1986 Stanley Cup Final

Paths to the Final

The Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens each faced formidable opponents to reach the 1986 Final. The Flames, representing the Campbell Conference, began with a swift three-game sweep of the Winnipeg Jets. Their most significant test came in the second round against the defending champion and provincial rival Edmonton Oilers, a series that went the full seven games. Calgary's victory halted the Oilers' bid for a third consecutive title and was a major hurdle cleared. The Flames then advanced to the Final by defeating the St. Louis Blues in another seven-game conference final, demonstrating their resilience in close series.

The Montreal Canadiens' journey through the Wales Conference playoffs was similarly demanding. They started with a three-game sweep of their historic rivals, the Boston Bruins. In the division final, the Canadiens were pushed to seven games by the Hartford Whalers before securing their spot. Montreal then faced the New York Rangers in the conference final, dispatching them in five games to earn their berth in the Stanley Cup Final. These series demonstrated the depth and tenacity of both Canadian clubs as they fought through multiple rounds of intense competition.

Series Summary and Key Games

The series began in Calgary with the Flames seizing early momentum. In Game One, Jim Peplinski recorded three points and goaltender Mike Vernon made 22 saves as Calgary won 5-2. The Flames then took a 2-0 lead in Game Two at the Olympic Saddledome, but Montreal rallied to tie the game early in the third period. Canadiens forward Brian Skrudland scored just nine seconds into overtime, the fastest overtime goal in Stanley Cup Final history at the time, to steal a 3-2 victory and even the series. This dramatic goal shifted the series momentum decisively toward Montreal.

The scene shifted to the Montreal Forum for Game Three, where the Canadiens erupted for four first-period goals, two from Mats Naslund. The game was marred by numerous fights, resulting in 126 total penalty minutes, but Montreal held on for a 5-3 win. Game Four was a defensive struggle, remaining scoreless until Claude Lemieux netted the lone goal with under ten minutes left in regulation. Goaltender Patrick Roy stopped all 15 shots for his first career playoff shutout in a 1-0 Canadiens victory. The game ended in a massive bench-clearing brawl featuring 176 penalty minutes, a Final record, during which Lemieux bit the finger of Jim Peplinski, who later remarked he did not know cannibalism was allowed in the NHL.

Facing elimination back in Calgary for Game Five, the Flames battled hard but fell 4-3. The victory gave the Montreal Canadiens the series four games to one and their 23rd Stanley Cup championship. Captain Bob Gainey accepted the Cup from NHL President John Ziegler. At 20 years old, Patrick Roy, who made 30 saves in the clincher, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the entire playoffs, becoming the youngest recipient of the award in NHL history. This Final was the only time between 1980 and 1988 that neither the Edmonton Oilers nor the New York Islanders, who had combined for eight titles in that span, won the Stanley Cup.

Team Rosters and Stanley Cup Engraving

The 1986 Montreal Canadiens were a blend of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance. The team was captained by Bob Gainey and coached by first-year NHL head coach Jean Perron, who became the 12th rookie coach to win the Stanley Cup and the last to do so after coaching his team for the entire season. A remarkable ten rookies played for Montreal during the playoffs, including Conn Smythe winner Patrick Roy, Claude Lemieux, Brian Skrudland, Stephane Richer, Mike Lalor, Steve Rooney, John Kordic, David Maley, Kjell Dahlin and Randy Bucyk. Many of these players, along with manager Serge Savard, had won the American Hockey League's Calder Cup with the Sherbrooke Canadiens just the year before, creating a unique pipeline of talent.

The names of the championship players and staff were engraved on the Stanley Cup. Due to injury exemptions and regular-season game thresholds, some players who did not participate in the Final still qualified to have their names included. Tom Kurvers missed the end of the regular season and all playoffs injured but played 62 games, so his name was included. Mario Tremblay played 56 games before injury and also qualified. Others, like Randy Bucyk who played 17 regular-season and two playoff games, did not meet the qualification. Notably, the team did not submit the names of Chairman of the Board Morgan McCammon or Senior Vice President of Operations Gerry Gundman for engraving, though it was tradition to include the chairman. Starting this season, teams were required to list two alternate captains for each game.

Broadcast Details and Media Landscape

The 1986 Stanley Cup Final occurred during a unique period for hockey broadcasting in Canada. It was the second and final year of a shared national English-language rights agreement between the CBC and CTV networks. For Games One and Two, CBC only held local broadcast rights in Montreal and Calgary, while CTV aired the games to the rest of the country. CBC then held exclusive national rights for Games Three, Four, and Five. Had the series extended to a seventh game, both networks would have televised it simultaneously using their own production crews. After the season, CTV ended its partnership with the NHL, and its rights package was later acquired by a Global-Canwest consortium, concluding a brief experiment in shared coverage.

In the United States, the 1986 Final marked the beginning of a new television era for the NHL. It was the first of three consecutive seasons that the sports network ESPN would televise the Stanley Cup Final, expanding the event's reach to a broader American audience through cable television. This move helped to grow the league's profile in the US market during a period of significant on-ice talent and excitement. The broadcasting arrangements in both countries highlighted the growing commercial value and national interest in the championship series.

Aftermath, Celebrations and Historical Rivalry

The Canadiens' victory triggered widespread celebration in Montreal, but it also led to significant civil disturbance. An estimated 5,000 jubilant fans rampaged through the city's downtown core following the Game Five win. The riot resulted in over one million Canadian dollars worth of property damage, casting a shadow over the championship festivities. The event highlighted the intense passions surrounding the team and the challenges of managing large-scale public celebrations in a major city after a major sports triumph.

For the Calgary Flames, the defeat was a painful step in their franchise's development. The experience gained in 1986, however, proved valuable. Three years later, in the 1989 Stanley Cup Final, the Flames would face the Canadiens in a rematch and emerge victorious in six games, capturing the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. That 1989 win also made Calgary the only visiting team ever to win the Cup on the ice of the Montreal Forum. Although this was the first postseason meeting between the two NHL franchises, it was not the first Final between teams from Montreal and Calgary. The original Canadiens defeated the Calgary Tigers of the Western Canada Hockey League for the 1924 Stanley Cup.

Historical Context and Broader Significance

The 1986 Stanley Cup Final holds a distinct place in NHL and Canadian sports history. The series was the first all-Canadian Final since 1967, when the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated Montreal, which was also the last season of the Original Six era. This Final reverted to the 2-2-1-1-1 home-ice format after the league had used a 2-3-2 format for the 1984 Final. The Final was part of a dominant run by teams from Western Canada, specifically Alberta, in the 1980s. It was the fifth of nine consecutive Finals to feature a team from Western Canada and the third of five straight where the Cup was presented on Alberta ice. The series also represented a brief interruption in the dynasty of the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders, being the only time between 1980 and 1988 that neither of those clubs won the championship. The Canadiens' victory was achieved with minimal roster changes via trade. The team made only one minor trade during the season, relying instead on promotions from their AHL affiliate in Sherbrooke to adjust their lineup.

Questions about 1986 Stanley Cup Final

Who won the 1986 Stanley Cup Final?

The Montreal Canadiens won the 1986 Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Calgary Flames four games to one in the best-of-seven series. The Canadiens clinched their 23rd championship with a 4-3 victory in Game Five at the Olympic Saddledome in Calgary. This win gave Montreal more championships than any other North American professional sports team at that time. Captain Bob Gainey accepted the Stanley Cup from NHL President John Ziegler following the game.

Who was the MVP of the 1986 playoffs?

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs. Roy, who was only 20 years old, became the youngest player in NHL history to receive the award. He recorded his first career playoff shutout in Game Four and made 30 saves in the series-clinching Game Five victory. His performance throughout the postseason was instrumental in the Canadiens' championship run.

Why was the 1986 Final significant for Canadian hockey?

The 1986 Final was the first all-Canadian championship series since 1967, featuring two Canadian clubs battling for the Stanley Cup. It was a major national sporting event that drew attention across the country. The series also highlighted the strength of Alberta hockey, as it was part of a long run where a team from Western Canada appeared in nine consecutive Finals. Furthermore, it was the first postseason meeting between the Flames and Canadiens as NHL franchises.

What happened in the famous overtime in Game Two?

In Game Two of the series, Montreal Canadiens forward Brian Skrudland scored the game-winning goal just nine seconds into overtime. This set a record for the fastest overtime goal in Stanley Cup Final history at the time. The goal tied the series at 1-1 after Montreal had rallied from a 2-0 deficit earlier in the game. This dramatic moment provided a crucial swing in momentum that favoured the Canadiens for the remainder of the series.

Was there a riot after the Canadiens won in 1986?

Yes, following the Canadiens' Game Five victory to win the Stanley Cup, an estimated 5,000 fans celebrating in downtown Montreal engaged in a riot. The disturbance caused extensive property damage valued at over one million Canadian dollars. The event marred the championship celebrations and led to significant police intervention. It remains a notable, though unfortunate, part of the aftermath of the 1986 championship.

How many rookies played for the Canadiens in the 1986 playoffs?

The Montreal Canadiens had an exceptionally young team, with ten rookies appearing on their roster during the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs. This group included future stars like Patrick Roy, Claude Lemieux, Brian Skrudland, and Stephane Richer. Their coach, Jean Perron, was also a rookie in the NHL and became the last first-year coach to win the Cup while coaching his team for the entire season. Many of these rookies had won the AHL championship together the previous year.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.