1985–86 Edmonton Oilers season

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1985–86 Edmonton Oilers
Smythe Division champions
Division1st Smythe
Conference1st Campbell
1985–86 record56–17–7
Home record32–6–2
Road record24–11–5
Goals for426 (1st)
Goals against310 (13th)
Team information
General managerGlen Sather
CoachGlen Sather
CaptainWayne Gretzky
Alternate captainsLee Fogolin
Mark Messier
ArenaNorthlands Coliseum
Average attendance17,358 (99.2%)
Minor league affiliate(s)Nova Scotia Oilers (AHL)
Team leaders
GoalsJari Kurri (68)
AssistsWayne Gretzky (163)
PointsWayne Gretzky (215)
Penalty minutesKevin McClelland (266)
Plus/minusWayne Gretzky (+71)
WinsGrant Fuhr (29)
Goals against averageAndy Moog (3.69)

The 1985–86 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' seventh season in the NHL, and they were coming off back to back Stanley Cup Championships. Edmonton won the inaugural Presidents' Trophy, as they finished with 119 points, which was a league high and tied the franchise record which was set in the 1983–84 season.[1] The Oilers won the Smythe Division for the 5th consecutive season, and were heavy favourites to win their third-straight Stanley Cup. It was also the fifth consecutive season in which they scored at least 400 goals. However, the Oilers were defeated by the Calgary Flames in the second round.

Regular season

During the season, the Oilers had to deal with some legal issues. Dave Hunter was convicted three times in a span of less than two years for impaired driving. Mark Messier had his automobile troubles too, getting a fine after hitting three parked cars with his Porsche.[2] Finally, the Oilers signed Craig MacTavish, who had missed the 1984–85 NHL season while serving a year in jail for vehicular homicide.[3] Despite these distractions, the Oilers still finished first overall in the NHL.

Wayne Gretzky set an NHL record by earning 215 points and 163 assists, breaking records that he had previously set, as he won his sixth Art Ross Trophy and his seventh Hart Trophy. Jari Kurri became the first Oiler other than Gretzky to lead the team in goals as he scored 68 goals, and added 63 assists to finish with 131 points. Paul Coffey set the record for most goals (48) by a defenceman, breaking the record of 46 goals that Bobby Orr had previously set while finishing the season with 138 points, which was one point behind Orr's all-time defenceman record of 139 points. He won his second straight Norris Trophy.

In goal, Grant Fuhr and Andy Moog once again split time, with Fuhr leading the team with 29 wins, while Moog posted a team best 3.69 GAA.

Season standings

Smythe Division[4]
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Edmonton Oilers 80 56 17 7 426 310 119
Calgary Flames 80 40 31 9 354 315 89
Winnipeg Jets 80 26 47 7 295 372 59
Vancouver Canucks 80 23 44 13 282 333 59
Los Angeles Kings 80 23 49 8 284 389 54

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Record vs. opponents

Smythe Division record vs. opponents

Vs. Campbell Conference

Vs. Wales Conference


Schedule and results

1985–86 Schedule
October: 8–1–0 (Home: 6–0–0 ; Road: 2–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
1 October 10 Winnipeg Jets 3 – 4 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 1–0–0 2 [6]
2 October 13 St. Louis Blues 3 – 6 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,392 2–0–0 4 [7]
3 October 16 New York Islanders 4 – 6 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,311 3–0–0 6 [8]
4 October 18 Boston Bruins 2 – 3 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,327 4–0–0 8 [9]
5 October 20 Edmonton Oilers 8 – 5 Los Angeles Kings Fuhr 10,530 5–0–0 10 [10]
6 October 23 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 9 Winnipeg Jets 13,269 5–1–0 10 [11]
7 October 25 Calgary Flames 3 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 6–1–0 12 [12]
8 October 28 Edmonton Oilers 6 – 4 Calgary Flames Moog 16,762 7–1–0 14 [13]
9 October 30 Winnipeg Jets 3 – 7 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,243 8–1–0 16 [14]
November: 8–3–3 (Home: 4–1–1 ; Road: 4–2–2)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
10 November 1 Buffalo Sabres 2 – 0 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,184 8–2–0 16 [15]
11 November 3 Toronto Maple Leafs 1 – 7 Edmonton Oilers 17,177 9–2–0 18 [16]
12 November 5 Edmonton Oilers 6 – 4 Vancouver Canucks Moog 16,553 10–2–0 20 [17]
13 November 6 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 4 Los Angeles Kings OT Moog 10,677 10–2–1 21 [18]
14 November 8 Vancouver Canucks 0 – 13 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,498 11–2–1 23 [19]
15 November 12 Edmonton Oilers 2 – 5 Washington Capitals Moog 18,130 11–3–1 23 [20]
16 November 14 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 5 Philadelphia Flyers Moog 17,211 11–4–1 23 [21]
17 November 16 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 4 New York Islanders OT Moog 16,236 11–4–2 24 [22]
18 November 17 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 2 New York Rangers OT Moog 17,414 12–4–2 26 [23]
19 November 19 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 4 Quebec Nordiques Moog 15,357 13–4–2 28 [24]
20 November 20 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 4 Montreal Canadiens OT Moog 17,550 14–4–2 30 [25]
21 November 23 New Jersey Devils 2 – 3 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,231 15–4–2 32 [26]
22 November 27 Vancouver Canucks 5 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,102 15–4–3 33 [27]
23 November 30 Hartford Whalers 5 – 8 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,304 16–4–3 35 [28]
December: 10–3–1 (Home: 6–2–1 ; Road: 4–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
24 December 1 Calgary Flames 3 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,498 17–4–3 37 [29]
25 December 3 Edmonton Oilers 8 – 4 Los Angeles Kings Fuhr 10,398 18–4–3 39 [30]
26 December 5 Los Angeles Kings 6 – 6 Edmonton Oilers OT Moog 17,048 18–4–4 40 [31]
27 December 7 Minnesota North Stars 4 – 8 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,179 19–4–4 42 [32]
28 December 8 Chicago Black Hawks 3 – 4 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,205 20–4–4 44 [33]
29 December 10 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 7 St. Louis Blues Fuhr 13,551 20–5–4 44 [34]
30 December 11 Edmonton Oilers 12 – 9 Chicago Black Hawks Fuhr 17,983 21–5–4 46 [35]
31 December 13 Edmonton Oilers 6 – 3 Winnipeg Jets 15,447 22–5–4 48 [36]
32 December 15 Vancouver Canucks 3 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,039 23–5–4 50 [37]
33 December 18 Washington Capitals 5 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,221 23–6–4 50 [38]
34 December 20 Los Angeles Kings 4 – 9 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,114 24–6–4 52 [39]
35 December 22 Winnipeg Jets 7 – 5 Edmonton Oilers 17,498 24–7–4 52 [40]
36 December 29 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 3 Vancouver Canucks Fuhr 16,553 25–7–4 54 [41]
37 December 31 Philadelphia Flyers 3 – 4 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,498 26–7–4 56 [42]
January: 10–4–1 (Home: 5–2–0 ; Road: 5–2–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
38 January 2 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 3 Calgary Flames Fuhr 16,761 27–7–4 58 [43]
39 January 4 Hartford Whalers 3 – 4 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,282 28–7–4 60 [44]
40 January 5 Calgary Flames 3 – 6 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 29–7–4 62 [45]
41 January 8 Edmonton Oilers 9 – 11 Toronto Maple Leafs Fuhr 16,282 29–8–4 62 [46]
42 January 10 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 5 Quebec Nordiques Fuhr 15,358 29–9–4 62 [47]
43 January 11 Edmonton Oilers 6 – 3 Montreal Canadiens Moog 18,084 30–9–4 64 [48]
44 January 13 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 3 Boston Bruins Fuhr 13,641 31–9–4 66 [49]
45 January 15 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 1 Hartford Whalers Moog 15,126 32–9–4 68 [50]
46 January 18 New York Rangers 5 – 4 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 32–10–4 68 [51]
47 January 22 Pittsburgh Penguins 7 – 4 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,223 32–11–4 68 [52]
48 January 24 New Jersey Devils 6 – 7 Edmonton Oilers OT Fuhr 17,245 33–11–4 70 [53]
49 January 25 Los Angeles Kings 2 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,368 34–11–4 72 [54]
50 January 27 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 3 Chicago Black Hawks Fuhr 17,568 35–11–4 74 [55]
51 January 29 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 5 St. Louis Blues OT Moog 16,116 35–11–5 75 [56]
52 January 31 Calgary Flames 4 – 7 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,368 36–11–5 77 [57]
February: 7–3–1 (Home: 4–1–0 ; Road: 3–2–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
53 February 1 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 4 Calgary Flames OT Moog 16,762 36–11–6 78 [58]
54 February 6 Edmonton Oilers 6 – 4 New Jersey Devils Fuhr 19,040 37–11–6 80 [59]
55 February 8 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 5 Washington Capitals OT Moog 18,130 37–12–6 80 [60]
56 February 9 Edmonton Oilers 2 – 4 Buffalo Sabres Fuhr 16,433 37–13–6 80 [61]
57 February 11 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 2 Detroit Red Wings Moog 18,913 38–13–6 82 [62]
58 February 14 Quebec Nordiques 2 – 8 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 39–13–6 84 [63]
59 February 16 Buffalo Sabres 5 – 7 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,328 40–13–6 86 [64]
60 February 19 Toronto Maple Leafs 5 – 9 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 41–13–6 88 [65]
61 February 22 Boston Bruins 6 – 5 Edmonton Oilers OT Moog 17,498 41–14–6 88 [66]
62 February 24 Montreal Canadiens 2 – 3 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 42–14–6 90 [67]
63 February 26 Edmonton Oilers 8 – 2 Winnipeg Jets Fuhr 14,047 43–14–6 92 [68]
March: 11–2–1 (Home: 6–0–0 ; Road: 5–2–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
64 March 2 Philadelphia Flyers 1 – 2 Edmonton Oilers OT Fuhr 17,498 44–14–6 94 [69]
65 March 4 Edmonton Oilers 6 – 2 Vancouver Canucks Moog 14,285 45–14–6 96 [70]
66 March 5 Los Angeles Kings 3 – 6 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 46–14–6 98 [71]
67 March 7 Pittsburgh Penguins 3 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,498 47–14–6 100 [72]
68 March 9 Edmonton Oilers 7 – 3 Los Angeles Kings Fuhr 16,005 48–14–6 102 [73]
69 March 11 Edmonton Oilers 0 – 4 Minnesota North Stars Moog 15,953 48–15–6 102 [74]
70 March 12 Edmonton Oilers 8 – 5 Winnipeg Jets Fuhr 13,335 49–15–6 104 [75]
71 March 14 Detroit Red Wings 3 – 12 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,498 50–15–6 106 [76]
72 March 18 Winnipeg Jets 2 – 6 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 51–15–6 108 [77]
73 March 21 Minnesota North Stars 4 – 5 Edmonton Oilers OT Moog 17,498 52–15–6 110 [78]
74 March 25 Edmonton Oilers 7 – 2 Detroit Red Wings Fuhr 18,374 53–15–6 112 [79]
75 March 26 Edmonton Oilers 8 – 3 Pittsburgh Penguins Moog 16,033 54–15–6 114 [80]
76 March 28 Edmonton Oilers 2 – 4 New York Rangers Fuhr 17,411 54–16–6 114 [81]
77 March 29 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 4 New York Islanders OT Moog 16,265 54–16–7 115 [82]
April: 2–1–0 (Home: 1–0–0 ; Road: 1–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
78 April 2 Vancouver Canucks 4 – 8 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 55–16–7 117 [83]
79 April 4 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 9 Calgary Flames Moog 16,762 55–17–7 117 [84]
80 April 6 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 2 Vancouver Canucks Fuhr 16,218 56–17–7 119 [85]

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

In the playoffs, the Oilers made quick work of the Vancouver Canucks in the opening round sweeping them in three straight games, setting up a matchup with their rivals the Calgary Flames, who swept the Winnipeg Jets in their opening round series, for another Battle of Alberta. The Oilers could never seem to get on a roll against the Flames, as the series was pushed to the limit as they would meet for a seventh game in Edmonton. With the score tied up at 2 late in the third period, Oilers defenceman Steve Smith was playing the puck behind the Edmonton goal, and attempted to make a pass, however it hit goalie Grant Fuhr and the puck ended up in the Oilers goal, giving the Flames a 3–2 lead. Edmonton could not come back, as the Flames ended up winning the game, and the series, and ending the Oilers chance at winning a third Stanley Cup in a row.

1986 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Smythe Division Semifinal; Oilers won series 3–0
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 April 9 Vancouver Canucks 3 – 7 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,106 1–0 [1]
2 April 10 Vancouver Canucks 1 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Moog 17,295 2–0 [2]
3 April 12 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 1 Vancouver Canucks Fuhr 7,854 3–0 [3]
Smythe Division Final; Flames won series 4–3
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 April 18 Calgary Flames 4 – 1 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 0–1 [4]
2 April 20 Calgary Flames 5 – 6 Edmonton Oilers OT Fuhr 17,498 1–1 [5]
3 April 22 Edmonton Oilers 2 – 3 Calgary Flames Fuhr 16,762 1–2 [6]
4 April 24 Edmonton Oilers 7 – 4 Calgary Flames Fuhr 16,762 2–2 [7]
5 April 26 Calgary Flames 4 – 1 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 2–3 [8]
6 April 28 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 2 Calgary Flames Fuhr 16,762 3–3 [9]
7 April 30 Calgary Flames 3 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Fuhr 17,498 3–4 [10]

Player statistics

Regular season

Scoring leaders
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Wayne Gretzky 80 52 163 215 46
Paul Coffey 79 48 90 138 120
Jari Kurri 78 68 63 131 22
Glenn Anderson 72 54 48 102 90
Mark Messier 63 35 49 84 68
Goaltending
Player GP TOI W L T GA SO Save % GAA
Andy Moog 47 2664 27 9 7 164 1 .889 3.69
Grant Fuhr 40 2184 29 8 0 143 0 .890 3.93

Playoffs

Scoring leaders
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Wayne Gretzky 10 8 11 19 2
Jari Kurri 10 2 10 12 4
Glenn Anderson 10 8 3 11 14
Mark Messier 10 4 6 10 18
Paul Coffey 10 1 9 10 30
Goaltending
Player GP TOI W L GA SO Save % GAA
Andy Moog 1 60 1 0 1 0 .963 1.00
Grant Fuhr 9 541 5 4 28 0 .897 3.11

Awards and records

Awards

Records

  • 266: An Oilers record for most penalty minutes in a single season by Kevin McClelland.
  • 206: A new Oilers record for most penalty minutes in a single season by Kevin McClelland on February 11, 1986.
  • 265: An Oilers record for most penalty minutes in a single season by a defenceman by Marty McSorley.
  • 197: A new Oilers record for most penalty minutes in a single season by a defenceman by Marty McSorley on March 4, 1986.
  • 215: An NHL record for most points in a single season by Wayne Gretzky.
  • 213: A new NHL record for most points in a single season by Wayne Gretzky on April 4, 1986.
  • 163: An NHL record for most assists in a single season by Wayne Gretzky.
  • 136: A new NHL record for most assists in a single season by Wayne Gretzky on March 7, 1986.
  • 48: An NHL record for most goals in a single season by a defenceman by Paul Coffey.
  • 47: A new NHL record for most goals in a single season by a defenceman by Paul Coffey on April 2, 1986.
  • 8: Tied NHL record for most career short-handed goals in a playoffs by Wayne Gretzky on April 24, 1986.

Milestones

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
Glenn Anderson 300th NHL PIM October 10, 1985
Charlie Huddy 200th NHL PIM
Esa Tikkanen 1st NHL Game
Esa Tikkanen 1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
October 13, 1985
Mark Napier 500th NHL Game October 16, 1985
Grant Fuhr 100th NHL Win October 20, 1985
Wayne Gretzky 700th NHL Assist
Paul Coffey 400th NHL Game October 23, 1985
Lee Fogolin 1,200th NHL PIM October 25, 1985
Glenn Anderson 12th NHL Hat-trick October 28, 1985
Kevin McClelland 500th NHL PIM
Steve Smith 1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
Dave Hunter 600th NHL PIM November 1, 1985
Kevin McClelland 200th NHL Game
Wayne Gretzky 35th NHL Hat-trick November 3, 1985
Larry Melnyk 1st NHL Goal
Mark Messier 200th NHL Goal November 5, 1985
Dave Lumley 2nd NHL Hat-trick November 8, 1985
Dave Lumley 400th NHL Game November 12, 1985
Charlie Huddy 300th NHL Game November 14, 1985
Dave Semenko 400th NHL Game November 20, 1985
Steve Smith 1st NHL Goal
Craig MacTavish 1st NHL Hat-trick
1st NHL Natural Hat-trick
December 1, 1985
Jari Kurri 300th NHL Assist December 5, 1985
Craig MacTavish 100th NHL PIM
Wayne Gretzky 500th NHL Game December 7, 1985
Mike Krushelnyski 100th NHL Goal
Jari Kurri 14th NHL Hat-trick
Andy Moog 100th NHL Win December 8, 1985
Glenn Anderson 400th NHL Game
13th NHL Hat-trick
December 11, 1985
Jari Kurri 15th NHL Hat-trick
Paul Coffey 500th NHL Point December 13, 1985
Wayne Gretzky 1,200th NHL Point
Don Jackson 500th NHL PIM
Marty McSorley 100th NHL Game December 15, 1985
Paul Coffey 4th NHL Hat-trick
3rd NHL Gordie Howe hat trick
December 20, 1985
Jari Kurri 16th NHL Hat-trick
1st Four-Goal NHL Game
Kevin McClelland 600th NHL PIM
Dave Semenko 900th NHL PIM
Dave Hunter 100th NHL Goal December 22, 1985
Wayne Gretzky 36th NHL Hat-trick December 31, 1985
Kevin Lowe 500th NHL Game
Marty McSorley 300th NHL PIM
1st NHL Gordie Howe Hat-trick
January 2, 1986
Randy Gregg 100th NHL Point January 5, 1986
Wayne Gretzky 37th NHL Hat-trick January 8, 1986
Glenn Anderson 500th NHL Point January 10, 1986
Steve Smith 100th NHL PIM
Paul Coffey 600th NHL PIM January 11, 1986
Wayne Gretzky 400th NHL PIM January 13, 1986
Charlie Huddy 200th NHL Point January 31, 1986
Dave Hunter 500th NHL Game
Paul Coffey 4th NHL Gordie Howe Hat-trick February 1, 1986
Wayne Gretzky 800th NHL Assist February 6, 1986
Mark Messier 500th NHL Point February 11, 1986
Jari Kurri 600th NHL Point February 14, 1986
Selmar Odelein 1st NHL Game
Jari Kurri 400th NHL Game February 22, 1986
Grant Fuhr 200th NHL Game February 24, 1986
Marty McSorley 400th NHL PIM
Kevin Lowe 500th NHL PIM February 26, 1986
Mark Messier 8th NHL Hat-trick
1st NHL Natural Hat-trick
Jari Kurri 50th Goal in 65 Games March 4, 1986
Wayne Gretzky 1,300th NHL Point March 5, 1986
Glenn Anderson 14th NHL Hat-trick March 9, 1986
Kevin McClelland 700th NHL PIM
Kevin McClelland 100th NHL Point March 12, 1986
Glenn Anderson 50th Goal in 71 Games
15th NHL Hat-trick
March 14, 1986
Paul Coffey 400th NHL Assist
Risto Jalo 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
Kevin McClelland 3rd NHL Gordie Howe Hat-trick
Wayne Gretzky 50th Goal in 72 Games March 18, 1986
Mark Messier 300th NHL Assist March 21, 1986
Mark Napier 200th NHL Goal March 25, 1986
Paul Coffey 600th NHL Point April 2, 1986
Lee Fogolin 1,300th NHL PIM April 4, 1986
Marty McSorley 500th NHL PIM
Mark Messier 700th NHL PIM
Jari Kurri 300th NHL Goal April 6, 1986
Playoffs
Player Milestone Reached
Glenn Anderson 50th NHL Assist April 9, 1986
Marty McSorley 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
Steve Smith 1st NHL Game
Esa Tikkanen 1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
Jeff Beukeboom 1st NHL Game April 10, 1986
Mark Messier 50th NHL Assist
Esa Tikkanen 1st NHL Goal April 12, 1986
Dave Hunter 1st NHL Gordie Howe Hat-trick
Kevin Lowe 50th NHL PIM April 20, 1986
Wayne Gretzky 7th NHL Hat-trick April 24, 1986
Don Jackson 50th NHL Game
Mike Krushelnyski 50th NHL PIM
Jari Kurri 50th NHL Goal
Marty McSorley 50th NHL PIM
Craig MacTavish 1st NHL Gordie Howe Hat-trick
Steve Smith 1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
April 28, 1986

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