The 1987–88 New Jersey Devils season was the 14th season for the

National Hockey League 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 ...

franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and sixth season since the franchise relocated from

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

prior to the

1982–83 NHL season The 1982–83 NHL season was the 66th season of the National Hockey League. The Colorado Rockies relocated to East Rutherford, New Jersey, becoming the New Jersey Devils. The New York Islanders won their fourth Stanley Cup in a row with their s ...

. The Devils finished fourth in the

Patrick Division The National Hockey League's Patrick Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division moved to the Prince of Wales Conference in 1981. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of ...

with a record of 38 wins, 36 losses, and 6 ties for 82 points, garnering the first winning record in the franchise's 14-year history. On the final day of the regular season, the Devils were tied with their rival, the

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 ...

, for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division. After New York defeated the

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 ...

3–0, all eyes were on the Devils, who were playing the

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 ...

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

. The Devils trailed 3–2 midway through the third period, but John MacLean scored to tie the game, and with two minutes left in overtime, he added the game-winning goal. Although the Rangers and Devils both finished with 82 points, the Devils had two more wins, sending them to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, but the first time in New Jersey. The Devils rode the momentum of this victory into a surprisingly deep playoff run, ousting the

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 ...

in six games in the division semifinals and the

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 ...

in seven games in the division finals. They then met 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 Wales Conference finals and stretched the series to seven games, but finally fell short in the seventh game.

Season summary

Off-season

Hoping to light a spark under the team, team owner John McMullen hired

Providence College Providence College is a Private university, private Roman Catholic university in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1917 by the Dominican Order and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, it offers 47 undergraduate Academic ...

coach and athletic director

Lou Lamoriello Louis A. Lamoriello (; born October 21, 1942) is an Americans, American professional ice hockey executive who most recently served as the President of Hockey Operations and General Manager for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League ...

as team president in April 1987. Lamoriello appointed himself

general manager A general manager (GM) is an executive who has overall responsibility for managing both the revenue and cost elements of a company's income statement, known as profit & loss (P&L) responsibility. A general manager usually oversees most or all of ...

shortly before the 1987–88 season. This move came as a considerable surprise to NHL circles; although Lamoriello had been a college coach for 19 years, he had never played, coached, or managed in the NHL and was almost unknown outside the American college hockey community.

Regular season

On November 25, 1987,

Aaron Broten Aaron Kent Broten (born November 14, 1960) is an American former professional ice hockey player. Drafted in the sixth round, 106th overall in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Rockies, Broten went on to play 748 regular season games in t ...

scored just 13 seconds into overtime to give the Devils an 8–7 road win over the

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 ...

. It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1987–88 regular season. On April 3, 1988, the last day of the regular season, the Devils were scheduled to play the

, the

were scheduled to host

at home, and 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 ...

were scheduled to host

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 ...

at home. Going into the game, the Devils were tied with the Rangers with 80 points and one point ahead of the Penguins (79) for the last playoff spot in the

. The Penguins beat the Whalers, 4–2, to finish their season with 81 points, and the Rangers shut out the Nordiques, 3–0, to finish their season with 82 points, eliminating the Penguins. When both games ended, the Devils–Blackhawks game was still in progress. Both teams skated to a 3–3 tie after 60 minutes. For the Devils to qualify for the playoffs, they would have to score in overtime to get the win and the two points to win the tiebreaker over the Rangers. An overtime loss would keep them at 80 points, and a 3–3 tie would move them up only to 81 points, handing the last playoff berth to the Rangers. At 2:21 of the overtime period, John MacLean scored the game-winning goal on a rebound slap-shot past Blackhawks netminder Darren Pang to give the Devils a 4–3 win. Both the Devils and Rangers finished with 82 points. However, since the Devils had two more wins during the regular season, they ended up taking the Patrick Division's fourth playoff spot and thereby sealed the first-ever playoff berth for the franchise in New Jersey.

Gary Thorne Gary Francis Thorne (born June 9, 1948) is an American sportscaster. He was the lead play-by-play announcer for Baltimore Orioles games on MASN from 2007 to 2020. He has also worked for ESPN and ABC, including National Hockey League, Major Le ...

called MacLean's overtime, playoff-berth-clinching goal on

SportsChannel New York MSG Sportsnet (MSGSN, formerly MSG Plus) is an American regional sports network owned by Sphere Entertainment; it operates as a sister channel to MSG Network. The network serves the New York City metropolitan area, whose reach expands to cove ...

Playoffs

The team made it all the way to the conference finals, but lost to the

in seven games. The conference finals featured a major argument between coach Jim Schoenfeld and referee

Don Koharski Don Koharski (born December 2, 1955) is a retired professional ice hockey referee in the National Hockey League. He resides in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, with whom he has two sons. Starting with the 1994–95 NHL season, he wore uniform number ...

following Game 3 at the Meadowlands on May 6, 1988. Schoenfeld accosted Koharski in the tunnel on the way back to the dressing rooms regarding his officiating in the 6–1 New Jersey defeat. While Schoenfeld was yelling at him, Koharski stumbled and fell down to the floor. Although Schoenfeld did not appear to have made any contact with him, Koharski believed that the Devils' head coach had pushed him and yelled, "you're gone now, you're gone," implying that Schoenfeld would be suspended for physically attacking him. Schoenfeld denied pushing Koharski repeatedly, saying that the referee had simply lost his balance. While this was going on,

WABC-TV WABC-TV (channel 7) is a television station in New York City, serving as the flagship of the ABC network. Owned and operated by the network's ABC Owned Television Stations division, WABC-TV maintains studios in the Hudson Square neighborhood ...

cameras recorded the entire incident and as the two men were separated, Koharski said that he had hoped that his fall was on tape. "Good," Schoenfeld responded, "because you fell, you fat pig! Have another doughnut! Have another doughnut!" Two days later, on May 8, the NHL suspended Schoenfeld. However, since a proper hearing had not been scheduled, Devils general manager

set out to procure a restraining order against the league to allow Schoenfeld to coach the game. Working with Bergen County Judge John Conte, Lamoriello was able to get New Jersey Superior Court Judge James Madden to hear the case on an emergency basis. Madden granted the Devils' request and issued the restraining order, which took effect at that evening, nearly 30 minutes before the opening faceoff for Game 4. However, the scheduled officiating crew refused to work the game afterwards and the start was delayed, while replacement officials were located. After over an hour, the game got underway and the Devils recorded a 3–1 win. Afterward, a proper hearing regarding Schoenfeld's actions would take place and he would again be suspended, with Lamoriello taking his place for Game 5 in Boston.

Sean Burke

Sean Burke Sean Burke (born January 29, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and the current director of goaltending for the Vegas Golden Knights, with whom he won the Stanley Cup with in 2023. He played 18 seasons in the National H ...

was drafted by the Devils in the second round of the 1985 NHL entry draft. He earned national attention from his international play. He backstopped Canada's junior national team to a silver medal in the 1986 World Junior Championships and a fourth-place finish for the men's national team at the

1988 Winter Olympics The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games () and commonly known as Calgary 1988 were a multi-sport event held from February 13 to 28, 1988, with Calgary, Calgary, Alberta as the main host city. This marks the m ...

. Burke went from the Winter Olympics to the Devils. He started 11 games for the Devils in the 1987–88 season, including an overtime victory against the

on the final night of the regular season that qualified the Devils for their first playoff series. Dubbed a "rookie sensation", Burke helped the Devils go on a playoff roll, defeating the division leader

in the first round in six games and then the

in seven games. Burke was one game away from 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 ...

, but lost in game 7 of the Wales Conference finals to the

Standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 9 , ,

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

, , 6–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 1–0–0 , , 2 , , , - , 2 , , October 10 , , New Jersey , , 2–5 , ,

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, , , , Chevrier , , 1–1–0 , , 2 , , , - , 3 , , October 14 , ,

Hartford Hartford is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The city, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford County, had a population of 121,054 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 ce ...

, , 1–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 2–1–0 , , 4 , , , - , 4 , , October 16 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 3–1–0 , , 6 , , , - , 5 , , October 17 , , New Jersey , , 3–4 , , Hartford , , OT , , Chevrier , , 3–2–0 , , 6 , , , - , 6 , , October 21 , , New Jersey , , 5–4 , , Pittsburgh , , , , Chevrier , , 4–2–0 , , 8 , , , - , 7 , , October 23 , , NY Islanders , , 3–5 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 5–2–0 , , 10 , , , - , 8 , , October 24 , , New Jersey , , 1–2 , , NY Islanders , , , , Chevrier , , 5–3–0 , , 10 , , , - , 9 , , October 27 , ,

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

, , 0–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 6–3–0 , , 12 , , , - , 10 , , October 31 , ,

Edmonton Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

, , 5–6 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 7–3–0 , , 14 , , , - , - , 11 , , November 3 , , New Jersey , , 3–6 , , NY Islanders , , , , Chevrier , , 7–4–0 , , 14 , , , - , 12 , , November 5 , ,

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

, , 3–5 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 8–4–0 , , 16 , , , - , 13 , , November 7 , ,

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

, , 1–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 9–4–0 , , 18 , , , - , 14 , , November 8 , , New Jersey , , 3–3 , ,

, , OT , , Chevrier , , 9–4–1 , , 19 , , , - , 15 , , November 10 , , New Jersey , , 3–2 , , NY Rangers , , , , Chevrier , , 10–4–1 , , 21 , , , - , 16 , , November 12 , ,

Winnipeg Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

, , 1–1 , , New Jersey , , OT , , Sauve , , 10–4–2 , , 22 , , , - , 17 , , November 14 , ,

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 ...

, , 6–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 10–5–2 , , 22 , , , - , 18 , , November 18 , , Philadelphia , , 3–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 11–5–2 , , 24 , , , - , 19 , , November 20 , ,

, , 2–5 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 12–5–2 , , 26 , , , - , 20 , , November 21 , , New Jersey , , 1–2 , ,

, , , , Sauve , , 12–6–2 , , 26 , , , - , 21 , , November 23 , , New Jersey , , 2–9 , ,

Calgary Calgary () is a major city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in C ...

, , , , Chevrier , , 12–7–2 , , 26 , , , - , 22 , , November 25 , , New Jersey , , 8–7 , ,

, , OT , , Chevrier , , 13–7–2 , , 28 , , , - , 23 , , November 27 , , New Jersey , , 4–2 , ,

Vancouver Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

, , , , Chevrier , , 13–8–2 , , 28 , , , - , 24 , , November 29 , , New Jersey , , 2–2 , ,

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

, , OT , , Chevrier , , 13–8–3 , , 29 , , , - , - , 25 , , December 3 , ,

, , 2–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 14–8–3 , , 31 , , , - , 26 , , December 5 , , New Jersey , , 2–3 , ,

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

, , , , Sauve , , 14–9–3 , , 31 , , , - , 27 , , December 6 , , New Jersey , , 1–1 , ,

, , OT , , Chevrier , , 14–9–4 , , 32 , , , - , 28 , , December 9 , ,

, , 1–2 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 15–9–4 , , 34 , , , - , 29 , , December 11 , ,

, , 5–1 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 15–10–4 , , 34 , , , - , 30 , , December 12 , , New Jersey , , 3–5 , , NY Islanders , , , , Sauve , , 15–11–4 , , 34 , , , - , 31 , , December 16 , , New Jersey , , 3–9 , , NY Rangers , , , , Sauve , , 15–12–4 , , 34 , , , - , 32 , , December 17 , ,

, , 7–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 15–13–4 , , 34 , , , - , 33 , , December 19 , , New Jersey , , 3–1 , ,

Minnesota Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...

, , , , Chevrier , , 16–13–4 , , 36 , , , - , 34 , , December 20 , , New Jersey , , 1–4 , ,

, , , , Chevrier , , 16–14–4 , , 36 , , , - , 35 , , December 23 , , New Jersey , , 6–2 , , Pittsburgh , , , , Chevrier , , 17–14–4 , , 38 , , , - , 36 , , December 26 , , NY Rangers , , 5–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 17–15–4 , , 38 , , , - , 37 , , December 28 , , NY Islanders , , 4–6 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 18–15–4 , , 40 , , , - , 38 , , December 30 , ,

, , 4–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 18–16–4 , , 40 , , , - , - , 39 , , January 2 , , New Jersey , , 1–1 , ,

, , OT , , Sauve , , 18–16–5 , , 41 , , , - , 40 , , January 4 , ,

, , 6–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 18–17–5 , , 41 , , , - , 41 , , January 7 , ,

, , 6–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 18–18–5 , , 41 , , , - , 42 , , January 9 , , New Jersey , , 4–3 , ,

, , , , Sauve , , 19–18–5 , , 43 , , , - , 43 , , January 10 , , New Jersey , , 7–5 , ,

, , , , Chevrier , , 20–18–5 , , 45 , , , - , 44 , , January 13 , ,

, , 5–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 20–19–5 , , 45 , , , - , 45 , , January 15 , ,

, , 3–7 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 21–19–5 , , 47 , , , - , 46 , , January 16 , , New Jersey , , 2–4 , , NY Islanders , , , , Chevrier , , 21–20–5 , , 47 , , , - , 47 , , January 19 , , New Jersey , , 4–6 , ,

, , , , Sauve , , 21–21–5 , , 47 , , , - , 48 , , January 21 , ,

, , 3–2 , , New Jersey , , OT , , Sauve , , 21–22–5 , , 47 , , , - , 49 , , January 22 , , New Jersey , , 3–7 , , Buffalo , , , , Chevrier , , 21–23–5 , , 47 , , , - , 50 , , January 25 , , Buffalo , , 5–2 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 21–24–5 , , 47 , , , - , 51 , , January 28 , ,

, , 3–6 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 22–24–5 , , 49 , , , - , 52 , , January 29 , ,

, , 2–3 , , New Jersey , , OT , , Sauve , , 23–24–5 , , 51 , , , - , - , 53 , , February 1 , , New Jersey , , 5–4 , ,

, , , , Chevrier , , 24–24–5 , , 53 , , , - , 54 , , February 3 , , New Jersey , , 5–8 , ,

, , , , Chevrier , , 24–25–5 , , 53 , , , - , 55 , , February 5 , , New Jersey , , 1–5 , ,

, , , , Sauve , , 24–26–5 , , 53 , , , - , 56 , , February 7 , , New Jersey , , 3–6 , ,

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

, , , , Chevrier , , 24–27–5 , , 53 , , , - , 57 , , February 11 , ,

, , 2–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 25–27–5 , , 55 , , , - , 58 , , February 12 , , New Jersey , , 3–4 , ,

, , , , Sauve , , 25–28–5 , , 55 , , , - , 59 , , February 14 , , New Jersey , , 7–2 , ,

, , , , Sauve , , 26–28–5 , , 57 , , , - , 60 , , February 17 , ,

, , 3–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 26–29–5 , , 57 , , , - , 61 , , February 19 , , NY Rangers , , 3–6 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 27–29–5 , , 59 , , , - , 62 , , February 21 , ,

, , 4–1 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 27–30–5 , , 59 , , , - , 63 , , February 24 , ,

, , 3–1 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 27–31–5 , , 59 , , , - , 64 , , February 26 , , NY Rangers , , 2–1 , , New Jersey , , , , Sauve , , 27–32–5 , , 59 , , , - , 65 , , February 28 , ,

, , 6–8 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 28–32–5 , , 61 , , , - , - , 66 , , March 1 , , New Jersey , , 3–5 , ,

, , , , Sauve , , 28–33–5 , , 61 , , , - , 67 , , March 2 , , Washington , , 6–1 , , New Jersey , , , , Chevrier , , 28–34–5 , , 61 , , , - , 68 , , March 5 , , New Jersey , , 7–6 , ,

, , OT , ,

Burke Burke (; ) is a Normans in Ireland, Norman-Irish surname, deriving from the ancient Anglo-Norman and Hiberno-Norman noble dynasty, the House of Burgh. In Ireland, the descendants of William de Burgh (''circa'' 1160–1206) had the surname'' de B ...

, , 29–34–5 , , 63 , , , - , 69 , , March 6 , ,

, , 2–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 30–34–5 , , 65 , , , - , 70 , , March 8 , , New Jersey , , 4–7 , , NY Rangers , , , , Chevrier , , 30–35–5 , , 65 , , , - , 71 , , March 12 , , New Jersey , , 6–5 , , Philadelphia , , , , Burke , , 31–35–5 , , 67 , , , - , 72 , , March 17 , ,

, , 4–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 31–36–5 , , 67 , , , - , 73 , , March 20 , , New Jersey , , 4–2 , , Washington , , , , Burke , , 32–36–5 , , 69 , , , - , 74 , , March 24 , , New Jersey , , 8–2 , ,

, , , , Burke , , 33–36–5 , , 71 , , , - , 75 , , March 25 , , New Jersey , , 2–2 , , Buffalo , , OT , , Sauve , , 33–36–6 , , 72 , , , - , 76 , , March 27 , , NY Rangers , , 2–7 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 34–36–6 , , 74 , , , - , 77 , , March 29 , ,

, , 0–4 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 35–36–6 , , 76 , , , - , 78 , , March 31 , , New Jersey , , 7–2 , , Pittsburgh , , , , Burke , , 36–36–6 , , 78 , , , - , - , 79 , , April 2 , , NY Islanders , , 2–5 , , New Jersey , , , ,

, , 37–36–6 , , 80 , , , - , 80 , , April 3 , , New Jersey , , 4–3 , ,

, , OT , , Burke , , 38–36–6 , , 82 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 6 , , New Jersey , , 3–4 , , NY Islanders , , OT , ,

, , 0–1 , , , - , 2 , , April 7 , , New Jersey , , 3–2 , , NY Islanders , , , , Sauve , , 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , April 9 , , NY Islanders , , 0–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , April 10 , , NY Islanders , , 5–4 , , New Jersey , , OT , , Burke , , 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , April 12 , , New Jersey , , 4–2 , , NY Islanders , , , , Burke , , 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , April 14 , , NY Islanders , , 5–6 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 4–2 , , , - , - , 1 , , April 18 , , New Jersey , , 1–3 , , Washington , , , ,

, , 0–1 , , , - , 2 , , April 20 , , New Jersey , , 5–2 , , Washington , , , , Burke , , 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , April 22 , , Washington , , 4–10 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , April 24 , , Washington , , 4–1 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , April 26 , , New Jersey , , 3–1 , , Washington , , , , Sauve , , 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , April 28 , , Washington , , 7–2 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 3–3 , , , - , 7 , , April 30 , , New Jersey , , 3–2 , , Washington , , , , Burke , , 4–3 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 2 , , New Jersey , , 3–5 , , Boston , , , , Sauve , , 0–1 , , , - , 2 , , May 4 , , New Jersey , , 3–2 , , Boston , , OT , ,

, , 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , May 6 , , Boston , , 6–1 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 1–2 , , , - , 4 , , May 8 , , Boston , , 1–3 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , May 10 , , New Jersey , , 1–7 , , Boston , , , , Burke , , 2–3 , , , - , 6 , , May 12 , , Boston , , 3–6 , , New Jersey , , , , Burke , , 3–3 , , , - , 7 , , May 14 , , New Jersey , , 2–6 , , Boston , , , , Burke , , 3–4 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

As of May 14, 1988

Skaters

Goaltenders

Draft picks

Below are the New Jersey Devils' selections at the 1987 NHL entry draft and 1987 NHL supplemental draft, which were held on June 13, 1987, at

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 ...

Notes

References

External links

1987–88 New Jersey Devils on hockeydb.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:New Jersey Devils, 1987-88 1987-88 1987–88 NHL season by team 1987 in sports in New Jersey 1988 in sports in New Jersey 1987-88 New Jersey Devils season 1987-88 New Jersey Devils season