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1987–88 Pittsburgh Penguins season
NHL team season
NHL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| League | NHL |
| Season | 1987–88 |
| year | 1987 |
| Team | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Conference | Wales |
| ConferenceRank | 9th |
| Division | Patrick |
| DivisionRank | 6th |
| Record | 36–35–9 |
| HomeRecord | 22–12–6 |
| RoadRecord | 14–23–3 |
| GoalsFor | 319 |
| GoalsAgainst | 316 |
| GeneralManager | Eddie Johnston |
| Coach | Pierre Creamer |
| Captain | Dan Frawley (Oct-Dec) |
| Mario Lemieux (Dec-Apr) | |
| AltCaptain | Mario Lemieux (Oct-Dec) |
| Dan Frawley (Dec-Apr) | |
| Dan Quinn | |
| Arena | Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
| GoalsLeader | Mario Lemieux (70) |
| AssistsLeader | Mario Lemieux (98) |
| PointsLeader | Mario Lemieux (168) |
| PIMLeader | Rod Buskas (206) |
| WinsLeader | Steve Guenette (12) |
| GAALeader | Steve Guenette (3.35) |
Mario Lemieux (Dec-Apr) Dan Frawley (Dec-Apr) Dan Quinn The 1987–88 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the Penguins' 21st season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Penguins improved on their previous season, and finished with a winning record for the first time since the 1978–79 season. Nevertheless, the Penguins again did not qualify for the playoffs, actually finishing last in a tightly contested Patrick Division despite earning only seven fewer points than the division champion New York Islanders.
Regular season
The Penguins were involved in one of the closest playoff races in NHL history, as they competed down the stretch with the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division. Despite two hefty losses to New Jersey in the last two weeks of the season, the Penguins gave themselves hope with a 7–6 overtime win against the Washington Capitals in their penultimate game of the season. On the last day of the season, the Penguins defeated the Hartford Whalers 4–2 and moved ahead of New York and New Jersey. However, this position was temporary as the Rangers shut out Quebec, 3–0, eliminating the Penguins. The Devils had the last laugh as they beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4–3 in overtime on a goal by John MacLean to claim the fourth and final Patrick Division playoff spot, ahead of both the Rangers and Penguins.
The Penguins finished the regular season 1st in power-play opportunities (500), power-play opportunities against (507), power-play goals against (120) and short-handed goals allowed (19).
Final standings
Record vs. opponents
Schedule and results
|- | 1 || Oct 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 OT || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 0–0–1 || 1 |- | 2 || Oct 9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || New Jersey Devils || Izod Center || 0–1–1 || 1 |- | 3 || Oct 13 || Buffalo Sabres || 3–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 1–1–1 || 3 |- | 4 || Oct 15 || New York Rangers || 6–6 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 1–1–2 || 4 |- | 5 || Oct 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Montreal Canadiens || Montreal Forum || 1–2–2 || 4 |- | 6 || Oct 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 1–3–2 || 4 |- | 7 || Oct 21 || New Jersey Devils || 5–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 1–4–2 || 4 |- | 8 || Oct 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5 || Detroit Red Wings || Joe Louis Arena || 1–5–2 || 4 |- | 9 || Oct 24 || Buffalo Sabres || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 2–5–2 || 6 |- | 10 || Oct 27 || Los Angeles Kings || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 2–5–3 || 7 |- | 11 || Oct 29 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 4–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 2–6–3 || 7 |- | 12 || Oct 31 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4 OT || Quebec Nordiques || Quebec Coliseum || 3–6–3 || 9
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| Legend:
Player statistics
| = Indicates team leader |
|---|
| = Indicates league leader |
|---|
;Skaters
| a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | Player | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | GP | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | G | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | A | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | Pts | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" data-sort-type="number" | +/− | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | PIM | Total | 319 | 518 | 837 | — | 2,169 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | 70 | 98 | 168 | 23 | 92 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70 | 40 | 39 | 79 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 71 | 35 | 39 | 74 | 13 | 141 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 46 | 15 | 52 | 67 | 93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 69 | 14 | 31 | 45 | 103 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 51 | 24 | 20 | 44 | 8 | 56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| † | 59 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 8 | 77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 6 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | 11 | 16 | 27 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ‡ | 21 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 5 | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 58 | 1 | 20 | 21 | 14 | 62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 66 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 65 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 151 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 47 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 152 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 144 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 76 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 206 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ‡ | 21 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 44 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 69 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 38 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ‡ | 36 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ‡ | 21 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| † | 30 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| † | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 75 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ‡ | 17 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 |
;Goaltenders
| a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | Player | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | GP | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | TOI | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | W | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | L | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | T | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | GA | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | GAA | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | SA | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | SV% | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | SO | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | G | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | A | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | PIM | Total | 4853:13 | 36 | 35 | 9 | 312 | 3.86 | 2480 | 0.874 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 16 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1091:05 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 61 | 3.35 | 582 | 0.895 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | 1202:47 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 80 | 3.99 | 599 | 0.866 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | 1390:26 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 95 | 4.10 | 720 | 0.868 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | 1168:55 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 76 | 3.90 | 579 | 0.869 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
Awards and records
- Mario Lemieux became the first player to score 60 goals in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 2–4 loss to Philadelphia on March 20.
- Lemieux became the first player to score 150 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 7–1 win over Washington on March 23.
- Lemieux became the first player to score 160 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 6–3 win over Quebec on March 27.
- Lemieux became the first player to score 70 goals in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 4–2 win over Hartford on April 3.
- Lemieux established a new franchise record for goals (70), assists (98) and points (168) in a season. He held the previous high in all three categories.
- Lemieux won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1987-88 NHL Awards Voting, breaking an eight-year consecutive winning streak of Wayne Gretzky. Lemieux finished first with 54 1st place votes, 7 2nd place votes, 1 3rd place vote for 292 votes, besting Grant Fuhr (4 1st place votes, 25 2nd place votes, 11 3rd place votes for 106 votes) and Wayne Gretzky (2 1st place votes, 15 2nd place votes, 18 3rd place votes, for 73 votes).
Transactions
The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1987–88 season:
Trades
| February 4, 1988 | To [Los Angeles Kings](1987-88-los-angeles-kings-season) | To Pittsburgh Penguins |
|---|
Additions and subtractions
| Scott Gruhl | Muskegon Lumberjacks (IHL) | free agency (1987-12-14) |
|---|
| Mike Blaisdell | Toronto Maple Leafs | free agency (1987-07-10) |
|---|
|}
Draft picks
| a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | Round | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | # | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | Player | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | Pos | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | Nationality | a | #FCB514 | 2px}}" | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Chris Joseph | Defense | Canada | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 26 | Richard Tabaracci | Goaltender | Canada | Cornwall Royals (OHL) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 47 | Jamie Leach | Right wing | United States | Hamilton Steelhawks (OHL) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 68 | Risto Kurkinen | Left wing | Finland | JyP HT Jyvaskyla (FNL) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 89 | Jeff Waver | Defense | Canada | Hamilton Steelhawks (OHL) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 110 | Shawn McEachern | Left wing | United States | Matignon H.S. (Massachusetts) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 131 | James Bodden | Center | Canada | Chatham (SOJHL) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 152 | Jiri Kucera | Right wing | Dukla Jihlava (Czech) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 173 | Jack MacDougall | Right wing | United States | New Prep School (Massachusetts) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 194 | Daryn McBride | Center | Canada | U. of Denver (NCAA) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | 215 | Mark Carlson | Left wing | United States | (Philadelphia Jrs.) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | 236 | Ake Lilljebjorn | Goaltender | Sweden | Brynäs IF Gävle (SEL) | ||||||||||||||||||
| [S1](1987-nhl-supplemental-draft) | 5 | Dan Shea | Left wing | United States | Boston College (Hockey East) | ||||||||||||||||||
| [S2](1987-nhl-supplemental-draft) | 9 | John Leonard | Defense | United States | Bowdoin College (NESCAC) |
References
References
- Masi, Vince. (2011-04-09). "Drama in New York NHL season finales". ESPN.
- Hafner, Dan. (1988-04-04). "NHL Roundup: Devils Need Overtime to Make the Playoffs". Los Angeles Times.
- "1987-88 NHL Summary".
- "1987-88 Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule".
- "1987–1988 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- "1987–1988 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
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