1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season


The 1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season was the team's 79th season. The club qualified for the playoffs, defeated the Hartford Whalers in the first round, but were eliminated in the Adams Division finals versus the Boston Bruins four games to one.

Offseason

for more information visit 1988 NHL Entry Draft

Regular season

Defensively, the Canadiens were the best team in the league, finishing the regular season with just 238 goals against. They also allowed the fewest power-play goals, with just 64

Final standings

Schedule and results

Adams Division semi-finals

Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Habs almost squandered a 3–0 series lead. The deep Habs roster was the best team in the Wales Conference during the season, consisting of six 20–goal scorers and another six with between 10 and 20 goals. Their best assets were goaltenders Patrick Roy and backup Brian Hayward who won 23 and 22 games respectively. The Ron Francis-led Whalers went 2–4–2 against the Canadiens during the season, twice losing by just one goal.
DateAwayScoreHomeScoreNotes
April 6Hartford3Montreal 4
April 7Hartford3Montreal 7
April 9Montreal 4Hartford3
April 10Montreal5Hartford 7
April 12Hartford 5Montreal3
April 14Montreal 4Hartford2

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–2

Adams Division finals

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Wales Conference's two best teams, and the NHL's two best defensive teams, met in this series with equal rest time. The Habs had beaten Boston in the Adams Division Semi-Finals four years in a row, sweeping the Bruins in three of the past four seasons, and beating them 3–2 in a best-of-five the other year. This time, the Bruins' defence would wear down Montreal, as Ken Linseman, Ray Bourque and Cam Neely provided the offence to finally conquer the Canadiens. It was the first Bruins' playoff series win over the Habs in 44 seasons.
DateAwayScoreHomeScoreNotes
April 18Boston1Montreal 5
April 20Boston 4Montreal3
April 22Montreal1Boston 3
April 24Montreal0Boston 2
April 26Boston 4Montreal1

Boston wins best-of-seven series 4–1

Player statistics

Regular season

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIM+/-PPGSHGGWG
C782766937813804
LW782459831417402
RW72502878721216011
RW7831306113716603
D71204161172141015
LW772320435319024
D53634403026201
LW7112273915222202
C801721386114031
C/LW611323363912603
C7912243611214013
D697222914946201
RW4813122565202
LW78111122148001
LW53714211019100
D74410146917000
D59211133321100
RW507512209-2001
C17561106201
D66110111134000
RW602681590000
D30246192100
RW511220000
RW1602261000
G39022240000
G45022140000
RW11010-1000
D201121000
D801120000
G100000000
D40002-1000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLTGAGAASOSASVSV%
258645231291252.90312481123.900
224739221041072.8621032925.896
36100058.3302217.773
Team:4869804522132372.92523022065.897

Playoffs

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIMPPGSHGGWG
RW875126102
LW114378010
C113478100
LW60772000
C83362100
RW112462000
C/LW112466201
C1115624000
RW1132520002
D111454000
D1005512000
D1131429100
RW722426000
C110442000
D111126000
D110222000
LW602216000
LW310112000
RW30112000
LW60116000
RW80004000
LW/D10005000
G40000000
D1100011000
G80000000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLGAGAASOSASVSV%
430834243.350218194.890
23042292.3508576.894
Team:6601156333.000303270.891

Awards and records

Roster

Draft picks

Montreal's draft picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Round#PlayerNationalityCollege/Junior/Club Team
117Andrew CasselsOttawa 67's
233John LeClairBellows Free Academy
238Eric DesjardinsGranby Bisons
344Mathieu SchneiderCornwall Royals
358Francois GravelShawinigan Cataractes
480Kris MillerGreenway High School
5101Steve McCoolThe Hill School
6122Les KuntarNichols School
7143Robert KelleyMatignon High School
8164Will GeistSt. Paul Academy and Summit School
9185Eric TremblayDrummondville Voltigeurs
10206Barry McKinlayUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
11227Ed RonanPhillips Andover Academy
12248Bryan HerringDubuque Fighting Saints

Farm teams