1988–89 Los Angeles Kings season
Encyclopedia
The 1988–89 Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...

saw the Kings finish second in the Smythe Division
Smythe Division
The NHL's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Conn Smythe. It is the fore-runner of the NHL's Northwest Division and NHL's Pacific Division....

 with a record of 42-31-7, for 91 points.

The 1988–89 season was the first for the great Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...

 in a Kings uniform. He had come over in a shocking trade with the Edmonton Oilers
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 ....

 in the off-season (see below). Paced by Gretzky, Los Angeles led the league in goal scoring, with a total of 376 goals scored. In the playoffs, the Kings upset the Oilers, Gretzky's former team, in seven games in the Smythe Division Semi-finals before being swept in the Smythe Division Finals by the eventual Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...

 champion Calgary Flames
Calgary 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...

 in four straight games.

This was also the first season that the Kings wore their silver and black uniforms, which they would wear until the 1998–99 season. In the offseason, they had changed their team colours to silver and black from gold and purple, which were more associated with their co-tenants at the Great Western Forum
The Forum (Inglewood, California)
The Forum is an indoor arena, in Inglewood, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. From 2000 to 2010, it was owned by the Faithful Central Bible Church, which occasionally used it for church services, while also leasing the building for sporting events, concerts and other events.Along with Madison...

, the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...

's Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

. They had also unveiled a new logo that reflected the new team colours.

NHL Draft

Round Pick Player Nationality College/junior/club team
1 7 Martin Gelinas
Martin Gelinas
Martin Gélinas is a former professional ice hockey forward and the current director of player development with the Nashville Predators.-Playing career:Gelinas made a splash in 1987–88 with the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL with a 63-goal, 131-point campaign...

 (LW)
Hull Olympiques
Gatineau Olympiques
The Gatineau Olympiques are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League out of Gatineau, Quebec. The Olympiques play out of the Robert Guertin Centre. The club, then known as the Hull Festivals, was granted membership in the QMJHL in 1973. The Olympiques have...

 (QMJHL)
2 28 Paul Holden London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...

 (OHL)

Wayne Gretzky trade

On August 9, 1988, in a move that drastically changed the dynamics of the NHL, the Oilers traded Gretzky, along with Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...

 and Mike Krushelnyski
Mike Krushelnyski
Mike Krushelnyski is a retired Ukrainian-Canadian professional ice hockey centre in the NHL, and former head coach of Vityaz Chekhov in the KHL.-Playing career:...

, to the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 for Jimmy Carson
Jimmy Carson
James Charles Carson is a retired American professional hockey player. He is best known for his 10 year NHL career, spent with several teams. After retiring from professional hockey, he embarked on a new career as a financial advisor....

, Martin Gelinas
Martin Gelinas
Martin Gélinas is a former professional ice hockey forward and the current director of player development with the Nashville Predators.-Playing career:Gelinas made a splash in 1987–88 with the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL with a 63-goal, 131-point campaign...

, $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989
1989 NHL Entry Draft
The 1989 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Some believe that the Detroit Red Wings' 1989 draft was the most successful ever, with 5,721 total NHL games played by the players selected.-Selections by round:...

 (Jason Miller
Jason Miller (ice hockey)
Jason Miller is an Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who last played for Dresdner Eislöwen in the 2nd Bundesliga.-Playing career:...

), 1991
1991 NHL Entry Draft
The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. A total of 264 players were drafted. The draft was famous for the controversy surrounding star first overall draft pick, touted by some observers to be The Next One, Eric Lindros, who was drafted by the...

 (Martin Rucinsky
Martin Rucinsky
Martin Ručinský is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Litvínov of the Czech Extraliga. Ručínský was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round as the 20th overall selection in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft on June 22, 1991. Ručinský led the Montreal Canadiens in...

), and 1993
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...

 (Nick Stajduhar
Nick Stajduhar
Nick Stajduhar is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, 16th overall, a pick the Oilers received from the Los Angeles Kings in the Wayne Gretzky trade.Stajduhar only played two games for Edmonton,...

). "The Trade", as it came to be known, upset Canadians to the extent that New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...

 House Leader
House Leader
In Canada, each political party with representation in the House of Commons has a House Leader who is a front bench Member of Parliament and an expert in parliamentary procedure...

 Nelson Riis
Nelson Riis
Nelson Andrew Riis currently a businessman and is a former Canadian politician and New Democratic Party Member of Parliament .Riis graduated from the University of British Columbia with a B.Ed, and MA...

 demanded that the government block it and Pocklington was burned in effigy. Gretzky himself was considered a "traitor" by some Canadians for turning his back on his adopted hometown, his home province, and his home country; his motivation was widely rumoured to be the furtherance of his wife
Janet Jones
Janet-Marie Gretzky is an American actress. She is married to ice hockey icon Wayne Gretzky.-Entertainment career:Jones performed in Annie , Staying Alive and Snow White Live , and had a bit part in The Beastmaster...

's acting career. Others believe it was Pocklington who instigated the trade, seeking to benefit personally from the transaction.

Regular season

On October 6, 1988, Wayne Gretzky made his debut as a member of the Los Angeles Kings in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. Gretzky scored on his first shot, and contributed 3 assists in an 8-2 victory. In Gretzky's first season with the Kings, he led the team in scoring with 168 points on 54 goals and 114 assists, and won his ninth Hart Memorial Trophy
Hart Memorial Trophy
The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, the "oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey", is awarded annually to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team" in the National Hockey League . The Hart Memorial Trophy has been awarded 86 times to 53 different...

 as the league's Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...

. He led the Kings to a second-place finish in the Smythe Division
Smythe Division
The NHL's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Conn Smythe. It is the fore-runner of the NHL's Northwest Division and NHL's Pacific Division....

 with a 42–31–7 record (91 points), and they ranked fourth in the NHL overall.

Gretzky's first season in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...

 saw a marked increase in attendance and fan interest in a city not previously known for following hockey. The Kings, who then played their home games at the Great Western Forum, named Gretzky their captain (a position he held until his trade to St. Louis in 1996) and boasted numerous sellouts on their way to reaching the 1989 playoffs.
  • December 1, 1988: Bernie Nicholls had an eight point game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

October

Game # Date Visitor Score Home OT Record Points
1 October 6 Detroit
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...

 
8 - 2 Los Angeles 1-0-0 2
2 October 8 Calgary
Calgary 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...

 
6 - 5 Los Angeles OT 2-0-0 4
3 October 9 N.Y. Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
6 - 5 Los Angeles OT 3-0-0 6
4 October 12 Boston
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...

 
6 - 2 Los Angeles 4-0-0 8
5 October 15 Philadelphia
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
1 - 4 Los Angeles 4-1-0 8
6 October 17 Los Angeles 4 - 11 Calgary
Calgary 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...

 
4-2-0 8
7 October 19 Los Angeles 6 - 8 Edmonton
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 ....

 
4-3-0 8
8 October 22 Minnesota
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...

 
8 - 2 Los Angeles 5-3-0 10
9 October 25 Edmonton
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 ....

 
4 - 5 Los Angeles 5-4-0 10
10 October 28 Los Angeles 7 - 4 Winnipeg  6-4-0 12
11 October 30 Los Angeles 4 - 8 Winnipeg  6-5-0 12

November

Game # Date Visitor Score Home OT Record Points
12 November 1 Los Angeles 3 - 1 Quebec
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...

 
7-5-0 14
13 November 2 Los Angeles 3 - 5 Montreal
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 ...

 
7-6-0 14
14 November 5 Los Angeles 6 - 4 Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
8-6-0 16
15 November 6 Los Angeles 5 - 3 Chicago
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

 
9-6-0 18
16 November 10 Hartford
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 
7 - 2 Los Angeles 10-6-0 20
17 November 12 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 
7 - 2 Los Angeles 11-6-0 22
18 November 15 Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 
6 - 4 Los Angeles 12-6-0 24
19 November 17 N.Y. Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 
5 - 6 Los Angeles 12-7-0 24
20 November 19 Buffalo
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:...

 
5 - 4 Los Angeles 13-7-0 26
21 November 22 Los Angeles 6 - 1 Philadelphia
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
14-7-0 28
22 November 23 Los Angeles 8 - 3 Detroit
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...

 
15-7-0 30
23 November 26 Los Angeles 1 - 4 Calgary
Calgary 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...

 
15-8-0 30
24 November 27 Los Angeles 2 - 5 Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 
15-9-0 30
25 November 29 New Jersey
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...

 
9 - 3 Los Angeles 16-9-0 32

December

Game # Date Visitor Score Home OT Record Points
26 December 1 Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
9 - 3 Los Angeles 17-9-0 34
27 December 3 Chicago
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

 
6 - 4 Los Angeles 18-9-0 36
28 December 6 Winnipeg  4 - 5 Los Angeles OT 18-10-0 36
29 December 8 Winnipeg  5 - 5 Los Angeles OT 18-10-1 37
30 December 10 Los Angeles 4 - 3 N.Y. Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
19-10-1 39
31 December 12 Los Angeles 5 - 2 N.Y. Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 
20-10-1 41
32 December 14 Los Angeles 4 - 5 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 
20-11-1 41
33 December 16 Los Angeles 6 - 4 Detroit
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...

 
21-11-1 43
34 December 17 Los Angeles 2 - 3 Minnesota
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...

 
21-12-1 43
35 December 20 Calgary
Calgary 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...

 
7 - 3 Los Angeles 22-12-1 45
36 December 21 Minnesota
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...

 
8 - 6 Los Angeles 23-12-1 47
37 December 23 Los Angeles 5 - 2 Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 
24-12-1 49
38 December 27 Montreal
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 ...

 
2 - 3 Los Angeles 24-13-1 49
39 December 29 Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 
3 - 6 Los Angeles 24-14-1 49

January

Game # Date Visitor Score Home OT Record Points
40 January 5 Los Angeles 6 - 8 Calgary
Calgary 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...

 
24-15-1 49
41 January 6 Los Angeles 4 - 4 Winnipeg  OT 24-15-2 50
42 January 8 Los Angeles 4 - 4 Winnipeg  OT 24-15-3 51
43 January 10 Edmonton
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 ....

 
5 - 4 Los Angeles OT 25-15-3 53
44 January 12 St. Louis  7 - 4 Los Angeles 26-15-3 55
45 January 14 Hartford
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 
9 - 6 Los Angeles 27-15-3 57
46 January 17 Los Angeles 2 - 5 St. Louis  27-16-3 57
47 January 19 Los Angeles 2 - 4 N.Y. Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
27-17-3 57
48 January 21 Los Angeles 4 - 5 Hartford
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 
27-18-3 57
49 January 24 Los Angeles 4 - 4 Washington
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 
OT 27-18-4 58
50 January 26 Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 
2 - 6 Los Angeles 27-19-4 58
51 January 28 Edmonton
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 ....

 
6 - 7 Los Angeles 27-20-4 58
52 January 31 Calgary
Calgary 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...

 
5 - 8 Los Angeles 27-21-4 58

February

Game # Date Visitor Score Home OT Record Points
53 February 2 New Jersey
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...

 
6 - 6 Los Angeles OT 27-21-5 59
54 February 4 Buffalo
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:...

 
5 - 3 Los Angeles 28-21-5 61
55 February 9 Los Angeles 1 - 4 Boston
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...

 
28-22-5 61
56 February 10 Los Angeles 7 - 6 Washington
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 
OT 29-22-5 63
57 February 12 Los Angeles 6 - 2 Chicago
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

 
30-22-5 65
58 February 15 Boston
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...

 
3 - 7 Los Angeles 30-23-5 65
59 February 18 Quebec
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...

 
11 - 3 Los Angeles 31-23-5 67
60 February 20 Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
5 - 4 Los Angeles 32-23-5 69
61 February 22 Washington
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 
2 - 7 Los Angeles 32-24-5 69
62 February 24 Los Angeles 1 - 4 Edmonton
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 ....

 
32-25-5 69
63 February 26 Los Angeles 1 - 1 New Jersey
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...

 
32-25-6 70
64 February 27 Los Angeles 4 - 6 N.Y. Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 
32-26-6 70

March

Game # Date Visitor Score Home OT Record Points
65 March 1 Los Angeles 5 - 4 Buffalo
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:...

 
33-26-6 72
66 March 2 Los Angeles 4 - 6 St. Louis  33-27-6 72
67 March 4 Philadelphia
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 
6 - 2 Los Angeles 34-27-6 74
68 March 7 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 
3 - 2 Los Angeles OT 35-27-6 76
69 March 10 Los Angeles 2 - 4 Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 
35-28-6 76
70 March 12 Los Angeles 6 - 3 Edmonton
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 ....

 
36-28-6 78
71 March 14 Los Angeles 4 - 0 Quebec
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...

 
37-28-6 80
72 March 15 Los Angeles 2 - 5 Montreal
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 ...

 
37-29-6 80
73 March 18 Calgary
Calgary 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...

 
3 - 9 Los Angeles 37-30-6 80
74 March 21 Los Angeles 4 - 3 Edmonton
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 ....

 
38-30-6 82
75 March 23 Los Angeles 2 - 4 Calgary
Calgary 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...

 
38-31-6 82
76 March 25 Edmonton
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 ....

 
4 - 2 Los Angeles 39-31-6 84
77 March 28 Winnipeg  3 - 3 Los Angeles OT 39-31-7 85
78 March 29 Winnipeg  2 - 1 Los Angeles OT 40-31-7 87

April

Game # Date Visitor Score Home OT Record Points
79 April 1 Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 
6 - 4 Los Angeles 41-31-7 89
80 April 2 Los Angeles 5 - 4 Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 
42-31-7 91

Forwards

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...

 
78 54 114 168 26
Bernie Nicholls
Bernie Nicholls
Bernard Irvine Nicholls is a former professional ice hockey centre. His junior career was spent with the Kingston Canadians, where he established himself as a dynamic scorer and a multi-faceted talent. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 73rd...

 
79 70 80 150 96
Luc Robitaille
Luc Robitaille
Luc Robitaille is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. During his 19-season National Hockey League career, Robitaille won a Stanley Cup in 2001–02 with the Detroit Red Wings, and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, but is most known for his fourteen seasons,...

 
78 46 52 98 65
John Tonelli
John Tonelli
John A. Tonelli is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the New York Islanders, and also played with the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League.-Bio:In 1982 and 1985,...

 
77 31 33 64 110
Dave Taylor  70 26 37 63 80
Mike Krushelnyski
Mike Krushelnyski
Mike Krushelnyski is a retired Ukrainian-Canadian professional ice hockey centre in the NHL, and former head coach of Vityaz Chekhov in the KHL.-Playing career:...

 
78 26 36 62 110
Mike Allison
Mike Allison
Michael Earnest Allison is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward, and the brother of former player and coach Dave Allison.-Playing career:...

 
55 14 22 36 122
Bob Carpenter  39 11 15 26 16
Steve Kasper
Steve Kasper
Stephen Neil "The Friendly Ghost, The Shadow" Kasper is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played his entire 13 season playing career in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Kasper won the Frank J...

 
29 9 15 24 14
Igor Liba
Igor Liba
Igor Liba is a former Slovak ice hockey player. Played on 1992 Bronze Medal winning Olympic Hockey team for Czechoslovakia...

 
27 5 13 18 21
Jay Miller
Jay Miller (ice hockey)
Jay Miller played university hockey with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats of the NCAA. He was selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the 4th round, 66th overall in the 1980 NHL entry draft...

 
29 5 3 8 133
Paul Fenton
Paul Fenton (ice hockey)
Paul John Fenton is a retired American ice hockey forward.Fenton started his National Hockey League career with the Hartford Whalers in 1985. He would also play for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks...

 
21 2 3 5 6
Sylvain Couturier
Sylvain Couturier
Sylvain Couturier is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left wing who played 3 seasons in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings...

 
16 1 3 4 2
Bob Kudelski
Bob Kudelski
Robert Kudelski is an American former professional ice hockey player. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1986 NHL Supplemental Draft.-Playing career:...

 
14 1 3 4 17
Ken Baumgartner
Ken Baumgartner
Kenneth James Baumgartner is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League for twelve seasons.-Biography:...

 
49 1 3 4 288
Tim Tookey
Tim Tookey
Timothy Raymond Tookey is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings....

 
7 2 1 3 4
Chris Kontos
Chris Kontos
Christopher T. Kontos is a former National Hockey League forward who is best known for his surprising 9 goals in 11 playoff games while he was a member of the Los Angeles Kings and his shocking franchise opening night 4 goal performance against that season's Vezina Trophy winner Ed Belfour.During...

 
7 2 1 3 2
Phil Sykes
Phil Sykes (ice hockey)
Phil Sykes is a former college and professional ice hockey player. He played college hockey for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux helping them win NCAA national championships in 1980 and 1982. He was named to the NCAA Championship all-tournament team in both 1980 and 1982 and the WCHA...

 
23 0 1 1 8
Hubie McDonough
Hubie McDonough
Hubert B. McDonough is a retired American professional ice hockey centre. He was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft....

 
4 0 1 1 0
Gilles Hamel
Gilles Hamel
Gilles Julien Hamel is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right wing. He was drafted in the fourth round, 74th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft....

 
11 0 1 1 2
Brian Wilks
Brian Wilks
Brian Wilks is a former professional hockey player that played for the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL.- Pro career :...

 
2 0 0 0 2
Paul Guay
Paul Guay
Paul Francois Guay is a retired American professional ice hockey player. He is now an assistant coach for his high school's hockey team.-Playing career:...

 
2 0 0 0 2
Dave Pasin
Dave Pasin
Dave Pasin is a former professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the first round, 19th overall, by the Boston Bruins in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft...

 
5 0 0 0 0
Craig Duncanson
Craig Duncanson
Craig Duncanson is a former professional ice hockey left winger. He was drafted in the first round, ninth overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft...

 
5 0 0 0 0
Robert Logan  4 0 0 0 0

Defencemen

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Steve Duchesne
Steve Duchesne
Steve Duchesne is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL with several teams from 1986 until 2002...

 
79 25 50 75 92
Dale DeGray
Dale DeGray
Dale "Digger" DeGray is a former ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted in the eighth round, 182nd overall, of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. He played in the National Hockey League with the Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres.In his NHL career,...

 
63 6 22 28 97
Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...

 
66 10 17 27 350
Doug Crossman
Doug Crossman
Doug A. Crossman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

 
74 10 15 25 53
Tim Watters
Tim Watters
Timothy John Watters is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Tim Watters was a rarity in the National Hockey League , a physical defenceman who stood under 6 feet tall and under 200 pounds...

 
76 3 18 21 168
Tom Laidlaw
Tom Laidlaw
Thomas John Laidlaw is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Laidlaw started his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers in 1980, arriving from Northern Michigan University. He also played for the Los Angeles Kings. He left the NHL after the 1990 season. He played 1 season for...

 
70 3 17 20 63
Dean Kennedy
Dean Kennedy
Edward Dean Kennedy is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player in the NHL from 1982–1995. He played for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers....

 
51 3 8 11 63
Jim Wiemer
Jim Wiemer
James Duncan Wiemer is a retired former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins....

 
9 2 3 5 20
Wayne McBean
Wayne McBean
Wayne McBean is a retired ice hockey defenceman. McBean played professionally in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and Winnipeg Jets.- Playing career :...

 
33 0 5 5 23
Larry Playfair
Larry Playfair
Larry William Playfair is a retired former professional ice hockey player with a reputation as a hard-working, pugnacious defender...

 
6 0 3 3 16
Petr Prajsler
Petr Prajsler
Petr Prajsler is a retired Czech ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings between 1987 to 1990 and the Boston Bruins in 1991....

 
2 0 3 3 0
Steve Richmond
Steve Richmond
Steven L. Richmond is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 159 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings...

 
9 0 2 2 26
Jim Hofford
Jim Hofford
James Hofford is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted in the sixth round, 114th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played eighteen games in the National Hockey League: seventeen with the Sabres and one with the Los Angeles Kings. He was...

 
1 0 0 0 2

Goaltending

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
Player GP W L T SO GAA
Glenn Healy
Glenn Healy
Glenn Healy is a former ice hockey goaltender who played for 15 years in the National Hockey League. Prior to that, he was a member of the Western Michigan University hockey team, and 1985 graduate of the school. He also served as the director of player affairs for the National Hockey League...

 
48 25 19 2 0 4.27
Kelly Hrudey
Kelly Hrudey
Kelly Hrudey is a former NHL ice hockey goaltender and current hockey broadcaster with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. During his NHL career, Hrudey played for the New York Islanders , Los Angeles Kings , and San Jose Sharks .-Playing career:Hrudey played junior hockey for three years with...

 
16 10 4 2 1 2.90

Smythe Division Semi-finals

The Kings faced Gretzky's old team, the Oilers, in the first round of the 1989 playoffs. They fell behind 3 games to 1, but rallied to take the series in seven games, helped in no small part by nine goals from Chris Kontos
Chris Kontos
Christopher T. Kontos is a former National Hockey League forward who is best known for his surprising 9 goals in 11 playoff games while he was a member of the Los Angeles Kings and his shocking franchise opening night 4 goal performance against that season's Vezina Trophy winner Ed Belfour.During...

, a little-known player who had just recently been called up from the minor leagues. However, the Kings were quickly swept out of the playoffs in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames
Calgary 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...

.
  • Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
    Date Away Score Home Score
    April 5 Edmonton Oilers 4 Los Angeles Kings 3
    April 6 Edmonton Oilers 2 Los Angeles Kings 5
    April 8 Los Angeles Kings 0 Edmonton Oilers 4
    April 9 Los Angeles Kings 3 Edmonton Oilers 4
    April 11 Edmonton Oilers 2 Los Angeles Kings 4
    April 13 Los Angeles Kings 4 Edmonton Oilers 1
    April 15 Edmonton Oilers 3 Los Angeles Kings 6

Los Angeles wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3

Smythe Division Finals

Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames
Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 18 Los Angeles Kings 3 Calgary Flames 4 (OT)
April 20 Los Angeles Kings 3 Calgary Flames 8
April 22 Calgary Flames 5 Los Angeles Kings 2
April 24 Calgary Flames 5 Los Angeles Kings 3

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0

Awards and records

  • Wayne Gretzky
    Wayne Gretzky
    Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...

    , Hart Trophy
  • Wayne Gretzky
    Wayne Gretzky
    Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...

    , Center, NHL Second All-Star Team
  • Wayne Gretzky, All-Star Game MVP
  • Luc Robitaille
    Luc Robitaille
    Luc Robitaille is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. During his 19-season National Hockey League career, Robitaille won a Stanley Cup in 2001–02 with the Detroit Red Wings, and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, but is most known for his fourteen seasons,...

    , Left Wing, NHL First All-Star Team
  • Wayne Gretzky
    Wayne Gretzky
    Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...

    , Club Record, Most Points in One Season (168)
  • Bernie Nicholls
    Bernie Nicholls
    Bernard Irvine Nicholls is a former professional ice hockey centre. His junior career was spent with the Kingston Canadians, where he established himself as a dynamic scorer and a multi-faceted talent. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 73rd...

    , Club Record, Most Goals in One Season (70)
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