1987–88 Edmonton Oilers Season
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The 1987–88
Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
season was the Oilers'
ninth In music, a ninth is a compound interval consisting of an octave plus a second. Like the second, the interval of a ninth is classified as a dissonance in common practice tonality. Since a ninth is an octave larger than a second, its ...
season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...
in the
NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
, and they were coming off a
Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
championship against the
Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
the previous season, which was their third Stanley Cup in the past 4 seasons. This was the first time since 1980–81 that the Oilers did not win the division, break the 100 point barrier, or lead the NHL in goals.
Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...
led the team with 149 points (sitting out 16 games with a knee injury), his lowest point total since his rookie season in 1979–80, and the first time since then that he failed to lead the NHL in scoring.
Jari Kurri Jari Pekka Kurri (; born 18 May 1960) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. Beginning in 1980, he played Winger (ice hockey), right wing for five National Hockey League (NHL) teams: the Edmonton Oilers, the Los Angeles Kings, the N ...
and
Craig Simpson Craig Andrew Simpson (born February 15, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres. He is currently the lead ...
, who the Oilers acquired from the
Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
during the season, led the team in goals with 43, and
Mark Messier Mark John Douglas Messier (; born January 18, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey Forward (ice hockey), forward. His playing career in the National Hockey League (NHL) lasted 25 seasons (1979–80 NHL season, 1979–2003–04 NHL ...
set a career high with 111 points. With
Paul Coffey Paul Patrick Coffey (born June 1, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for nine teams over 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time ...
being traded during the season to the Penguins, Steve Smith stepped up and led Oilers defense with 55 points and have a team record 286 penalty minutes. In goal,
Grant Fuhr Grant Scott Fuhr (born September 28, 1962) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League (NHL) and former goaltending coach for the Arizona Coyotes, who played for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s during wh ...
appeared in 75 of the 80 Oilers games, winning a career high 40 games and getting 4 shutouts, while posting a 3.43 GAA and becoming the first Oilers goalie to win the
Vezina Trophy The Vezina Trophy ( ) is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the thirty-two List of NHL general managers, NHL general managers vote to dete ...
. Goalie Andy Moog demanded to be traded from the Oilers, and at the trading deadline, Edmonton dealt Moog and left wing
Moe Lemay Maurice Lemay (February 18, 1962 – October 18, 2024) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 317 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Winnipeg Jets. Lemay ...
to the Boston Bruins for goaltender Bill Ranford, left wing Geoff Courtnall, right wing Alan May, and a second-round draft pick in the
1988 NHL entry draft The 1988 NHL entry draft was the 26th NHL entry draft. It was held at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Teemu Selanne, who retired after the 2013–14 season. Selections by round Be ...
.


Season standings


Record vs. opponents


Schedule and results

, - , 1 , , October 9 , ,
Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
, , 4 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 0–1–0 , , 0 , , , - , 2 , , October 11 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 9 – 2 , ,
Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...
, , , , Fuhr , , , , 1–1–0 , , 2 , , , - , 3 , , October 14 , ,
Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
, , 5 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 1–2–0 , , 2 , , , - , 4 , , October 16 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 2 , , Calgary Flames , , , , Fuhr , , , , 2–2–0 , , 4 , , , - , 5 , , October 17 , ,
Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
, , 3 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 3–2–0 , , 6 , , , - , 6 , , October 21 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 2 – 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 4–2–0 , , 8 , , , - , 7 , , October 23 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 4 , ,
Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
, , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 5–2–0 , , 10 , , , - , 8 , , October 24 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 5 – 9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 6–2–0 , , 12 , , , - , 9 , , October 27 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 0 – 5 , ,
Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...
, , , , Fuhr , , , , 6–3–0 , , 12 , , , - , 10 , , October 28 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 3 , ,
Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
, , , , Fuhr , , , , 6–4–0 , , 12 , , , - , 11 , , October 31 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 6 , ,
New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
, , , , Fuhr , , , , 6–5–0 , , 12 , , , - , 12 , , November 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 7 – 6 , ,
New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
, , , , Reaugh , , , , 7–5–0 , , 14 , , , - , 13 , , November 4 , , New York Rangers , , 2 – 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 8–5–0 , , 16 , , , - , 14 , , November 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 4 , , Calgary Flames , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 8–5–1 , , 17 , , , - , 15 , , November 7 , ,
Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...
, , 0 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 9–5–1 , , 19 , , , - , 16 , , November 10 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 4 , , Los Angeles Kings , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 9–5–2 , , 20 , , , - , 17 , , November 14 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 5 , ,
St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
, , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 10–5–2 , , 22 , , , - , 18 , , November 15 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 5 , ,
Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...
, , , , Fuhr , , , , 10–6–2 , , 22 , , , - , 19 , , November 18 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 1 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 11–6–2 , , 24 , , , - , 20 , , November 20 , ,
Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
, , 1 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 12–6–2 , , 26 , , , - , 21 , , November 22 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 4 , ,
Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
, , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 12–7–2 , , 26 , , , - , 22 , , November 25 , , New Jersey Devils , , 8 – 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 12–8–2 , , 26 , , , - , 23 , , November 27 , , Chicago Blackhawks , , 3 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 13–8–2 , , 28 , , , - , 24 , , November 29 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 2 , , Buffalo Sabres , , , , Fuhr , , , , 14–8–2 , , 30 , , , - , 25 , , December 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 4 , ,
Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
, , , , Fuhr , , , , 14–9–2 , , 30 , , , - , 26 , , December 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 7 , , Detroit Red Wings , , , , Fuhr , , , , 14–10–2 , , 30 , , , - , 27 , , December 5 , ,
Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
, , 2 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 15–10–2 , , 32 , , , - , 28 , , December 6 , ,
Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...
, , 4 – 10 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 16–10–2 , , 34 , , , - , 29 , , December 9 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 0 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 17–10–2 , , 36 , , , - , 30 , , December 11 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 1 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 18–10–2 , , 38 , , , - , 31 , , December 12 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 3 , , Vancouver Canucks , , , , Fuhr , , , , 19–10–2 , , 40 , , , - , 32 , , December 16 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 7 , , Los Angeles Kings , , , , Fuhr , , , , 19–11–2 , , 40 , , , - , 33 , , December 18 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 5 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 19–11–3 , , 41 , , , - , 34 , , December 19 , ,
Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...
, , 4 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Reaugh , , , , 19–12–3 , , 41 , , , - , 35 , , December 22 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 2 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 20–12–3 , , 43 , , , - , 36 , , December 26 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 4 , , Calgary Flames , , , , Fuhr , , , , 21–12–3 , , 45 , , , - , 37 , , December 28 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 3 – 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 22–12–3 , , 47 , , , - , 38 , , December 30 , ,
Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
, , 0 – 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 23–12–3 , , 49 , , , - , 39 , , January 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 0 – 2 , , Washington Capitals , , , , Fuhr , , , , 23–13–3 , , 49 , , , - , 40 , , January 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 2 , , Boston Bruins , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 23–13–4 , , 50 , , , - , 41 , , January 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 1 , , Hartford Whalers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 24–13–4 , , 52 , , , - , 42 , , January 8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 4 , , Winnipeg Jets , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 24–13–5 , , 53 , , , - , 43 , , January 9 , ,
New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
, , 1 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 25–13–5 , , 55 , , , - , 44 , , January 11 , , Washington Capitals , , 2 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 26–13–5 , , 57 , , , - , 45 , , January 13 , , Calgary Flames , , 3 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 27–13–5 , , 59 , , , - , 46 , , January 15 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 4 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 27–13–6 , , 60 , , , - , 47 , , January 18 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 6 , , Montreal Canadiens , , , , Fuhr , , , , 27–14–6 , , 60 , , , - , 48 , , January 19 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 27–14–7 , , 61 , , , - , 49 , , January 21 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 3 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 27–15–7 , , 61 , , , - , 50 , , January 23 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 3 , , New York Islanders , , , , Fuhr , , , , 27–16–7 , , 61 , , , - , 51 , , January 25 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , , , Fuhr , , , , 28–16–7 , , 63 , , , - , 52 , , January 29 , , Calgary Flames , , 5 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 28–17–7 , , 63 , , , - , 53 , , January 30 , , Hartford Whalers , , 2 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 29–17–7 , , 65 , , , - , 54 , , February 3 , , New Jersey Devils , , 5 – 8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 30–17–7 , , 67 , , , - , 55 , , February 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 7 , , Los Angeles Kings , , , , Fuhr , , , , 30–18–7 , , 67 , , , - , 56 , , February 11 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 7 – 2 , , Vancouver Canucks , , , , Fuhr , , , , 31–18–7 , , 69 , , , - , 57 , , February 12 , , Boston Bruins , , 7 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 31–19–7 , , 69 , , , - , 58 , , February 14 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 6 – 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 32–19–7 , , 71 , , , - , 59 , , February 17 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 4 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 32–19–8 , , 72 , , , - , 60 , , February 19 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3 – 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 33–19–8 , , 74 , , , - , 61 , , February 21 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 3 , , Winnipeg Jets , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 34–19–8 , , 76 , , , - , 62 , , February 23 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 4 , , St. Louis Blues , , , , Fuhr , , , , 35–19–8 , , 78 , , , - , 63 , , February 24 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 6 , , Chicago Blackhawks , , , , Fuhr , , , , 35–20–8 , , 78 , , , - , 64 , , February 28 , , Calgary Flames , , 3 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 35–21–8 , , 78 , , , - , 65 , , March 1 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 3 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 36–21–8 , , 80 , , , - , 66 , , March 4 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 4 – 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 37–21–8 , , 82 , , , - , 67 , , March 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 7 , , Calgary Flames , , , , Fuhr , , , , 37–22–8 , , 82 , , , - , 68 , , March 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 0 , , Winnipeg Jets , , , , Fuhr , , , , 38–22–8 , , 84 , , , - , 69 , , March 9 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 4 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 38–23–8 , , 84 , , , - , 70 , , March 12 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 3 , , Vancouver Canucks , , OT , , Ranford , , , , 38–23–9 , , 85 , , , - , 71 , , March 15 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 4 – 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 39–23–9 , , 87 , , , - , 72 , , March 18 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 1 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Ranford , , , , 40–23–9 , , 89 , , , - , 73 , , March 20 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 5 , , Minnesota North Stars , , OT , , Ranford , , , , 40–23–10 , , 90 , , , - , 74 , , March 22 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 4 , , Detroit Red Wings , , , , Fuhr , , , , 41–23–10 , , 92 , , , - , 75 , , March 24 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 6 , , New York Rangers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 42–23–10 , , 94 , , , - , 76 , , March 26 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 5 , , New York Islanders , , , , Fuhr , , , , 42–24–10 , , 94 , , , - , 77 , , March 28 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 4 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , , , Ranford , , , , 43–24–10 , , 96 , , , - , 78 , , March 30 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 3 – 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 44–24–10 , , 98 , , , - , 79 , , April 1 , , St. Louis Blues , , 2 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Ranford , , , , 44–25–10 , , 98 , , , - , 80 , , April 3 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 5 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 44–25–11 , , 99 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':


Playoffs

In the playoffs, the Oilers started off by defeating the
Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
in 5 games, and faced their
Battle of Alberta The Battle of Alberta is a term applied to the intense rivalry between the Canada, Canadian cities of Calgary, the province's most populous city (since 1976), and Edmonton, the capital of the province of Alberta (since 1905). Most often it is us ...
rivals, the
Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
in the Smythe Division finals. The Flames ended the Oilers' streak of six straight division titles by finishing six points ahead of Edmonton during the regular season and were favoured to win the series, however, the Oilers quickly swept Calgary to advance to the Campbell Conference finals, against the
Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
. Edmonton had no problem getting past Detroit, winning the series in five games, and faced the
Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
in the
Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...
. The Oilers continued to dominate, sweeping Boston despite having to play 5 games (game 4 was cancelled midway through the third period with the score tied at 3 due to a power failure at the
Boston Garden The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts. 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" (later ...
) to win their fourth Stanley Cup in 5 years.
Grant Fuhr Grant Scott Fuhr (born September 28, 1962) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League (NHL) and former goaltending coach for the Arizona Coyotes, who played for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s during wh ...
set an NHL record by winning 16 playoff games, while
Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...
took home the
Conn Smythe Trophy The Conn Smythe Trophy () is awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the ...
after earning a league high 43 playoff points. , - , 1 , , April 6 , ,
Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
, , 4 – 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 1–0 ,

, - , 2 , , April 7 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 2 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 2–0 ,

, - , 3 , , April 9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 6 , , Winnipeg Jets , , , , Fuhr , , , , 2–1 ,

, - , 4 , , April 10 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 3 , , Winnipeg Jets , , , , Fuhr , , , , 3–1 ,

, - , 1 , , April 12 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 2 – 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 4–1 ,

, - , 1 , , April 19 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 1 , ,
Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
, , , , Fuhr , , , , 1–0 ,

, - , 2 , , April 21 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 4 , , Calgary Flames , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 2–0 ,

, - , 3 , , April 23 , , Calgary Flames , , 2 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 3–0 ,

, - , 4 , , April 25 , , Calgary Flames , , 4 – 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 4–0 ,

, - , 1 , , May 3 , ,
Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
, , 1 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 1–0 ,

, - , 2 , , May 5 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 3 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 2–0 ,

, - , 3 , , May 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 5 , , Detroit Red Wings , , , , Fuhr , , , , 2–1 ,

, - , 4 , , May 9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 3 , , Detroit Red Wings , , OT , , Fuhr , , , , 3–1 ,

, - , 5 , , May 11 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 4 – 8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 4–1 ,

, - , 1 , , May 18 , ,
Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
, , 1 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 1–0 ,

, - , 2 , , May 20 , , Boston Bruins , , 2 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 2–0 ,

, - , 3 , , May 22 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 3 , , Boston Bruins , , , , Fuhr , , , , 3–0 ,

, - style="text-align:center; background:#ccc;" , 4 , , May 24 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 3 , , Boston Bruins , , , , Fuhr , , , , 3–0 ,

, - , 5 , , May 26 , , Boston Bruins , , 3 – 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Fuhr , , , , 4–0 ,

, - , - , ''Legend'':


Season stats


Scoring leaders


Goaltending


Playoff stats


Scoring leaders


Goaltending


Awards and records


Awards


Records

* 1,050: A new NHL record for most assists in a career by
Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...
on Mar 1, 1988. * 286: An Oilers record for most penalty minutes in a single season by Steve Smith. ::*266: A new Oilers record for most penalty minutes in a single season by a defenceman by Steve Smith on ???, 1988. * 51: A new NHL record for most career even strength goals in a playoffs by
Jari Kurri Jari Pekka Kurri (; born 18 May 1960) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. Beginning in 1980, he played Winger (ice hockey), right wing for five National Hockey League (NHL) teams: the Edmonton Oilers, the Los Angeles Kings, the N ...
on ???, 1988. * 40: An Oilers record for most wins in a single season by
Grant Fuhr Grant Scott Fuhr (born September 28, 1962) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League (NHL) and former goaltending coach for the Arizona Coyotes, who played for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s during wh ...
. ::*34: A new Oilers record for most wins in a single season by Grant Fuhr on February 23, 1988. * 31: A new NHL record for most assists in a playoffs by Wayne Gretzky on May 26, 1988.


Milestones


Transactions


Trades


Players acquired


Players lost


Waivers


Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at the 1987 NHL entry draft. The Oilers attempted to select Dave Wensley in the second round of the 1987 NHL supplemental draft, but the claim was ruled invalid since Wensley entered school after age 20 and therefore did not meet eligibility requirements.


References


Further reading


SHRP Sports

The Internet Hockey Database
* National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:1987-88 Edmonton Oilers Season Edmonton Oilers season, 1987-88 Edmonton Oilers season, 1987-88 Edmon Edmonton Oilers seasons Stanley Cup championship seasons Western Conference (NHL) championship seasons
Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
1980s in Edmonton