With the Stanley Cup Finals imminent, fans’ excitement is reaching a fever pitch. But amid this unmissable energy, there is a special memory we have to take a moment to recount. Every spring, NHL fans across Canada hope to see one of their home teams make a deep playoff run. And while it’s been years since a Canadian team hoisted the Stanley Cup, there was a time when two Canadian teams went head-to-head in the Final.
It doesn’t happen often; in fact, it has happened twice since 1970. But when it did, it made for one of the most memorable all-Canadian showdowns in Stanley Cup Final history.
Let’s look back at one of those special series, how it unfolded, and the legendary moments that emerged from it.
When the Calgary Flames Faced the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals
Two Canadian teams have faced each other in the Stanley Cup Final, which last happened in 1989 when the Calgary Flames met the Montreal Canadiens. It was a rematch of the 1986 Final, where Montreal came out on top, but this time, Calgary was ready to make history.
The Flames were a powerhouse that season, and they entered the playoffs with a deep roster and a strong desire for redemption. After a tough and physical series, Calgary defeated Montreal in six games, capturing their first and only Stanley Cup.
The Calgary Flames won the Stanley Cup on this day in 1989 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Dwkd47i0uo
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) May 25, 2025
Game 6 was a fitting climax, and the Calgary Flames soared to victory with a decisive 4-2 score. What made it even more special was that the Flames became the first visiting team ever to win the Cup at the historic Montreal Forum, where the Canadiens had celebrated many championships.
Goaltender Mike Vernon was a standout performer throughout the playoffs. He tied an NHL playoff record with 16 wins, matching the total that Grant Fuhr recorded for the Edmonton Oilers the previous year. Vernon’s clutch goaltending helped push the Flames past some tough opponents on their road to the Cup.
Another key player was defenseman Al MacInnis, who had an outstanding postseason. He finished with seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points, leading all players in playoff scoring.
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His consistency was incredible; he recorded at least one point in 17 straight games, the longest point streak by a defenseman in NHL playoff history. MacInnis was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for his efforts, becoming the fourth defenseman to win the award.
This all-Canadian Final between Calgary and Montreal remains a rare and unforgettable feat of NHL history. Not only did it highlight the strength of Canadian hockey, but it also gave fans a thrilling matchup between two proud franchises. While two Canadian teams are yet to grace the Stanley Cup finals again, fans across the country dream of another showdown like the one between the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens in 1989.
