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1987-88 NHL season
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The 198788 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.
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.
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Encyclopedia
The 198788 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.
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 fourth Stanley Cup in 5 years by sweeping the Boston Bruins 40 (plus one cancelled game) in the Stanley Cup finals. In the process of their cup win, Edmonton lost only 2 games, a record for the "16 wins" playoff format.
Final standings
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Prince of Wales Conference
Clarence Campbell Conference
Scoring leaders
Leading goaltenders
Playoffs
Note: all dates in 1988
The 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 141 in that stretch allowing Toronto survive their 18 finish.
- On March 18, Quιbec was three points ahead of the Whalers (6865). Quιbec finished 071, costing themselves a chance to fend off Hartford who finished 63.
- The New Jersey Devils made the playoffs for the first time in their history, winning in overtime at Chicago Stadium on the season's final day to edge the New York Rangers for the Patrick Division's fourth spot.
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.
Boston wins best-of-seven series 42.
Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Habs almost squandered a 30 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 242 against the Canadiens during the season, twice losing by just one goal.
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 42.
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 22. 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 31 deficit to advance to the second round for the first time in two years. Game 7 was a classic, ending with Dale Hunter beating Hextall on a breakaway in overtime.
Washington wins best-of-seven series 43
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 701, including two wins over Pittsburgh in which they stifled Lemieux, and a 72 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.
New Jersey wins best-of-seven series 42
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.
St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 41
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 18, the one win was 53 over Detroit in the season finale that pushed them into the playoffs. Game six in Maple Leaf Gardens was future Hall of Famer Borje Salming's final playoff game in the NHL. Toronto lost all three home games.
Detroit wins best-of-seven series 42
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 franchise that Oilers captain Wayne Gretzky would one day own and coach just could not keep pace with his Oilers.
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 41
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 offence. The Kings met Calgary twice in the week before the playoffs and triumphed 97 at home and 63 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. Four months after this series mercifully ended, the only NHL franchise in California would undergo a massive makeover, thanks to new uniforms and a savior from the north.
Calgary wins best-of-seven series 41
- Four of the five teams who trailed a series 20 won game three of the series at home (L.A., Winnipeg, Buffalo, Chicago). The fifth team was Hartford, who rallied to 32 from 30.
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 32 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' playoff series win over the Habs in 44 seasons.
Boston wins best-of-seven series 41
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. Sundstrom's eight-point effort in Game 3 (4 goals, 4 assists) set a new Stanley Cup playoff record.
New Jersey wins best-of-seven series 43
Norris Division
St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings
In another case of a team down 20 rallying to win game three, the Red Wings got aggressive, unafraid of the Blues' offence and won in five.
Detroit wins best-of-seven series 41
Smythe Division
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
In the "Battle of Alberta" the Oilers would claim the first sweep of the playoffs. In Game 2, Wayne Gretzky scored a short-handed overtime goal on a brilliant slapshot while streaking down the left wing.
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 40
Conference finals
Prince of Wales Conference
New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins
The Devils would take Boston to the limit, but their offence could not compete with the Bruins, who would make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since consecutive appearances in 197677 and 197778.
This series also featured 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 since become part of NHL lore.
Schonefeld was suspended by NHL president John Ziegler for game four, but the Devils received an injunction from a New Jersey court, allowing Schoenfeld to coach the fourth game. In protest, the officials scheduled to work that game in the Meadlowands refused to take the ice, forcing the NHL to scramble for amateur officials to call the contest. The injunction was lifted and Schoenfeld served his suspension during game five in the Boston Garden.
Boston wins best-of-seven series 43
Clarence Campbell Conference
Detroit Red Wings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Steve Yzerman and the Wings were no match for the Oilers again, and were edged out in five games.
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 41
Finals
The series 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.
Ray Bourque 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 18 games, and 13 points in the Finals series.
Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 40
Playoff scoring leaders
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 |
All-Star teams
| First Team | Position | Second Team |
|---|
| Grant Fuhr, Edmonton Oilers | G | Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens | | Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins | D | Gary Suter, Calgary Flames | | Scott Stevens, Washington Capitals | D | Brad McCrimmon, Calgary Flames | | Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins | C | Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers | | Hakan Loob, Calgary Flames | RW | Cam Neely, Boston Bruins | | Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles Kings | LW | Michel Goulet, Quebec Nordiques | |
Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 198788:
- Tommy Albelin, Quebec Nordiques
- Rob Brown, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Sean Burke, New Jersey Devils
- Adam Graves, Detoit Red Wings
- Craig Janney, Boston Bruins
- Calle Johansson, Buffalo Sabres
- Brian Leetch, New York Rangers
- Jeff Norton, New York Islanders
- Luke Richardson, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Mathieu Schneider, Montreal Canadiens
- Brendan Shanahan, New Jersey Devils
- Ray Sheppard, Buffalo Sabres
- Kevin Stevens, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Ron Tugnutt, Quebec Nordiques
- Pierre Turgeon, Buffalo Sabres
- Glen Wesley, Boston Bruins
- Scott Young, Hartford Whalers
Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 198788:
- Bob Bourne, Los Angeles Kings
- Richard Brodeur, Hartford Whalers
- Clark Gillies, Buffalo Sabres
- Doug Jarvis, Hartford Whalers
- Pierre Larouche, New York Rangers
- Dave Lewis, Detroit Red Wings
- Gilles Meloche, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Rick Middleton, Boston Bruins
- Wilf Paiement, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Steve Payne, Minnesota North Stars
- Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
- Doug Risebrough, Calgary Flames
- Dave Semenko, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Charlie Simmer, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Brian Sutter, St. Louis Blues
- Perry Turnbull, St. Louis Blues
- Tiger Williams, Hartford Whalers
1988 Trading Deadline
- Trading Deadline: MARCH 8, 1988
- March 8, 1988: Charlie Bourgeois and Hartford's third round choice in 1989 Entry Draft traded from St. Louis to Hartford for Hartford's second round choice in 1989 Entry Draft.
- March 8, 1988: Geoff Courtnall, Bill Ranford and future considerations traded from Boston to Edmonton for Andy Moog.
- March 8, 1988: Brian Curran traded from NY Islanders to Toronto for Toronto's sixth round choice in 1988 Entry Draft.
- March 8, 1988: Moe Lemay traded from Edmonton to Boston for Alan May.
- March 8, 1988: Jim Pavese traded from NY Rangers to Detroit for future considerations.
- March 8, 1988: Gordie Roberts traded from Philadelphia to St. Louis for future considerations.
- March 8, 1988: Steve Tsujuira traded from New Jersey to Boston for Boston's 10th round choice in 1988 Entry Draft (Alexander Semak).
- March 8, 1988: Steve Weeks traded from Hartford to Vancouver for Richard Brodeur.
See also
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