The 1988–89

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' tenth

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 after defeating 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 ...

the previous season, which was their fourth Stanley Cup in the past 5 seasons. The Oilers finished third in the

Smythe Division The National Hockey League's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Conn Smythe, who was a longtime owner, general manager, and he ...

with 84 points, their lowest point total since the 1980–81 season. For the eighth consecutive season, the Oilers had five 30-goal scorers. Prior to the season, the Oilers was involved in one of the biggest trades in NHL history, dealing

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 ...

Marty McSorley Martin James McSorley (born May 18, 1963) is a Canadian former professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he could play both the forward and defense positions. He was also hea ...

and

Mike Krushelnyski Michael "Kruzer" Krushelnyski (born April 27, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre/ left winger who played 14 years in the National Hockey League (NHL). While playing in the NHL, he won three Stanley Cups as a player with th ...

to the

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. ...

in exchange for

Jimmy Carson James Charles Carson (born July 20, 1968) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League with five different teams. In 1988, he became only the second teenager in NHL history to score 50 g ...

, Martin Gelinas, the Kings' first round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993, and $15 million.

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 ...

led the club with 102 points, while

scored a team high 49 goals, 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 ...

had a team best 61 assists.

Charlie Huddy Charles William Huddy (born June 2, 1959) is a Canadian former NHL defenceman and former assistant coach of the Winnipeg Jets. He is also one of only seven Edmonton Oilers to be a member of all 5 of the franchise's Stanley Cup-winning teams (1984, ...

led the defense with 44 points, while

Kelly Buchberger Kelly Michael Buchberger (born December 2, 1966) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He played for several National Hockey League teams from 1986 to 2004. As a coach, he has been an assistant for the New York Islanders ...

provided the team toughness, leading the Oilers with 234 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 ...

got the majority of the starts, leading the team with 23 wins, while

Bill Ranford William Edward Ranford (born December 14, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and current director of goaltending for the Los Angeles Kings. He was selected in the third round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, 52nd overall, ...

had a team best 3.50 GAA. The Oilers finished the regular season first in short-handed goals scored, with 27. In the playoffs, the Oilers faced

and the

in the opening round of the playoffs. The heavily favored Oilers took a 3–1 series lead, however, the Kings responded by winning 3 games in a row by a combined score of 16–6 to win the series, ending the Oilers bid at winning a third straight

. It marked the first time since 1982 that Edmonton had lost in the first round of the playoffs, ironically it was the Kings who eliminated them in the opening round that year.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1 , , October 7 , ,

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 , , 1–0–0 , , 2 , - , 2 , , October 9 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–0–0 , , 4 , - , 3 , , October 12 , ,

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 ...

, , 6–2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–1–0 , , 4 , - , 4 , , October 14 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1–6 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–2–0 , , 4 , - , 5 , , October 16 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–3 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 2–2–1 , , 5 , - , 6 , , October 17 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–2–2 , , 6 , - , 7 , , October 19 , ,

, , 6–8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–2–2 , , 8 , - , 8 , , October 23 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–6 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 3–3–2 , , 8 , - , 9 , , October 25 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–4 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 4–3–2 , , 10 , - , 10 , , October 29 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–3–2 , , 12 , - , 11 , , October 30 , ,

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 ...

, , 5–2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–4–2 , , 12 , - , - , 12 , , November 2 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6–4–2 , , 14 , - , 13 , , November 4 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 7–4–2 , , 16 , - , 14 , , November 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–5 , ,

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 ...

, , 7–5–2 , , 16 , - , 15 , , November 8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 7–3 , ,

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 ...

, , 8–5–2 , , 18 , - , 16 , , November 9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–2 , ,

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 ...

, , 9–5–2 , , 20 , - , 17 , , November 12 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6–2 , ,

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 ...

, , 10–5–2 , , 22 , - , 18 , , November 13 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–4 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 11–5–2 , , 24 , - , 19 , , November 16 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 2–1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 11–6–2 , , 24 , - , 20 , , November 19 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 1–9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 12–6–2 , , 26 , - , 21 , , November 20 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4–7 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 12–7–2 , , 26 , - , 22 , , November 23 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–3 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 12–7–3 , , 27 , - , 23 , , November 24 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4–2 , , St. Louis Blues , , 13–7–3 , , 29 , - , 24 , , November 26 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–7 , ,

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 ...

, , 13–8–3 , , 29 , - , 25 , , November 28 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 7–4 , ,

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 ...

, , 14–8–3 , , 31 , - , 26 , , November 30 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 2–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 15–8–3 , , 33 , - , - , 27 , , December 2 , , Calgary Flames , , 7–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 15–9–3 , , 33 , - , 28 , , December 4 , ,

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 ...

, , 6–10 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 16–9–3, , 35 , - , 29 , , December 7 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 3–8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 17–9–3 , , 37 , - , 30 , , December 8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–5 , , Calgary Flames , , 17–10–3 , , 37 , - , 31 , , December 10 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 7–6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 17–11–3 , , 37 , - , 32 , , December 14 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 8–2 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 18–11–3 , , 39 , - , 33 , , December 15 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–4 , ,

, , 18–12–3 , , 39 , - , 34 , , December 17 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4–2 , ,

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 ...

, , 19–12–3 , , 41 , - , 35 , , December 19 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–5 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 19–12–4 , , 42 , - , 36 , , December 21 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 2–1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 19–13–4 , , 42 , - , 37 , , December 23 , , Calgary Flames , , 1–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 20–13–4 , , 44 , - , 38 , , December 31 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 4–2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 20–14–4 , , 44 , - , - , 39 , , January 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–2 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 21–14–4 , , 46 , - , 40 , , January 4 , , Quebec Nordiques , , 2–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 22–14–4 , , 48 , - , 41 , , January 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–7 , , Calgary Flames , , 22–15–4 , , 48 , - , 42 , , January 8 , , Calgary Flames , , 0–6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 23–15–4 , , 50 , - , 43 , , January 10 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4–5 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 23–16–4 , , 50 , - , 44 , , January 13 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–5 , , Washington Capitals , , 23–17–4 , , 50 , - , 45 , , January 15 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 0–1 , , New Jersey Devils , , 23–18–4 , , 50 , - , 46 , , January 16 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–2 , , Chicago Blackhawks , , 23–18–5 , , 51 , - , 47 , , January 18 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 9–4 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 24–18–5 , , 53 , - , 48 , , January 20 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 24–18–6 , , 54 , - , 49 , , January 21 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 7–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 24–19–6 , , 54 , - , 50 , , January 23 , , New York Rangers , , 3–2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 24–20–6 , , 54 , - , 51 , , January 25 , , Chicago Blackhawks , , 6–3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 24–21–6 , , 54 , - , 52 , , January 28 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 7–6 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 25–21–6 , , 56 , - , 53 , , January 31 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–6 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 25–22–6 , , 56 , - , - , 54 , , February 1 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 3–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 26–22–6 , , 58 , - , 55 , , February 3 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 5–8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 27–22–6 , , 60 , - , 56 , , February 5 , , New Jersey Devils , , 4–2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 27–23–6 , , 60 , - , 57 , , February 9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–1 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 28–23–6 , , 62 , - , 58 , , February 11 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–5 , , Boston Bruins , , 28–24–6 , , 62 , - , 59 , , February 12 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–1 , , New York Rangers , , 29–24–6 , , 64 , - , 60 , , February 14 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–5 , , New York Islanders , , 29–25–6 , , 64 , - , 61 , , February 17 , , Washington Capitals , , 8–2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 29–26–6 , , 64 , - , 62 , , February 19 , , Boston Bruins , , 4–2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 29–27–6 , , 64 , - , 63 , , February 21 , , Hartford Whalers , , 4–7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 30–27–6 , , 66 , - , 64 , , February 24 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 1–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 31–27–6 , , 68 , - , 65 , , February 25 , , St. Louis Blues , , 3–5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 32–27–6 , , 70 , - , - , 66 , , March 1 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 0–3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 33–27–6 , , 72 , - , 67 , , March 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 7–4 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 34–27–6 , , 74 , - , 68 , , March 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 35–27–6 , , 76 , - , 69 , , March 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4–4 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 35–27–7 , , 77 , - , 70 , , March 8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–7 , , Hartford Whalers , , 35–28–7 , , 77 , - , 71 , , March 11 , , Calgary Flames , , 5–5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 35–28–8 , , 78 , - , 72 , , March 12 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 6–3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 35–29–8 , , 78 , - , 73 , , March 15 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 8–6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 35–30–8 , , 78 , - , 74 , , March 16 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 0–3 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 35–31–8 , , 78 , - , 75 , , March 19 , , New York Islanders , , 2–3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 36–31–8 , , 80 , - , 76 , , March 21 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 4–3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 36–32–8 , , 80 , - , 77 , , March 23 , , Winnipeg Jets , , 4–5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 37–32–8 , , 82 , - , 78 , , March 25 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–4 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 37–33–8 , , 82 , - , 79 , , March 29 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–2 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 38–33–8 , , 84 , - , - , 80 , , April 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–4 , , Calgary Flames , , 38–34–8 , , 84 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4–3 , ,

, , 1–0 , - , 2 , , April 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–5 , ,

, , 1–1 , - , 3 , , April 8 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–1 , - , 4 , , April 9 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–1 , - , 5 , , April 11 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2–4 , ,

, , 3–2 , - , 6 , , April 13 , ,

, , 4–1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–3 , - , 7 , , April 15 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3–6 , ,

, , 3–4 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Season stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Waivers

Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at 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 ...

References

External links

SHRP Sports

The Internet Hockey Database
* National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Edmonton Oilers season Edmonton Oilers season, 1988-89 Edmon Edmonton Oilers seasons

1980s in Edmonton