1987–88 Hartford Whalers season

1987–88 Hartford Whalers
Division	4th Adams
1987–88 record	35–38–7
Goals for	249
Goals against	267
Team information
General manager	Emile Francis
Coach	Jack Evans Larry Pleau
Captain	Ron Francis
Arena	Hartford Civic Center
Team leaders
Goals	Kevin Dineen Ron Francis (25)
Assists	Ron Francis (50)
Points	Ron Francis (75)
Penalty minutes	Torrie Robertson (293)
Plus/minus	Randy Ladouceur (+7)
Wins	Mike Liut (25)
Goals against average	Richard Brodeur (2.65)

The 1987–88 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' 9th season in the National Hockey League. The Whalers finished 4th in the Adams Division and lost in the Division Semi-finals to the Montreal Canadiens 4 games to 2.

Regular Season

Final Standings

Adams Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	PTS
Montreal Canadiens	80	45	22	13	298	238	103
Boston Bruins	80	44	30	6	300	251	94
Buffalo Sabres	80	37	32	11	283	305	85
Hartford Whalers	80	35	38	7	249	267	77
Quebec Nordiques	80	32	43	5	271	306	69

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Game Log

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

Playoffs

Montreal Canadiens 4, Hartford Whalers 2

The Whalers opened the 1988 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens in a best-of-seven series. Montreal finished the regular season with a 45-22-13 record, earning 103 points, which placed them first in the Adams Division. The Canadiens finished with 26 more points than Hartford during the regular season. Previously, the Whalers and Canadiens met twice in the post-season, with Montreal winning both series. Their most recent match-up was during the 1986 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as Montreal defeated Hartford with an overtime goal in game seven of the Adams Division final. The Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup that season.

The series opened on April 6 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal. Mike Liut got the start in goal for Hartford, while Patrick Roy started for Montreal. The Whalers scored the lone goal in the first period, as Randy Ladouceur scored 7:59 into the period, giving Hartford a 1–0 lead. In the second period, the Canadiens evened the game on a goal by Shayne Corson 2:54 into the period, followed by a goal by Bobby Smith less than two minutes later, giving the Canadiens a 2-1 after the second period. In the third period, the Whalers Richard Brodeur came into the game to play in goal, as Mike Liut was forced out of the game due to an injury. Despite the injury to their starting goaltender, the Whalers scored a quick goal, as Dave Babych scored 56 seconds into the period to tie the game 2-2. The Whalers took a 3–2 lead as Ron Francis scored a power play marker at 3:10. Montreal stormed back, as Chris Chelios scored on a Canadiens power play, evening the game at 3-3. The Canadiens regained the lead on a goal by Stephane Richer midway through the period. Montreal held on for the 4–3 victory, taking a 1–0 series lead.

Game two was played the next night in Montreal, as Richard Brodeur would get the start in goal for the Whalers due to an injury to Mike Liut. Patrick Roy was once again in goal for the Canadiens for the second game. The Canadiens took a 1–0 lead on a goal by Brian Skrudland 5:30 into the first period. The Whalers tied the game midway through the period on a goal by Lindsay Carson. At 13:37, a goal by Chris Chelios gave Montreal the lead back at 2–1. Less than a minute later, Kevin Dineen tied the game for Hartford, as the game was tied 2-2 after the first period. The Canadiens retook the lead, as Gilles Thibaudeau scored 2:39 into the period, followed by a goal by Claude Lemieux at 10:59, as Montreal took a 4–2 lead. The Whalers Scot Kleinendorst cut the Canadiens lead to 4–3 with a goal at 12:52, as the Canadiens held the one goal lead after two periods. In the third period, Montreal scored three goals in a 2:38 span midway through the period, as Bobby Smith, Gilles Thibaudeau and Kjell Dahlin each scored, securing a 7–2 win for the Canadiens and a 2–0 series lead.

The series moved to the Hartford Civic Center for the third game on April 9, as Mike Liut returned in goal for the Whalers, while Patrick Roy made his third straight start for Montreal. The Whalers Stew Gavin scored an early goal, only 2:06 into the game, to give Hartford a 1–0 lead. The Canadiens tied the game midway through the period with a power play goal by Stephane Richer, as the score was 1-1 after the first period. The Whalers took a 2–1 lead with a power play goal by Sylvain Cote at the 6:31 mark of the second period. The Canadiens responded with three goals of their own before the period ended, as Craig Ludwig, Mike McPhee and Ryan Walter each scored, giving Montreal a 4–2 lead. In the third period, the Whalers Carey Wilson scored a power play goal 6:34 into the period, cutting the Canadiens lead to 4–3. Hartford couldn't manage to score another goal, as the Canadiens held on for the 4–3 victory, and took a commanding 3–0 series lead.

The fourth game was played the following evening, with both Mike Liut and Patrick Roy getting the starts once again in goal, as the Whalers faced elimination. The Canadiens took a 1–0 lead after Stephane Richer scored a goal at 3:22 into the first period. The Whalers quickly responded with a goal of their own, as Dean Evason scored 55 seconds later. At 8:29 of the first period, Dave Babych gave Hartford a 2–1 lead, which the Whalers took with them into the first intermission. In the second period, Stephane Richer scored his second goal of the game, which was the lone goal of the period, tying the game 2-2 after two periods. Only 59 seconds into the third period, the Whalers Dave Babych broke the tie, giving the Whalers a 3–2 lead. At 3:19, the Whalers Sylvain Cote took a four-minute high-sticking penalty, sending Montreal to the power play. The Canadiens scored twice on this power play, as Bobby Smith and Ryan Walter each scored, giving Montreal a 4–3 lead. At 11:20, the Whalers tied the game once again, as Kevin Dineen put the puck past Patrick Roy, tying the game 4-4. This was the start of a goal scoring outburst for Hartford, as Stew Gavin gave the Whalers a 5–4 lead with a goal 14:23. Kevin Dineen then scored a power play goal at 17:05, followed by a goal by Scott Young, his first career playoff goal, extending the Whalers lead to 7–4. Montreal's Gilles Thibaudeau scored a power play goal with 30 seconds left in the game, as Hartford staved off elimination with a 7–5 victory, cutting the Canadiens series lead to 3–1.

The series returned to Montreal for the fifth game on April 12, as Hartford once again was facing elimination. Richard Brodeur replaced Mike Liut in the Whalers goal, as he re-aggravated his injury. The Canadiens Brian Hayward got his first start of the series. Hartford scored the only goal of the first period, as Kevin Dineen scored midway through the period, taking a 1–0 lead into the first intermission. The Whalers Carey Wilson extended the lead to 2–0 with a goal at 5:40 of the second period. Montreal's Mike McPhee scored 31 seconds later, as Hartford held on to a 2–1 lead after two periods. In the third period, the game remained close, however, the Whalers Ron Francis scored an empty net goal with 16 seconds left in the period, securing the victory for the Whalers. This would be the first career post-season win for Richard Brodeur, who made 22 saves for the Whalers, as the Canadiens series lead was trimmed to 3–2.

Game six was back in Hartford on April 14, as both Richard Brodeur of the Whalers and Brian Hayward of the Canadiens got their second consecutive start. In the first period, the Canadiens Stephane Richer scored twice, as Montreal took a 2–0 lead after twenty minutes. In the second period, the Whalers Ray Ferraro scored a late period power play goal, cutting the Canadiens lead to 2–1. Both goaltenders continued to be sharp in the third period, as Hartford was unable to tie the game. The Canadiens won the game 2-1 and won the series 4–2, eliminating the Whalers from the post-season.

Montreal Canadiens 4, Hartford Whalers 2

#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Record
1	April 6	Hartford Whalers	3–4	Montreal Canadiens	0-1
2	April 7	Hartford Whalers	3–7	Montreal Canadiens	0-2
3	April 9	Montreal Canadiens	4–3	Hartford Whalers	0-3
4	April 10	Montreal Canadiens	5–7	Hartford Whalers	1-3
5	April 12	Hartford Whalers	3–1	Montreal Canadiens	2-3
6	April 14	Montreal Canadiens	2–1	Hartford Whalers	2-4

Awards and Records

• The Whalers did not win any awards this season.

See Also

• 1987–88 NHL season

References

• 1987–88 Hartford Whalers Games. Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved on 2009-05-06.