1987–88 New York Rangers season
The 1987–88 New York Rangers season was the 62nd season for the team in the National Hockey League. The Rangers compiled a 36–34–10 record during the regular season,[1] but despite having 82 points, they were eliminated from playoff contention after their last game when the New Jersey Devils beat the Chicago Blackhawks. This would be the only time in the 1980s in which the Rangers missed the playoffs.[2]
1987–88 New York Rangers | |
---|---|
Division | 5th Patrick |
Conference | T-7th Wales |
1987–88 record | 36–34–10 |
Goals for | 300 |
Goals against | 283 |
Team information | |
General manager | Phil Esposito |
Coach | Michel Bergeron |
Captain | Ron Greschner (Oct–Dec) Kelly Kisio (Dec–Apr) |
Arena | Madison Square Garden |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Walt Poddubny (38) |
Assists | Kelly Kisio (55) |
Points | Walt Poddubny (88) |
Penalty minutes | Michel Petit (223) |
Wins | John Vanbiesbrouck (27) |
Goals against average | John Vanbiesbrouck (3.38) |
Offseason
Rangers General Manager Phil Esposito was part of the four man committee that would select players and coaches for Team Canada at the 1987 Canada Cup.[3]
Regular season
The Rangers led the league in power-play goals scored, with 111. They also scored the fewest short-handed goals during the regular season out of all 21 teams, with just 6.[4]
Final standings
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 |
[5]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
1987–88 Game Log | |
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October: 4–5–3 (Home: 2–3–2; Road: 2–2–1)
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November: 4–8–0 (Home: 3–2–0; Road: 1–6–0)
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December: 6–6–2 (Home: 4–2–1; Road: 2–4–1)
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January: 6–6–1 (Home: 2–2–1; Road: 4–4–0)
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February: 7–4–2 (Home: 5–2–1; Road: 2–2–1)
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March: 8–5–1 (Home: 5–2–0; Road: 3–3–1)
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April: 1–0–1 (Home: 1–0–0; Road: 0–0–1)
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Playoffs
The Rangers failed to qualify for the 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs.[4] They finished with 82 points, the same as the New Jersey Devils. However, the Devils had 38 wins to the Rangers' 36.[4] Since wins are the first tiebreaker, the Devils qualified for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division.[6] After a 6–6 tie against the Winnipeg Jets in the second-to-last game of the season,[7] the Rangers and Devils went into the final game of the season with 80 points each. If the Rangers and Devils won, the Devils would go to the playoffs on the tiebreaker.[8] The Rangers defeated the Quebec Nordiques 3–0. Later that night, however, the Devils defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime to win the tiebreaker and the final Patrick Division spot.[9]
Player statistics
- Skaters
|
|
- Goaltenders
Player | GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Vanbiesbrouck | 56 | 3319 | 27 | 22 | 7 | 187 | 3.38 | 1697 | .890 | 2 |
Bob Froese | 25 | 1443 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 85 | 3.53 | 695 | .878 | 0 |
Ron Scott | 2 | 90 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4.00 | 41 | .854 | 0 |
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.
‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.
- Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
- Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;
Draft picks
New York's picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft in Detroit, Michigan at the Joe Louis Arena.[11][12]
Round | # | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team (League) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | Jayson More | D | ![]() |
New Westminster Bruins (WHL) |
2 | 31 | Daniel Lacroix | LW | ![]() |
Granby Bisons (QMJHL) |
3 | 46 | Simon Gagne | RW | ![]() |
Laval Titan (QMJHL) |
4 | 69 | Mike Sullivan | C | ![]() |
Boston University (NCAA) |
5 | 94 | Eric O'Borsky | C | ![]() |
Yale University (NCAA) |
6 | 115 | Ludek Cajka | D | ![]() |
Dukla Jihlava (Czech Extraliga) |
7 | 136 | Clint Thomas | D | ![]() |
Bartlett H.S. (Alaska) |
8 | 157 | Chuck Wiegand | RW | ![]() |
Essex Junction H.S. (Vermont) |
9 | 178 | Eric Burrill | RW | ![]() |
Tartan H.S. (Massachusetts) |
10 | 199 | Dave Porter | F | ![]() |
Northern Michigan University (NCAA) |
10 | 205 | Brett Barnett | LW | ![]() |
Wexford Raiders (OPJHL) |
11 | 220 | Lance Marciano | D | ![]() |
Choate Academy (Connecticut) |
Supplemental Draft
New York's picks at the 1987 NHL Supplemental Draft.[13]
Player | Position | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team (League) |
---|---|---|---|
Joe Lockwood | RW | ![]() |
University of Michigan (CCHA) |
See also
References
- "1987–88 New York Rangers Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
- "New York Rangers Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
- Gretzky to Lemieux: The Story of the 1987 Canada Cup, p.8, Ed Willies, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, Canada, 2007, ISBN 978-0-7710-8942-8
- "1987–88 NHL Season Summary". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 153. ISBN 9781894801225.
- Masi, Vince (2011-04-09). "Drama in New York NHL season finales". ESPN. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- Elliott, Helene (1988-04-02). "A Point Not Well-Taken: Tie against Jets puts Rangers at mercy of the Devils". Newsday. p. 31.
- Hafner, Dan (1988-04-03). "NHL Roundup: Devils Need One More Win to Gain Playoffs". Los Angeles Times. p. 9.
- Hafner, Dan (1988-04-04). "NHL Roundup: Devils Need Overtime to Make the Playoffs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- "1987–88 New York Rangers". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
- "1987 NHL Entry Draft". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
- "NHL Draft History". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2001-01-28. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
- "1987 NHL Supplemental Draft". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2011-10-15.