1987-88 NHL season

The 1987–88 NHL season was the 71st season of the National Hockey League. It was an 80-game season with the top four teams in each division advancing to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The NHL introduced a new trophy, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which was to be awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution in his community.
Regular season.
Final standings.
"Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes"
Stanley Cup playoffs.
"Note: all dates in 1988"
Adams Division semi-finals.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
"Boston wins best-of-seven series 4–2"
Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens
"Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–2"
Patrick Division semi-finals.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
"Washington wins best-of-seven series 4–3"
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders
"New Jersey wins best-of-seven series 4–2"
Norris Division semi-finals.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
"St. Louis wins best-of-seven series 4–1"
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings
"Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4–2"
Smythe Division semi-finals.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers
"Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4–1"
Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames
"Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4–1"
Divisional finals.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
"Boston wins best-of-seven series 4–1"
New Jersey Devils vs. Washington Capitals
"New Jersey wins best-of-seven series 4–3"
St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings
"Detroit wins best-of-seven series 4–1"
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
"Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4–0"
Conference finals.
New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins
"Boston wins best-of-seven series 4–3"
Detroit Red Wings vs. Edmonton Oilers
"Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4–1"
Finals.
Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers
"Edmonton wins best-of-seven series 4–0"
First games.
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1987–88:
Last games.
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1987–88: