1987-88 NHL season facts for kids
The 1987–88 NHL season was the 71st year for the National Hockey League. In this exciting season, teams played 80 games. The top four teams from each division moved on to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A new award was also introduced this season: the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This special trophy was given to a player who showed great leadership both on and off the ice. It also honored players who helped their communities in important ways.
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Regular Season Highlights
The 1987–88 season was packed with action! Teams battled hard to earn a spot in the playoffs.
Top Teams and Divisions
The NHL was split into two main groups called conferences: the Prince of Wales Conference and the Clarence Campbell Conference. Each conference had two divisions.
- In the Prince of Wales Conference, the Montreal Canadiens won the Adams Division, and the New York Islanders topped the Patrick Division.
- In the Clarence Campbell Conference, the Detroit Red Wings were champions of the Norris Division, and the Calgary Flames led the Smythe Division.
These teams played very well throughout the season, earning the most points in their divisions.
Who Scored the Most Points?
Many players had amazing seasons, scoring lots of goals and assists. Here are the top players who earned the most points:
- Mario Lemieux from the Pittsburgh Penguins was the top scorer with an incredible 168 points (70 goals, 98 assists).
- Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers was close behind with 149 points (40 goals, 109 assists).
- Denis Savard from the Chicago Blackhawks scored 131 points (44 goals, 87 assists).
- Dale Hawerchuk of the Winnipeg Jets had 121 points (44 goals, 77 assists).
- Luc Robitaille from the Los Angeles Kings earned 111 points (53 goals, 58 assists).
These players were super stars, leading their teams in scoring!
Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs are the most exciting part of the NHL season! Teams play a series of games, and the first team to win four games moves on. The last team standing wins the Stanley Cup!
Divisional Semi-Finals
The playoffs kicked off with intense matchups within each division.
- In the Adams Division, the Boston Bruins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2. The Montreal Canadiens also won their series against the Hartford Whalers 4-2.
- For the Patrick Division, the Washington Capitals had a tough seven-game series, winning 4-3 against the Philadelphia Flyers. The New Jersey Devils also won their series against the New York Islanders 4-2.
- In the Norris Division, the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. The Detroit Red Wings won their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2.
- In the Smythe Division, the Edmonton Oilers swept the Winnipeg Jets 4-1. The Calgary Flames also won their series against the Los Angeles Kings 4-1.
Divisional Finals
The winners from the semi-finals then played each other to see who would be the best in their division.
- In the Adams Division, the Boston Bruins continued their strong play, beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1.
- The New Jersey Devils kept surprising everyone in the Patrick Division, winning a thrilling seven-game series against the Washington Capitals 4-3.
- The Detroit Red Wings won the Norris Division, defeating the St. Louis Blues 4-1.
- The Edmonton Oilers showed their strength in the Smythe Division, sweeping their rivals, the Calgary Flames, 4-0.
Conference Finals
Next, the division winners faced off in the Conference Finals to decide who would play for the Stanley Cup.
- In the Prince of Wales Conference, the Boston Bruins played a tough seven-game series against the New Jersey Devils. The Bruins won 4-3 to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals!
- In the Clarence Campbell Conference, the powerful Edmonton Oilers faced the Detroit Red Wings. The Oilers proved too strong, winning the series 4-1 and earning their spot in the finals.
Stanley Cup Finals
The big moment arrived! The Boston Bruins from the East (Prince of Wales Conference) faced the Edmonton Oilers from the West (Clarence Campbell Conference) for the Stanley Cup.
The Edmonton Oilers, led by superstar Wayne Gretzky, were incredibly dominant. They won the series 4-0, sweeping the Bruins to claim the Stanley Cup! One game was even stopped early due to a power outage, but the Oilers still finished strong in the next game.
NHL Awards
At the end of the season, many players and teams were honored for their amazing achievements.
- Presidents' Trophy: Awarded to the team with the best regular season record. This year it was the Calgary Flames.
- Art Ross Trophy: Given to the player who scores the most points (goals + assists). Mario Lemieux won this award.
- Hart Memorial Trophy: Awarded to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. Mario Lemieux also won this prestigious award.
- Conn Smythe Trophy: Given to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Wayne Gretzky won this award for his incredible performance.
- Calder Memorial Trophy: Awarded to the best rookie (first-year player). Joe Nieuwendyk won this.
- Vezina Trophy: Given to the best goalie. Grant Fuhr was the winner.
- James Norris Memorial Trophy: Awarded to the best defenseman. Ray Bourque won this.
- King Clancy Memorial Trophy: The new award for leadership and community work. Lanny McDonald was the first player to win it.
- Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: For the player who shows the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. Mats Naslund won this.
- Jack Adams Award: Given to the best coach. Jacques Demers was recognized.
New Players This Season
Many talented players made their first appearance in the NHL during the 1987–88 season. Some of these players went on to have amazing careers!
- 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
Players Who Played Their Last Season
The 1987–88 season was also the last for some well-known players who had long and successful careers in the NHL.
- 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
