1987–88 Hartford Whalers season

The 1987–88 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' ninth season in the National Hockey League.

1987–88 Hartford Whalers
Division4th Adams
1987–88 record35–38–7
Goals for249
Goals against267
Team information
General ManagerEmile Francis
CoachJack Evans (22–25–7)
Larry Pleau (13–13–0)
CaptainRon Francis

Offseason

Regular season

The Whalers had the league's best penalty-kill percentage, with 84.27% (359 for 426).[1]

Final standings
Adams Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Montreal Canadiens80452213298238103
Boston Bruins804430630025194
Buffalo Sabres8037321128330585
Hartford Whalers803538724926777
Quebec Nordiques803243527130669

[2]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.

Schedule and results
No. R Date Score Opponent Record
1LOctober 8, 19871–5Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)0–1–0
2LOctober 10, 19872–6New York Rangers (1987–88)0–2–0
3LOctober 11, 19872–5@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)0–3–0
4LOctober 14, 19871–3@ New Jersey Devils (1987–88)0–4–0
5LOctober 16, 19872–6@ Washington Capitals (1987–88)0–5–0
6WOctober 17, 19874–3 OTNew Jersey Devils (1987–88)1–5–0
7WOctober 21, 19875–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)2–5–0
8WOctober 24, 19875–3Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)3–5–0
9TOctober 28, 19872–2 OTBuffalo Sabres (1987–88)3–5–1
10WOctober 31, 19877–4Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)4–5–1
11WNovember 1, 19875–1@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)5–5–1
12TNovember 4, 19872–2 OTBoston Bruins (1987–88)5–5–2
13LNovember 6, 19871–3@ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88)5–6–2
14LNovember 7, 19873–5Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)5–7–2
15TNovember 11, 19870–0 OTMontreal Canadiens (1987–88)5–7–3
16LNovember 14, 19871–4@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)5–8–3
17TNovember 16, 19873–3 OT@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)5–8–4
18WNovember 18, 19879–1Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)6–8–4
19LNovember 21, 19873–4Washington Capitals (1987–88)6–9–4
20LNovember 25, 19875–6Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)6–10–4
21WNovember 27, 19874–2@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)7–10–4
22WNovember 28, 19874–2@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)8–10–4
23LDecember 2, 19873–5Boston Bruins (1987–88)8–11–4
24LDecember 3, 19872–5@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)8–12–4
25WDecember 5, 19872–1Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)9–12–4
26WDecember 8, 19875–4@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)10–12–4
27WDecember 9, 19875–4Washington Capitals (1987–88)11–12–4
28WDecember 12, 19873–2Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)12–12–4
29TDecember 15, 19872–2 OTVancouver Canucks (1987–88)12–12–5
30LDecember 17, 19870–2St. Louis Blues (1987–88)12–13–5
31WDecember 19, 19874–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)13–13–5
32TDecember 20, 19873–3 OT@ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88)13–13–6
33LDecember 22, 19875–6 OT@ Calgary Flames (1987–88)13–14–6
34LDecember 26, 19872–4Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)13–15–6
35LDecember 27, 19873–5@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)13–16–6
36WDecember 30, 19873–1Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)14–16–6
37TJanuary 2, 19881–1 OTNew Jersey Devils (1987–88)14–16–7
38LJanuary 6, 19881–5Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)14–17–7
39LJanuary 8, 19881–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)14–18–7
40WJanuary 9, 19885–4 OTPittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)15–18–7
41WJanuary 11, 19884–3@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)16–18–7
42LJanuary 13, 19881–2@ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)16–19–7
43LJanuary 14, 19882–3@ St. Louis Blues (1987–88)16–20–7
44WJanuary 16, 19884–3@ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)17–20–7
45WJanuary 19, 19886–3@ Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)18–20–7
46WJanuary 21, 19884–3New York Islanders (1987–88)19–20–7
47WJanuary 23, 19885–0Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)20–20–7
48WJanuary 24, 19882–1 OTDetroit Red Wings (1987–88)21–20–7
49LJanuary 27, 19881–5@ Calgary Flames (1987–88)21–21–7
50WJanuary 29, 19884–2@ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88)22–21–7
51LJanuary 30, 19882–5@ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)22–22–7
52LFebruary 1, 19884–5@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)22–23–7
53LFebruary 3, 19882–5Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)22–24–7
54LFebruary 6, 19884–5@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)22–25–7
55WFebruary 7, 19884–2Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)23–25–7
56WFebruary 13, 19884–1@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)24–25–7
57LFebruary 15, 19884–5 OT@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)24–26–7
58WFebruary 17, 19884–3Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)25–26–7
59LFebruary 20, 19880–3@ New York Islanders (1987–88)25–27–7
60LFebruary 21, 19882–7New York Islanders (1987–88)25–28–7
61WFebruary 23, 19883–2Boston Bruins (1987–88)26–28–7
62LFebruary 25, 19882–5@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)26–29–7
63LFebruary 27, 19883–4Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)26–30–7
64LMarch 1, 19883–6@ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)26–31–7
65WMarch 2, 19882–1@ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)27–31–7
66WMarch 5, 19883–1New York Rangers (1987–88)28–31–7
67LMarch 8, 19884–6@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)28–32–7
68WMarch 9, 19885–4Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)29–32–7
69LMarch 12, 19880–5@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)29–33–7
70LMarch 13, 19881–4Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)29–34–7
71LMarch 15, 19886–8Calgary Flames (1987–88)29–35–7
72WMarch 19, 19885–3@ St. Louis Blues (1987–88)30–35–7
73LMarch 20, 19881–2@ New York Rangers (1987–88)30–36–7
74WMarch 22, 19884–3Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)31–36–7
75WMarch 24, 19883–2@ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88)32–36–7
76WMarch 26, 19888–1Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)33–36–7
77WMarch 27, 19884–2Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)34–36–7
78LMarch 31, 19882–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)34–37–7
79WApril 2, 19884–2Boston Bruins (1987–88)35–37–7
80LApril 3, 19882–4@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)35–38–7

Playoffs

Canadiens 4, Whalers 2

The Whalers opened the 1988 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens in a best-of-seven series. Montreal finished the regular season with a 45-22-13 record, earning 103 points, which placed them first in the Adams Division. The Canadiens finished with 26 more points than Hartford during the regular season. Previously, the Whalers and Canadiens met twice in the post-season, with Montreal winning both series. Their most recent match-up was during the 1986 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as Montreal defeated Hartford with an overtime goal in game seven of the Adams Division final. The Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup that season.

The series opened on April 6 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal. Mike Liut got the start in goal for Hartford, while Patrick Roy started for Montreal. The Whalers scored the lone goal in the first period, as Randy Ladouceur scored 7:59 into the period, giving Hartford a 1–0 lead. In the second period, the Canadiens evened the game on a goal by Shayne Corson 2:54 into the period, followed by a goal by Bobby Smith less than two minutes later, giving the Canadiens a 2-1 after the second period. In the third period, the Whalers Richard Brodeur came into the game to play in goal, as Mike Liut was forced out of the game due to an injury. Despite the injury to their starting goaltender, the Whalers scored a quick goal, as Dave Babych scored 56 seconds into the period to tie the game 2-2. The Whalers took a 3–2 lead as Ron Francis scored a power play marker at 3:10. Montreal stormed back, as Chris Chelios scored on a Canadiens power play, evening the game at 3-3. The Canadiens regained the lead on a goal by Stephane Richer midway through the period. Montreal held on for the 4–3 victory, taking a 1–0 series lead.

Game two was played the next night in Montreal, as Richard Brodeur would get the start in goal for the Whalers due to an injury to Mike Liut. Patrick Roy was once again in goal for the Canadiens for the second game. The Canadiens took a 1–0 lead on a goal by Brian Skrudland 5:30 into the first period. The Whalers tied the game midway through the period on a goal by Lindsay Carson. At 13:37, a goal by Chris Chelios gave Montreal the lead back at 2–1. Less than a minute later, Kevin Dineen tied the game for Hartford, as the game was tied 2-2 after the first period. The Canadiens retook the lead, as Gilles Thibaudeau scored 2:39 into the period, followed by a goal by Claude Lemieux at 10:59, as Montreal took a 4–2 lead. The Whalers Scot Kleinendorst cut the Canadiens lead to 4–3 with a goal at 12:52, as the Canadiens held the one goal lead after two periods. In the third period, Montreal scored three goals in a 2:38 span midway through the period, as Bobby Smith, Gilles Thibaudeau and Kjell Dahlin each scored, securing a 7–2 win for the Canadiens and a 2–0 series lead.

The series moved to the Hartford Civic Center for the third game on April 9, as Mike Liut returned in goal for the Whalers, while Patrick Roy made his third straight start for Montreal. The Whalers Stew Gavin scored an early goal, only 2:06 into the game, to give Hartford a 1–0 lead. The Canadiens tied the game midway through the period with a power play goal by Stephane Richer, as the score was 1-1 after the first period. The Whalers took a 2–1 lead with a power play goal by Sylvain Cote at the 6:31 mark of the second period. The Canadiens responded with three goals of their own before the period ended, as Craig Ludwig, Mike McPhee and Ryan Walter each scored, giving Montreal a 4–2 lead. In the third period, the Whalers Carey Wilson scored a power play goal 6:34 into the period, cutting the Canadiens lead to 4–3. Hartford couldn't manage to score another goal, as the Canadiens held on for the 4–3 victory, and took a commanding 3–0 series lead.

The fourth game was played the following evening, with both Mike Liut and Patrick Roy getting the starts once again in goal, as the Whalers faced elimination. The Canadiens took a 1–0 lead after Stephane Richer scored a goal at 3:22 into the first period. The Whalers quickly responded with a goal of their own, as Dean Evason scored 55 seconds later. At 8:29 of the first period, Dave Babych gave Hartford a 2–1 lead, which the Whalers took with them into the first intermission. In the second period, Stephane Richer scored his second goal of the game, which was the lone goal of the period, tying the game 2-2 after two periods. Only 59 seconds into the third period, the Whalers Dave Babych broke the tie, giving the Whalers a 3–2 lead. At 3:19, the Whalers Sylvain Cote took a four-minute high-sticking penalty, sending Montreal to the power play. The Canadiens scored twice on this power play, as Bobby Smith and Ryan Walter each scored, giving Montreal a 4–3 lead. At 11:20, the Whalers tied the game once again, as Kevin Dineen put the puck past Patrick Roy, tying the game 4-4. This was the start of a goal scoring outburst for Hartford, as Stew Gavin gave the Whalers a 5–4 lead with a goal 14:23. Kevin Dineen then scored a power play goal at 17:05, followed by a goal by Scott Young, his first career playoff goal, extending the Whalers lead to 7–4. Montreal's Gilles Thibaudeau scored a power play goal with 30 seconds left in the game, as Hartford staved off elimination with a 7–5 victory, cutting the Canadiens series lead to 3–1.

The series returned to Montreal for the fifth game on April 12, as Hartford once again was facing elimination. Richard Brodeur replaced Mike Liut in the Whalers goal, as he re-aggravated his injury. The Canadiens Brian Hayward got his first start of the series. Hartford scored the only goal of the first period, as Kevin Dineen scored midway through the period, taking a 1–0 lead into the first intermission. The Whalers Carey Wilson extended the lead to 2–0 with a goal at 5:40 of the second period. Montreal's Mike McPhee scored 31 seconds later, as Hartford held on to a 2–1 lead after two periods. In the third period, the game remained close, however, the Whalers Ron Francis scored an empty net goal with 16 seconds left in the period, securing the victory for the Whalers. This would be the first career post-season win for Richard Brodeur, who made 22 saves for the Whalers, as the Canadiens series lead was trimmed to 3–2.

Game six was back in Hartford on April 14, as both Richard Brodeur of the Whalers and Brian Hayward of the Canadiens got their second consecutive start. In the first period, the Canadiens Stephane Richer scored twice, as Montreal took a 2–0 lead after twenty minutes. In the second period, the Whalers Ray Ferraro scored a late period power play goal, cutting the Canadiens lead to 2–1. Both goaltenders continued to be sharp in the third period, as Hartford was unable to tie the game. The Canadiens won the game 2-1 and won the series 4–2, eliminating the Whalers from the post-season.

Montreal Canadiens 4, Hartford Whalers 2
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 6Hartford Whalers3–4Montreal Canadiens0-1
2April 7Hartford Whalers3–7Montreal Canadiens0-2
3April 9Montreal Canadiens4–3Hartford Whalers0-3
4April 10Montreal Canadiens5–7Hartford Whalers1-3
5April 12Hartford Whalers3–1Montreal Canadiens2-3
6April 14Montreal Canadiens2–1Hartford Whalers2-4

Player statistics

Awards and records

Transactions

The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1987–88 season.

Trades
September 8, 1987 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Dave Semenko		 To Hartford Whalers
Bill Root
October 5, 1987 To St. Louis Blues
3rd round in 1989 - Blair Atcheynum		 To Hartford Whalers
Mark Reeds
October 15, 1987 To Los Angeles Kings
Cash		 To Hartford Whalers
Tiger Williams
January 3, 1988 To Calgary Flames
Shane Churla
Dana Murzyn		 To Hartford Whalers
Neil Sheehy
Carey Wilson
Lane MacDonald
January 22, 1988 To Philadelphia Flyers
Paul Lawless		 To Hartford Whalers
Lindsay Carson
March 8, 1988 To St. Louis Blues
2nd round pick in 1989 - Rick Corriveau		 To Hartford Whalers
Charlie Bourgeois
3rd round pick in 1989 - Blair Atcheynum
March 8, 1988 To Vancouver Canucks
Steve Weeks		 To Hartford Whalers
Richard Brodeur

Waivers
October 5, 1987 From Vancouver Canucks
Brent Peterson
October 5, 1987 From St. Louis Blues
Doug Wickenheiser
October 5, 1987 To St. Louis Blues
Bill Root
October 5, 1987 To Vancouver Canucks
Doug Wickenheiser

Free agents
PlayerFormer Team
Tom MartinWinnipeg Jets
Roger KortkoNew York Islanders
Mike McEwenHC Sierre (Switzerland)
PlayerNew Team
Mike McEwenHC Sierre (Switzerland)

Roster
1987-88 Hartford Whalers
Goaltenders

Defensemen

Wingers

Centers

Draft picks

Hartford's draft picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
118Jody Hull CanadaPeterborough Petes (OHL)
239Adam Burt United StatesNorth Bay Centennials (OHL)
481Terry Yake CanadaBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
5102Mark Rousseau CanadaUniversity of Denver (WCHA)
6132Jeff St. Cyr CanadaMichigan Technological University (WCHA)
7144Gregg Wolf United StatesBuffalo Regals (EEMHL)
8165John Moore CanadaYale University (ECAC)
9186Joe Day United StatesSt. Lawrence University (ECAC)
11228Kevin Sullivan United StatesPrinceton University (ECAC)
12249Steve Laurin CanadaDartmouth College (ECAC)
S6Ken Lovsin CanadaUniversity of Saskatchewan (CIAU)

Farm teams

See also

References
  1. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1988.html
  2. Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 153. ISBN 9781894801225.
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