The 1987–88

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 ...

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 ...

was the North Stars' 21st season. It saw the North Stars finish fifth in the

Norris Division The National Hockey League's Norris Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. When the NHL realigned into geographic divisions in 1981, the division moved to the Clarence Campbell Conference, where it comprised the ...

with a record of 19 wins, 48 losses, and 13 ties for 51 points — the worst record in the league. They failed to make the

Stanley Cup playoffs The Stanley Cup playoffs () is the annual elimination tournament to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, and the league champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the NHL's regular s ...

for the second consecutive season. Despite finishing with the third-lowest winning percentage (at .319) and second-fewest wins in franchise history, they were still in contention for a playoff spot going into the last game of the season due to playing in an extremely weak Norris Division; the division champion

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 ...

were the only team with a winning record. The Stars lost to 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 ...

on the season's final day and finished last in scoring (242 goals in favor) and penalty-killing percentage (75.23%). The day before, the

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 ...

, who were trailing the Stars for the fourth spot in the Norris as the day began, beat the Red Wings. This not only eliminated the Stars out of the playoffs but also assured them of the worst record in the league. The leading scorer for the North Stars in 1987–88 was

Dino Ciccarelli Dino Ciccarelli ( , born February 8, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1980 to 1999, primarily with the Minnesota North Stars, but also notably with the Detroit Red ...

. However, he became involved in controversy when, on January 6, 1988, he struck

defenceman

Luke Richardson Luke Glen Richardson (born March 26, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He most recently served as List of NHL head coaches, head coach for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was sel ...

with his stick in a game at

Maple Leaf Gardens Maple Leaf Gardens is a historic building located at the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church and Wellesley, Church Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The building was originally constructed in 1931 as an indoor arena to host ice hoc ...

in Toronto. Ciccarelli was arrested and charged with assault; he was eventually fined $1000 and sentenced to one day in jail.

Offseason

NHL Draft

Regular season

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , T, , October 8, 1987, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 0–0–1 , - , 2, , L, , October 10, 1987, , 4–5 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 0–1–1 , - , 3, , L, , October 12, 1987, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 0–2–1 , - , 4, , W, , October 14, 1987, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 1–2–1 , - , 5, , L, , October 17, 1987, , 2–5 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 1–3–1 , - , 6, , L, , October 19, 1987, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 1–4–1 , - , 7, , W, , October 22, 1987, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 2–4–1 , - , 8, , W, , October 24, 1987, , 7–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 3–4–1 , - , 9, , W, , October 27, 1987, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 4–4–1 , - , 10, , L, , October 29, 1987, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 4–5–1 , - , 11, , T, , October 31, 1987, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 4–5–2 , - , - , 12, , T, , November 3, 1987, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 4–5–3 , - , 13, , W, , November 4, 1987, , 7–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 5–5–3 , - , 14, , L, , November 7, 1987, , 1–4 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 5–6–3 , - , 15, , L, , November 8, 1987, , 5–8 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 5–7–3 , - , 16, , L, , November 11, 1987, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 5–8–3 , - , 17, , W, , November 13, 1987, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 6–8–3 , - , 18, , L, , November 14, 1987, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 6–9–3 , - , 19, , L, , November 18, 1987, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 6–10–3 , - , 20, , W, , November 19, 1987, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 7–10–3 , - , 21, , L, , November 21, 1987, , 5–7 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 7–11–3 , - , 22, , L, , November 25, 1987, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 7–12–3 , - , 23, , W, , November 27, 1987, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 8–12–3 , - , 24, , W, , November 28, 1987, , 6–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 9–12–3 , - , - , 25, , W, , December 1, 1987, , 3–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 10–12–3 , - , 26, , T, , December 5, 1987, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 10–12–4 , - , 27, , L, , December 6, 1987, , 4–10 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 10–13–4 , - , 28, , W, , December 8, 1987, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 11–13–4 , - , 29, , L, , December 10, 1987, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 11–14–4 , - , 30, , L, , December 12, 1987, , 0–5 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 11–15–4 , - , 31, , L, , December 16, 1987, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 11–16–4 , - , 32, , L, , December 18, 1987, , 3–8 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 11–17–4 , - , 33, , L, , December 19, 1987, , 1–3 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 11–18–4 , - , 34, , T, , December 21, 1987, , 0–0 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 11–18–5 , - , 35, , L, , December 23, 1987, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 11–19–5 , - , 36, , L, , December 26, 1987, , 4–5 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 11–20–5 , - , 37, , W, , December 27, 1987, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 12–20–5 , - , 38, , W, , December 30, 1987, , 6–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 13–20–5 , - , 39, , L, , December 31, 1987, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 13–21–5 , - , - , 40, , L, , January 2, 1988, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 13–22–5 , - , 41, , T, , January 5, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 13–22–6 , - , 42, , T, , January 6, 1988, , 5–5 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 13–22–7 , - , 43, , L, , January 9, 1988, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 13–23–7 , - , 44, , L, , January 11, 1988, , 4–5 , , align="left",

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. ...

( 1987–88) , , 13–24–7 , - , 45, , T, , January 13, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 13–24–8 , - , 46, , L, , January 15, 1988, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 13–25–8 , - , 47, , W, , January 16, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 14–25–8 , - , 48, , L, , January 19, 1988, , 3–6 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 14–26–8 , - , 49, , L, , January 21, 1988, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 14–27–8 , - , 50, , L, , January 23, 1988, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 14–28–8 , - , 51, , W, , January 24, 1988, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 15–28–8 , - , 52, , W, , January 27, 1988, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 16–28–8 , - , 53, , L, , January 28, 1988, , 1–9 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 16–29–8 , - , 54, , L, , January 30, 1988, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 16–30–8 , - , - , 55, , L, , February 3, 1988, , 0–2 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 16–31–8 , - , 56, , L, , February 4, 1988, , 0–1 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 16–32–8 , - , 57, , T, , February 6, 1988, , 8–8 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 16–32–9 , - , 58, , L, , February 13, 1988, , 3–7 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 16–33–9 , - , 59, , L, , February 17, 1988, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 16–34–9 , - , 60, , L, , February 20, 1988, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 16–35–9 , - , 61, , W, , February 22, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 17–35–9 , - , 62, , L, , February 24, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 17–36–9 , - , 63, , L, , February 27, 1988, , 4–7 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 17–37–9 , - , 64, , L, , February 28, 1988, , 6–8 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 17–38–9 , - , - , 65, , L, , March 1, 1988, , 3–8 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 17–39–9 , - , 66, , L, , March 3, 1988, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 17–40–9 , - , 67, , L, , March 5, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 17–41–9 , - , 68, , L, , March 9, 1988, , 2–6 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 17–42–9 , - , 69, , W, , March 12, 1988, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 18–42–9 , - , 70, , T, , March 14, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 18–42–10 , - , 71, , L, , March 16, 1988, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 18–43–10 , - , 72, , T, , March 17, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 18–43–11 , - , 73, , T, , March 20, 1988, , 5–5 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 18–43–12 , - , 74, , L, , March 21, 1988, , 1–5 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 18–44–12 , - , 75, , W, , March 23, 1988, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 19–44–12 , - , 76, , L, , March 26, 1988, , 1–8 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 19–45–12 , - , 77, , T, , March 28, 1988, , 7–7 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 19–45–13 , - , 78, , L, , March 30, 1988, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 19–46–13 , - , - , 79, , L, , April 1, 1988, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 19–47–13 , - , 80, , L, , April 3, 1988, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 19–48–13 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Forwards

''Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes''

Defensemen

''Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes''

Goaltending

''Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average''

Awards and honors

References

External links

North Stars on Hockey Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:1987-88 Minnesota North Stars season Minn Minnesota North Stars seasons