1985–86 NHL season

Regular season and the Presidents' Trophy

The league's Board of Governors established the Presidents' Trophy this season to formally recognize the club with the best overall record in the regular season. The award gave additional emphasis to regular-season achievement and playoff seeding. The Edmonton Oilers were the first franchise to receive this honor, reflecting their regular-season dominance among an era of prolific offensive teams. The season remained divided into the traditional four divisions, with teams competing for divisional positioning and playoff qualification.

Playoff format and Stanley Cup Final

Playoff qualification followed the divisional format used throughout the 1980s: the top four teams in each division advanced to a 16-team postseason, which began with divisional matchups before advancing through conference rounds to the Stanley Cup Final. The 1986 Final featured the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames. Montreal defeated Calgary four games to one to capture the Stanley Cup, marking a major achievement for the Canadiens organization in the decade.

Key players and performances

The season showcased many of the era's superstar talents. Edmonton's core, led by legendary forwards and strong supporting personnel, remained one of the most potent offensive groups in the League. On the other side, the Canadiens benefited from outstanding goaltending in the playoffs; young netminder Patrick Roy emerged as a defining figure in the postseason and was widely credited with helping Montreal secure the championship.

Significance and legacy

Besides inaugurating the Presidents' Trophy, the 1985–86 season is remembered for the clash between high-powered scoring teams and traditionally deep organizations that emphasized playoff success. The Edmonton Oilers' regular-season performance underlined their stature among the decade's elite clubs, while Montreal's Cup victory over the Calgary Flames confirmed the Canadiens' continued ability to succeed in the playoffs. The season also helped cement the reputations of several players and set narratives that carried into the late 1980s and beyond.

• Presidents' Trophy — awarded to the best regular-season team.
• Edmonton Oilers — first winners of the Presidents' Trophy.
• Montreal Canadiens — 1986 Stanley Cup champions.
• Calgary Flames — Stanley Cup finalists.
• Stanley Cup — final series decided 4–1 in Montreal's favor.

For further season details, statistical leaders, and game-by-game results, consult specialized historical records and archives maintained by the league and hockey historians (season overview, league pages).