The 1987–88 NHL season was the 71st season of the National Hockey League. It was an 80-game season with the top four teams in each division advancing to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This season would see the Edmonton Oilers win their fourth Stanley Cup in five years by sweeping the Boston Bruins 4–0 in the Stanley Cup Final. In the process of their cup win, Edmonton lost only two games, a record for the "16 wins" playoff format.
The NHL introduced a new trophy, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which was to be awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution in his community.
This was Wayne Gretzky's final season with the Edmonton Oilers and, as injuries held him out of 20% of the season, this would be the only season of the decade in which he was not the winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy and the first season since 1979-80 that he didn't hold or share the league lead in points. Mario Lemieux would capture his first Hart Trophy and lead the league in scoring.
On December 7, Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first goalie to directly score a goal, shooting the puck into an open net.
On December 19, the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins combined to score two goals in two seconds. The Bruins were trailing 6-4 in the third period when Ken Linseman scored with 10 seconds remaining, followed by Blues center Doug Gilmour scoring off the resulting faceoff into an empty net.
The New Jersey Devils qualified for the playoffs for the first time.
Game four is well known for fog that interfered with the game, and a power outage that caused the game to be cancelled at 16:37 of the second period with the score tied 3–3.
When the Oilers won the replayed game four, they started the tradition in which the champs gather around with the Cup in a team photo.
NHL disregards stats from May 24 incomplete game.
Ron Hextall, Philadelphia Flyers, First goaltender in NHL history to shoot and score a goal.
March 8, 1988: Charlie Bourgeois and Hartford's third round choice in 1989 Entry Draft traded from St. Louis to Hartford for Hartford's second round choice in 1989 Entry Draft.
March 8, 1988: Geoff Courtnall, Bill Ranford and future considerations traded from Boston to Edmonton for Andy Moog.
March 8, 1988: Brian Curran traded from NY Islanders to Toronto for Toronto's sixth round choice in 1988 Entry Draft.
March 8, 1988: Moe Lemay traded from Edmonton to Boston for Alan May.
March 8, 1988: Jim Pavese traded from NY Rangers to Detroit for future considerations.
March 8, 1988: Gordie Roberts traded from Philadelphia to St. Louis for future considerations.
March 8, 1988: Steve Tsujuira traded from New Jersey to Boston for Boston's 10th round choice in 1988 Entry Draft (Alexander Semak).
March 8, 1988: Steve Weeks traded from Hartford to Vancouver for Richard Brodeur.
Greg Conlan scored his 3rd hat trick of the season midway through period 2 of the final game of regular season.
^ The original fourth game was cancelled (score was tied) while in progress, due to a rink electrical outage. The original fourth game stats weren't counted. The fourth game was rescheduled and replayed.
^ "Etched in Stone: The Top 20 Most Unbreakable Records in NHL History". Bleacherreport.com. Retrieved June 4, 2012.