The 1987–88 New York Islanders season was the 16th season for the franchise in 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 ...

(NHL). The team improved on its performance from the previous season. They finished with 88 points, which turned out to be good enough for first place in a tightly contested Patrick Division – the Islanders, despite winning the division, finished only seven points ahead of the last place Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders were subsequently eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the New Jersey Devils. As of 2025, this remains the Islanders' most recent division title, the second longest active drought in the NHL.

Off-season

Denis Potvin Denis Charles Potvin (born October 29, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and Captain (ice hockey), team captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is a four-time Stanley Cup winner as a ...

resigns the team captaincy, before playing his last season. Forward Brent Sutter is named team captain.

Regular season

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , W, , October 8, 1987, , 4–1 , , 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) , , 1–0–0 , - , 2, , W, , October 10, 1987, , 7–1 , , 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) , , 2–0–0 , - , 3, , W, , October 15, 1987, , 6–0 , , 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) , , 3–0–0 , - , 4, , L, , October 17, 1987, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 3–1–0 , - , 5, , W, , October 20, 1987, , 5–4 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 4–1–0 , - , 6, , L, , October 23, 1987, , 3–5 , , 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) , , 4–2–0 , - , 7, , W, , October 24, 1987, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 5–2–0 , - , 8, , T, , October 27, 1987, , 4–4 OT, , 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) , , 5–2–1 , - , 9, , L, , October 28, 1987, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 5–3–1 , - , 10, , W, , October 31, 1987, , 8–2 , , 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) , , 6–3–1 , - , - , 11, , W, , November 1, 1987, , 6–5 OT, , 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) , , 7–3–1 , - , 12, , W, , November 3, 1987, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 8–3–1 , - , 13, , L, , November 5, 1987, , 2–4 , , 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) , , 8–4–1 , - , 14, , W, , November 7, 1987, , 4–3 OT, , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 9–4–1 , - , 15, , W, , November 10, 1987, , 4–3 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) , , 10–4–1 , - , 16, , W, , November 12, 1987, , 4–3 , , align="left", @ St. Louis Blues ( 1987–88) , , 11–4–1 , - , 17, , W, , November 14, 1987, , 7–3 , , 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) , , 12–4–1 , - , 18, , W, , November 17, 1987, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 13–4–1 , - , 19, , L, , November 18, 1987, , 2–5 , , 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) , , 13–5–1 , - , 20, , W, , November 21, 1987, , 6–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 14–5–1 , - , 21, , L, , November 24, 1987, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 14–6–1 , - , 22, , W, , November 28, 1987, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 15–6–1 , - , 23, , L, , November 29, 1987, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 15–7–1 , - , - , 24, , W, , December 2, 1987, , 7–1 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 16–7–1 , - , 25, , W, , December 4, 1987, , 6–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 17–7–1 , - , 26, , L, , December 8, 1987, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 17–8–1 , - , 27, , L, , December 11, 1987, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 17–9–1 , - , 28, , W, , December 12, 1987, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 18–9–1 , - , 29, , T, , December 15, 1987, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", St. Louis Blues ( 1987–88) , , 18–9–2 , - , 30, , L, , December 17, 1987, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 18–10–2 , - , 31, , L, , December 19, 1987, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 18–11–2 , - , 32, , L, , December 22, 1987, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 18–12–2 , - , 33, , L, , December 23, 1987, , 5–7 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 18–13–2 , - , 34, , W, , December 26, 1987, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 19–13–2 , - , 35, , L, , December 28, 1987, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 19–14–2 , - , 36, , T, , December 29, 1987, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 19–14–3 , - , - , 37, , W, , January 2, 1988, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 20–14–3 , - , 38, , T, , January 5, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

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 ...

( 1987–88) , , 20–14–4 , - , 39, , L, , January 8, 1988, , 4–7 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 20–15–4 , - , 40, , L, , January 9, 1988, , 1–5 , , 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) , , 20–16–4 , - , 41, , T, , January 12, 1988, , 5–5 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 20–16–5 , - , 42, , W, , January 14, 1988, , 8–5 , , 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) , , 21–16–5 , - , 43, , W, , January 16, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 22–16–5 , - , 44, , L, , January 17, 1988, , 2–5 , , 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) , , 22–17–5 , - , 45, , L, , January 19, 1988, , 4–6 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 22–18–5 , - , 46, , L, , January 21, 1988, , 3–4 , , 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) , , 22–19–5 , - , 47, , W, , January 23, 1988, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 23–19–5 , - , 48, , L, , January 27, 1988, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 23–20–5 , - , 49, , W, , January 29, 1988, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 24–20–5 , - , 50, , L, , January 30, 1988, , 2–6 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 24–21–5 , - , - , 51, , T, , February 2, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 24–21–6 , - , 52, , W, , February 5, 1988, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 25–21–6 , - , 53, , W, , February 6, 1988, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 26–21–6 , - , 54, , L, , February 11, 1988, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 26–22–6 , - , 55, , L, , February 12, 1988, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 26–23–6 , - , 56, , T, , February 14, 1988, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 26–23–7 , - , 57, , W, , February 16, 1988, , 9–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 27–23–7 , - , 58, , T, , February 18, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 27–23–8 , - , 59, , W, , February 20, 1988, , 3–0 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 28–23–8 , - , 60, , W, , February 21, 1988, , 7–2 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 29–23–8 , - , 61, , W, , February 23, 1988, , 6–1 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 30–23–8 , - , 62, , T, , February 25, 1988, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 30–23–9 , - , 63, , L, , February 27, 1988, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 30–24–9 , - , - , 64, , W, , March 1, 1988, , 2–0 , , align="left", St. Louis Blues ( 1987–88) , , 31–24–9 , - , 65, , L, , March 2, 1988, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 31–25–9 , - , 66, , L, , March 5, 1988, , 3–8 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 31–26–9 , - , 67, , W, , March 6, 1988, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 32–26–9 , - , 68, , W, , March 8, 1988, , 7–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 33–26–9 , - , 69, , L, , March 10, 1988, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 33–27–9 , - , 70, , L, , March 12, 1988, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 33–28–9 , - , 71, , L, , March 13, 1988, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 33–29–9 , - , 72, , T, , March 18, 1988, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 33–29–10 , - , 73, , W, , March 20, 1988, , 6–0 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 34–29–10 , - , 74, , W, , March 21, 1988, , 5–1 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 35–29–10 , - , 75, , W, , March 23, 1988, , 6–2 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 36–29–10 , - , 76, , W, , March 26, 1988, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 37–29–10 , - , 77, , W, , March 29, 1988, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 38–29–10 , - , 78, , W, , March 31, 1988, , 7–3 , , align="left",

( 1987–88) , , 39–29–10 , - , - , 79, , L, , April 2, 1988, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 39–30–10 , - , 80, , L, , April 3, 1988, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1987–88) , , 39–31–10 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

Patrick Division Semifinals vs. New Jersey Devils

New Jersey wins series 4-2

Player statistics

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

Transactions

Draft picks

New York's draft picks at the 1987 NHL entry draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:New York Islanders, 1987-88 1987-88 1987–88 NHL season by team 1987 in sports in New York (state) 1988 in sports in New York (state) 1987–88