1987–88 New York Islanders season

1987–88 New York Islanders
Patrick Division champions
Division	1st Patrick
Conference	Wales
1987–88 record	39–31–10
Goals for	308
Goals against	267
Team information
General manager	Bill Torrey
Coach	Terry Simpson
Captain	Brent Sutter
Alternate captains	Bryan Trottier Steve Konroyd

The 1987–88 New York Islanders season was the 16th season for the franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team improved on its performance from the previous season. They finished with 88 points, which turned out to be good enough for first place in a tightly contested Patrick Division – the Islanders, despite winning the division, finished only seven points ahead of the last place Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders were subsequently eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the New Jersey Devils.

As of 2022, this remains the Islanders' most recent division title, the second longest active drought in the NHL.

Off-season

Denis Potvin resigns the team captaincy, before playing his last season. Forward Brent Sutter is named team captain.

Regular season

Final standings

Patrick Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
New York Islanders	80	39	31	10	308	267	88
Philadelphia Flyers	80	38	33	9	292	292	85
Washington Capitals	80	38	33	9	281	249	85
New Jersey Devils	80	38	36	6	295	296	82
New York Rangers	80	36	34	10	300	283	82
Pittsburgh Penguins	80	36	35	9	319	316	81

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.

Record vs. opponents

Patrick Division record vs. opponents

Vs. Wales Conference Vs. Patrick Division 1987–88 NHL records Team NJD NYI NYR PHI PIT WSH Total New Jersey — 3–4 3–4 5–0–2 6–1 2–5 19–14–2 N.Y. Islanders 4–3 — 2–2–3 3–3–1 2–4–1 4–2–1 15–14–6 N.Y. Rangers 4–3 2–2–3 — 3–3–1 2–3–2 2–5 13–16–6 Philadelphia 0–5–2 3–3–1 3–3–1 — 5–2 2–4–1 13–17–5 Pittsburgh 1–6 4–2–1 3–2–2 2–5 — 5–1–1 15–16–4 Washington 5–2 2–4–1 5–2 4–2–1 1–5–1 — 17–15–3 Vs. Adams Division 1987–88 NHL records Team BOS BUF HFD MTL QUE Total New Jersey 1–2 0–2–1 1–1–1 2–1 0–3 4–9–2 N.Y. Islanders 2–1 2–1 2–1 0–3 2–1 8–7–0 N.Y. Rangers 2–1 0–3 2–1 1–1–1 2–1 7–7–1 Philadelphia 2–1 3–0 2–1 0–1–2 2–0–1 9–3–3 Pittsburgh 0–2–1 2–0–1 2–1 2–1 3–0 9–4–2 Washington 2–1 0–2–1 2–1 1–1–1 2–1 7–6–2 Vs. Campbell Conference Vs. Norris Division 1987–88 NHL records Team CHI DET MIN STL TOR Total New Jersey 3–0 0–3 3–0 3–0 2–1 11–4–0 N.Y. Islanders 0–1–2 1–2 1–1–1 2–0–1 0–3 4–7–4 N.Y. Rangers 2–0–1 1–1–1 2–1 3–0 2–1 10–3–2 Philadelphia 0–3 2–0–1 2–1 2–1 1–2 7–7–1 Pittsburgh 2–1 1–2 2–1 0–3 2–1 7–8–0 Washington 2–1 0–2–1 2–0–1 0–2–1 1–1–1 5–6–4 Vs. Smythe Division 1987–88 NHL records Team CGY EDM LAK VAN WIN Total New Jersey 1–2 2–1 1–1–1 0–3 0–2–1 4–9–2 N.Y. Islanders 2–1 2–1 3–0 3–0 2–1 12–3–0 N.Y. Rangers 1–2 1–2 0–3 2–1 2–0–1 6–8–1 Philadelphia 0–3 1–2 3–0 2–1 3–0 9–6–0 Pittsburgh 2–0–1 0–3 1–0–2 1–2 1–2 5–7–3 Washington 1–2 2–1 2–1 3–0 1–2 9–6–0

Schedule and results

No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
1	W	October 8, 1987	4–1	@ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)	1–0–0
2	W	October 10, 1987	7–1	@ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88)	2–0–0
3	W	October 15, 1987	6–0	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)	3–0–0
4	L	October 17, 1987	3–4	Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)	3–1–0
5	W	October 20, 1987	5–4	Calgary Flames (1987–88)	4–1–0
6	L	October 23, 1987	3–5	@ New Jersey Devils (1987–88)	4–2–0
7	W	October 24, 1987	2–1	New Jersey Devils (1987–88)	5–2–0
8	T	October 27, 1987	4–4 OT	Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)	5–2–1
9	L	October 28, 1987	2–5	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)	5–3–1
10	W	October 31, 1987	8–2	New York Rangers (1987–88)	6–3–1
11	W	November 1, 1987	6–5 OT	@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)	7–3–1
12	W	November 3, 1987	6–3	New Jersey Devils (1987–88)	8–3–1
13	L	November 5, 1987	2–4	Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)	8–4–1
14	W	November 7, 1987	4–3 OT	Detroit Red Wings (1987–88)	9–4–1
15	W	November 10, 1987	4–3 OT	Washington Capitals (1987–88)	10–4–1
16	W	November 12, 1987	4–3	@ St. Louis Blues (1987–88)	11–4–1
17	W	November 14, 1987	7–3	Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)	12–4–1
18	W	November 17, 1987	4–3	Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)	13–4–1
19	L	November 18, 1987	2–5	@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)	13–5–1
20	W	November 21, 1987	6–4	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)	14–5–1
21	L	November 24, 1987	3–4	Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)	14–6–1
22	W	November 28, 1987	5–4	New York Rangers (1987–88)	15–6–1
23	L	November 29, 1987	1–3	@ New York Rangers (1987–88)	15–7–1
24	W	December 2, 1987	7–1	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)	16–7–1
25	W	December 4, 1987	6–4	@ Washington Capitals (1987–88)	17–7–1
26	L	December 8, 1987	2–3	Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)	17–8–1
27	L	December 11, 1987	4–6	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)	17–9–1
28	W	December 12, 1987	5–3	New Jersey Devils (1987–88)	18–9–1
29	T	December 15, 1987	2–2 OT	St. Louis Blues (1987–88)	18–9–2
30	L	December 17, 1987	3–4	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)	18–10–2
31	L	December 19, 1987	4–5	Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)	18–11–2
32	L	December 22, 1987	2–5	@ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)	18–12–2
33	L	December 23, 1987	5–7	@ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)	18–13–2
34	W	December 26, 1987	2–1	Boston Bruins (1987–88)	19–13–2
35	L	December 28, 1987	4–6	@ New Jersey Devils (1987–88)	19–14–2
36	T	December 29, 1987	3–3 OT	New York Rangers (1987–88)	19–14–3
37	W	January 2, 1988	3–2	Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)	20–14–3
38	T	January 5, 1988	3–3 OT	Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)	20–14–4
39	L	January 8, 1988	4–7	@ Calgary Flames (1987–88)	20–15–4
40	L	January 9, 1988	1–5	@ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)	20–16–4
41	T	January 12, 1988	5–5 OT	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)	20–16–5
42	W	January 14, 1988	8–5	Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)	21–16–5
43	W	January 16, 1988	4–2	New Jersey Devils (1987–88)	22–16–5
44	L	January 17, 1988	2–5	@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)	22–17–5
45	L	January 19, 1988	4–6	Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)	22–18–5
46	L	January 21, 1988	3–4	@ Hartford Whalers (1987–88)	22–19–5
47	W	January 23, 1988	3–2	Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)	23–19–5
48	L	January 27, 1988	1–2	@ Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)	23–20–5
49	W	January 29, 1988	5–2	@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)	24–20–5
50	L	January 30, 1988	2–6	Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)	24–21–5
51	T	February 2, 1988	2–2 OT	New York Rangers (1987–88)	24–21–6
52	W	February 5, 1988	4–2	@ Washington Capitals (1987–88)	25–21–6
53	W	February 6, 1988	6–4	Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)	26–21–6
54	L	February 11, 1988	3–4	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)	26–22–6
55	L	February 12, 1988	2–6	@ Washington Capitals (1987–88)	26–23–6
56	T	February 14, 1988	4–4 OT	@ New York Rangers (1987–88)	26–23–7
57	W	February 16, 1988	9–3	Calgary Flames (1987–88)	27–23–7
58	T	February 18, 1988	3–3 OT	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)	27–23–8
59	W	February 20, 1988	3–0	Hartford Whalers (1987–88)	28–23–8
60	W	February 21, 1988	7–2	@ Hartford Whalers (1987–88)	29–23–8
61	W	February 23, 1988	6–1	Vancouver Canucks (1987–88)	30–23–8
62	T	February 25, 1988	1–1 OT	Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)	30–23–9
63	L	February 27, 1988	0–3	Washington Capitals (1987–88)	30–24–9
64	W	March 1, 1988	2–0	St. Louis Blues (1987–88)	31–24–9
65	L	March 2, 1988	1–3	@ New York Rangers (1987–88)	31–25–9
66	L	March 5, 1988	3–8	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)	31–26–9
67	W	March 6, 1988	2–0	@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)	32–26–9
68	W	March 8, 1988	7–4	Vancouver Canucks (1987–88)	33–26–9
69	L	March 10, 1988	3–4	Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)	33–27–9
70	L	March 12, 1988	3–4	Detroit Red Wings (1987–88)	33–28–9
71	L	March 13, 1988	1–5	@ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88)	33–29–9
72	T	March 18, 1988	3–3 OT	@ Washington Capitals (1987–88)	33–29–10
73	W	March 20, 1988	6–0	@ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)	34–29–10
74	W	March 21, 1988	5–1	@ Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)	35–29–10
75	W	March 23, 1988	6–2	@ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)	36–29–10
76	W	March 26, 1988	5–4	Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)	37–29–10
77	W	March 29, 1988	5–3	Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)	38–29–10
78	W	March 31, 1988	7–3	Washington Capitals (1987–88)	39–29–10
79	L	April 2, 1988	2–5	@ New Jersey Devils (1987–88)	39–30–10
80	L	April 3, 1988	2–3	@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)	39–31–10

Playoffs

Patrick Division Semi-finals vs. New Jersey Devils

Date	Away	Score	Home	Score	OT
April 6	New Jersey	3	New York	4	(OT)
April 7	New Jersey	3	New York	2
April 9	New York	0	New Jersey	3
April 10	New York	5	New Jersey	4	(OT)
April 12	New Jersey	4	New York	2
April 14	New York	5	New Jersey	6

New Jersey wins series 4-2

Player statistics

Regular season
Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG Pat LaFontaine C 75 47 45 92 52 12 15 0 7 Bryan Trottier C 77 30 52 82 48 10 15 0 3 Mikko Makela RW 73 36 40 76 22 14 13 2 4 Brent Sutter C 70 29 31 60 55 13 11 2 2 Alan Kerr RW 80 24 34 58 198 30 4 0 2 Denis Potvin D 72 19 32 51 112 26 9 0 3 Tomas Jonsson D 72 6 41 47 115 6 1 0 1 Greg Gilbert LW 76 17 28 45 46 14 1 1 0 Randy Wood LW/C 75 22 16 38 80 -2 0 1 2 Derek King LW 55 12 24 36 30 7 1 0 4 Brad Lauer LW 69 17 18 35 67 13 3 0 4 Patrick Flatley RW 40 9 15 24 28 7 5 1 0 Bob Bassen C 77 6 16 22 99 8 1 0 2 Dale Henry LW 48 5 15 20 115 8 0 0 0 Gerald Diduck D 68 7 12 19 113 22 4 0 1 Ken Leiter D 51 4 13 17 24 18 1 0 1 Steve Konroyd D 62 2 15 17 99 16 1 0 0 Gord Dineen D 57 4 12 16 62 9 1 0 0 Richard Kromm LW 71 5 10 15 20 2 0 1 1 Brad Dalgarno RW 38 2 8 10 58 4 0 0 1 Jeff Norton D 15 1 6 7 14 3 1 0 1 Ken Morrow D 53 1 4 5 40 0 0 0 0 Jeff Finley D 10 0 5 5 15 5 0 0 0 Todd McLellan C 5 1 1 2 0 -1 0 0 0 Kelly Hrudey G 47 0 2 2 20 0 0 0 0 Rod Dallman LW 3 1 0 1 6 1 0 0 0 Mick Vukota RW 17 1 0 1 82 1 0 0 0 Brian Curran D 22 0 1 1 68 -9 0 0 0 Neal Coulter RW 1 0 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 Ari Haanpaa LW 1 0 0 0 0 -2 0 0 0 Todd Okerlund RW 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 Chris Pryor D 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 Billy Smith G 38 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 Mike Walsh W 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T GA GAA SO SA SV SV% Kelly Hrudey 2751 47 22 17 5 153 3.34 3 1467 1314 .896 Billy Smith 2107 38 17 14 5 113 3.22 2 1062 949 .894 Team: 4858 80 39 31 10 266 3.29 5 2529 2263 .895

Playoffs
Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG Pat LaFontaine C 6 4 5 9 8 2 1 0 1 Mikko Makela RW 6 1 4 5 6 -6 1 0 0 Denis Potvin D 5 1 4 5 6 -3 1 0 0 Brad Lauer LW 5 3 1 4 4 5 0 0 0 Tomas Jonsson D 5 2 2 4 10 -3 1 0 0 Brent Sutter C 6 2 1 3 18 2 0 1 1 Derek King LW 5 0 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 Jeff Norton D 3 0 2 2 13 -1 0 0 0 Gerald Diduck D 6 1 0 1 42 -1 1 0 0 Dale Henry LW 6 1 0 1 17 0 0 1 0 Alan Kerr RW 6 1 0 1 14 0 0 0 0 Steve Konroyd D 6 1 0 1 4 3 0 1 0 Randy Wood LW/C 5 1 0 1 6 4 0 0 0 Bob Bassen C 6 0 1 1 23 2 0 0 0 Ken Leiter D 4 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 Brad Dalgarno RW 4 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 0 Jeff Finley D 1 0 0 0 2 -1 0 0 0 Greg Gilbert LW 4 0 0 0 6 -4 0 0 0 Kelly Hrudey G 6 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 Richard Kromm LW 5 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 Ken Morrow D 6 0 0 0 8 -2 0 0 0 Bryan Trottier C 6 0 0 0 10 -9 0 0 0 Mick Vukota RW 2 0 0 0 23 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO SA SV SV% Kelly Hrudey 381 6 2 4 23 3.62 0 154 131 .851 Team: 381 6 2 4 23 3.62 0 154 131 .851

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Draft picks

New York'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)
1	13	Dean Chynoweth	Canada	Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
2	34	Jeff Hackett	Canada	Oshawa Generals (OHL)
3	55	Dean Ewen	Canada	Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
4	76	George Maneluk	Canada	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
5	97	Petr Vlk	Czechoslovakia	Dukla Jihlava (Czechoslovakia)
6	118	Rob DiMaio	Canada	Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
7	139	Knut Walbye	Norway	Furuset Ishockey (Norway)
8	160	Jeff Saterdalen	United States	Bloomington Jefferson High School (USHS-MN)
9	181	Shawn Howard	Canada	Penticton Knights (BCJHL)
10	202	John Herlihy	United States	Babson College (ECAC East)
11	223	Mike Erickson	United States	St. John's Hill School (USHS-MA)
12	244	Will Averill	United States	Belmont High School (USHS-MA)
S2	14	Howie Vandermast	United States	State University of New York at Potsdam (SUNYAC)

See also

• 1987–88 NHL season

References

• "1987–88 New York Islanders Games". Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2009.