1985–86_Philadelphia_Flyers_season

1985–86 Philadelphia Flyers season

1985–86 Philadelphia Flyers season

NHL hockey team season


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.

Quick Facts Philadelphia Flyers, Division ...

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 fatally injured 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 ...

[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 ...

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 ...

Playoffs

More information 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...

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 Regular season, Playoffs ...

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 Regular season, Playoffs ...

Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...

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]

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.[33]

Trades

More information Date, Details ...

Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...

Players lost

More information Date, Player ...

Signings

More information Date, Player ...

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.[57] The Flyers traded their tenth-round pick, 210th overall, to the Boston Bruins for Ian Armstrong on May 24, 1984.[58]

More information Round, Pick ...

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Hershey Bears of the AHL[59][60] and the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL.[61]

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.[35] On December 3, the Flyers passed on reacquiring Low and Edmonton returned him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Nova Scotia.[35]
  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.[36]
  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.[58]

References

General
  • "Philadelphia Flyers 1985–86 roster and statistics". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  • "1985–86 Philadelphia Flyers Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  • "Flyers History - Season Overview : 1985–86". Flyers History. FlyersAlumni.net. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
Specific
  1. "All Time Team Attendance". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  2. Sell, Dave (November 13, 1985). "It's Now Froese's Job With Mourning Flyers". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  3. Cialini, Joe (April 7, 1986). "Brian Propp, who said avoiding the New York Islanders... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  4. Report, Morning Call | Staff (April 7, 1986). "PROPP-ER FINISH STOPS CAPS PHILLY CLINCHES PATRICK CROWN WITH 5-3 WIN". The Morning Call. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  5. "Flyers History – NHL Award Votes". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  6. Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 153. ISBN 9781894801225.
  7. "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  8. "1985-86 Philadelphia Flyers Schedule and Results". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  9. Bostrom, Don (October 17, 1986). "Kerr, Propp Score Twice in 6-2 Win". The Morning Call. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  10. 2014–15 NHL Official Guide & Record Book, p. 230–32
  11. "William M. Jennings Trophy". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  12. "38th NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  13. Morganti, Al (April 9, 1986). "Flyers Should Pass Rangers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  14. "Froese gets NHL honor". The Pantagraph. December 30, 1985. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  15. Morganti, Al (January 10, 1986). "Flyers Shut Down Caps for a 4-0 Win". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  16. Morganti, Al (March 17, 1986). "Flyers Dump The Devils For Fourth Straight Win". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  17. "Flyers History – Team Awards". P.Anson. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  18. "Team Records: Longest Winning Streaks, Season". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  19. "Skater Records: Most Power-Play Goals, Game". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  20. "Skater Records: Longest Assist Streaks, Season, Rookie". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  21. "Skater Records: Most Power-Play Goals, Season". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  22. "List of all the Philadelphia Flyers Season Leaders". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  23. "Skater Records: Most Shorthanded Goals, Season". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  24. "Skater Records: Most Goals, Defenseman, Season". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  25. "Skater Records: Most Points, Defenseman, Season". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  26. "Skater Records: Most Assists, Rookie, Season". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  27. "Philadelphia Flyers: Year-by-Year Record". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  28. "Playoff Team Records: Most Goals, One Team, Playoff Period". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  29. "Playoff Team Records: Fastest Five Goals, One Team, Playoff Game". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  30. "Hockey Transactions Search Results". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  31. Baker, Chris (October 12, 1985). "Kings Obtain Guay in Trade With Flyers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  32. "Ron Low career profile at HockeyDraftCentral.com". Hockey Draft Central. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  33. Morganti, Al (November 30, 1985). "Traded: Bergen and Hospodar". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
  34. "Center Len Hachborn, who has been playing for the..." UPI. December 5, 1985. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  35. Baker, Chris (December 19, 1985). "Kings Snap Out of It With 4-3 Win". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  36. Morganti, Al (March 12, 1986). "Flyers Deal Draft Pick For Devils Goalie Resch". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  37. "Baseball". Orlando Sentinel. July 20, 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  38. "Steve Martinson – Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  39. "Dave Farrish – Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  40. "Florent Robidoux – Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  41. "Ap Names Gooden, Lopez Best Of '85". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 16, 1986. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  42. "CRAIG BERUBE NAMED FLYERS HEAD COACH". Philadelphia Flyers. October 7, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  43. "SPORTS PEOPLE; Comings and Goings". The New York Times. June 11, 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  44. "SPORTS PEOPLE; End of an Era". The New York Times. August 23, 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  45. "Bergen gives up hockey for golf". The Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. September 26, 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2014 via Newspapers.com.
  46. "Flyers A-Z: Young, Timothy". Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  47. "1979 NHL Entry Draft -- Jim Dobson". HockeyDraftCentral.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  48. "Baseball". Orlando Sentinel. June 19, 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  49. Greenberg, Jay (November 13, 1985). "Lindbergh's unsigned pact will be honored". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 98.
  50. Shope, Dan (November 8, 1985). "Flyers Win Their 9th Straight". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  51. Greenberg, Jay (March 14, 1986). "Mellanby Signs, Could Make Debut This Weekend". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  52. "1985 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  53. "1985 NHL Entry Draft Pick Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  54. "AHL Franchise Statistics". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  55. "AHL Season Overview: 1985–86". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  56. "Non-AHL Affiliates". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

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