The 1987–88

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 ...

season was the team's 79th

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 ...

. The club qualified for the playoffs, defeated the

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 ...

in the first round, but were eliminated in the

Adams Division The National Hockey League's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins. It is th ...

finals versus 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 ...

four games to one.

Offseason

* Canadiens General Manager

Serge Savard Serge Aubrey Savard (born January 22, 1946) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman, most famously with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He also served as the Canadiens' Senior Vice President of Hockey ...

was part of the four man committee that would select players and coaches for Team Canada at the

1987 Canada Cup The 1987 Labatt Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament held from August 28 to September 15, 1987. The finals took place in Montreal on September 11 and Hamilton, on September 13 and September 15, and were won by Team ...

. Canadiens head coach Jean Perron would be selected as one of the assistant coaches for Team Canada.

Regular season

Defensively, the Canadiens were the best team in the league, finishing the regular season with just 238 goals against. They also allowed the fewest power-play goals, with just 64 On April 3, Stephane Richer becomes the sixth player in Montreal history to score 50 goals in a season with two in the season finale against Buffalo.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , T, , October 8, 1987, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @ Philadelphia Flyers, , 0–0–1 , - , 2, , W, , October 10, 1987, , 6–3 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres, , 1–0–1 , - , 3, , L, , October 12, 1987, , 2–5 , , align="left", Quebec Nordiques, , 1–1–1 , - , 4, , L, , October 16, 1987, , 3–4 , , align="left", @ New Jersey Devils, , 1–2–1 , - , 5, , W, , October 17, 1987, , 3–2 , , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins, , 2–2–1 , - , 6, , W, , October 19, 1987, , 5–1 , , align="left", Minnesota North Stars, , 3–2–1 , - , 7, , W, , October 21, 1987, , 10–3 , , align="left", @ Toronto Maple Leafs, , 4–2–1 , - , 8, , L, , October 23, 1987, , 3–5 , , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres, , 4–3–1 , - , 9, , W, , October 24, 1987, , 3–2 , , align="left", @ Washington Capitals, , 5–3–1 , - , 10, , L, , October 26, 1987, , 3–5 , , align="left", Calgary Flames, , 5–4–1 , - , 11, , W, , October 28, 1987, , 3–1 , , align="left", Edmonton Oilers, , 6–4–1 , - , 12, , W, , October 30, 1987, , 5–4 , , align="left", @ Detroit Red Wings, , 7–4–1 , - , 13, , T, , October 31, 1987, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", Boston Bruins, , 7–4–2 , - , - , 14, , W, , November 2, 1987, , 6–4 , , align="left", St. Louis Blues, , 8–4–2 , - , 15, , T, , November 4, 1987, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @ Chicago Blackhawks, , 8–4–3 , - , 16, , W, , November 7, 1987, , 5–4 , , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers, , 9–4–3 , - , 17, , W, , November 9, 1987, , 3–1 , , align="left", Toronto Maple Leafs, , 10–4–3 , - , 18, , T, , November 11, 1987, , 0–0 OT, , align="left", @ Hartford Whalers, , 10–4–4 , - , 19, , L, , November 12, 1987, , 2–3 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins, , 10–5–4 , - , 20, , W, , November 14, 1987, , 3–0 , , align="left", Chicago Blackhawks, , 11–5–4 , - , 21, , T, , November 16, 1987, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", Hartford Whalers, , 11–5–5 , - , 22, , W, , November 18, 1987, , 5–2 , , align="left", New York Islanders, , 12–5–5 , - , 23, , W, , November 21, 1987, , 2–1 , , align="left", New Jersey Devils, , 13–5–5 , - , 24, , L, , November 23, 1987, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @ Quebec Nordiques, , 13–6–5 , - , 25, , W, , November 25, 1987, , 6–5 , , align="left", @ Hartford Whalers, , 14–6–5 , - , 26, , L, , November 27, 1987, , 2–4 , , align="left", @ Minnesota North Stars, , 14–7–5 , - , 27, , W, , November 28, 1987, , 7–3 , , align="left", @ Winnipeg Jets, , 15–7–5 , - , 28, , W, , November 30, 1987, , 6–4 , , align="left", Boston Bruins, , 16–7–5 , - , - , 29, , T, , December 2, 1987, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", Vancouver Canucks, , 16–7–6 , - , 30, , W, , December 5, 1987, , 6–4 , , align="left", Los Angeles Kings, , 17–7–6 , - , 31, , W, , December 8, 1987, , 3–2 , , align="left", @ New York Islanders, , 18–7–6 , - , 32, , T, , December 9, 1987, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @ New York Rangers, , 18–7–7 , - , 33, , W, , December 12, 1987, , 5–3 , , align="left", Detroit Red Wings, , 19–7–7 , - , 34, , W, , December 16, 1987, , 5–4 , , align="left", Quebec Nordiques, , 20–7–7 , - , 35, , T, , December 18, 1987, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres, , 20–7–8 , - , 36, , L, , December 19, 1987, , 1–2 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres, , 20–8–8 , - , 37, , T, , December 23, 1987, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", Washington Capitals, , 20–8–9 , - , 38, , W, , December 26, 1987, , 4–2 , , align="left", @ Toronto Maple Leafs, , 21–8–9 , - , 39, , L, , December 28, 1987, , 3–9 , , align="left", @ Calgary Flames, , 21–9–9 , - , 40, , W, , December 29, 1987, , 4–1 , , align="left", @ Vancouver Canucks, , 22–9–9 , - , - , 41, , L, , January 2, 1988, , 2–5 , , align="left", @ Los Angeles Kings, , 22–10–9 , - , 42, , L, , January 6, 1988, , 5–6 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres, , 22–11–9 , - , 43, , T, , January 9, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers, , 22–11–10 , - , 44, , W, , January 13, 1988, , 5–4 , , align="left", Boston Bruins, , 23–11–10 , - , 45, , L, , January 14, 1988, , 2–3 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins, , 23–12–10 , - , 46, , W, , January 16, 1988, , 4–3 , , align="left", New York Rangers, , 24–12–10 , - , 47, , W, , January 18, 1988, , 6–4 , , align="left", Edmonton Oilers, , 25–12–10 , - , 48, , L, , January 21, 1988, , 1–4 , , align="left", St. Louis Blues, , 25–13–10 , - , 49, , L, , January 23, 1988, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins, , 25–14–10 , - , 50, , W, , January 24, 1988, , 5–3 , , align="left", @ Quebec Nordiques, , 26–14–10 , - , 51, , W, , January 27, 1988, , 4–1 , , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres, , 27–14–10 , - , 52, , L, , January 29, 1988, , 3–4 , , align="left", @ Washington Capitals, , 27–15–10 , - , 53, , W, , January 30, 1988, , 6–2 , , align="left", @ New York Islanders, , 28–15–10 , - , - , 54, , W, , February 1, 1988, , 5–4 , , align="left", Hartford Whalers, , 29–15–10 , - , 55, , W, , February 3, 1988, , 5–2 , , align="left", @ Hartford Whalers, , 30–15–10 , - , 56, , L, , February 4, 1988, , 3–7 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins, , 30–16–10 , - , 57, , L, , February 6, 1988, , 4–5 , , align="left", Detroit Red Wings, , 30–17–10 , - , 58, , L, , February 11, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left", @ New Jersey Devils, , 30–18–10 , - , 59, , L, , February 13, 1988, , 1–4 , , align="left", Hartford Whalers, , 30–19–10 , - , 60, , L, , February 15, 1988, , 1–3 , , align="left", @ New York Rangers, , 30–20–10 , - , 61, , W, , February 17, 1988, , 3–2 , , align="left", Boston Bruins, , 31–20–10 , - , 62, , W, , February 20, 1988, , 5–3 , , align="left", Quebec Nordiques, , 32–20–10 , - , 63, , W, , February 23, 1988, , 3–1 , , align="left", @ Quebec Nordiques, , 33–20–10 , - , 64, , W, , February 24, 1988, , 5–4 , , align="left", Vancouver Canucks, , 34–20–10 , - , 65, , W, , February 27, 1988, , 6–0 , , align="left", Winnipeg Jets, , 35–20–10 , - , 66, , W, , February 29, 1988, , 2–1 , , align="left", @ Quebec Nordiques, , 36–20–10 , - , - , 67, , W, , March 3, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left", @ St. Louis Blues, , 37–20–10 , - , 68, , W, , March 5, 1988, , 7–6 OT, , align="left", @ Los Angeles Kings, , 38–20–10 , - , 69, , W, , March 9, 1988, , 4–1 , , align="left", @ Edmonton Oilers, , 39–20–10 , - , 70, , W, , March 12, 1988, , 5–0 , , align="left", Hartford Whalers, , 40–20–10 , - , 71, , T, , March 14, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @ Minnesota North Stars, , 40–20–11 , - , 72, , W, , March 16, 1988, , 4–1 , , align="left", @ Winnipeg Jets, , 41–20–11 , - , 73, , W, , March 19, 1988, , 3–0 , , align="left", Chicago Blackhawks, , 42–20–11 , - , 74, , T, , March 21, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", Calgary Flames, , 42–20–12 , - , 75, , W, , March 23, 1988, , 4–1 , , align="left", Quebec Nordiques, , 43–20–12 , - , 76, , L, , March 25, 1988, , 2–5 , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins, , 43–21–12 , - , 77, , L, , March 27, 1988, , 2–4 , , align="left", @ Hartford Whalers, , 43–22–12 , - , 78, , W, , March 31, 1988, , 3–1 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins, , 44–22–12 , - , - , 79, , W, , April 2, 1988, , 9–4 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres, , 45–22–12 , - , 80, , T, , April 3, 1988, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres, , 45–22–13 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

Adams Division semi-finals

Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens The Habs almost squandered a 3–0 series lead. The deep Habs roster was the best team in the Wales Conference during the season, consisting of one 50-goal scorer, five 20–goal scorers and another six with between 10 and 20 goals. Their best assets were goaltenders

Patrick Roy Patrick Jacques Roy (; born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach, executive and former player who is the head coach for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Roy previously served as head coach for ...

and backup Brian Hayward who won 23 and 22 games respectively. The

Ron Francis Ronald Michael Francis Jr. (born March 1, 1963) is a Canadian ice hockey sports executive and former player. He currently serves as the president of hockey operations for the Seattle Kraken. He spent most of his career as either a player or ex ...

-led Whalers went 2–4–2 against the Canadiens during the season, twice losing by just one goal. ''Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–2''

Adams Division finals

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 Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...

and

Cam Neely Cameron Michael Neely (born June 6, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He played right wing for the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1983 to 1996. Neely was inducte ...

provided the offence to finally conquer the Canadiens, this despite the fact that the Habs beat them in Game 1 by a score of 5–1. It was the first Bruins' playoff series win over the Habs since the 1942–43 season. ''Boston wins best-of-seven series 4–1''

Player statistics

Regular season

Scoring

Goaltending

Playoffs

Scoring

Goaltending

Awards and records

* Frank J. Selke Trophy:

Guy Carbonneau Joseph Harry Guy Carbonneau (born March 18, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, coach and executive in the National Hockey League. He was also the president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Chicoutimi Saguenéen ...

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard ...

: Mats Naslund *

William M. Jennings Trophy The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League (NHL) award given to "the goaltender(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it ... based on regular-season play." From 1946 until ...

/ Brian Hayward * Patrick Roy, goaltender, NHL Second Team All-Star

Transactions

Draft picks

Montreal's draft picks at the 1987 NHL entry draft held at the

Joe Louis Arena Joe Louis Arena was an arena in Downtown Detroit. Completed in 1979 at a cost of US$57 million as a replacement for Olympia Stadium, it sat adjacent to Cobo Center on the bank of the Detroit River and was accessible by the Joe Louis Arena ...

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

References

Canadiens on Hockey Database

{{DEFAULTSORT:1987-88 Montreal Canadiens Season Montreal Canadiens seasons

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

Adams Division champion seasons

Offseason

Regular season

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Playoffs

Adams Division semi-finals

Adams Division finals

Player statistics

Regular season

Scoring

Goaltending

Playoffs

Scoring

Goaltending

Awards and records

Transactions

Draft picks

See also

References