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1989-90 NHL season facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The 1989–90 NHL season was an exciting year for ice hockey! It was the 73rd season for the National Hockey League (NHL), which is a major professional ice hockey league in North America. Twenty-one teams played 80 games each during the regular season. The big winners that year were the Edmonton Oilers, who won the championship called the Stanley Cup. They beat the Boston Bruins 4 games to 1 in the final series. This was the Oilers' fifth Stanley Cup win in just four years, showing how strong they were!

Something special happened this season: for the first time ever, all three teams from the New York metropolitan area – the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders – all made it into the playoffs!

The Regular Season: How Teams Performed

The regular season is when all the teams play many games to see who is the best. Teams earn points for winning or tying games. The teams with the most points get to move on to the playoffs.

Final Standings: Who Made the Cut?

Here's how the teams finished in their divisions. The teams in bold made it to the playoffs!

  • Note:

* GP means Games Played (how many games a team played). * W means Wins (how many games a team won). * L means Losses (how many games a team lost). * T means Ties (how many games ended in a tie). * Pts means Points (points earned from wins and ties). * GF means Goals For (how many goals a team scored). * GA means Goals Against (how many goals were scored against a team). * PIM means Penalties in Minutes (how much time players spent in the penalty box).

Prince of Wales Conference Teams

Adams Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
Boston Bruins 80 46 25 9 101 289 232 1458
Buffalo Sabres 80 45 27 8 98 286 248 1449
Montreal Canadiens 80 41 28 11 93 288 234 1590
Hartford Whalers 80 38 33 9 85 275 268 2102
Quebec Nordiques 80 12 61 7 31 240 407 2104
Patrick Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
New York Rangers 80 36 31 13 85 279 267 2021
New Jersey Devils 80 37 34 9 83 295 288 1659
Washington Capitals 80 36 38 6 78 284 275 2204
New York Islanders 80 31 38 11 73 281 288 1777
Pittsburgh Penguins 80 32 40 8 72 318 359 2132
Philadelphia Flyers 80 30 39 11 71 290 297 2067

Clarence Campbell Conference Teams

Norris Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
Chicago Blackhawks 80 41 33 6 88 316 294 2426
St. Louis Blues 80 37 34 9 83 295 279 1809
Toronto Maple Leafs 80 38 38 4 80 337 358 2419
Minnesota North Stars 80 36 40 4 76 284 291 2041
Detroit Red Wings 80 28 38 14 70 288 323 2140
Smythe Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
Calgary Flames 80 42 23 15 99 348 265 1751
Edmonton Oilers 80 38 28 14 90 315 283 2046
Winnipeg Jets 80 37 32 11 85 298 290 1639
Los Angeles Kings 80 34 39 7 75 338 337 1844
Vancouver Canucks 80 25 41 14 64 245 306 1644

Top Scorers: The Best Players

These players scored the most points during the regular season. Points are calculated by adding up a player's goals and assists.

  • Note:

* GP = Games played * G = Goals (how many times a player scored) * A = Assists (how many times a player helped another player score) * Pts = Points (Goals + Assists) * PIM = Penalties in Minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Wayne Gretzky Los Angeles Kings 73 40 102 142 42
Mark Messier Edmonton Oilers 79 45 84 129 79
Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings 79 62 65 127 79
Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 59 45 78 123 78
Brett Hull St. Louis Blues 80 72 41 113 24
Bernie Nicholls Los Angeles Kings / New York Rangers 79 39 73 112 86
Pierre Turgeon Buffalo Sabres 80 40 66 106 29
Pat LaFontaine New York Islanders 74 54 51 105 38
Paul Coffey Pittsburgh Penguins 80 29 74 103 95
Joe Sakic Quebec Nordiques 80 39 63 102 27
Adam Oates St. Louis Blues 80 23 79 102 30

Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Road to the Championship

The Stanley Cup playoffs are a special tournament after the regular season. Teams play against each other in a series of games. The first team to win four games in a series moves on, while the losing team is out. This continues until only one team is left – the Stanley Cup champion! All these games happened in 1990.

Division Semi-Finals: First Round of Playoff Action

This was the first round of the playoffs, where teams played against others in their division.

Wales Conference Semi-Finals

Boston vs. Hartford
Date Away Team Home Team
April 5 Hartford 4 3 Boston
April 7 Hartford 1 3 Boston
April 9 Boston 3 5 Hartford
April 11 Boston 6 5 Hartford
April 13 Hartford 2 3 Boston
April 15 Boston 2 3 Hartford OT
April 17 Hartford 1 3 Boston
Boston wins series 4–3
Buffalo vs. Montreal
Date Away Team Home Team
April 5 Montreal 1 4 Buffalo
April 7 Montreal 3 0 Buffalo
April 9 Buffalo 1 2 Montreal OT
April 11 Buffalo 4 2 Montreal
April 13 Montreal 4 2 Buffalo
April 15 Buffalo 2 5 Montreal
Montreal wins series 4–2
NY Rangers vs. NY Islanders
Date Away Team Home Team
April 5 NY Islanders 1 2 NY Rangers
April 7 NY Islanders 2 5 NY Rangers
April 9 NY Rangers 3 4 NY Islanders 2OT
April 11 NY Rangers 6 1 NY Islanders
April 13 NY Islanders 5 6 NY Rangers
NY Rangers wins series 4–1
New Jersey vs. Washington
Date Away Team Home Team
April 5 Washington 5 4 New Jersey OT
April 7 Washington 5 6 New Jersey
April 9 New Jersey 2 1 Washington
April 11 New Jersey 1 3 Washington
April 13 Washington 4 3 New Jersey
April 15 New Jersey 2 3 Washington
Washington wins series 4–2

Campbell Conference Semi-Finals

Chicago vs. Minnesota
Date Away Team Home Team
April 4 Minnesota 2 1 Chicago
April 6 Minnesota 3 5 Chicago
April 8 Chicago 2 1 Minnesota
April 10 Chicago 0 4 Minnesota
April 12 Minnesota 1 5 Chicago
April 14 Chicago 3 5 Minnesota
April 16 Minnesota 2 5 Chicago
Chicago wins series 4–3
St. Louis vs. Toronto
Date Away Team Home Team
April 4 Toronto 2 4 St. Louis
April 6 Toronto 2 4 St. Louis
April 8 St. Louis 6 5 Toronto OT
April 10 St. Louis 2 4 Toronto
April 12 Toronto 3 4 St. Louis
St. Louis wins series 4–1
Calgary vs. Los Angeles
Date Away Team Home Team
April 4 Los Angeles 5 3 Calgary
April 6 Los Angeles 5 8 Calgary
April 8 Calgary 1 2 Los Angeles OT
April 10 Calgary 4 12 Los Angeles
April 12 Los Angeles 1 5 Calgary
April 14 Calgary 3 4 Los Angeles 2OT
Los Angeles wins series 4–2
Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
Date Away Team Home Team
April 4 Winnipeg 7 5 Edmonton
April 6 Winnipeg 2 3 Edmonton OT
April 8 Edmonton 1 2 Winnipeg
April 10 Edmonton 3 4 Winnipeg 2OT
April 12 Winnipeg 3 4 Edmonton
April 14 Edmonton 4 3 Winnipeg
April 16 Winnipeg 1 4 Edmonton
Edmonton wins series 4–3

Division Finals: Moving Closer to the Cup

The winners from the semi-finals played each other in the division finals.

Wales Conference Division Finals
Boston vs. Montreal
Date Away Team Home Team
April 19 Montreal 0 1 Boston
April 21 Montreal 4 5 Boston OT
April 23 Boston 6 3 Montreal
April 25 Boston 1 4 Montreal
April 27 Montreal 1 3 Boston
Boston win series 4–1
NY Rangers vs. Washington
Date Away Team Home Team
April 19 Washington 3 7 NY Rangers
April 21 Washington 6 3 NY Rangers
April 23 NY Rangers 1 7 Washington
April 25 NY Rangers 3 4 Washington OT
April 27 Washington 2 1 NY Rangers OT
Washington wins series 4–1
Campbell Conference Division Finals
Chicago vs. St. Louis
Date Away Team Home Team
April 18 St. Louis 4 3 Chicago
April 20 St. Louis 3 5 Chicago
April 22 Chicago 4 5 St. Louis
April 24 Chicago 3 2 St. Louis
April 26 St. Louis 2 3 Chicago
April 28 Chicago 2 4 St. Louis
April 30 St. Louis 2 8 Chicago
Chicago wins series 4–3
Edmonton vs. Los Angeles
Date Away Team Home Team
April 18 Los Angeles 0 7 Edmonton
April 20 Los Angeles 1 6 Edmonton
April 22 Edmonton 5 4 Los Angeles
April 24 Edmonton 6 5 Los Angeles OT
Edmonton wins series 4–0

Conference Finals: The Last Step Before the Stanley Cup Final

The winners of the division finals played each other to decide who would represent their conference in the Stanley Cup Final.

Wales Conference Final
Boston vs. Washington
Date Away Team Home Team
May 3 Washington 3 5 Boston
May 5 Washington 0 3 Boston
May 13 Boston 4 1 Washington
May 9 Boston 3 2 Washington
Boston wins series 4–0
and Prince of Wales Trophy
Campbell Conference Final
Edmonton vs. Chicago
Date Away Team Home Team
May 2 Chicago 2 5 Edmonton
May 4 Chicago 4 3 Edmonton
May 6 Edmonton 1 5 Chicago
May 8 Edmonton 4 2 Chicago
May 10 Chicago 3 4 Edmonton
May 12 Edmonton 8 4 Chicago
Edmonton wins series 4–2 and
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

The Finals: Stanley Cup Championship!

This was the final series to decide the champion of the 1989-90 NHL season. The Edmonton Oilers faced the Boston Bruins.

Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers
Date Away Team Score Home Team Score Notes
May 15 Edmonton 3 Boston 2 3OT (This game went into triple overtime!)
May 18 Edmonton 7 Boston 2
May 20 Boston 2 Edmonton 1
May 22 Boston 1 Edmonton 5
May 24 Edmonton 4 Boston 1
Edmonton wins series 4–1
and Stanley Cup
Bill Ranford (Edmonton)
wins Conn Smythe Trophy

NHL Awards: Honoring the Best

At the end of the season, the NHL gives out awards to players and teams for their amazing achievements.

Presidents' Trophy: Awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season. Won by the Boston Bruins.
Prince of Wales Trophy: Given to the champion of the Wales Conference playoffs. Won by the Boston Bruins.
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Given to the champion of the Campbell Conference playoffs. Won by the Edmonton Oilers.
Art Ross Memorial Trophy: For the player who scores the most points in the regular season. Won by Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: For the player who shows great sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Won by Gord Kluzak of the Boston Bruins.
Calder Memorial Trophy: For the best rookie (first-year player) in the NHL. Won by Sergei Makarov of the Calgary Flames.
Conn Smythe Trophy: For the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Won by Bill Ranford of the Edmonton Oilers.
Frank J. Selke Trophy: For the best defensive forward. Won by Rick Meagher of the St. Louis Blues.
Hart Memorial Trophy: For the most valuable player to his team in the regular season. Won by Mark Messier of the Edmonton Oilers.
Jack Adams Award: For the best coach. Won by Bob Murdoch of the Winnipeg Jets.
James Norris Memorial Trophy: For the best defenseman. Won by Ray Bourque of the Boston Bruins.
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: For the player who best shows leadership and gives back to their community. Won by Kevin Lowe of the Edmonton Oilers.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: For the player who shows the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with skill. Won by Brett Hull of the St. Louis Blues.
Lester B. Pearson Award: For the most outstanding player as voted by the players themselves. Won by Mark Messier of the Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Plus/Minus Award: For the player with the highest plus/minus rating (how many more goals their team scored than allowed while they were on the ice). Won by Paul Cavallini of the St. Louis Blues.
Vezina Trophy: For the best goalie. Won by Patrick Roy of the Montreal Canadiens.
William M. Jennings Trophy: For the goalie(s) on the team that allowed the fewest goals. Won by Reggie Lemelin and Andy Moog of the Boston Bruins.
Lester Patrick Trophy: For outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Won by Len Ceglarski.

All-Star Teams: The Dream Teams

The NHL also picks "All-Star" teams, which are like dream teams made up of the best players at each position. There's a First Team (the very best) and a Second Team.

First Team   Position   Second Team
Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens G Darren Puppa, Buffalo Sabres
Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins D Paul Coffey, Pittsburgh Penguins
Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames D Doug Wilson, Chicago Blackhawks
Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers C Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings
Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues RW Cam Neely, Boston Bruins
Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles Kings LW Brian Bellows, Minnesota North Stars

First Games: New Faces in the NHL

These are some of the players who played their very first NHL game during the 1989–90 season. A star (*) means they debuted in the playoffs.

Last Games: Saying Goodbye to the Ice

These are some of the notable players who played their final NHL game during the 1989–90 season.

  • Reed Larson, Buffalo Sabres
  • Al Secord, Chicago Blackhawks
  • Bob Murray, Chicago Blackhawks
  • Duane Sutter, Chicago Blackhawks
  • Bernie Federko, Detroit Red Wings
  • Börje Salming, Detroit Red Wings
  • Reijo Ruotsalainen, Edmonton Oilers
  • Barry Beck, Los Angeles Kings
  • Helmut Balderis, Minnesota North Stars
  • Curt Fraser, Minnesota North Stars
  • Mark Johnson, New Jersey Devils
  • Ron Greschner, New York Rangers
  • Vladimir Krutov, Vancouver Canucks
  • Paul Reinhart, Vancouver Canucks
  • Doug Wickenheiser, Washington Capitals
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1989-90 NHL season Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.