1985–86 Philadelphia Flyers season

NHL hockey team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1985–86 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 19th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers lost in the first round of the playoffs in five game to the New York Rangers.

Division1st Patrick
Conference1st Wales
1985–86 record53–23–4
Home record33–6–1
Quick facts Philadelphia Flyers, Division ...
1985–86 Philadelphia Flyers
Patrick Division champions
Division1st Patrick
Conference1st Wales
1985–86 record53–23–4
Home record33–6–1
Road record20–17–3
Goals for335 (4th)
Goals against241 (1st)
Team information
General managerBob Clarke
CoachMike Keenan
CaptainDave Poulin
Alternate captainsMark Howe
Brad Marsh
ArenaSpectrum
Average attendance17,184[1]
Minor league affiliatesHershey Bears
Kalamazoo Wings
Team leaders
GoalsTim Kerr (58)
AssistsMark Howe (58)
PointsBrian Propp (97)
Penalty minutesRick Tocchet (284)
Plus/minusMark Howe (+85)
WinsBob Froese (31)
Goals against averageBob Froese (2.55)
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Regular season

The club began the year 12–2–0 (with both losses coming at home to New Jersey and Quebec), which included 10 consecutive wins until goaltender Pelle Lindbergh was killed in a car accident in the early hours of November 10.

Due to the tragedy, back-up Bob Froese became the de facto starter, and the club called up Darren Jensen for relief work. Froese suffered a groin injury in practice prior to the team's next game against the Edmonton Oilers, so Jensen got the start against the defending Stanley Cup champions at the Spectrum on November 14.[2]

Following an emotional memorial service, the Flyers posted a spirited 5–3 win, featuring four goals in the third period to earn their 11th victory in a row. They went on to beat Hartford two days later to set a new franchise record for consecutive wins, then rallied from three-goals down to top the New York Islanders 5–4 in overtime the next day. The Islanders ended the streak two nights later in Uniondale, almost wasting a four-goal lead in an 8–6 decision.

Philly became the first club in the NHL to reach 30 wins, after a 4–0 shutout of the Washington Capitals on January 9, but began to falter in February and early March, losing four straight games and seeing the Capitals climb within striking distance.[3] The Caps and Flyers each spent time in first place for the remainder of the schedule, but the orange and black took the division crown on the last day of the season (April 6) with a come-from-behind 5–3 home win after being down 2–0.[4][5][6]

In a 7–3 loss to the Devils on March 8, Tim Kerr set an NHL record with his 29th power-play goal of the season, passing Hall-of-Famer Phil Esposito's mark. He finished the year with 34, the league record to this day.

Propp had the best chance of his career to crack the 100-point mark, but that was derailed on March 6, when Buffalo Sabres forward Lindy Ruff caught him in the eye with a high stick. The incident cost Propp several games, and he finished with a team-high 97 points while also causing him to wear a visor for the remainder of his career.

Bob Clarke made a couple minor deals during the season, trading Ed Hospodar and the enigmatic Todd Bergen to the Minnesota North Stars for Dave Richter and Bo Berglund on November 29. Neither player lasted beyond the season with the Flyers, while Hospodar returned in 1986–87. Also, Joe Paterson and Len Hachborn were sent in separate deals to the Los Angeles Kings, and Chico Resch was acquired from the Devils for a draft pick in early March.

Froese finished second in voting for the Vezina Trophy. Mark Howe finished second in voting for the Norris Trophy and third in voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP.[7] Howe was named to the first NHL All-Star team and took home the NHL Plus-Minus Award – the defense pairing of Howe and Brad McCrimmon finished with a +85 and a +83 respectively – while Froese was named to the second NHL All-Star team and was the co-winner with Jensen of the William M. Jennings Trophy.

Season standings

More information GP, W ...
Patrick Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Philadelphia Flyers8053234335241110
Washington Capitals8050237315272107
New York Islanders8039291232728490
New York Rangers803638628027678
Pittsburgh Penguins803438831330576
New Jersey Devils802849330037459
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[8]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

More information Patrick Division record vs. opponents, NHL records ...
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Playoffs

Despite their regular season success, an emotionally exhausted Flyers team lost in the first round of the playoffs to the New York Rangers in five games.

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
1985–86 regular season[10]
October: 7–2–0, 14 points (home: 3–2–0; road: 4–0–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
1October 105–6New Jersey DevilsLindbergh0–1–00L
2October 124–2@ Pittsburgh PenguinsFroese1–1–02W
3October 134–2@ Washington CapitalsLindbergh2–1–04W
4October 171–2Quebec NordiquesLindbergh2–2–04L
5October 197–3Minnesota North StarsFroese3–2–06W
6October 205–2@ Chicago Black HawksFroese4–2–08W
7October 243–0Hartford WhalersLindbergh5–2–010W
8October 277–4Vancouver CanucksFroese6–2–012W
9October 305–4@ Montreal CanadiensLindbergh7–2–014W
November: 12–2–0, 24 points (home: 8–0–0; road: 4–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
10November 25–3@ Quebec NordiquesLindbergh8–2–016W
11November 37–4Los Angeles KingsLindbergh9–2–018W
12November 65–2@ New York RangersFroese10–2–020W
13November 76–2Chicago Black HawksLindbergh11–2–022W
14November 95–3Boston BruinsFroese12–2–024W
15November 145–3Edmonton OilersJensen13–2–026W
16November 165–2@ Hartford WhalersJensen14–2–028W
17November 175–4 OTNew York IslandersJensen15–2–030W
18November 196–8@ New York IslandersJensen15–3–030L
19November 213–0Hartford WhalersFroese16–3–032W
20November 234–5@ Boston BruinsFroese16–4–032L
21November 247–4Pittsburgh PenguinsJensen17–4–034W
22November 276–1Winnipeg JetsFroese18–4–036W
23November 294–1@ Minnesota North StarsFroese19–4–038W
December: 9–6–0, 18 points (home: 5–1–0; road: 4–5–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
24December 11–2@ Winnipeg JetsFroese19–5–038L
25December 31–4@ Detroit Red WingsFroese19–6–038L
26December 53–6Toronto Maple LeafsJensen19–7–038L
27December 74–0New York RangersFroese20–7–040W
28December 81–3@ New York RangersFroese20–8–040L
29December 107–4Boston BruinsJensen21–8–042W
30December 126–3Montreal CanadiensJensen22–8–044W
31December 146–4@ Detroit Red WingsJensen23–8–046W
32December 174–7@ New Jersey DevilsFroese23–9–046L
33December 196–3New Jersey DevilsJensen24–9–048W
34December 214–2@ Pittsburgh PenguinsFroese25–9–050W
35December 223–2 OTPittsburgh PenguinsFroese26–9–052W
36December 276–1@ Vancouver CanucksFroese27–9–054W
37December 286–5@ Calgary FlamesFroese28–9–056W
38December 313–4@ Edmonton OilersFroese28–10–056L
January: 7–5–1, 15 points (home: 4–1–0; road: 3–4–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
39January 27–4@ Los Angeles KingsJensen29–10–058W
40January 41–2@ St. Louis BluesFroese29–11–058L
41January 94–0Washington CapitalsJensen30–11–060W
42January 118–4@ New Jersey DevilsJensen31–11–062W
43January 123–0Calgary FlamesFroese32–11–064W
44January 143–2New Jersey DevilsFroese33–11–066W
45January 173–4New York IslandersFroese33–12–066L
46January 182–5@ Washington CapitalsJensen33–13–066L
47January 213–7@ New York IslandersFroese33–14–066L
48January 235–2Detroit Red WingsJensen34–14–068W
49January 251–0@ St. Louis BluesJensen35–14–070W
50January 282–2 OT@ Pittsburgh PenguinsJensen35–14–171T
51January 304–8@ New York IslandersJensen35–15–171L
February: 6–3–3, 15 points (home: 5–0–1; road: 1–3–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
52February 12–2 OT@ Quebec NordiquesFroese35–15–272T
53February 64–3St. Louis BluesFroese36–15–274W
54February 83–3 OTMinnesota North StarsFroese36–15–375T
55February 92–2 OT@ Chicago Black HawksFroese36–15–476T
56February 124–0@ Buffalo SabresFroese37–15–478W
57February 136–3New York IslandersFroese38–15–480W
58February 153–5@ Montreal CanadiensFroese38–16–480L
59February 178–4Winnipeg JetsFroese39–16–482W
60February 205–3Los Angeles KingsJensen40–16–484W
61February 223–1Washington CapitalsFroese41–16–486W
62February 274–7@ Calgary FlamesJensen41–17–486L
63February 281–3@ Vancouver CanucksJensen41–18–486L
March: 8–5–0, 16 points (home: 6–2–0; road: 2–3–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
64March 21–2 OT@ Edmonton OilersJensen41–19–486L
65March 44–6Buffalo SabresJensen41–20–486L
66March 67–4Toronto Maple LeafsJensen42–20–488W
67March 83–7@ New Jersey DevilsJensen42–21–488L
68March 94–1@ New York RangersFroese43–21–490W
69March 132–0Washington CapitalsFroese44–21–492W
70March 156–5 OT@ Toronto Maple LeafsFroese45–21–494W
71March 164–1New Jersey DevilsFroese46–21–496W
72March 205–1Pittsburgh PenguinsFroese47–21–498W
73March 224–2New York RangersResch48–21–4100W
74March 235–6@ Washington CapitalsResch48–22–4100L
75March 270–1Buffalo SabresResch48–23–4100L
76March 298–2New York RangersFroese49–23–4102W
April: 4–0–0, 8 points (home: 2–0–0; road: 2–0–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionRecordPointsRecap
77April 14–2New York IslandersFroese50–23–4104W
78April 23–2@ New York RangersFroese51–23–4106W
79April 54–3 OT@ Pittsburgh PenguinsFroese52–23–4108W
80April 65–3Washington CapitalsFroese53–23–4110W

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

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Playoffs

More information 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
1986 Stanley Cup playoffs[10]
Patrick Division Semifinals vs. New York Rangers – Rangers win 3–2
GameDateScoreOpponentDecisionSeriesRecap
1April 92–6New York RangersFroeseRangers lead 1–0L
2April 102–1New York RangersFroeseSeries tied 1–1W
3April 122–5@ New York RangersFroeseRangers lead 2–1L
4April 137–1@ New York RangersFroeseSeries tied 2–2W
5April 152–5New York RangersFroeseRangers win 3–2L

Legend: W Win L Loss

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Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
26Brian ProppLW7240579724475022−24
12Tim KerrRW76582684−5795336−28
2Mark HoweD772458828536504400
23Ilkka SinisaloLW743937761731522412
20Dave PoulinC7927426920495202−42
9Pelle EklundC70155166−412502220
14Ron SutterC75184260261595022210
10Brad McCrimmonD801343568385520212
32Murray CravenLW782133542434503304
25Peter ZezelC7917375427765314−24
3Doug CrossmanD8063743−555501104
15Rich SutterRW78142539281995202219
22Rick TocchetRW69142135122845123126
18Lindsay CarsonLW50912211084100005
21Dave BrownRW761071772775000−316
8Brad MarshD79013130123500012
24Derrick SmithLW69661214574000−310
17Ed HospodarD17314055
27Thomas ErikssonD43044−1216
42Don NachbaurC511237
37Bo BerglundRW702204
34Dave RichterD50022−21385000021
29Daryl StanleyD33022−569100002
35Bob FroeseG51011850110
30Darren JensenG290112
44Mike StothersD601116300004
39Ross FitzpatrickC2000−10
31Pelle LindberghG80000
5Kevin McCarthyD400004
19Scott MellanbyRW2000−10
36Carl MokosakLW100005
6Joe PatersonLW5000112
33Glenn ReschG5000010000
5Steve SmithD2000−12
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Goaltending

  • = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
  • = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP GS W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP GS W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
35Bob Froese51473110312701162.55.90952,7245523123153.08.8780292
30Darren Jensen29231591753883.69.88321,431
31Pelle Lindbergh88620200232.88.8851478
33Glenn Resch5212084103.23.88101861000118.24.00007
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)
Emery Edge Award Mark Howe [11]
NHL first All-Star team Mark Howe (Defense) [12]
NHL second All-Star team Bob Froese (Goaltender) [12]
William M. Jennings Trophy Bob Froese [13]
Darren Jensen
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selection Bob Froese [14]
Mark Howe
Mike Keenan (Coach)
Tim Kerr[a]
Pelle Lindbergh[b]
Dave Poulin
Brian Propp
NHL Player of the Month Bob Froese (March) [16]
NHL Player of the Week Bob Froese (December 29) [17]
Bob Froese (January 9) [18]
Bob Froese (March 17)[c] [19]
Team Barry Ashbee Trophy Mark Howe [20]
Bobby Clarke Trophy Mark Howe [20]
Class Guy Award Murray Craven [20]
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Records

Among the team records set during the 1985–86 season was a 13-game winning streak from October 19 to November 17.[21] On November 3, Tim Kerr set a team record (since tied multiple times) by scoring three powerplay goals in a game.[22] Pelle Eklund's nine consecutive games with an assist from March 2 to March 20 is a team rookie record.[23] Kerr's 34 powerplay goals on the season is an NHL record.[24] Mark Howe's +87 plus/minus rating is a franchise single season high and his seven shorthanded goals tied the franchise record.[25][26] Howe also set franchise marks for defenseman for goals scored (24) and points (82).[27][28] Eklund set the team rookie record for assists (51).[29] The team's 53 wins on the season tied the high mark set during the previous season.[30] Their four ties during the season is the fewest in team history, while the one home tie and three road ties is tied for the fewest.[30]

During the second period of game four of their division semifinal series against the New York Rangers, the Flyers tied a team record for most goals in a single playoff period (5) and set a team record for fastest five-goals scored in a playoff game, taking seven minutes and forty-eight seconds to do so.[31][32]

Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Pelle Eklund October 10, 1985 [33]
Scott Mellanby March 22, 1986
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Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 31, 1985, the day after the deciding game of the 1985 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 24, 1986, the day of the deciding game of the 1986 Stanley Cup Finals.[34]

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
Date Details Ref
October 11, 1985 (1985-10-11) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Los Angeles Kings
[35]
November 7, 1985 (1985-11-07) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • Future considerations[d]
To Edmonton Oilers
[36]
November 29, 1985 (1985-11-29) To Philadelphia Flyers
To Minnesota North Stars
[37]
December 5, 1985 (1985-12-05) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • Future considerations
To Los Angeles Kings
[38]
December 18, 1985 (1985-12-18) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • Philadelphia's 4th-round pick in 1986
To Los Angeles Kings
[39]
March 11, 1986 (1986-03-11) To Philadelphia Flyers
To New Jersey Devils
  • 3rd-round pick in 1986
[40]
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Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer teamViaRef
July 19, 1985 (1985-07-19) Kevin McCarthyPittsburgh PenguinsFree agency[41]
July 26, 1985 (1985-07-26) Jim DobsonQuebec NordiquesFree agency[42]
Carl MokosakLos Angeles KingsFree agency[42]
Tim TookeyPittsburgh PenguinsFree agency[42]
September 30, 1985 (1985-09-30) Steve MartinsonToledo Goaldiggers (IHL)Free agency[43]
October 7, 1985 (1985-10-07) Dave FarrishToronto Maple LeafsFree agency[44]
October 8, 1985 (1985-10-08) Florent RobidouxMilwaukee Admirals (IHL)Free agency[45]
November 7, 1985 (1985-11-07) Ron LowEdmonton OilersWaivers[36]
January 15, 1986 (1986-01-15) John KempCanadian National TeamFree agency[46]
March 19, 1986 (1986-03-19) Craig BerubeMedicine Hat Tigers (WHL)Free agency[47]
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew teamViaRef
June 10, 1985 (1985-06-10) Miroslav DvorakESG Kassel (Germany)Retirement[e][48]
August 22, 1985 (1985-08-22) Bill BarberRetirement[f][49]
September 25, 1985 (1985-09-25) Todd BergenMinnesota North Stars[g]Retirement[50]
November 11, 1985 (1985-11-11) Pelle LindberghDeath[2]
N/A Tim YoungRetirement[51]
Jim DobsonNew York Rangers[h]Release[52]
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTermRef
June 18, 1985 (1985-06-18) Pelle Eklund2-year[53]
August 14, 1985 (1985-08-14) Ray Allison[54]
Ed Hospodar[54]
Brad Marsh[54]
Dave McLay[54]
John Stevens[54]
Rich Sutter[54]
Ron Sutter[54]
October 10, 1985 (1985-10-10) Pelle Lindbergh6-year[55]
November 7, 1985 (1985-11-07) Jeff Chychrun[56]
March 13, 1986 (1986-03-13) Scott Mellanby[57]
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Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1985 NHL entry draft, which was held at the Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, on June 15, 1985.[58] The Flyers traded their tenth-round pick, 210th overall, to the Boston Bruins for Ian Armstrong on May 24, 1984.[59]

More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (league) Notes
1 21 Glen Seabrooke Center  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHL)
2 42 Bruce Rendall Left wing  Canada Chatham Maroons (OPJHL)
3 48 Darryl Gilmour Goaltender  Canada Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) [i]
63 Shane Whelan Center  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
4 84 Paul Marshall Defense  United States Northwood School (N.Y.)
5 105 Daril Holmes Right wing  Canada Kingston Canadians (OHL)
6 126 Ken Alexander Defense  United States Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
7 147 Tony Horacek Left wing  Canada Kelowna Wings (WHL)
8 168 Mike Cusack Forward  United States Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
9 189 Gord Murphy Defense  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
11 231 Rod Williams Right wing  Canada Kelowna Wings (WHL)
12 252 Paul Maurice Defense  Canada Windsor Compuware Spitfires (OHL)
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Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Hershey Bears of the AHL[60][61] and the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL.[62]

Notes

  1. Kerr was voted to the starting lineup.[15]
  2. Lindbergh was posthumously voted to the starting lineup.[15]
  3. The Flyers claimed Low off waivers and agreed to a deal which allowed Edmonton to retain Low's rights but would guarantee them Low if Edmonton did not need him as a backup goaltender after Grant Fuhr recovered from an injury.[36] On December 3, the Flyers passed on reacquiring Low and Edmonton returned him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Nova Scotia.[36]
  4. Dvorak retired from the NHL.
  5. Barber missed the entire 1984–85 season due to a knee injury.
  6. Bergen was traded to Minnesota on November 29 and resumed his playing career.[37]
  7. Dobson signed with New York on December 13.
  8. The Flyers traded Paul Holmgren to the Minnesota North Stars for the rights to Paul Guay and the North Stars' third-round pick, 48th overall, on February 23, 1984.[59]

References

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