1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks season

The 1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks season saw the Blackhawks finish in fourth place in the Norris Division with a record of 27 wins, 41 losses, and 12 ties for 66 points. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Red Wings four games to two in the Division Semifinals and the St. Louis Blues four games to one in the Division Finals. However, they lost the Campbell Conference Finals four games to one to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames.

1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks
Division4th Norris
Conference8th Campbell
1988–89 record27–41–12
Home record16–14–10
Road record11–27–2
Goals for297
Goals against335
Team information
General managerBob Pulford
CoachMike Keenan
CaptainDenis Savard (Oct-Mar)
Dirk Graham (Mar-May)
Alternate captainsKeith Brown
Doug Wilson
ArenaChicago Stadium
Team leaders
GoalsSteve Larmer (43)
AssistsDenis Savard (59)
PointsSteve Larmer (87)
Penalty minutesDave Manson (352)
WinsAlain Chevrier (13)
Goals against averageAlain Chevrier (3.51)

Offseason

The biggest move the Blackhawks made on the ice in the offseason was drafting Boston native Jeremy Roenick with the number 8 pick. Roenick completed his junior year of high school before the draft, and made his NHL debut later that season scoring 18 points in 20 games. The biggest move the Blackhawks made off the ice was GM Bob Pulford replacing Bob Murdoch as Coach with Mike Keenan. The Keenan years resulting in some of the most exciting hockey in Chicago since the Hull/Mikita years - both on the ice (as the Hawks would reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1992) and off the ice (as Keenan feuded with virtually every star on the team).

NHL Draft
See also: 1988 NHL Entry Draft
Round Pick Player Nationality College/Junior/Club Team
18Jeremy Roenick (C) United StatesThayer Academy (USHS)
350Trevor Dam (RW) CanadaLondon Knights (OHL)
471Stefan Elvenes (RW) SwedenRogle BK (Sweden)
592Joe Cleary (D) United StatesStratford Cullitons (MetJHL)
6113Justin Lafayette (C) CanadaFerris State University (CCHA)
7134Craig Woodcroft (C) United StatesColgate University (ECAC)
8155Jon Pojar (LW) United StatesRoseville High School (USHS-MN)
9176Matt Hentges (D) United StatesEdina High School (USHS-MN)
10197Daniel Maurice (C) CanadaChicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
11218Dirk Tenzer (D) United StatesSt. Paul's School (USHS-NH)
12239Andreas Lupzig (C) West GermanyEV Landshut (West Germany)
S13Todd Wolf (D) United StatesColgate University (ECAC)

Regular season

The Blackhawks had several prolongated losing streaks - opening the season by losing seven of the first nine, then losing nine straight from mid-November to mid-December, then finishing the year losing nine of the last 13. The Hawks struggled in shorthanded-situations, allowing the most regular season power play goals in the league, with 122.[1]

Offensively, Steve Larmer led the team with 43 goals and 87 points. Dennis Savard led the team in assists with 59, and was second in overall points with 82. In January 1988, the Blackhawks acquired Dirk Graham from Minnesota for Curt Fraser, in what would be one of the organization's better trades. Doug Wilson and Dave Manson led the defense in scoring with 62 and 54 points respectively.

In goal, the Blackhawks struggled to find the right netminder. Darren Pang started the season but his 4.38 goals against average resulted in only a 10-11-6 record. The Blackhawks acquired Alain Chevrier from Winnipeg in January 1989 and he fared slightly better with a 3.51 goals against average and a 13-11-2 record. The Hawks were hoping that 1987's first round draft choice Jim Waite would be the answer, but he failed to win a game, ending with a 0-7-1 record and a 5.22 goals against average. By year-end, they were forced to rely on an undrafted rookie named Eddie Belfour who only had a 4-12-3 record, but did have a respectable 3.87 goals against average.

Final standings
Norris Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Detroit Red Wings8034341231331680
St. Louis Blues8033351227528578
Minnesota North Stars8027371625827870
Chicago Blackhawks8027411229733566
Toronto Maple Leafs802846625934262

[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
1TOctober 6, 19882–2 OTNew York Rangers (1988–89)0–0–1
2LOctober 8, 19884–7@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89)0–1–1
3LOctober 9, 19884–8Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89)0–2–1
4WOctober 12, 198810–1Winnipeg Jets (1988–89)1–2–1
5LOctober 15, 19885–7@ Hartford Whalers (1988–89)1–3–1
6LOctober 16, 19883–10Boston Bruins (1988–89)1–4–1
7LOctober 18, 19883–4 OT@ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89)1–5–1
8LOctober 20, 19880–2@ St. Louis Blues (1988–89)1–6–1
9LOctober 22, 19884–7@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89)1–7–1
10WOctober 25, 19887–4@ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89)2–7–1
11LOctober 28, 19882–5@ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89)2–8–1
12WOctober 30, 19885–2@ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89)3–8–1
13LOctober 31, 19883–6@ Calgary Flames (1988–89)3–9–1
14WNovember 3, 19884–1Minnesota North Stars (1988–89)4–9–1
15TNovember 5, 19885–5 OT@ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89)4–9–2
16LNovember 6, 19883–5Los Angeles Kings (1988–89)4–10–2
17TNovember 9, 19886–6 OTMontreal Canadiens (1988–89)4–10–3
18WNovember 11, 19886–5 OT@ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89)5–10–3
19TNovember 13, 19885–5 OTQuebec Nordiques (1988–89)5–10–4
20WNovember 16, 19883–2Buffalo Sabres (1988–89)6–10–4
21LNovember 19, 19883–5@ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89)6–11–4
22LNovember 20, 19884–7Vancouver Canucks (1988–89)6–12–4
23LNovember 23, 19883–4@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89)6–13–4
24LNovember 25, 19884–5 OT@ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89)6–14–4
25LNovember 26, 19882–8@ Boston Bruins (1988–89)6–15–4
26LNovember 29, 19882–5@ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89)6–16–4
27LDecember 3, 19884–6@ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89)6–17–4
28LDecember 6, 19886–7@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89)6–18–4
29LDecember 10, 19884–6@ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89)6–19–4
30WDecember 11, 19885–2St. Louis Blues (1988–89)7–19–4
31WDecember 14, 19884–3Hartford Whalers (1988–89)8–19–4
32LDecember 17, 19880–4@ St. Louis Blues (1988–89)8–20–4
33LDecember 18, 19883–5New Jersey Devils (1988–89)8–21–4
34LDecember 21, 19883–4Washington Capitals (1988–89)8–22–4
35WDecember 23, 19887–2Detroit Red Wings (1988–89)9–22–4
36LDecember 26, 19881–4St. Louis Blues (1988–89)9–23–4
37WDecember 28, 19884–3Minnesota North Stars (1988–89)10–23–4
38LDecember 31, 19881–4@ New York Rangers (1988–89)10–24–4
39TJanuary 1, 19893–3 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1988–89)10–24–5
40LJanuary 7, 19893–6@ Washington Capitals (1988–89)10–25–5
41WJanuary 8, 19893–2New York Islanders (1988–89)11–25–5
42TJanuary 11, 19892–2 OTDetroit Red Wings (1988–89)11–25–6
43LJanuary 12, 19895–6@ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89)11–26–6
44WJanuary 14, 19895–3@ New York Islanders (1988–89)12–26–6
45TJanuary 16, 19892–2 OTEdmonton Oilers (1988–89)12–26–7
46LJanuary 18, 19894–6New York Rangers (1988–89)12–27–7
47WJanuary 20, 19893–2@ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89)13–27–7
48LJanuary 21, 19892–4@ St. Louis Blues (1988–89)13–28–7
49WJanuary 24, 19894–2@ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89)14–28–7
50WJanuary 25, 19896–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89)15–28–7
51LJanuary 28, 19894–5 OT@ Calgary Flames (1988–89)15–29–7
52WJanuary 30, 19897–1Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89)16–29–7
53WFebruary 1, 19897–4Winnipeg Jets (1988–89)17–29–7
54WFebruary 4, 19893–1@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89)18–29–7
55LFebruary 5, 19894–5St. Louis Blues (1988–89)18–30–7
56WFebruary 10, 19893–1New York Islanders (1988–89)19–30–7
57LFebruary 12, 19892–6Los Angeles Kings (1988–89)19–31–7
58WFebruary 14, 19894–2@ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89)20–31–7
59WFebruary 15, 19897–4Washington Capitals (1988–89)21–31–7
60WFebruary 17, 19895–3@ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89)22–31–7
61TFebruary 19, 19894–4 OTMontreal Canadiens (1988–89)22–31–8
62TFebruary 22, 19895–5 OTMinnesota North Stars (1988–89)22–31–9
63LFebruary 25, 19890–5@ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89)22–32–9
64TFebruary 26, 19894–4 OTDetroit Red Wings (1988–89)22–32–10
65WMarch 1, 19895–1Minnesota North Stars (1988–89)23–32–10
66TMarch 4, 19893–3 OT@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89)23–32–11
67TMarch 5, 19893–3 OTSt. Louis Blues (1988–89)23–32–12
68LMarch 8, 19895–7New Jersey Devils (1988–89)23–33–12
69LMarch 11, 19892–7@ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89)23–34–12
70LMarch 12, 19895–6Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89)23–35–12
71LMarch 14, 19892–3@ St. Louis Blues (1988–89)23–36–12
72LMarch 16, 19891–6@ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89)23–37–12
73WMarch 18, 19893–1@ New Jersey Devils (1988–89)24–37–12
74WMarch 19, 19895–3Detroit Red Wings (1988–89)25–37–12
75LMarch 22, 19892–3Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89)25–38–12
76LMarch 25, 19893–6@ Boston Bruins (1988–89)25–39–12
77LMarch 26, 19895–7Calgary Flames (1988–89)25–40–12
78WMarch 29, 19893–1Quebec Nordiques (1988–89)26–40–12
79LApril 1, 19891–6@ Hartford Whalers (1988–89)26–41–12
80WApril 2, 19894–3 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1988–89)27–41–12

Player stats

Forwards

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player GP G A Pts PIM
Steve Larmer8043448754
Denis Savard58235982110
Dirk Graham8033457889
Troy Murray79213051113
Wayne Presley72211940100
Steve Thomas4521194069
Adam Creighton4315142992
Rick Vaive3012132560
Mike Hudson417162320
Jeremy Roenick2099184
Brian Noonan454121628
Bob Bassen494121662
Duane Sutter757916214
Mike Eagles475111644
Everett Sanipass506915164
Dan Vincelette6611415119
David Mackey2312378
Bill Gardner61120
Mike Stapleton70117
Jari Torkki41010
Bill Watson30114
Steve Ludzik61018
Mike Rucinski10000
Wayne Van Dorp800023
Warren Rychel200017
Greg Gilbert40000

Defensemen

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player GP G A Pts PIM
Doug Wilson6615476269
Dave Manson79183654352
Trent Yawney6951924116
Keith Brown742161884
Steve Konroyd57571240
Bob Murray1524627
Gary Nylund2332563
Bob McGill68044155
Bruce Cassidy90224
Mario Doyon71126
Marc Bergevin1100018
Glen Cochrane600013
Kent Paynter10002
Jim Playfair700028

Goaltending

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Player GP W L T SO GAA
Alain Chevrier271311203.51
Darren Pang351011604.38
Ed Belfour23412303.87
Chris Clifford100000.00
Jimmy Waite1107105.22

Playoffs

Despite their awful 27-41-12 record, the Blackhawks made the playoffs by finishing in fourth place in the weak Norris Division. After three straight years of first-round defeats in the playoffs, the Blackhawks would raise their level of play considerably by stunning the Detroit Red Wings in six games. Denis Savard's 13 points in the series (4 goals and 9 assists) tied a team record shared by Hull and Mikita.

  • Norris Division Semi-Finals

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
April 5Chicago Blackhawks2Detroit Red Wings3
April 6Chicago Blackhawks5Detroit Red Wings4(OT)
April 8Detroit Red Wings2Chicago Blackhawks4
April 9Detroit Red Wings2Chicago Blackhawks3
April 11Chicago Blackhawks4Detroit Red Wings6
April 13Detroit Red Wings1Chicago Blackhawks7

Chicago wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 2

  • Norris Division Finals

Staying hot in the Norris Finals the Hawks would beat the St. Louis Blues in five games.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues

Date Away Score Home Score
April 18Chicago Blackhawks3St. Louis Blues1
April 20Chicago Blackhawks4St. Louis Blues5
April 22St. Louis Blues2Chicago Blackhawks5
April 24St. Louis Blues2Chicago Blackhawks3
April 26Chicago Blackhawks4St. Louis Blues2

Chicago wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1

  • Campbell Conference Finals

After a great playoff run, the Blackhawks Cup dreams would end up in ashes as they would be beaten by the eventual Stanley Cup champions Calgary Flames in five games. Denis Savard and Steve Larmer led the team throughout the playoffs averaging more than a point a game. Dave Manson set a team record that still stands with 84 penalty minutes in the playoffs.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames

Date Away Score Home Score Notes
May 2Chicago Blackhawks0Calgary Flames3
May 4Chicago Blackhawks4Calgary Flames2
May 6Calgary Flames5Chicago Blackhawks2
May 8Calgary Flames2Chicago Blackhawks1(OT)
May 10Chicago Blackhawks1Calgary Flames3

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1

References
  1. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1989.html
  2. Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 153. ISBN 9781894801225.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.