| 1987–88Boston Bruins | |
|---|---|
Wales Conference champions | |
| Division | 2ndAdams |
| Conference | 2ndWales |
| 1987–88 record | 44–30–6 |
| Home record | 24–13–3 |
| Road record | 20–17–3 |
| Goals for | 300 |
| Goals against | 251 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Harry Sinden |
| Coach | Terry O'Reilly |
| Captain | Ray Bourque Rick Middleton |
| Alternate captains | Keith Crowder |
| Arena | Boston Garden |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Cam Neely (42) |
| Assists | Ray Bourque (64) |
| Points | Ray Bourque (81) |
| Penalty minutes | Jay Miller (304) |
| Wins | Rejean Lemelin (24) |
| Goals against average | Andy Moog (2.83) |
The1987–88 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins'64thseason. The season involved participating in the1988 Stanley Cup Finals.
Boston's draft picks at the1987 NHL entry draft held at theJoe Louis Arena inDetroit.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/junior/club team (league) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Glen Wesley | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) | |
| 1 | 14 | Stephane Quintal | Granby Bisons (QMJHL) | |
| 3 | 56 | Todd Lalonde | Sudbury Wolves (OHL) | |
| 4 | 67 | Darwin McPherson | New Westminster Bruins (WHL) | |
| 4 | 77 | Matt DelGuidice | Saint Anselm College (ECAC East) | |
| 5 | 98 | Ted Donato | Catholic Memorial School (USHS-MA) | |
| 6 | 119 | Matt Glennon | Archbishop Williams High School (USHS-MA) | |
| 7 | 140 | Rob Cheevers | Boston College (Hockey East) | |
| 8 | 161 | Chris Winnes | Northwood School (USHS-NY) | |
| 9 | 182 | Paul Ohman | St. John's School (USHS-MA) | |
| 10 | 203 | Casey Jones | Cornell University (ECAC) | |
| 11 | 224 | Eric LeMarque | Northern Michigan University (WCHA) | |
| 12 | 245 | Sean Gorman | Matignon High School (USHS-MA) | |
| S2 | 15 | Mike Jeffrey | Northern Michigan University (WCHA) |
The season will forever be remembered when on the nightPhil 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 theNew York Rangers 4–3, in which Esposito was the General Manager.
| GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 45 | 22 | 13 | 298 | 238 | 103 |
| Boston Bruins | 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.
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Vs. Wales Conference[edit]
Vs. Campbell Conference[edit]
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| 1987–88 regular season[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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October
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November
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December
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January
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February
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March
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April
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Legend: Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Tie (1 point) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins were led by team co-captainsRay Bourque,Rick Middleton and the goaltending duo ofRejean Lemelin and the newly acquiredAndy Moog. The Buffalo Sabres returned to the playoffs thanks to added depth provided by rookieRay 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.
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, asKen Linseman,Ray Bourque andCam 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.
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 theStanley Cup Finals since consecutive appearances in1976–77 and1977–78.
This series would also have the infamous confrontation between Devils head coachJim Schoenfeld and refereeDon 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 onESPN and has become part of NHL lore.
Schonefeld was suspended by NHL presidentJohn 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.
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.