1988 Stanley Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 6–May 26, 1988
Teams16
Defending championsEdmonton Oilers
Final positions
ChampionsEdmonton Oilers
Runner-upBoston Bruins
Tournament statistics
Scoring leader(s)Wayne Gretzky (Oilers) (43 points)
MVPWayne Gretzky (Oilers)
← 1987
1989 →

The 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 6, after the conclusion of the 1987–88 NHL season. It concluded on May 26, with the defending champion Edmonton Oilers defeating the Boston Bruins to win their second straight Stanley Cup and fourth in five years.

The Stanley Cup

The Presidents' Trophy winning Calgary Flames had home ice advantage during the playoffs thanks in part to Edmonton's struggles without Wayne Gretzky, who missed 16 games due to injury. The Oilers, who had won the Cup in three of the previous four seasons, were still thought to have a good chance at repeating with Gretzky's return. The clash between the Flames and Oilers in the Smythe Division Final was highly anticipated.

The New Jersey Devils made the playoffs for the first time since their move from Denver, winning in overtime at Chicago Stadium on the season's final day to edge the New York Rangers for the Patrick Division's fourth spot. This was only the second time they made the playoffs including their Colorado and Kansas City days.

The 1988 playoffs most notable moment was the cancellation of game four of the finals in Boston after fog issues, a result of high heat and the subsequent building power outage resulted in the game being canceled outright with the result not counting, yet the league retained player stats from the game. The series would move directly on to Edmonton. Gretzky would go on to set NHL playoff records with 31 assists in 18 games and 13 points in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Playoff seeds

The following teams qualified for the playoffs:

Prince of Wales Conference

Adams Division

  1. Montreal Canadiens, Adams Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 103 points
  2. Boston Bruins – 94 points
  3. Buffalo Sabres – 85 points
  4. Hartford Whalers – 77 points

Patrick Division

  1. New York Islanders, Patrick Division champions – 88 points
  2. Washington Capitals – 85 points (38 wins, 9 points head-to-head vs. Philadelphia)
  3. Philadelphia Flyers – 85 points (38 wins, 5 points head-to-head vs. Washington)
  4. New Jersey Devils – 82 points (38 wins)

Clarence Campbell Conference

Norris Division

  1. Detroit Red Wings, Norris Division champions – 93 points
  2. St. Louis Blues – 76 points
  3. Chicago Blackhawks – 69 points
  4. Toronto Maple Leafs – 52 points (the lowest point total for any playoff qualifier, minimum 70 games played)

Smythe Division

  1. Calgary Flames, Smythe Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions, Presidents' Trophy winners – 105 points
  2. Edmonton Oilers – 99 points
  3. Winnipeg Jets – 77 points
  4. Los Angeles Kings – 68 points

Playoff bracket

Division semifinals Division finals Conference finals Stanley Cup Finals
            
A1 Montreal 4
A4 Hartford 2
A1 Montreal 1
A2 Boston 4
A2 Boston 4
A3 Buffalo 2
A2 Boston 4
Prince of Wales Conference
P4 New Jersey 3
P1 NY Islanders 2
P4 New Jersey 4
P4 New Jersey 4
P2 Washington 3
P2 Washington 4
P3 Philadelphia 3
A2 Boston 0
S2 Edmonton 4
N1 Detroit 4
N4 Toronto 2
N1 Detroit 4
N2 St. Louis 1
N2 St. Louis 4
N3 Chicago 1
N1 Detroit 1
Clarence Campbell Conference
S2 Edmonton 4
S1 Calgary 4
S4 Los Angeles 1
S1 Calgary 0
S2 Edmonton 4
S2 Edmonton 4
S3 Winnipeg 1

Division semifinals

Prince of Wales Conference

(A1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A4) Hartford Whalers

This was the third playoff series between these two teams. Montreal won both previous meetings, including their most recent meeting in seven games in the 1986 Adams Division Finals. Montreal was the best team in the Wales Conference during the regular season.


April 6 Hartford Whalers 3–4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Randy Ladouceur (1) – 07:59 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 02:54 – Shayne Corson (1)
04:48 – Bobby Smith (1)
Dave Babych (1) – 00:56
Ron Francis (1) – pp – 03:10 		Third period 05:43 – pp – Chris Chelios (1)
09:50 – Stephane Richer (1)
Mike Liut 22 saves / 24 shots
Richard Brodeur 9 saves / 11 shots 		Goalie stats Patrick Roy 21 saves / 24 shots
April 7 Hartford Whalers 3–7 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Lindsay Carson (1) – 09:47
Kevin Dineen (1) – 14:15 		First period 05:30 – Brian Skrudland (1)
13:37 – Chris Chelios (2)
Scot Kleinendorst (1) – 12:52 Second period 02:39 – Gilles Thibaudeau (1)
10:59 – Claude Lemieux (1)
No scoring Third period 09:05 – Bobby Smith (2)
10:55 – Gilles Thibaudeau (2)
11:43 – Kjell Dahlin (1)
Richard Brodeur 21 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Patrick Roy 28 saves / 31 shots
April 9 Montreal Canadiens 4–3 Hartford Whalers Hartford Civic Center Recap  
Stephane Richer (2) – pp – 09:21 First period 02:06 – Stew Gavin (1)
Craig Ludwig (1) – 08:33
Mike McPhee (1) – 09:32
Ryan Walter (1) – pp – 13:52 		Second period 06:31 – pp – Sylvain Cote (1)
No scoring Third period 06:34 – pp – Carey Wilson (1)
Patrick Roy 30 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Mike Liut 23 saves / 27 shots
April 10 Montreal Canadiens 5–7 Hartford Whalers Hartford Civic Center Recap  
Stephane Richer (3) – 03:22 First period 04:17 – Dean Evason (1)
08:29 – Dave Babych (2)
Stephane Richer (4) – 13:17 Second period No scoring
Bobby Smith (3) – pp – 04:06
Ryan Walter (2) – pp – 05:02
Gilles Thibaudeau (3) – pp – 19:30 		Third period 00:59 – Dave Babych (3)
11:20 – Kevin Dineen (2)
14:23 – Stew Gavin (2)
17:05 – pp – Kevin Dineen (3)
17:54 – Scott Young (1)
Patrick Roy 36 saves / 43 shots Goalie stats Mike Liut 26 saves / 31 shots
April 12 Hartford Whalers 3–1 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Kevin Dineen (4) – 10:01 First period No scoring
Carey Wilson (2) – 05:40 Second period 06:11 – Mike McPhee (2)
Ron Francis (2) – 19:44 Third period No scoring
Richard Brodeur 22 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Brian Hayward 26 saves / 28 shots
April 14 Montreal Canadiens 2–1 Hartford Whalers Hartford Civic Center Recap  
Stephane Richer (5) – 09:15
Stephane Richer (6) – 17:59 		First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 18:57 – pp – Ray Ferraro (1)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Brian Hayward 19 saves / 20 shots Goalie stats Richard Brodeur 23 saves / 25 shots
Montreal won series 4–2


(A2) Boston Bruins vs (A3) Buffalo Sabres

This was the third playoff series between these two teams. Boston won both prior meetings. They last met in the 1983 Adams Division Finals, in which Boston won in seven games.


April 6 Buffalo Sabres 3–7 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Phil Housley (1) – pp – 11:16 First period 09:27 – pp – Glen Wesley (1)
Pierre Turgeon (1) – pp – 14:43 Second period 03:16 – Ray Bourque (1)
11:38 – sh – Steve Kasper (1)
12:35 – sh – Gord Kluzak (1)
Pierre Turgeon (2) – pp – 16:14 Third period 03:27 – Tom McCarthy (1)
03:55 – Bob Sweeney (1)
08:45 – Michael Thelven (1)
Tom Barrasso 22 saves / 28 shots
Daren Puppa 3 saves / 4 shots 		Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 21 saves / 24 shots
April 7 Buffalo Sabres 1–4 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 12:19 – pp – Ken Linseman (1)
No scoring Second period 02:13 – Bruce Shoebottom (1)
Mike Foligno (1) – 04:16 Third period 05:35 – pp – Glen Wesley (1)
09:38 – pp – Craig Janney (1)
Tom Barrasso 33 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 25 saves / 26 shots
April 9 Boston Bruins 2–6 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Craig Janney (2) – 14:48 First period 09:16 – pp – John Tucker (1)
Glen Wesley (1) – pp – 10:58 Second period 06:15 – Mike Foligno (2)
17:37 – John Tucker (2)
18:39 – John Tucker (3)
No scoring Third period 09:14 – pp – John Tucker (4)
14:01 – Mike Foligno (3)
Andy Moog 24 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Tom Barrasso 22 saves / 24 shots
April 10 Boston Bruins 5–6 OT Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Bob Joyce (1) – 07:33 First period 02:29 – pp – Pierre Turgeon (3)
Keith Crowder (1) – 03:36 Second period 16:33 – Dave Andreychuk (1)
Rick Middleton (1) – 11:58
Cam Neely (1) – 13:48
Cam Neely (2) – 18:27 		Third period 00:16 – pp – John Tucker (5)
07:33 – Pierre Turgeon (4)
14:01 – Phil Housley (2)
No scoring First overtime period 05:32 – pp – John Tucker (6)
Rejean Lemelin 31 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Daren Puppa 26 saves / 31 shots
April 12 Buffalo Sabres 4–5 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 01:58 – Steve Kasper (2)
12:28 – sh – Rick Middleton (2)
Christian Ruuttu (1) – pp – 00:54
Dave Andreychuk (2) – pp – 06:42 		Second period No scoring
John Tucker (7) – 11:13
Ray Sheppard (1) – pp – 16:58 		Third period 01:10 – Ken Linseman (2)
06:05 – Tom McCarthy (2)
14:16 – Rick Middleton (3)
Daren Puppa 27 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 18 saves / 22 shots
April 14 Boston Bruins 5–2 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Bob Sweeney (2) – 06:28
Bob Joyce (2) – pp – 13:13
Willi Plett (1) – 13:40 		First period No scoring
Ken Linseman (3) – 12:19 Second period 00:44 – Mikael Andersson (1)
Ken Linseman (4) – 19:26 Third period 11:31 – Christian Ruuttu (2)
Andy Moog 22 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Tom Barrasso 26 saves / 30 shots
Boston won series 4–2


(P1) New York Islanders vs. (P4) New Jersey Devils

This was the first and to date only playoff series between these two teams. This was the first time that a team representing the state of New Jersey qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs. This was the first ever playoff series victory for the Scouts/Rockies/Devils franchise. This would be the last playoff series until the 2019 Eastern Conference First Round that the Islanders held home-ice advantage.


April 6 New Jersey Devils 3–4 OT New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 05:44 – pp – Mikko Mäkelä (1)
Craig Wolanin (1) – 07:49 Second period 01:09 – pp – Denis Potvin (1)
David Maley (1) – 12:05
John MacLean (1) – pp – 18:04 		Third period 06:58 – pp – Pat LaFontaine (1)
No scoring First overtime period 06:11 – Pat LaFontaine (2)
Sean Burke 29 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Kelly Hrudey 28 saves / 31 shots
April 7 New Jersey Devils 3–2 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
John MacLean (2) – 09:22
Claude Loiselle (1) – sh – 16:17 		Second period 06:25 – Tomas Jonsson (1)
Mark Johnson (1) – pp – 05:56 Third period 04:19 – pp – Gerald Diduck (1)
Bob Sauve 24 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Kelly Hrudey 13 saves / 16 shots
April 9 New York Islanders 0–3 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 06:21 – Ken Daneyko (1)
18:33 – Mark Johnson (2)
No scoring Third period 04:28 – Mark Johnson (3)
Kelly Hrudey 14 saves / 17 shots Goalie stats Sean Burke 31 saves / 31 shots
April 10 New York Islanders 5–4 OT New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 07:52 – pp – Bruce Driver (1)
12:40 – pp – John MacLean (3)
Alan Kerr (1) – 18:49 Second period 16:50 – Doug Brown (1)
Brent Sutter (1) – 11:30
Brad Lauer (1) – 14:53
Pat LaFontaine (3) – 18:30 		Third period 19:48 – John MacLean (4)
Brent Sutter (2) – sh – 15:07 First overtime period No scoring
Kelly Hrudey 24 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Sean Burke 33 saves / 38 shots
April 12 New Jersey Devils 4–2 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Bruce Driver (2) – pp – 05:40 First period 08:10 – Pat LaFontaine (4)
Craig Wolanin (2) – pp – 03:26
Pat Conacher (1) – sh – 13:12
Aaron Broten (1) – 17:40 		Second period 13:44 – pp – Tomas Jonsson (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Sean Burke 33 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Kelly Hrudey 26 saves / 30 shots
April 14 New York Islanders 5–6 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 08:41 – sh – Doug Brown (2)
19:54 – pp – Pat Verbeek (1)
Brad Lauer (2) – 04:03 Second period 02:16 – pp – Mark Johnson (4)
06:22 – pp – Bruce Driver (3)
12:23 – Patrik Sundstrom (1)
Dale Henry (1) – sh – 07:38
Steve Konroyd (1) – sh – 08:46
Brad Lauer (3) – 10:04
Randy Wood (1) – 12:40 		Third period 06:18 – pp – Patrik Sundstrom (2)
Kelly Hrudey 26 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Sean Burke 22 saves / 27 shots
New Jersey won series 4–2


(P2) Washington Capitals vs. (P3) Philadelphia Flyers

This was the second playoff series between these two teams. Washington won the only previous meeting in a three-game sweep in the 1984 Patrick Division Semifinals.

Washington overcame a 3–1 series deficit to advance to the Patrick Division Finals for the third time in five years. Game seven ended when Dale Hunter scored at 5:57 of the first overtime period to complete the Capitals' comeback.


April 6 Philadelphia Flyers 4–2 Washington Capitals Capital Centre Recap  
Peter Zezel (1) – 05:17 First period No scoring
Peter Zezel (2) – 05:11 Second period 12:05 – pp – Michal Pivonka (1)
Dave Poulin (1) – pp – 09:21
Murray Craven (1) – 19:42 		Third period 05:27 – pp – Dale Hunter (1)
Ron Hextall 35 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 27 saves / 30 shots
April 7 Philadelphia Flyers 4–5 Washington Capitals Capital Centre Recap  
Mark Howe (1) – 05:32
Dave Brown (1) – 07:59 		First period 00:47 – Kevin Hatcher (1)
18:36 – Bobby Gould (1)
Peter Zezel (3) – 10:49 Second period 11:10 – Stephen Leach (1)
18:06 – sh – Peter Sundstrom (1)
Brian Propp (1) – 15:55 Third period 06:12 – Kelly Miller (1)
Ron Hextall 23 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 31 saves / 35 shots
April 9 Washington Capitals 3–4 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Dale Hunter (2) – 11:49
Bengt-Ake Gustafsson (1) – pp – 16:30 		First period 00:40 – Brian Propp (2)
Kevin Hatcher (2) – 14:10 Second period 03:08 – pp – Ilkka Sinisalo (1)
12:12 – Dave Poulin (2)
15:26 – Kjell Samuelsson (1)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Pete Peeters 25 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Ron Hextall 14 saves / 17 shots
April 10 Washington Capitals 4–5 OT Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Michal Pivonka (2) – 13:06
Bengt-Ake Gustafsson (2) – 18:36 		First period 09:04 – Ilkka Sinisalo (2)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Mike Gartner (1) – 00:55
Dale Hunter (3) – 03:04 		Third period 10:53 – Mark Howe (2)
15:08 – Brian Propp (3)
19:07 – Kjell Samuelsson (2)
No scoring First overtime period 01:18 – Murray Craven (2)
Clint Malarchuk 25 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Ron Hextall 18 saves / 22 shots
Mark Laforest 4 saves / 4 shots
April 12 Philadelphia Flyers 2–5 Washington Capitals Capital Centre Recap  
Ilkka Sinisalo (3) – 14:09 First period 10:50 – Mike Ridley (1)
11:26 – Bengt-Ake Gustafsson (3)
Doug Crossman (1) – pp – 10:48 Second period 05:19 – Kevin Hatcher (3)
09:00 – sh – Bobby Gould (2)
17:10 – Michal Pivonka (3)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Ron Hextall 20 saves / 24 shots
Mark Laforest 7 saves / 8 shots 		Goalie stats Pete Peeters 31 saves / 33 shots
April 14 Washington Capitals 7–2 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Mike Ridley (2) – pp – 05:12 First period No scoring
Dave Christian (1) – 00:25
Bengt-Ake Gustafsson (4) – pp – 02:39
Kevin Hatcher (4) – pp – 03:17
Michal Pivonka (4) – pp – 16:10 		Second period 12:44 – Ilkka Sinisalo (4)
17:17 – pp – Rick Tocchet (1)
Bobby Gould (3) – sh – 02:37
Kelly Miller (2) – 10:02 		Third period No scoring
Pete Peeters 24 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Ron Hextall 21 saves / 28 shots
April 16 Philadelphia Flyers 4–5 OT Washington Capitals Capital Centre Recap  
Tim Kerr (1) – pp – 17:36 First period No scoring
Brian Propp (4) – 01:35
Mark Howe (3) – 02:59 		Second period 06:42 – Garry Galley (1)
08:02 – Kelly Miller (3)
17:54 – Kevin Hatcher (5)
Brad Marsh (1) – 06:21 Third period 05:19 – pp – Dale Hunter (4)
No scoring First overtime period 05:57 – Dale Hunter (5)
Ron Hextall 35 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 29 saves / 33 shots
Washington won series 4–3


Clarence Campbell Conference

(N1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (N4) Toronto Maple Leafs

This was the 22nd playoff series between these two teams. Toronto led 11–10 in previous playoff meetings. This was a rematch of the previous year's Norris Division Finals, which Detroit won in seven games.

Game six in Maple Leaf Gardens was future Hall of Famer Borje Salming's final playoff game in the NHL.


April 6 Toronto Maple Leafs 6–2 Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena Recap  
Gary Leeman (1) – pp – 04:38
Borje Salming (1) – 14:31 		First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 06:52 – Adam Oates (1)
Mark Osborne (1) – 07:35
Eddie Olczyk (1) – 10:04
Gary Leeman (2) – pp – 16:43
Al Iafrate (1) – 17:41 		Third period 08:35 – pp – Lee Norwood (1)
Allan Bester 25 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Glen Hanlon 18 saves / 24 shots
April 7 Toronto Maple Leafs 2–6 Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena Recap  
Russ Courtnall (1) – 05:43
Eddie Olczyk (2) – 07:54 		First period 03:57 – pp – Gerard Gallant (1)
04:22 – Petr Klima (1)
07:31 – Petr Klima (2)
10:22 – Doug Halward (1)
No scoring Second period 17:39 – pp – Petr Kilma (3)
No scoring Third period 05:43 – James Nill (1)
Ken Wregget 21 saves / 24 shots
Allan Bester 6 saves / 9 shots 		Goalie stats Glen Hanlon 21 saves / 23 shots
April 9 Detroit Red Wings 6–3 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Bob Probert (1) – 01:44
James Nill (2) – sh – 05:16 		First period 17:29 – Mike Blaisdell (1)
Adam Oates (2) – pp – 03:57
Petr Klima (4) – 15:30
James Nill (3) – 16:52
Petr Kilma (5) – sh – 19:36 		Second period 05:16 – Russ Courtnall (2)
No scoring Third period 02:25 – Al Secord (1)
Greg Stefan 32 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Allan Bester 29 saves / 35 shots
April 10 Detroit Red Wings 8–0 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Adam Oates (3) – pp – 09:33
Dave Barr (1) – pp – 14:59 		First period No scoring
Gerard Gallant (2) – 12:06
John Chabot (1) – 15:15
James Nill (4) – 17:11 		Second period No scoring
Bob Probert (2) – 03:16
James Nill (5) – 04:42
Brent Ashton (1) – 05:08 		Third period No scoring
Glen Hanlon 21 saves / 21 shots Goalie stats Ken Wregget 30 saves / 38 shots
April 12 Toronto Maple Leafs 6–5 OT Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena Recap  
Eddie Olczyk (3) – sh – 03:44
Daniel Marois (1) – 12:28 		First period 04:31 – Mel Bridgman (1)
07:53 – Adam Oates (4)
Al Iafrate (2) – pp – 05:30
Eddie Olczyk (4) – pp – 09:57
Tom Fergus (1) – 19:59 		Second period 11:29 – pp – Adam Oates (5)
12:04 – Petr Klima (6)
No scoring Third period 03:19 – pp – John Chabot (2)
Eddie Olczyk (5) – 00:34 First overtime period No scoring
Allan Bester 31 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Greg Stefan 13 saves / 16 shots
Glen Hanlon 4 saves / 7 shots
April 14 Detroit Red Wings 5–3 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Mel Bridgman (2) – 06:16
Bob Probert (3) – pp – 09:34 		First period 03:39 – pp – Al Iafrate (3)
Dave Barr (2) – pp – 14:29 Second period No scoring
Shawn Burr (1) – 00:40
Darren Veitch (1) – pp – 07:27 		Third period 06:37 – sh – Tom Fergus (2)
15:59 – pp – Todd Gill (1)
Greg Stefan 20 saves / 22 shots
Sam St. Laurent 6 saves / 7 shots 		Goalie stats Allan Bester 23 saves / 28 shots
Detroit won series 4–2


(N2) St. Louis Blues vs. (N3) Chicago Blackhawks

This was the fifth playoff series between the Blackhawks and Blues. Chicago won all four previous meetings, including their most recent meeting 3–1 in the 1983 Norris Division Semifinals.


April 6 Chicago Blackhawks 1–4 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 12:52 – pp – Gino Cavallini (1)
No scoring Second period 16:32 – pp – Brett Hull (1)
Troy Murray (1) – pp – 16:45 Third period 03:00 – Gordie Roberts (1)
07:04 – pp – Brett Hull (2)
Darren Pang 20 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 25 saves / 26 shots
April 7 Chicago Blackhawks 2–3 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Dirk Graham (1) – 14:09 First period 13:34 – pp – Greg Paslawski (1)
19:27 – Doug Gilmour (1)
Rick Vaive (1) – pp – 10:42 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 03:09 – Brett Hull (3)
Bob Mason 28 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 21 saves / 23 shots
April 9 St. Louis Blues 3–6 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No scoring First period 04:51 – pp – Rick Vaive (2)
05:16 – Steve Thomas (1)
16:13 – Denis Savard (1)
Bernie Federko (1) – pp – 00:17
Gaston Gingras (1) – 13:48 		Second period 04:15 – Denis Savard (2)
16:39 – pp – Bob Murray (1)
Paul Cavallini (1) – sh – 18:12 Third period 07:24 – Denis Savard (3)
Greg Millen 23 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Darren Pang 42 saves / 45 shots
April 10 St. Louis Blues 6–5 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Tony Hrkac (1) – 02:47 First period 04:51 – pp – Steve Larmer (1)
06:39 – Everett Sanipass (1)
Brett Hull (4) – 11:08
Doug Gilmour (2) – pp – 14:13
Tony Hrkac (2) – pp – 19:55 		Second period 07:21 – pp – Rick Vaive (3)
16:48 – Everett Sanipass (2)
Tony Hrkac (3) – 05:54
Tony Hrkac (4) – sh – 15:15 		Third period 01:11 – pp – Rick Vaive (4)
Greg Millen 29 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Darren Pang 29 saves / 35 shots
April 12 Chicago Blackhawks 3–5 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Denis Savard (4) – sh – 09:52 First period 07:54 – pp – Brian Benning (1)
11:22 – pp – Tony Hrkac (5)
17:06 – pp – Brett Hull (5)
Rick Vaive (5) – 13:27
Rick Vaive (6) – pp – 14:36 		Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 00:15 – Brett Hull (6)
08:13 – Gino Cavallini (2)
Darren Pang 21 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 18 saves / 21 shots
St. Louis won series 4–1


(S1) Calgary Flames vs. (S4) Los Angeles Kings

This was the third playoff series between these two teams, but the first since the Flames relocated from Atlanta. Los Angeles won both previous meetings, including their most recent meeting 2–1 in the 1977 Preliminary Round.


April 6 Los Angeles Kings 2–9 Calgary Flames Olympic Saddledome Recap  
No scoring First period 06:00 – Lanny McDonald (1)
08:07 – Al MacInnis (1)
09:36 – Joel Otto (1)
14:42 – pp – Hakan Loob (1)
Jimmy Carson (1) – 07:21
Dave Taylor (1) – pp – 14:49 		Second period 02:54 – Joel Otto (2)
10:37 – Joe Mullen (1)
No scoring Third period 10:07 – pp – Joe Nieuwendyk (1)
13:19 – Gary Roberts (1)
15:02 – Hakan Loob (2)
Roland Melanson 41 saves / 50 shots Goalie stats Mike Vernon 15 saves / 17 shots
April 7 Los Angeles Kings 4–6 Calgary Flames Olympic Saddledome Recap  
Dave Taylor (2) – pp – 15:13 First period 05:06 – pp – Paul Reinhart (1)
09:49 – Joe Mullen (2)
Jimmy Carson (2) – 15:34
Chris Kontos (1) – 19:17 		Second period 03:24 – pp – Joel Otto (3)
04:45 – Tim Hunter (1)
Paul Fenton (1) – 16:47 Third period 09:33 – pp – John Tonelli (1)
19:26 – sh – Gary Suter (1)
Glenn Healy 29 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Mike Vernon 23 saves / 27 shots
April 9 Calgary Flames 2–5 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Colin Patterson (1) – sh – 13:58 First period 12:42 – Jimmy Carson (3)
No scoring Second period 04:38 – pp – Bernie Nicholls (1)
15:15 – pp – Luc Robitaille (1)
Dana Murzyn (1) – 07:31 Third period 00:46 – Bobby Carpenter (1)
14:08 – pp – Jimmy Carson (4)
Mike Vernon 21 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Glenn Healy 28 saves / 30 shots
April 10 Calgary Flames 7–3 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Hakan Loob (3) – sh – 01:29
Brad McCrimmon (1) – pp – 04:56
Gary Roberts (2) – 10:50 		First period 12:13 – Dave Taylor (3)
13:10 – pp – Luc Robitaille (2)
Tim Hunter (2) – 14:35
Hakan Loob (4) – 16:05 		Second period 08:12 – pp – Steve Duchesne (1)
Lanny McDonald (2) – 00:19
Hakan Loob (5) – 08:41 		Third period No scoring
Mike Vernon 22 saves / 25 shots Goalie stats Glenn Healy 27 saves / 34 shots
April 12 Los Angeles Kings 4–6 Calgary Flames Olympic Saddledome Recap  
Jay Wells (1) – 11:06 First period 04:01 – pp – Hakan Loob (6)
18:22 – pp – Al MacInnis (2)
Bernie Nicholls (2) – 02:45 Second period 03:38 – Paul Reinhart (2)
Paul Fenton (2) – pp – 16:10
Jimmy Carson (5) – 18:18 		Third period 01:57 – Hakan Loob (7)
02:32 – Tim Hunter (3)
09:03 – Ric Nattress (1)
Glenn Healy 23 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Mike Vernon 26 saves / 30 shots
Calgary won series 4–1


(S2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (S3) Winnipeg Jets

This was the fifth playoff series between the Jets and Oilers. Edmonton won all four previous meetings. This was a rematch of the previous year's Smythe Division Finals, which Edmonton won in a four-game sweep.


April 6 Winnipeg Jets 4–7 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
Dale Hawerchuk (1) – pp – 06:29 First period 17:56 – Mark Messier (1)
Steve Rooney (1) – 19:12 Second period No scoring
Ray Neufeld (1) – 01:55
Doug Smail (1) – 18:33 		Third period 00:27 – pp – Glenn Anderson (1)
04:09 – Jari Kurri (1)
06:10 – Glenn Anderson (2)
06:20 – Craig Simpson (1)
13:39 – pp – Charlie Huddy (1)
14:47 – Glenn Anderson (3)
Daniel Berthiaume 26 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 22 saves / 26 shots
April 7 Winnipeg Jets 2–3 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 05:26 – pp – Esa Tikkanen (1)
Peter Taglianetti (1) – 02:23
Paul MacLean (1) – pp – 14:44 		Second period 12:49 – Kevin McClelland (1)
No scoring Third period 18:55 – Craig Simpson (2)
Daniel Berthiaume 30 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 21 saves / 23 shots
April 9 Edmonton Oilers 4–6 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 07:30 – Fredrik Olausson (1)
09:44 – pp – Thomas Steen (1)
18:00 – sh – Andrew McBain (1)
Normand Lacombe (1) – 04:28
Craig Simpson (3) – 07:26
Mark Messier (2) – sh – 08:46
Mike Krushelnyski (1) – 13:58 		Second period 09:54 – pp – Ray Neufeld (2)
13:22 – sh – Randy Gilhen (1)
No scoring Third period 19:23 – Laurie Boschman (1)
Grant Fuhr 28 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Daniel Berthiaume 27 saves / 31 shots
April 10 Edmonton Oilers 5–3 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 09:16 – pp – Dave Ellett (1)
13:23 – Andrew McBain (2)
Craig Simpson (4) – 07:18
Jari Kurri (2) – pp – 18:44
Charlie Huddy (2) – pp – 19:22 		Second period 01:52 – pp – Paul MacLean (2)
Normand Lacombe (2) – 06:47
Jari Kurri (3) – pp – 16:38 		Third period No scoring
Grant Fuhr 32 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Daniel Berthiaume 25 saves / 30 shots
April 12 Winnipeg Jets 2–6 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 09:07 – pp – Mark Messier (3)
17:37 – pp – Esa Tikkanen (2)
Dale Hawerchuk (2) – pp – 18:04
Dale Hawerchuk (3) – 18:28 		Second period 09:36 – pp – Jari Kurri (4)
11:59 – pp – Mark Messier (4)
15:43 – Wayne Gretzky (1)
No scoring Third period 18:39 – Jari Kurri (5)
Daniel Berthiaume 21 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 23 saves / 25 shots
Edmonton won series 4–1


Division finals

Prince of Wales Conference

(A1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A2) Boston Bruins

This was the 23rd playoff series between these two teams. Montreal led 20–2 in previous playoff series meetings. This was the fifth year in a row that these team met in the playoffs. Montreal had defeated Boston in the Division Semifinals the four previous seasons.

This was Boston's first playoff series victory against Montreal since the 1943 Stanley Cup Semifinals. Boston had lost the previous 18 playoff series between these two teams, an NHL record for most consecutive playoff series defeats to one team. This was the first of three consecutive series between these two teams that ended in five games (with the winner of all three series making it to the Stanley Cup Finals).


April 18 Boston Bruins 2–5 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 03:33 – Kjell Dahlin (2)
08:52 – sh – Mike McPhee ()
Bob Joyce (3) – 16:47 Second period 05:17 – Claude Lemieux (2)
15:43 – Claude Lemieux (3)
Randy Burridge (1) – 07:05 Third period 14:39 – Stephane Richer (7)
Andy Moog 24 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Brian Hayward 20 saves / 22 shots
April 20 Boston Bruins 4–3 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Bob Sweeney (3) – 03:50
Ray Bourque (2) – 09:07 		Second period No scoring
Moe Lemay (1) – 01:32
Cam Neely (3) – 09:45 		Third period 09:01 – Mike McPhee (4)
12:56 – John Kordic (1)
18:07 – Larry Robinson (1)
Rejean Lemelin 27 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Brian Hayward 10 saves / 14 shots
Patrick Roy 0 saves / 0 shots
April 22 Montreal Canadiens 1–3 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 04:07 – Moe Lemay (2)
No scoring Second period 19:13 – sh – Bob Sweeney (4)
Chris Chelios (3) – 16:18 Third period 01:46 – Gord Kluzak (2)
Patrick Roy 32 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 22 saves / 23 shots
April 24 Montreal Canadiens 0–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 11:25 – Rick Middleton (4)
No scoring Third period 19:40 – Gord Kluzak (3)
Patrick Roy 22 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 22 saves / 22 shots
April 26 Boston Bruins 4–1 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Steve Kasper (3) – 10:20
Cam Neely (4) – 14:09 		First period No scoring
Steve Kasper (4) – 10:02 Second period 14:35 – John Kordic (2)
Cam Neely (5) – 04:06 Third period No scoring
Rejean Lemelin 28 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Patrick Roy 24 saves / 28 shots
Boston won series 4–1


(P2) Washington Capitals vs. (P4) New Jersey Devils

This was the first playoff series between these two teams.

Patrik Sundstrom's eight-point effort in game three (3 goals, 5 assists) set a new Stanley Cup playoff record for most points in a single game.


April 18 New Jersey Devils 1–3 Washington Capitals Capital Centre Recap  
No scoring First period 07:18 – Mike Ridley (3)
No scoring Second period 03:29 – pp – Larry Murphy (1)
16:48 – Scott Stevens (1)
Tom Kurvers (1) – 09:49 Third period No scoring
Sean Burke 28 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 33 saves / 34 shots
April 20 New Jersey Devils 5–2 Washington Capitals Capital Centre Recap  
Aaron Broten (2) – pp – 09:37 First period 13:15 – Mike Ridley (4)
Aaron Broten (3) – 03:02
Aaron Broten (4) – pp – 05:23
Pat Verbeek (2) – 18:14 		Second period 17:45 – pp – Larry Robinson (2)
Patrik Sundstrom (3) – pp – 12:49 Third period No scoring
Sean Burke 28 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 25 saves / 30 shots
April 22 Washington Capitals 4–10 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
Dave Christian (2) – pp – 18:22 First period 10:37 – pp – Mark Johnson (5)
15:07 – pp – Mark Johnson (6)
Larry Murphy (3) – 06:51
Mike Gartner (2) – 09:50
Larry Murphy (4) – 13:57 		Second period 00:57 – Patrik Sundstrom (4)
02:01 – sh – Claude Loiselle (2)
11:39 – Anders Carlsson (1)
15:33 – Doug Brown (3)
19:45 – Patrik Sundstrom (5)
No scoring Third period 02:59 – Mark Johnson (7)
09:47 – pp – Mark Johnson (8)
14:14 – Patrik Sundstrom (6)
Clint Malarchuk 14 saves / 21 shots
Pete Peeters 7 saves / 10 shots 		Goalie stats Sean Burke 28 saves / 32 shots
April 24 Washington Capitals 4–1 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
Dave Christian (3) – 03:55
Peter Sundstrom (2) – 11:02 		First period 03:12 – pp – Tom Kurvers (2)
Dave Christian (4) – 09:11 Second period No scoring
Dale Hunter (6) – pp – 08:45 Third period No scoring
Pete Peeters 11 saves / 12 shots
Clint Malarchuk 13 saves / 13 shots 		Goalie stats Sean Burke 27 saves / 31 shots
April 26 New Jersey Devils 3–1 Washington Capitals Capital Centre Recap  
Kirk Muller (1) – 16:36 First period No scoring
Tom Kurvers (3) – pp – 06:54 Second period No scoring
Kirk Muller (2) – 13:26 Third period 10:24 – Mike Ridley (5)
Bob Sauve 28 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Clint Malarchuk 28 saves / 31 shots
April 28 Washington Capitals 7–2 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
Mike Ridley (6) – 06:40
Dale Hunter (7) – pp – 13:07
Stephen Leach (2) – 17:03 		First period 00:18 – Claude Loiselle (3)
Yvon Corriveau (1) – 10:43
Dave Christian (5) – 17:48 		Second period No scoring
Kelly Miller (4) – sh – 05:25
Mike Gartner (3) – pp – 18:32 		Third period 07:21 – David Maley (2)
Pete Peeters 25 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Sean Burke 13 saves / 18 shots
Bob Sauve 11 saves / 13 shots
April 30 New Jersey Devils 3–2 Washington Capitals Capital Centre Recap  
Kirk Muller (3) – 00:14
Claude Loiselle (4) – 12:01 		First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 15:21 – Grant Ledyard (1)
19:54 – Garry Galley (2)
John MacLean (5) – 13:49 Third period No scoring
Sean Burke 30 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 23 saves / 26 shots
New Jersey won series 4–3


Clarence Campbell Conference

(N1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (N2) St. Louis Blues

This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. St. Louis won the only previous meeting 3–1 in the 1984 Norris Division Semifinals.


April 19 St. Louis Blues 4–5 Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena Recap  
Mark Hunter (1) – pp – 10:54
Brett Hull (7) – pp – 13::47 		First period 01:48 – James Nill (6)
02:31 – Shawn Burr (2)
No scoring Second period 08:34 – Steve Chiasson (1)
Mark Hunter (2) – 03:01
Gino Cavallini (3) – 13:32 		Third period 06:08 – Shawn Burr (3)
07:46 – Gerard Gallant (3)
Greg Millen 17 saves / 22 shots Goalie stats Greg Stefan 15 saves / 19 shots
April 21 St. Louis Blues 0–6 Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 07:00 – Petr Klima (7)
10:17 – pp – Steve Chiasson (2)
15:45 – Gerard Gallant (4)
No scoring Second period 19:41 Petr Klima (8)
No scoring Third period 10:24 – pp – Petr Klima (9)
18:52 – Brent Ashton (2)
Greg Millen 12 saves / 18 shots Goalie stats Greg Stefan 19 saves / 19 shots
April 23 Detroit Red Wings 3–6 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Adam Oates (6) – 04:12
Bob Probert (4) – 17:58 		First period 00:26 – Gino Cavallini (4)
No scoring Second period 01:03 – Tony McKegney (1)
12:19 – pp – Tony Hrkac (6)
14:19 – Tony McKegney (2)
Dave Barr (3) – 19:33 Third period 07:12 – Doug Gilmour (3)
10:33 – pp – Gino Cavallini (5)
Greg Stefan 29 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 25 saves / 28 shots
April 25 Detroit Red Wings 3–1 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Gerard Gallant (5) – 14:33
Petr Klima (10) – 17:21 		First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 19:40 – pp – Tony McKegney (3)
Gerard Gallant (6) – 09:53 Third period No scoring
Glen Hanlon 27 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 17 saves / 20 shots
April 27 St. Louis Blues 3–4 Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 17:22 – pp – Lee Norwood (2)
Herb Raglan (1) – 01:29
Bernie Federko (2) – pp – 07:02 		Second period 11:18 – pp – Bob Probert (5)
Steve Bozek (1) – 04:04 Third period 05:42 – John Chabot (3)
17:35 – Tim Higgins (1)
Greg Millen 27 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Greg Stefan 13 saves / 16 shots
Detroit won series 4–1


(S1) Calgary Flames vs. (S2) Edmonton Oilers

This was the fourth playoff series meeting between these two teams. Edmonton won two of the previous three meetings. Calgary won the most recent meeting in seven games in the 1986 Smythe Division Finals.

In the Battle of Alberta the Oilers would claim the first sweep of the playoffs. In game two Wayne Gretzky scored the overtime winning goal short-handed.


April 19 Edmonton Oilers 3–1 Calgary Flames Olympic Saddledome Recap  
Mark Messier (5) – pp – 11:49 First period 13:59 – pp – Brad McCrimmon (2)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Jari Kurri (6) – 13:23
Wayne Gretzky (2) – 16:18 		Third period No scoring
Grant Fuhr 26 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Mike Vernon 16 saves / 19 shots
April 21 Edmonton Oilers 5–4 OT Calgary Flames Olympic Saddledome Recap  
Mark Messier (6) – pp – 13:49 First period 07:23 – Lanny McDonald (3)
11:26 – pp – Al MacInnis (3)
Charlie Huddy (3) – 11:20
Wayne Gretzky (3) – pp – 13:18 		Second period 03:56 – pp – Rob Ramage (1)
Jari Kurri (7) – 16:01 Third period 04:03 – Tim Hunter (4)
Wayne Gretzky (4) – sh – 07:54 First overtime period No scoring
Grant Fuhr 30 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Mike Vernon 30 saves / 35 shots
April 23 Calgary Flames 2–4 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
Hakan Loob (8) – sh – 03:11 First period 09:23 – pp – Steve Smith (1)
No scoring Second period 08:54 – Charlie Huddy (4)
17:10 – pp – Glenn Anderson (4)
Joe Nieuwendyk (2) – 06:46 Third period 09:04 – Jari Kurri (8)
Mike Vernon 18 saves / 22 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 21 saves / 23 shots
April 25 Calgary Flames 4–6 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 09:27 – pp – Mark Messier (7)
15:31 – Craig Simpson (5)
Craig Coxe (1) – 10:39
Dana Murzyn (2) – 12:45
Joe Nieuwendyk (3) – 15:35 		Second period 04:31 – Wayne Gretzky (5)
06:39 – Esa Tikkanen (3)
14:23 – Dave Hannan (1)
John Tonelli (2) – pp – 16:09 Third period 10:40 – Glenn Anderson (5)
Rick Wamsley 6 saves / 8 shots
Mike Vernon 5 saves / 9 shots 		Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 26 saves / 30 shots
Edmonton won series 4–0


Conference finals

See also: NHL conference finals

Prince of Wales Conference final

(A2) Boston Bruins vs. (P4) New Jersey Devils

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

This series featured the infamous confrontation between Devils 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, "Good, 'cause you fell you fat pig!" Then, he yelled "Have another doughnut! Have another doughnut!" The incident has since become part of NHL lore.[1]

Schoenfeld was suspended by NHL president John Ziegler for Game 4, but the Devils received an injunction from the New Jersey Supreme Court, allowing Schoenfeld to coach the fourth game.[1] 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 game.[2][3] The injunction was lifted, the league conducted a proper hearing, Schoenfeld served his suspension during Game 5 in the Boston Garden, and the League officials returned to work.[4][5]


May 2 New Jersey Devils 3–5 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 08:48 – Glen Wesley (1)
Tom Kurvers (4) – 11:26
Jack O'Callahan (1) – 13:45 		Second period 02:38 – Steve Kasper (5)
09:40 – pp – Craig Janney (3)
Tom Kurvers (5) – pp – 02:48 Third period 05:56 – Ray Bourque (3)
16:05 – Ken Linseman (5)
Bob Sauve 25 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 25 saves / 28 shots
May 4 New Jersey Devils 3–2 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Pat Verbeek (3) – pp – 11:38
Aaron Broten (5) – pp – 16:20 		First period 04:38 – pp – Keith Crowder (2)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 16:36 – pp – Bob Joyce (4)
Doug Brown (4) – 17:46 First overtime period No scoring
Sean Burke 39 saves / 41 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 30 saves / 33 shots
May 6 Boston Bruins 6–1 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Ken Linseman (6) – pp – 01:05
Bob Joyce (5) – pp – 02:03
Lyndon Byers (1) – 02:18
Gord Kluzak (4) – 10:52
Ken Linseman (7) – 17:05 		Second period 14:58 – pp – Brendan Shanahan (1)
Tom McCarthy (3) – 13:05 Third period No scoring
Rejean Lemelin 23 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Bob Sauve 17 saves / 20 shots
Sean Burke 8 saves / 11 shots
May 8 Boston Bruins 1–3 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 10:47 – David Maley (3)
11:32 – Pat Verbeek (4)
Cam Neely (6) – pp – 12:31 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 04:04 – Tom Kurvers (6)
Rejean Lemelin 15 saves / 18 shots Goalie stats Sean Burke 33 saves / 34 shots
May 10 New Jersey Devils 1–7 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Brendan Shanahan (2) – 18:05 First period 12:12 – pp – Michael Thelven (2)
17:24 – pp – Craig Janney (4)
No scoring Second period 06:15 – Keith Crowder (3)
08:41 – Bob Joyce (6)
No scoring Third period 03:28 – Bob Joyce (7)
09:05 – pp – Ken Linseman (8)
09:29 – Bob Sweeney (5)
Sean Burke 24 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 24 saves / 25 shots
May 12 Boston Bruins 3–6 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena Recap  
Willi Plett (2) – 01:57 First period 15:40 – Mark Johnson (9)
18:15 – Mark Johnson (10)
Bob Sweeney (6) – pp – 07:24
Michael Thelven (3) – 14:17 		Second period 11:03 – Doug Brown (5)
17:12 – John MacLean (6)
No scoring Third period 02:45 – Pat Conacher (2)
17:30 – pp – Patrik Sundstrom (7)
Rejean Lemelin 8 saves / 13 shots
Andy Moog 14 saves / 15 shots 		Goalie stats Sean Burke 26 saves / 29 shots
May 14 New Jersey Devils 2–6 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 08:59 – pp – Craig Janney (5)
11:59 – Moe Lemay (3)
John MacLean (7) – 15:28 Second period 02:57 – Rick Middleton (5)
Kirk Muller (4) – 03:41 Third period 12:05 – Craig Janney (6)
13:19 – Cam Neely (7)
19:36 – sh – Ken Linseman (9)
Sean Burke 25 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 17 saves / 19 shots
Boston won series 4–3


Clarence Campbell Conference final

(S2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (N1) Detroit Red Wings

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams and was a rematch of the previous year's Clarence Campbell Conference Final which Edmonton won in five games.


May 3 Detroit Red Wings 1–4 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 07:30 – pp – Jari Kurri (9)
Brent Ashton (3) – 14:17 Second period 01:11 – Randy Gregg (1)
15:54 – pp – Craig Simpson (6)
No scoring Third period 02:07 – Esa Tikkanen (1)
Greg Stefan 28 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 15 saves / 16 shots
May 5 Detroit Red Wings 3–5 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
John Chabot (4) – 02:03 First period No scoring
Mel Bridgman (3) – 15:20
Brent Ashton (4) – pp – 17:41 		Second period 05:24 – pp – Mark Messier (8)
No scoring Third period 00:48 – Mark Messier (9)
01:18 – Jari Kurri (10)
05:01 – pp – Craig Simpson (7)
19:41 – Wayne Gretzky (6)
Glen Hanlon 10 saves / 14 shots
Greg Stefan 9 saves / 9 shots 		Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 25 saves / 28 shots
May 7 Edmonton Oilers 2–5 Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena Recap  
Wayne Gretzky (7) – pp – 04:47 First period 11:57 – pp – Brent Ashton (5)
No scoring Second period 16:32 – Brent Ashton (6)
19:44 – pp – Bob Probert (6)
Wayne Gretzky (8) – pp – 01:10 Third period 17:37 – Dave Barr (4)
18:33 – Mel Bridgman (4)
Grant Fuhr 26 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Glen Hanlon 23 saves / 25 shots
May 9 Edmonton Oilers 4–3 OT Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena Recap  
Craig Simpson (8) – 15:22 First period 19:21 – pp – Adam Oates (7)
Jari Kurri (11) – 00:23
Glenn Anderson (6) – pp – 04:03 		Second period 10:25 – pp – Bob Probert (7)
No scoring Third period 13:13 – pp – Bob Probert (8)
Jari Kurri (12) – 11:02 First overtime period No scoring
Grant Fuhr 20 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Glen Hanlon 24 saves / 28 shots
May 11 Detroit Red Wings 4–8 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
Brent Ashton (7) – sh – 04:19 First period 00:47 – Craig Simpson (9)
08:08 – Craig Simpson (10)
Dave Barr (5) – 00:41 Second period 05:55 – Mark Messier (10)
14:36 – Mike Krushelnyski (2)
15:00 – Keith Acton (1)
18:02 – pp – Jari Kurri (13)
Adam Oates (8) – 01:33
Steve Yzerman (1) – 04:13 		Third period 14:49 – Mike Krushelnyski (3)
19:08 – Wayne Gretzky (9)
Greg Stefan 25 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 20 saves / 24 shots
Edmonton won series 4–1


Stanley Cup Finals

Main article: 1988 Stanley Cup Finals

This was the first Finals meeting between these two teams.

The original Game 4 is well known for the high heat resulting in fog that interfered with the game and a subsequent power outage that caused the game to be canceled at 16:37 of the second period. The game results didn't count, but players were able to retain their stats counting towards their playoff records, as per NHL rules. The series moved on to Edmonton, thus allowing the Oilers to win the Cup at home at Northlands Coliseum and complete the four game sweep.


May 18 Boston Bruins 1–2 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Cam Neely (8) – 13:15 Second period 01:56 – pp – Wayne Gretzky (10)
No scoring Third period 01:15 – Keith Acton (2)
Andy Moog 20 saves / 22 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 13 saves / 14 shots
May 20 Boston Bruins 2–4 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 15:57 – pp – Glenn Anderson (7)
19:30 – pp – Mark Messier (11)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Bob Joyce (8) – 00:35
Ken Linseman (10) – 03:16 		Third period 11:21 – Wayne Gretzky (11)
19:53 – Jari Kurri (14)
Rejean Lemelin 28 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 10 saves / 12 shots
May 22 Edmonton Oilers 6–3 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Kevin McClelland (2) – 16:18 First period 02:46 – Randy Burridge (2)
Esa Tikkanen (5) – pp – 10:25
Glenn Anderson (9) – 12:57 		Second period No scoring
Esa Tikkanen (6) – 01:32
Craig Simpson (11) – 10:28
Esa Tikkanen (7) – 19:40 		Third period 04:19 – Moe Lemay (4)
14:02 – pp – Cam Neely (9)
Grant Fuhr 25 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Rejean Lemelin 19 saves / 24 shots
May 24 Edmonton Oilers 3–3 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Glenn Anderson (9) – 00:10
Esa Tikkanen (8) – pp – 15:33 		First period 16:56 – Greg Hawgood (1)
Craig Simpson (12) – pp – 16:37 Second period 06:12 – sh – Glen Wesley (5)
07:37 – pp – Glen Wesley (6)
Third period
Grant Fuhr 18 saves / 21 shots Goalie stats Andy Moog 16 saves, 19 shots
May 26 Boston Bruins 3–6 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum Recap  
Steve Kasper (6) – 00:43
Ken Linseman (11) – pp – 09:44 		First period 06:07 – Normand Lacombe (3)
15:03 – pp – Esa Tikkanen (9)
No scoring Second period 06:38 – Mike Krushelnyski (4)
09:44 – pp – Wayne Gretzky (12)
19:58 – Craig Simpson (13)
Steve Kasper (7) – 06:35 Third period 01:21 – Esa Tikkanen (10)
Andy Moog 20 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Grant Fuhr 16 saves / 19 shots
Edmonton won series 4–0


Player statistics

Skaters

These are the top ten skaters based on points.[6]

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 19 12 31 43 +9 16
Mark Messier Edmonton Oilers 19 11 23 34 +9 29
Jari Kurri Edmonton Oilers 19 14 17 31 +15 12
Esa Tikkanen Edmonton Oilers 19 10 17 27 +2 72
Ken Linseman Boston Bruins 23 11 14 25 +4 56
Glenn Anderson Edmonton Oilers 19 9 16 25 +5 49
Bob Probert Detroit Red Wings 16 8 13 21 +8 51
Ray Bourque Boston Bruins 23 3 18 21 +16 26
Adam Oates Detroit Red Wings 16 8 12 20 -2 6
Patrik Sundstrom New Jersey Devils 18 7 13 20 +7 14

Goaltenders

This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage, with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.[7]

Player Team GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
Rejean Lemelin Boston Bruins 17 11 6 428 45 2.64 .895 1 1024:27
Grant Fuhr Edmonton Oilers 19 16 2 470 55 2.91 .883 0 1135:37
Glen Hanlon Detroit Red Wings 8 4 3 170 22 3.07 .871 1 430:37
Pete Peeters Washington Capitals 12 7 5 325 34 3.12 .895 0 652:49
Patrick Roy Montreal Canadiens 8 3 4 217 24 3.36 .889 0 428:57

See also

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b "Schoenfeld Is Penalized". The New York Times. May 7, 1988. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  2. ^ Finn, Robin (May 9, 1988). "Suspension of Devils' Coach Causes Uproar, Delays Game". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  3. ^ "Off-ice officials took the ice in 1988". NHL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "Schoenfeld Gets Suspension, Fine : New Jersey Coach Penalized for Altercation With Official". Los Angeles Times. May 11, 1988. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Finn, Robin (May 11, 1988). "Schoenfeld Upset By League Decision". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  6. ^ NHL.com - Skater Stats
  7. ^ NHL.com - Goalie Stats
Preceded by1987 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup playoffs Succeeded by1989 Stanley Cup playoffs
Categories