The 1989–90 Edmonton Oilers season was the 11th season for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team competed in the Campbell Conference’s Smythe Division and concluded the regular season with a record of 38 wins, 28 losses, and 14 ties, accumulating 90 points. This placed the Oilers second in the Smythe Division, behind the Calgary Flames.
Regular season overview
- Record: 38‑28‑14 (90 points)
- Goals for: 306 (4th in the NHL)
- Goals against: 279 (12th in the NHL)
- Conference rank: 7th in the Campbell Conference
- Division rank: 2nd in the Smythe Division
Key players and statistics
| Player | Position | Goals | Assists | Points | Plus/Minus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Messier | C | 32 | 61 | 93 | +23 |
| Jari Kurri | RW | 47 | 36 | 83 | +13 |
| Craig Simpson | LW | 39 | 28 | 67 | +12 |
| Kevin Lowe | D | 10 | 42 | 52 | +10 |
| Esa Tikkanen | LW | 12 | 40 | 52 | +5 |
| Grant Fuhr | G | – | – | – | – (33‑22‑8, GAA 3.04, SV% .887) |
| Bill Ranford | G | – | – | – | – (12‑6‑2, GAA 3.59, SV% .870) |
Coaching and management
- Head Coach: John Muckler (replaced by assistant coach Jim Carpenter after Muckler’s resignation late in the season)
- General Manager: Glen Sather
Playoff performance
The Oilers entered the 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs as the seventh seed in the Campbell Conference and pursued a successful postseason run culminating in the franchise’s fifth Stanley Cup championship.
-
Division Semifinals – vs. Los Angeles Kings
- Series result: Oilers won 4‑0
-
Division Finals – vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- Series result: Oilers won 4‑2
-
Campbell Conference Finals – vs. Calgary Flames
- Series result: Oilers won 4‑3
-
Stanley Cup Finals – vs. Boston Bruins
- Series result: Oilers won 4‑1
- Oilers captured the Stanley Cup on May 24, 1990; goaltender Bill Ranford was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs.
Awards and honors
- Conn Smythe Trophy: Bill Ranford (Playoffs MVP)
- All‑Star Selections: Mark Messier (First Team), Jari Kurri (Second Team)
Notable events
- The 1990 championship marked the Oilers’ first Stanley Cup victory after the departure of Wayne Gretzky (traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988).
- The season featured the Oilers’ return to the pinnacle of the NHL despite a comparatively modest regular‑season point total relative to previous championship seasons.
Legacy
The 1989–90 Edmonton Oilers season is remembered for demonstrating the team’s depth and resilience, securing a Stanley Cup with a roster led by Mark Messier and supported by a mix of veteran talent and emerging players. The championship affirmed the Oilers’ status as a dominant franchise of the 1980s and early 1990s.
