1988 Stanley Cup Finals
Encyclopedia
The 1988 Stanley Cup Finals was between the Edmonton Oilers
and Boston Bruins
. The Oilers would win the series 4–0 in five games; game four was abandoned due to a power failure at the Boston Garden
with the score tied 3–3 and replayed.
4–0 and the Detroit Red Wings
4–1 to reach the Finals.
Boston defeated the Buffalo Sabres
4–2, the Montreal Canadiens
4–1 and the New Jersey Devils
4–3 to reach the Finals.
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.
Glenn Anderson
set a new record for quickest goal from the start of a Finals playoff Series game when he scored 10 seconds into the contest. Despite the game being suspended and replayed, the record is official. That record was tied two years later in the third game of the 1990 Final by John Byce
playing for, in a twist, the Bruins, against the Oilers. Regardless, the Oilers swept the series and won their 4th Stanley Cup in five years.
Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4–0
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
and Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
. The Oilers would win the series 4–0 in five games; game four was abandoned due to a power failure at the Boston Garden
Boston Garden
The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
with the score tied 3–3 and replayed.
Paths to the Final
Edmonton defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4–1, the Calgary FlamesCalgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
4–0 and the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
4–1 to reach the Finals.
Boston defeated the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
4–2, the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
4–1 and the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
4–3 to reach the Finals.
The series
The Finals 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. Ray BourqueRay Bourque
Raymond Jean "Ray" Bourque is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He currently holds records for most goals, assists and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League . Bourque has become near-synonymous with the Boston Bruins franchise, for which he played 21 seasons and...
was physical in defending against Gretzky, but that wouldn't ground the Great One on his way to claiming his second Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
and setting playoff records with 31 assists in just 18 games, and 13 points in the Finals series.
Game four
Fog interfered with the game, and a power failure caused its cancellation.Glenn Anderson
Glenn Anderson
Glenn Christopher Anderson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger in the National Hockey League who played for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues...
set a new record for quickest goal from the start of a Finals playoff Series game when he scored 10 seconds into the contest. Despite the game being suspended and replayed, the record is official. That record was tied two years later in the third game of the 1990 Final by John Byce
John Byce
John Byce is a retired American ice hockey winger.Byce was drafted in the 11th round by the Boston Bruins in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft while attending James Madison Memorial High School, and joined up with the team during the 1989–90 NHL playoffs, playing eight games and scoring two goals...
playing for, in a twist, the Bruins, against the Oilers. Regardless, the Oilers swept the series and won their 4th Stanley Cup in five years.
Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, May 18 | Boston Bruins | 1 | Edmonton Oilers | 2 | |
| Fri, May 20 | Boston Bruins | 2 | Edmonton Oilers | 4 | |
| Sun, May 22 | Edmonton Oilers | 6 | Boston Bruins | 3 | |
| Tue, May 24 | Edmonton Oilers | 3 | Boston Bruins | 3 | Game suspended at 16:37 of second period due to power failure. |
| Thu, May 26 | Boston Bruins | 3 | Edmonton Oilers | 6 |
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4–0