The Canadiens finished first in the Adams Division, as well as the Prince of Wales Conference, with a 53–18–9 record for 115 points.
Montreal defeated the Hartford Whalers, Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs before meeting the Flames in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Calgary took the series 4–2, clinching the Cup in Game 6 on the Canadiens' vaunted home ice, the Montreal Forum.
This marked the only time that a visiting team defeated them to win the Stanley Cup on Forum ice.
Doug Gilmour scored two goals in the third period, including the eventual game and Cup winner to cement the victory for the Flames.