1987-88 NHL season

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Leading goaltenders

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.

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
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
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

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 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.

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
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

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
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	3	Chicago Blackhawks	1
April 12	Chicago Blackhawks	3	St. Louis Blues	4

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
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
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

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
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
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.

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
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
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
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

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, holding a doughnut from a doughnut box in the tunnel, he yelled "Here, 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

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