1987–88 Boston Bruins season

1987–88 Boston Bruins
Wales Conference champions
Division2nd Adams
Conference2nd Wales
1987–88 record44–30–6
Home record24–13–3
Road record20–17–3
Goals for300
Goals against251
Team information
General managerHarry Sinden
CoachTerry O'Reilly
CaptainRay Bourque
Rick Middleton
Alternate captainsKeith Crowder
ArenaBoston Garden
Team leaders
GoalsCam Neely (42)
AssistsRay Bourque (64)
PointsRay Bourque (81)
Penalty minutesJay Miller (304)
WinsRejean Lemelin (24)
Goals against averageAndy Moog (2.83)

The 1987–88 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 64th season. The season involved participating in the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals.

Off-season

NHL draft

Boston's draft picks at the 1987 NHL entry draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Round # Player Nationality College/junior/club team (league)
1 3 Glen Wesley  Canada Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
1 14 Stephane Quintal  Canada Granby Bisons (QMJHL)
3 56 Todd Lalonde  Canada Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
4 67 Darwin McPherson  Canada New Westminster Bruins (WHL)
4 77 Matt DelGuidice  United States Saint Anselm College (ECAC East)
5 98 Ted Donato  United States Catholic Memorial School (USHS-MA)
6 119 Matt Glennon  United States Archbishop Williams High School (USHS-MA)
7 140 Rob Cheevers  United States Boston College (Hockey East)
8 161 Chris Winnes  United States Northwood School (USHS-NY)
9 182 Paul Ohman  United States St. John's School (USHS-MA)
10 203 Casey Jones  United States Cornell University (ECAC)
11 224 Eric LeMarque  United States Northern Michigan University (WCHA)
12 245 Sean Gorman  United States Matignon High School (USHS-MA)
S2 15 Mike Jeffrey  Canada Northern Michigan University (WCHA)

Regular season

The season will forever be remembered when on the night Phil Esposito's number 7 would retire, captain Ray Bourque went from wearing uniform number 7 to wearing uniform number 77. Bourque would wear that number until the end of his career. This occurred on December 3, 1987. As for the game, the Bruins beat the New York Rangers 4–3, in which Esposito was the General Manager.

Final standings

Adams Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Montreal Canadiens 80 45 22 13 298 238 103
80 44 30 6 300 251 94
Buffalo Sabres 80 37 32 11 283 305 85
Hartford Whalers 80 35 38 7 249 267 77
Quebec Nordiques 80 32 43 5 271 306 69

[1]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Record vs. opponents

Adams Division record vs. opponents

Vs. Wales Conference

Vs. Campbell Conference


Schedule and results

1987–88 regular season[3]
October
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
1 W October 8, 1987 4–3 Washington Capitals (1987–88) 1–0–0
2 L October 10, 1987 5–6 OT @ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) 1–1–0
3 W October 11, 1987 5–2 Hartford Whalers (1987–88) 2–1–0
4 W October 15, 1987 3–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) 3–1–0
5 L October 17, 1987 3–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) 3–2–0
6 W October 18, 1987 6–5 OT @ Calgary Flames (1987–88) 4–2–0
7 W October 21, 1987 5–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88) 5–2–0
8 L October 24, 1987 0–4 @ St. Louis Blues (1987–88) 5–3–0
9 L October 29, 1987 2–4 Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) 5–4–0
10 T October 31, 1987 3–3 OT @ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) 5–4–1
November
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
11 L November 1, 1987 5–6 OT New York Islanders (1987–88) 5–5–1
12 T November 4, 1987 2–2 OT @ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) 5–5–2
13 L November 5, 1987 6–7 Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) 5–6–2
14 W November 7, 1987 4–1 Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) 6–6–2
15 L November 9, 1987 4–6 @ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) 6–7–2
16 W November 11, 1987 3–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) 7–7–2
17 W November 12, 1987 3–2 Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) 8–7–2
18 W November 14, 1987 4–1 Hartford Whalers (1987–88) 9–7–2
19 W November 17, 1987 6–3 @ Calgary Flames (1987–88) 10–7–2
20 W November 18, 1987 4–3 @ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) 11–7–2
21 W November 21, 1987 7–5 @ Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) 12–7–2
22 W November 22, 1987 1–0 @ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) 13–7–2
23 L November 25, 1987 1–4 @ Washington Capitals (1987–88) 13–8–2
24 W November 26, 1987 5–3 Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) 14–8–2
25 L November 28, 1987 2–3 OT Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) 14–9–2
26 L November 30, 1987 4–6 @ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) 14–10–2
December
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
27 W December 2, 1987 5–3 @ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) 15–10–2
28 W December 3, 1987 4–3 New York Rangers (1987–88) 16–10–2
29 W December 5, 1987 7–3 Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) 17–10–2
30 L December 8, 1987 2–5 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) 17–11–2
31 W December 10, 1987 4–3 Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) 18–11–2
32 T December 12, 1987 3–3 OT Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) 18–11–3
33 W December 17, 1987 3–2 OT Vancouver Canucks (1987–88) 19–11–3
34 L December 19, 1987 5–7 St. Louis Blues (1987–88) 19–12–3
35 W December 20, 1987 4–2 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) 20–12–3
36 W December 22, 1987 9–0 Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) 21–12–3
37 L December 26, 1987 1–2 @ New York Islanders (1987–88) 21–13–3
38 L December 27, 1987 1–4 @ New York Rangers (1987–88) 21–14–3
39 T December 29, 1987 4–4 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) 21–14–4
40 W December 31, 1987 2–0 @ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) 22–14–4
January
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
41 W January 2, 1988 5–1 Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) 23–14–4
42 T January 4, 1988 2–2 OT Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) 23–14–5
43 W January 7, 1988 3–2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) 24–14–5
44 W January 9, 1988 2–1 OT @ St. Louis Blues (1987–88) 25–14–5
45 L January 11, 1988 3–4 Hartford Whalers (1987–88) 25–15–5
46 L January 13, 1988 4–5 @ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) 25–16–5
47 W January 14, 1988 3–2 Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) 26–16–5
48 W January 16, 1988 5–1 Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) 27–16–5
49 L January 20, 1988 3–5 @ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) 27–17–5
50 W January 21, 1988 6–1 Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) 28–17–5
51 L January 23, 1988 4–6 Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) 28–18–5
52 W January 28, 1988 3–0 Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) 29–18–5
53 L January 30, 1988 2–4 New York Rangers (1987–88) 29–19–5
February
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
54 W February 1, 1988 5–3 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) 30–19–5
55 W February 4, 1988 7–3 Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) 31–19–5
56 W February 6, 1988 3–2 @ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) 32–19–5
57 W February 7, 1988 6–3 New Jersey Devils (1987–88) 33–19–5
58 W February 12, 1988 7–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) 34–19–5
59 L February 13, 1988 5–6 @ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88) 34–20–5
60 L February 17, 1988 2–3 @ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) 34–21–5
61 W February 21, 1988 4–1 @ New Jersey Devils (1987–88) 35–21–5
62 L February 23, 1988 2–3 @ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) 35–22–5
63 W February 25, 1988 5–2 Hartford Whalers (1987–88) 36–22–5
64 W February 27, 1988 7–4 Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) 37–22–5
March
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
65 W March 3, 1988 5–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) 38–22–5
66 L March 5, 1988 6–7 OT New Jersey Devils (1987–88) 38–23–5
67 L March 6, 1988 0–3 @ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) 38–24–5
68 L March 8, 1988 0–2 @ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) 38–25–5
69 T March 10, 1988 3–3 OT Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) 38–25–6
70 W March 12, 1988 4–3 @ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) 39–25–6
71 L March 13, 1988 0–3 Washington Capitals (1987–88) 39–26–6
72 L March 17, 1988 5–7 Calgary Flames (1987–88) 39–27–6
73 L March 19, 1988 3–4 Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) 39–28–6
74 W March 20, 1988 6–2 @ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) 40–28–6
75 W March 22, 1988 3–0 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) 41–28–6
76 W March 24, 1988 4–3 OT Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) 42–28–6
77 W March 26, 1988 6–2 Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) 43–28–6
78 L March 31, 1988 1–3 Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) 43–29–6
April
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record
79 L April 2, 1988 2–4 @ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) 43–30–6
80 W April 3, 1988 3–2 New York Islanders (1987–88) 44–30–6

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Player statistics

Regular season

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
Ray Bourque D 78 17 64 81 72 34 7 1 5
Ken Linseman C 77 29 45 74 167 36 7 0 5
Steve Kasper C 79 26 44 70 35 -1 9 3 5
Cam Neely RW 69 42 27 69 175 30 11 0 3
Geoff Courtnall LW 62 32 26 58 108 24 8 0 4
Randy Burridge LW 79 27 28 55 105 0 5 3 3
Bob Sweeney C/RW 80 22 23 45 73 11 6 0 7
Keith Crowder RW 68 17 26 43 173 14 6 0 3
Glen Wesley D 79 7 30 37 69 21 1 2 0
Gord Kluzak D 66 6 31 37 135 18 0 1 0
Reed Larson D 62 10 24 34 93 3 5 1 1
Rick Middleton RW 59 13 19 32 11 3 2 3 1
Michael Thelven D 67 6 25 31 57 12 1 0 1
Lyndon Byers RW 53 10 14 24 236 10 0 0 2
Jay Miller LW 78 7 12 19 304 -5 0 0 1
Bill O'Dwyer C 77 7 10 17 83 -3 1 0 1
Craig Janney C 15 7 9 16 0 6 1 0 1
Nevin Markwart LW 25 1 12 13 85 4 0 0 0
Bob Joyce LW 15 7 5 12 10 4 2 0 0
Tom McCarthy LW 7 2 5 7 6 3 1 0 0
Allen Pedersen D 78 0 6 6 90 6 0 0 0
Willi Plett RW 65 2 3 5 170 -10 1 0 0
Frank Simonetti D 30 2 3 5 19 1 0 0 1
Tommy Lehman C 9 1 3 4 6 0 0 0 0
Doug Keans G 30 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
John Blum D 19 0 1 1 70 -5 0 0 0
Wade Campbell D 6 0 1 1 21 1 0 0 0
John Carter LW 4 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 0
Bruce Shoebottom D 3 0 1 1 0 -3 0 0 0
Mike Stevens LW 7 0 1 1 9 0 0 0 0
Paul Beraldo RW 3 0 0 0 0 -3 0 0 0
Alain Cote D 2 0 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0
Taylor Hall LW 7 0 0 0 4 -3 0 0 0
Greg Hawgood D 1 0 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0
Moe Lemay LW 2 0 0 0 0 -2 0 0 0
Rejean Lemelin G 49 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Alan May RW 3 0 0 0 15 -1 0 0 0
Andy Moog G 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kraig Nienhuis LW 1 0 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0
Dave Reid LW 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
Rejean Lemelin 2,828 49 24 17 6 138 2.93 3 1,244 1,106 .889
Doug Keans 1,660 30 16 11 0 90 3.25 1 751 661 .880
Andy Moog 360 6 4 2 0 17 2.83 1 181 164 .906
Team: 4,848 80 44 30 6 245 3.03 5 2,176 1,931 .887

Playoffs

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
Ken Linseman C 23 11 14 25 56 4 4 1 0
Ray Bourque D 23 3 18 21 26 16 0 0 1
Cam Neely RW 23 9 8 17 51 1 2 0 2
Craig Janney C 23 6 10 16 11 -1 4 0 1
Bob Joyce LW 23 8 6 14 18 -2 3 0 1
Bob Sweeney C/RW 23 6 8 14 66 9 1 1 1
Glen Wesley D 23 6 8 14 22 5 4 1 0
Steve Kasper C 23 7 6 13 10 9 0 1 0
Gord Kluzak D 23 4 8 12 59 6 0 1 1
Keith Crowder RW 23 3 9 12 44 0 1 0 0
Randy Burridge LW 23 2 10 12 16 9 0 0 0
Rick Middleton RW 19 5 5 10 4 4 0 1 3
Tom McCarthy LW 13 3 4 7 18 0 0 0 0
Moe Lemay LW 15 4 2 6 32 1 0 0 0
Michael Thelven D 21 3 3 6 26 4 1 0 0
Willi Plett RW 17 2 4 6 74 5 0 0 1
Lyndon Byers RW 11 1 2 3 62 1 0 0 0
Greg Hawgood D 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Bruce Shoebottom D 4 1 0 1 42 4 0 0 1
John Blum D 3 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Greg Johnston RW 3 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 0
Reed Larson D 8 0 1 1 6 -2 0 0 0
Rejean Lemelin G 17 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0
Nevin Markwart LW 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
Jay Miller LW 12 0 0 0 124 2 0 0 0
Andy Moog G 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bill O'Dwyer C 9 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Allen Pedersen D 21 0 0 0 34 2 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
Rejean Lemelin 1027 17 11 6 45 2.63 1 430 385 .895
Andy Moog 354 7 1 4 25 4.24 0 166 141 .849
Team: 1,381 22 12 10 70 3.04 1 596 526 .883

[4]

Note:
Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Playoffs

Adams Division semifinals

Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins were led by team co-captains Ray Bourque, Rick Middleton and the goaltending duo of Rejean Lemelin and the newly acquired Andy Moog. The Buffalo Sabres returned to the playoffs thanks to added depth provided by rookie Ray Sheppard.

Date Away Score Home Score
April 6 Buffalo 3 Boston 7
April 7 Buffalo 1 Boston 4
April 9 Boston 2 Buffalo 6
April 10 Boston 5 Buffalo 6
April 12 Buffalo 4 Boston 5
April 14 Boston 5 Buffalo 2

Boston 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 and Cam Neely provided the offence to finally conquer the Canadiens. It was the first Bruins' playoff series win over the Habs in 44 seasons.

Date Away Score Home Score
April 18 Boston 1 Montreal 5
April 20 Boston 4 Montreal 3
April 22 Montreal 1 Boston 3
April 24 Montreal 0 Boston 2
April 26 Boston 4 Montreal 1

Boston wins best-of-seven series 4–1.

Prince of Wales Conference finals

New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins

The Devils would take Boston to the limit, but their offense could not compete with the Bruins, who would make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since consecutive appearances in 1976–77 and 1977–78.

This series would also have the infamous confrontation between Devils head coach Jim Schoenfeld and referee Don Koharski after Game 3, when, during an argument in the tunnel after the game, Koharski tripped and fell, accusing Schoenfield of pushing him. Schoenfield famously responded, "You tripped and fell you fat pig!" He then yelled, "Have another doughnut! Have another doughnut!" The incident was played repeatedly on ESPN and has become part of NHL lore.

Schonefeld was suspended by NHL president John Ziegler for Game 4, but the Devils received an injunction from a New Jersey court, allowing Schoenfeld to coach the fourth game. In protest, the officials scheduled to work that game in the Meadlowands refused to take the ice, forcing the NHL to scramble for amateur officials to call the contest. The injunction was lifted and Schoenfeld served his suspension during Game 5 in the Boston Garden.

Date Away Score Home Score OT
May 2 New Jersey 3 Boston 5
May 4 New Jersey 3 Boston 2 (OT)
May 6 Boston 6 New Jersey 1
May 8 Boston 1 New Jersey 3
May 10 New Jersey 1 Boston 7
May 12 Boston 3 New Jersey 6
May 14 New Jersey 2 Boston 6

Boston wins best-of-seven series 4–3.

Stanley Cup Finals

Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 18 Boston Bruins 1 Edmonton Oilers 2
May 20 Boston Bruins 2 Edmonton Oilers 4
May 22 Edmonton Oilers 6 Boston Bruins 3
May 24 Edmonton Oilers 3 Boston Bruins 3 Game suspended at 16:33 of 2nd due to power failure.
May 26 Boston Bruins 3 Edmonton Oilers 6

Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4–0–1.

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 153. ISBN 9781894801225.
  2. ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  3. ^ "1987-88 Boston Bruins Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  4. ^ "1987-88 Boston Bruins Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  5. ^ a b National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p. 237, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-920445-98-5.
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