1987-88 NHL season

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The 1987-88 NHL season was the 71st season of the National Hockey League. It was an 80 game season with the top four teams in each division advancing to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The NHL introduced a new trophy, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which was to be awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution in his community.

Contents

[edit] Regular season

This was Wayne Gretzky's final season with the Edmonton Oilers, and as injuries held him out of 20% of the season, this would be the only season of the decade in which he was not the winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy and did not hold or share the league lead in points. Mario Lemieux would capture his first Hart Trophy and lead the league in scoring. This season would also see the Edmonton Oilers win their 4th Stanley Cup in 5 years by sweeping the Boston Bruins 4-0 (plus one cancelled game) in the Stanley Cup finals.

[edit] Final standings

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes

[edit] Prince of Wales Conference

Adams Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
Montreal Canadiens 80 45 22 13 103 298 238 1830
Boston Bruins 80 44 30 6 94 300 251 2443
Buffalo Sabres 80 37 32 11 85 283 305 2277
Hartford Whalers 80 35 38 7 77 249 267 2046
Quebec Nordiques 80 32 43 5 69 279 306 2042
Patrick Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
New York Islanders 80 39 31 10 88 308 267 1732
Philadelphia Flyers 80 38 33 9 85 292 292 2194
Washington Capitals 80 38 33 9 85 281 249 1680
New Jersey Devils 80 38 36 6 82 295 296 2315
New York Rangers 80 36 34 10 82 300 283 1775
Pittsburgh Penguins 80 36 35 9 81 319 316 2211

[edit] Clarence Campbell Conference

Norris Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
Detroit Red Wings 80 41 28 11 93 322 269 2391
St. Louis Blues 80 34 38 8 76 278 294 1919
Chicago Blackhawks 80 30 41 9 69 284 328 2228
Toronto Maple Leafs 80 21 49 10 52 273 345 1782
Minnesota North Stars 80 19 48 13 51 242 349 2313
Smythe Division GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM
Calgary Flames 80 48 23 9 105 397 305 2431
Edmonton Oilers 80 44 25 11 99 363 288 2173
Winnipeg Jets 80 33 36 11 77 292 310 2278
Los Angeles Kings 80 30 42 8 68 318 359 2124
Vancouver Canucks 80 25 46 9 59 272 320 2196

[edit] Scoring leaders

Player Team GP G A PTS
Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 77 70 98 168
Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 64 40 109 149
Denis Savard Chicago Blackhawks 80 44 87 131
Dale Hawerchuk Winnipeg Jets 80 44 77 121
Luc Robitaille Los Angeles Kings 80 53 58 111
Peter Stastny Quebec Nordiques 76 46 65 111
Mark Messier Edmonton Oilers 77 37 74 111
Jimmy Carson Los Angeles Kings 80 55 52 107
Michel Goulet Quebec Nordiques 80 48 58 106
Hakan Loob Calgary Flames 80 50 56 106

[edit] Leading goaltenders

[edit] Stanley Cup playoffs

Note: all dates in 1988

The 1988 Stanley Cup Playoffs started on April 6, and ended on May 26. The Presidents' Trophy winning Calgary Flames had home ice during the playoffs thanks in part to Edmonton's struggles without Gretzky. The Oilers, who had won the Cup in three of the previous four seasons, were still the favourites to repeat, with Gretzky's return.

  • In spite of Lemieux's prolific offence, the Penguins missed the playoffs.
  • Five of the North Stars' final six games were on the road. Minnesota went 1-4-1 in that stretch allowing Toronto survive their 1-8 finish.
  • On March 18, Quebec was three points ahead of the Whalers (68-65). Quebec finished 0-7-1, costing themselves a chance to fend off Hartford who finished 6-3.

[edit] Adams Division semi-finals

Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins were led by team co-captains Ray Bourque, Rick Middleton and the goaltending duo of Reggie Lemelin and the newly acquired Andy Moog. The Buffalo Sabres returned to the playoffs thanks to added depth provided by rookie Ray Sheppard.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 6 Buffalo Sabres 3 Boston Bruins 7
April 7 Buffalo Sabres 1 Boston Bruins 4
April 9 Boston Bruins 2 Buffalo Sabers 6
April 10 Boston Bruins 5 Buffalo Sabres 6
April 12 Buffalo Sabres 4 Boston Bruins 5
April 14 Boston Bruins 5 Buffalo Sabres 2

Boston wins best-of-seven series 4-2

Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens

The Habs almost squadered a 3-0 series lead. The deep Habs roster was the best team in the Wales Conference during the season, consisting of six 20-goal scorers and another six with between 10 and 20 goals. Their best assets were goaltenders Patrick Roy and backup Brian Hayward who won 23 and 22 games respectively. The Ron Francis-led Whalers went 2-4-2 against the Canadiens during the season, twice losing by just one goal.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 6 Hartford Whalers 3 Montreal Canadiens 4
April 7 Hartford Whalers 3 Montreal Canadiens 7
April 9 Montreal Canadiens 4 Hartford Whalers 3
April 10 Montreal Canadiens 5 Hartford Whalers 7
April 12 Hartford Whalers 5 Montreal Canadiens 3
April 14 Montreal Canadiens 4 Hartford Whalers 2

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4-2

[edit] Patrick Division semi-finals

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals

The Flyers needed to beat Washington at home in their season finale to gain home ice advantage, but only managed to tie them 2-2. The Flyers were led by Vezina Trophy winner Ron Hextall who was playoff MVP the previous season. In a very physical series, Washington overcame a 3-1 deficit to advance to the second round for the first time in two years.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 6 Philadelphia Flyers 4 Washington Capitals 2
April 7 Philadelphia Flyers 4 Washington Capitals 5
April 9 Washington Capitals 3 Philadelphia Flyers 4
April 10 Washington Capitals 4 Philadelphia Flyers 5
April 12 Philadelphia Flyers 2 Washington Capitals 5
April 14 Washington Capitals 7 Philadelphia Flyers 2
April 16 Philadelphia Flyers 4 Washington Capitals 5 OT

Washington wins best-of-seven series 4-3

New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders

This would be the last hurrah for both the Islanders and Denis Potvin whose departure would signal dark days for the Isles, as his arrival had brought them to prominence. The Isles would be upset by the Devils, who finished 7-0-1, including two wins over Pittsburgh in which they stifled Lemieux, and a 7-2 win over the Rangers, whom they edged out for the final Patrick Division playoff spot. The physical Devils would keep former MVP Bryan Trottier pointless, as they won in six.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 6 New Jersey Devils 4 New York Islanders 3
April 7 New Jersey Devils 2 New York Islanders 3
April 9 New York Islanders 0 New Jersey Devils 3
April 10 New York Islanders 5 New Jersey Devils 4
April 12 New Jersey Devils 4 New York Islanders 2
April 14 New York Islanders 5 New Jersey Devils 6

New Jersey wins best-of-seven series 4-2

[edit] Norris Division semi-finals

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues

The Chicago Blackhawks were led by their three 40-goal scorers Denis Savard, Rick Vaive, and Steve Larmer. They were poor defensively, and were matched up against a similar St. Louis Blues squad that was better defensively if not in goal. Vaive had eight points, while Larmer and Savard had seven each.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 6 Chicago Blackhawks 1 St. Louis Blues 5
April 7 Chicago Blackhawks 2 St. Louis Blues 3
April 9 St. Louis Blues 3 Chicago Blackhawks 6
April 10 St. Louis Blues 6 Chicago Blackhawks 5
April 12 Chicago Blackhawks 3 St. Louis Blues 5

St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 4-1'

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings

The storied rivalry continued as the Detroit Red Wings met the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the seemingly lame-duck Leafs finished 1-8, the one win was 5-3 over Detroit in the season finale that pushed them into the playoffs. Game six in Maple Leaf Gardens was future Hall of Famer Börje Salming's final playoff game in the NHL. Toronto lost all three home games.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 6 Toronto Maple Leafs 6 Detroit Red Wings 2
April 7 Toronto Maple Leafs 2 Detroit Red Wings 6
April 9 Detroit Red Wings 6 Toronto Maple Leafs 3
April 10 Detroit Red Wings 8 Toronto Maple Leafs 0
April 12 Toronto Maple Leafs 6 Detroit Red Wings 5
April 14 Detroit Red Wings 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 3

Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4-2

[edit] Smythe Division semi-finals

Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers

The high-flying offence of the Edmonton Oilers played exactly as they were expected to, averaging five goals a game. Despite their best efforts, the team that Oilers captain Wayne Gretzky would one day own and coach just could not keep pace with his Oilers.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 6 Winnipeg Jets 4 Edmonton Oilers 7
April 7 Winnipeg Jets 2 Edmonton Oilers 3
April 9 Edmonton Oilers 4 Winnipeg Jets 6
April 10 Edmonton Oilers 5 Winnipeg Jets 3
April 12 Winnipeg Jets 2 Edmonton Oilers 6

Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4-1

Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames

The Kings fourth place finish in the Smythe Division tied their best finish in their history, since being moved to the Smythe. Their defence was the worst in the league, and they relied on both their offence and the fact that the Vancouver Canucks were horrible. The Kings met Calgary twice in the week before the playoffs and triumphed 9-7 at home and 6-3 in Calgary. The Flames would make a mockery of the Kings' defence and would light the lamp 26 times, even more than the Oilers scored against the Jets.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 6 Los Angeles Kings 2 Calgary Flames 9
April 7 Los Angeles Kings 4 Calgary Flames 6
April 9 Calgary Flames 2 Los Angeles Kings 5
April 10 Calgary Flames 7 Los Angeles Kings 3
April 12 Los Angeles Kings 4 Calgary Flames 6

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4-1

  • Four of the five teams who trailed a series 2-0 won game three of the series at home (L.A., Winnipeg, Buffalo, Chicago). The fifth team was Hartford, who rallied to 3-2 from 3-0.

[edit] Divisional finals

Adams Division

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

The Wales Conference's two best teams, and the NHL's two best defensive teams, met in this series with equal rest time. The Habs had beaten Boston in the Adams Division Semi-Finals four years in a row, sweeping the Bruins in three of the past four seasons, and beating them 3-2 in a best-of-five the other year. This time, the Bruins' defence would wear down Montreal, as Ken Linseman, Ray Bourque and Cam Neely provided the offence to finally conquer the Canadiens. It was the first Bruins' win over the Habs in 44 seasons.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 18 Boston Bruins 1 Montreal Canadiens 5
April 20 Boston Bruins 4 Montreal Candiens 3
April 22 Montreal Canadiens 1 Boston Bruins 3
April 24 Montreal Canadiens 0 Boston Bruins 2
April 26 Boston Bruins 4 Montreal Canadiens 1

Boston wins best-of-seven series 4-1

Patrick Division

New Jersey Devils vs. Washington Capitals

After upsetting the Islanders, whose defence was second in the division, the Devils were now matched up with the number one defence in the division. Patrik Sundstrom and Kirk Muller led the Devils to a series win in seven games in a surprisingly high-scoring series.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 18 New Jersey Devils 1 Washington Capitals 3
April 20 New Jersey Devils 5 Washington Capitals 2
April 22 Washington Capitals 4 New Jersey Devils 10
April 24 Washington Capitals 4 New Jersey Devils 1
April 26 New Jersey Devils 3 Washington Capitals 1
April 28 Washington Capitals 7 New Jersey Devils 2
April 30 New Jersey Devils 3 Washington Capitals 2

New Jersey wins best-of-seven series 4-3

Norris Division

St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings

In another case of a team down 2-0 rallying to win game three, the Red Wings got aggressive, unafraid of the Blues' offence and won in five.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 19 St. Louis Blues 4 Detroit Red Wings 5
April 21 St. Louis Blues 0 Detroit Red Wings 6
April 23 Detroit Red Wings 3 St. Louis Blues 6
April 25 Detroit Red Wings 3 St. Louis Blues 1
April 27 St. Louis Blues 3 Detroit Red Wings 4

Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4-1

Smythe Division

Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames

In the final "Battle of Alberta" including Gretzky and Brett Hull, the Oilers would claim the first sweep of the playoffs.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 19 Edmonton Oilers 3 Calgary Flames 1
April 21 Edmonton Oilers 5 Calgary Flames 4 OT
April 23 Calgary Flames 2 Edmonton Oilers 4
April 25 Calgary Flames 4 Edmonton Oilers 6

Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4-0

[edit] Conference finals

Prince of Wales Conference

New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins

The Devils would take Boston to the limit, but their offence couldn't compete with the Bruins, who would make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since consecutive appearances in 1976-77 and 1977-78.

This series would also have the infamous confrontation between Devils coach Jim Schoenfeld and referee Don Koharski after Game 3, when, during an argument in the tunnel after the game, Koharski tripped and fell, accusing Schoenfield of pushing him. Schoenfield famously responded, "You tripped and fell you fat pig!" Then, he yelled "Have another doughnut! Have another doughnut!" The incident was played repeatedly on ESPN and has become part of NHL lore.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 2 New Jersey Devils 3 Boston Bruins 5
May 4 New Jersey Devils 3 Boston Bruins 2 (OT)
May 6 Boston Bruins 6 New Jersey Devils 1
May 8 Boston Bruins 1 New Jersey Devils 3
May 10 New Jersey Devils 1 Boston Bruins 7
May 12 Boston Bruins 3 New Jersey Devils 6
May 14 New Jersey Devils 2 Boston Bruins 6

Boston wins best-of-seven series 4-3

Clarence Campbell Conference

Detroit Red Wings vs. Edmonton Oilers

Steve Yzerman and the Wings were no match for the Oilers in Edmonton, and were edged out in five games.

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 3 Detroit Red Wings 1 Edmonton Oilers 4
May 5 Detroit Red Wings 3 Edmonton Oilers 5
May 7 Edmonton Oilers 2 Detroit Red Wings 5
May 9 Edmonton Oilers 4 Detroit Red Wings 3 (OT)
May 11 Detroit Red Wings 4 Edmonton Oilers 8

Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4-1

[edit] Stanley Cup final

The 1988 Stanley Cup Final pitted the Oilers' offensive juggernaut against the Bruins' more balanced team. The Oilers showed their defensive prowess, surrendering just 9 goals in the four completed games. Game 4 is well-known for fog that interfered with the game and a power outage that caused its cancellation before a faceoff. This would allow the Oilers to win the Cup at home in the Northlands Coliseum and complete the sweep in a rescheduled Game 4.

Michael Thelven was physical in defending against Gretzky, but that wouldn't ground the Great One on his way to claiming his second Conn Smythe Trophy and setting playoff records with 31 assists in just 19 games, and 13 points in the Finals series.

Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 18 Boston Bruins 1 Edmonton Oilers 2
May 20 Boston Bruins 2 Edmonton Oilers 4
May 22 Edmonton Oilers 6 Boston Bruins 3
May 24 Edmonton Oilers 3 Boston Bruins 3 game cancelled
May 26 Boston Bruins 3 Edmonton Oilers 6

Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4-0

[edit] Playoff scoring leaders

[edit] NHL awards

Presidents' Trophy: Calgary Flames
Prince of Wales Trophy: Boston Bruins
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Edmonton Oilers
Art Ross Memorial Trophy: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Bob Bourne, Los Angeles Kings
Calder Memorial Trophy: Joe Nieuwendyk, Calgary Flames
Conn Smythe Trophy: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Guy Carbonneau, Montreal Canadiens
Hart Memorial Trophy: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jack Adams Award: Jacques Demers, Detroit Red Wings
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Mats Naslund, Montreal Canadiens
Lester B. Pearson Award: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Brad McCrimmon, Calgary Flames,
William M. Jennings Trophy: Patrick Roy/Brian Hayward, Montreal Canadiens
Vezina Trophy: Grant Fuhr, Edmonton Oilers
Lester Patrick Trophy: Keith Allen, Fred Cusick, Bob Johnson

[edit] See also

[edit] References


NHL seasons

1983-84 | 1984-85 | 1985-86 | 1986-87 | 1987-88 | 1988-89 | 1989-90 | 1990-91 | 1991-92

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