 1988, , 4–6 , , align="left", @ Quebec Nordiques, , 19–10–6 , - , 36, , W, , December 17, 1988, , 6–3 , , align="left", New York Rangers, , 20–10–6 , - , 37, , W, , December 19, 1988, , 2–1 , , align="left", Hartford Whalers, , 21–10–6 , - , 38, , W, , December 21, 1988, , 6–4 , , align="left", Quebec Nordiques, , 22–10–6 , - , 39, , W, , December 22, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins, , 23–10–6 , - , 40, , W, , December 27, 1988, , 3–2 , , align="left", @ Los Angeles Kings, , 24–10–6 , - , 41, , W, , December 29, 1988, , 4–3 , , align="left", @ Calgary Flames, , 25–10–6 , - , 42, , W, , December 31, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left", @ Edmonton Oilers, , 26–10–6 , - , - , 43, , W, , January 1, 1989, , 4–0 , , align="left", @ Vancouver Canucks, , 27–10–6 , - , 44, , W, , January 7, 1989, , 3–1 , , align="left", Boston Bruins, , 28–10–6 , - , 45, , L, , January 9, 1989, , 2–3 , , align="left", @ Detroit Red Wings, , 28–11–6 , - , 46, , W, , January 11, 1989, , 1–0 , , align="left", New Jersey Devils, , 29–11–6 , - , 47, , W, , January 12, 1989, , 5–3 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins, , 30–11–6 , - , 48, , W, , January 14, 1989, , 5–3 , , align="left", @ Toronto Maple Leafs, , 31–11–6 , - , 49, , W, , January 18, 1989, , 3–1 , , align="left", Hartford Whalers, , 32–11–6 , - , 50, , L, , January 19, 1989, , 4–6 , , align="left", @ Hartford Whalers, , 32–12–6 , - , 51, , W, , January 21, 1989, , 4–3 , , align="left", Toronto Maple Leafs, , 33–12–6 , - , 52, , L, , January 23, 1989, , 1–3 , , align="left", Calgary Flames, , 33–13–6 , - , 53, , L, , January 27, 1989, , 2–4 , , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres, , 33–14–6 , - , 54, , W, , January 28, 1989, , 2–1 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres, , 34–14–6 , - , 55, , W, , January 31, 1989, , 5–1 , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins, , 35–14–6 , - , - , 56, , W, , February 2, 1989, , 6–1 , , align="left", @ Quebec Nordiques, , 36–14–6 , - , 57, , W, , February 4, 1989, , 7–5 , , align="left", New York Rangers, , 37–14–6 , - , 58, , W, , February 11, 1989, , 5–4 , , align="left", New Jersey Devils, , 38–14–6 , - , 59, , L, , February 13, 1989, , 2–3 , , align="left", Quebec Nordiques, , 38–15–6 , - , 60, , W, , February 16, 1989, , 7–4 , , align="left", @ Philadelphia Flyers, , 39–15–6 , - , 61, , W, , February 18, 1989, , 4–2 , , align="left", @ St. Louis Blues, , 40–15–6 , - , 62, , T, , February 19, 1989, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @ Chicago Blackhawks, , 40–15–7 , - , 63, , W, , February 22, 1989, , 6–3 , , align="left", Winnipeg Jets, , 41–15–7 , - , 64, , W, , February 25, 1989, , 6–1 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres, , 42–15–7 , - , 65, , W, , February 26, 1989, , 5–2 , , align="left", Vancouver Canucks, , 43–15–7 , - , - , 66, , L, , March 1, 1989, , 0–3 , , align="left", @ Edmonton Oilers, , 43–16–7 , - , 67, , W, , March 2, 1989, , 3–2 , , align="left", @ Calgary Flames, , 44–16–7 , - , 68, , W, , March 4, 1989, , 6–1 , , align="left", @ Hartford Whalers, , 45–16–7 , - , 69, , W, , March 8, 1989, , 3–2 , , align="left", Washington Capitals, , 46–16–7 , - , 70, , W, , March 9, 1989, , 5–2 , , align="left", @ Quebec Nordiques, , 47–16–7 , - , 71, , W, , March 11, 1989, , 5–3 , , align="left", Hartford Whalers, , 48–16–7 , - , 72, , L, , March 13, 1989, , 3–5 , , align="left", New York Islanders, , 48–17–7 , - , 73, , W, , March 15, 1989, , 5–2 , , align="left", Los Angeles Kings, , 49–17–7 , - , 74, , L, , March 17, 1989, , 1–4 , , align="left", @ Washington Capitals, , 49–18–7 , - , 75, , W, , March 18, 1989, , 7–2 , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins, , 50–18–7 , - , 76, , W, , March 22, 1989, , 8–0 , , align="left", Quebec Nordiques, , 51–18–7 , - , 77, , T, , March 25, 1989, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", Minnesota North Stars, , 51–18–8 , - , 78, , W, , March 27, 1989, , 5–2 , , align="left", Boston Bruins, , 52–18–8 , - , 79, , W, , March 30, 1989, , 4–2 , , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres, , 53–18–8 , - , - , 80, , T, , April 1, 1989, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers, , 53–18–9 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Forwards

''Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes''

Defencemen

''Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes''

Goaltending

''Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average''

Playoffs

Adams Division semi-finals

Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens

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

Adams Division finals

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

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

Conference finals

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens

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

Stanley Cup finals

Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames

The

was decided between the top two teams during the 1988–89 NHL regular season. Co-captain

Lanny McDonald Lanny King McDonald (born February 16, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played over 1,100 games during a 16-year ...

scored the second Flames goal in Game 6. This turned out to be the last goal in his Hockey Hall of Fame career because he retired during the following off-season.

Doug Gilmour Douglas Robert Gilmour (born June 25, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for seven different teams. Gilmour was a seventh round selection, 134th overall, of the ...

scored two goals in the third period, including the eventual game and Cup winner to cement the victory for the Flames. ''Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 2.''

Awards and records

Prince of Wales Trophy The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is a team award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL). Named for Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and then Duke of Windsor), it has been awarded for different ac ...

* Frank J. Selke Trophy:

Guy Carbonneau Joseph Harry Guy Carbonneau (born March 18, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, coach and executive in the National Hockey League. He was also the president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Chicoutimi Saguenéen ...

Jack Adams Award The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." The league's Coach of the Year award has been presented 51 times to 43 coaches. The winner is select ...

James Norris Memorial Trophy The James Norris Memorial Trophy, or simply the Norris Trophy, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top " defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". It is named after Ja ...

Chris Chelios Christos Konstantinos Chelios (born January 25, 1962) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was a three-time Stanley Cup champion: one with the Montreal Canadiens and two with the Detroit Red Wings. Chelios played for th ...

William M. Jennings Trophy The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League (NHL) award given to "the goaltender(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it ... based on regular-season play." From 1946 until ...

Patrick Roy Patrick Jacques Roy (; born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach, executive and former player who is the head coach for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Roy previously served as head coach for ...

Brian Hayward Brian George Hayward (born June 25, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who is a color commentator for Anaheim Ducks broadcasts on Victory+ and KCOP-TV. Playing career Hayward played college hockey at Cornell Universi ...

Vezina Trophy The Vezina Trophy ( ) is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the thirty-two List of NHL general managers, NHL general managers vote to dete ...

: Patrick Roy * Patrick Roy, goalie, NHL First All-Star Team *

, defence, NHL First All-Star Team

Transactions

Draft picks

References

Canadiens on Hockey Database

{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Montreal Canadiens season Montreal Canadiens seasons Adams Division champion seasons Montreal Canadiens season, 1988-89 Eastern Conference (NHL) championship seasons

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

Mon Mon, MON or Mon. may refer to: Places * Mon State, a subdivision of Myanmar * Mon, India, a town in Nagaland * Mon district, Nagaland * Mon, Raebareli, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India * Mon, Switzerland, a village in the Canton of Grisons * A ...

1988 in Montreal 1988 in sports in Quebec 1989 in sports in Quebec 1989 in Montreal