1987-88 NHL season
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The classic NHL shield logo |
The 1987-88 NHL season was the 71st regular 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.
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.
Final standings
Wales Conference
Adams Division:
Patrick Division:
Campbell Conference
Norris Division:
Smythe Division:
Leading Scorers
The 1988 Stanley Cup Playoffs started on April 6, and ended on May 26. The Presidents' Trophy winning Calgary Flames had home ice throughout the playoffs thanks in part to Edmonton's struggles without Gretzky. The Oilers, who had won the cup in three of the previous four years were still the favourite to repeat as Gretzky had returned.
* In spite of Lemieux's prolific offense, 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.
Division Semifinals
Adams Division
#3 Buffalo vs. #2 Boston
The Boston Bruins were led by team captain
Ray Bourque, 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 rokkie
Ray Sheppard.
April 6 Buffalo 3 at Boston 7
April 7 Buffalo 1 at Boston 4
April 9 Boston 2 at Buffalo 6
April 10 Boston 5 at Buffalo 6
April 12 Buffalo 4 at Boston 5
April 14 Boston 5 at Buffalo 2
Boston wins best-of-seven series 4-2
#4 Hartford vs. #1 Montreal
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 asset was goalteder
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.
* April 6 - Hartford 3 at Montreal 4
* April 7 - Hartford 3 at Montreal 7
* April 9 - Montreal 4 at Hartford 3
* April 10 - Montreal 5 at Hartford 7
* April 12 - Hartford 5 at Montreal 3
* April 14 - Montreal 4 at Hartford 2
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4-2
Patrick Division
#3 Philadelphia vs. #2 Washington
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 lead 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.
* April 6 - Philadelphia 4 at Washington 2
* April 7 - Philadelphia 4 at Washington 5
* April 9 - Washington 3 at Philadelphia 4
* April 10 - Washington 4 at Philadelphia 5
* April 12 - Philadelphia 2 at Washington 5
* April 14 - Washington 7 at Philadelphia 2
* April 16 - Philadelphia 4 at Washington 5
Washington wins best-of-seven series 4-3
#4 New Jersey vs. #1 NY 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 6.
* April 6 - New Jersey 4 at NY Islanders 3
* April 7 - New Jersey 2 at NY Islanders 3
* April 9 - NY Islanders 0 at New Jersey 3
* April 10 - NY Islanders 5 at New Jersey 4
* April 12 - New Jersey 4 at NY Islanders 2
* April 14 - NY Islanders 5 at New Jersey 6
New Jersey wins best-of-seven series 4-2
Norris Division
#3 Chicago vs. #2 St. Louis
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 8 points, Larmer and Savard had 7 each.
* April 6 - Chicago 1 at St. Louis 5
* April 7 - Chicago 2 at St. Louis 3
* April 9 - St. Louis 3 at Chicago 6
* April 10 - St. Louis 3 at Chicago 1
* April 12 - Chicago 3 at St. Louis 4
St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 4-1'
#4 Toronto vs. #1 Detroit
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 Detriot in the season finale that pushed them into the playoffs. Game 6 in
Maple Leaf Gardens was future Hall of Famer
Börje Salming's final playoff game in the NHL. Toronto lost all three home games.
* April 6 - Toronto 6 at Detroit 2
* April 7 - Toronto 2 at Detroit 6
* April 9 - Detroit 6 at Toronto 3
* April 10 - Detroit 8 at Toronto 0
* April 12 - Toronto 6 at Detroit 5
* April 14 - Detroit 5 at Toronto 3
Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4-2
Smythe Division
#3 Winnipeg vs. #2 Edmonton
The high-flying offense of the Edmonton Oilers played exactly as they were expected to, averaging 5 goals a game. Despite their best efforts, the team that Oilers Captain Wayne Gretzky would one day own couldn't keep pace with his Oilers.
* April 6 - Winnipeg 4 at Edmonton 7
* April 7 - Winnipeg 2 at Edmonton 3
* April 9 - Edmonton 4 at Winnipeg 6
* April 10 - Edmonton 5 at Winnipeg 3
* April 12 - Winnipeg 2 at Edmonton 6
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4-1
#4 Los Angeles vs. #1 Calgary
The Kings fourth place finish in the Smythe Division tied their best finish in their history, since being moved to the Smythe. Their defense was the worst in the league, and they relied on both their offense 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 defense and would light the lamp 26 times, more than even the Oilers would score against the jets.
* April 6 - Los Angeles 2 at Calgary 9
* April 7 - Los Angeles 4 at Calgary 6
* April 9 - Calgary 2 at Los Angeles 5
* April 10 - Calgary 7 at Los Angeles 3
* April 12 - Los Angeles 4 at Calgary 6
Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4-1
* 4 of the 5 teams who trailed a series 2-0 won game 3 of the series at home(L.A., Winnipeg, Buffalo, Chicago). The fifth team was Hartford, who rallied to 3-2 from 3-0.
Division Finals
Adams Division
#2 Boston vs. #1 Montreal
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 defense would wear down Montreal, as
Ken Linseman,
Ray Bourque and
Cam Neely provided the offense to finally conquer the Canadiens. It was the first Bruins' win over the Habs in 44 seasons.
* April 18 - Boston 1 at Montreal 5
* April 20 - Boston 4 at Montreal 3
* April 22 - Montreal 1 at Boston 3
* April 24 - Montreal 0 at Boston 2
* April 26 - Boston 4 at Montreal 1
Boston wins best-of-seven series 4-1
Patrick Division
# 4 New Jersey vs. #2 Washington
After upsetting the Islanders, whose defense was second in the division, the Devils were now matched up with the #1 defense in the division.
Patrik Sundstrom and
Kirk Muller led the Devils to a series win in seven games in a surprisingly high scoring series.
* April 18 - New Jersey 1 at Washington 3
* April 20 - New Jersey 5 at Washington 2
* April 22 - Washington 4 at New Jersey 10
* April 24 - Washington 4 at New Jersey 1
* April 26 - New Jersey 3 at Washington 1
* April 28 - Washington 7 at New Jersey 2
* April 30 - New Jersey 3 at Washington 2
New Jersey wins best-of-seven series 4-3
Norris Divison
#2 St. Louis vs. #1 Detroit
In another case of a team down 2-0 rallying to win game 3, the Red Wings got aggressive, unafraid of the Blues offense and won in five.
* April 19 - St. Louis 4 at Detroit 5
* April 21 - St. Louis 0 at Detroit 6
* April 23 - Detroit 3 at St. Louis 6
* April 25 - Detroit 3 at St. Louis 1
* April 27 - St. Louis 3 at Detroit 4
Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4-1
Smythe Division
#2 Edmonton vs. #1 Calgary
In the final "
Battle of Alberta" including Gretzky and
Brett Hull, the Oilers would claim the first sweep of the playoffs.
* April 19 - Edmonton 3 at Calgary 1
* April 21 - Edmonton 5 at Calgary 4
* April 23 - Calgary 2 at Edmonton 4
* April 25 - Calgary 4 at Edmonton 6
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4-0
Conference Finals
Prince of Wales Conference
New Jersey vs. Boston
The Devils would take Boston to the limit, but their offense 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.
* May 2 - New Jersey 1 at Boston
* May 4 - New Jersey 3 at Boston
* May 6 - Boston at New Jersey
* May 8 - Boston 1 at New Jersey
* May 10 - New Jersey 2 at Boston
* May 12 - Boston at New Jersey
* May 14 - New Jersey at Boston
Boston wins best-of-seven series 4-3
Detroit vs. Edmonton
Steve Yzerman and the Wings were no match for the Oilers in Edmonton, and were edged out in five games.
* May 3 - Detroit 1 at Edmonton 4
* May 5 - Detroit 3 at Edmonton 5
* May 7 - Edmonton 2 at Detroit 5
* May 9 - Edmonton 4 at Detroit 3
* May 11 - Detroit 4 at Edmonton 8
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4-1
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 games that were decided. (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 the
Northlands Coliseum and complete the sweep in Game 5.)
Michael Thelven was physical in his defense of 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 with 13 points in this series, Gretzky set a record for most points in a Finals series.
Boston vs. Edmonton
*
May 18 - Boston 1 at Edmonton 2
*
May 20 - Boston 2 at Edmonton 4
*
May 22 - Edmonton 6 at Boston 3
*
May 24 - Edmonton 3 at Boston 3 [game cancelled]
*
May 26 - Boston 3 at Edmonton 6
Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4-0| 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 |
*
List of Stanley Cup champions*
1987 NHL Entry Draft*
39th National Hockey League All-Star Game*
National Hockey League All-Star Game*
1987 Canada Cup*
1987 in sports*
1988 in sports*
Hockey Database*[
1]
*
SI Flashback to '88 Finals
