The 1987–88 Buffalo Sabres season was the 18th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[1]
Offseason
Regular season
Final standings
[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.
Record vs. opponents
Adams Division record vs. opponents
|
Vs. Wales Conference
|
Vs. Adams Division
| 1987–88 NHL records[3]
|
| Team
|
BOS
|
BUF
|
HFD
|
MTL
|
QUE
|
Total
|
| Boston
|
— |
4–3–1 |
4–3–1 |
3–4–1 |
5–3 |
16–13–3
|
|
|
3–4–1 |
— |
3–4–1 |
3–3–2 |
5–2–1 |
14–13–5
|
| Hartford
|
3–4–1 |
4–3–1 |
— |
2–4–2 |
2–6 |
11–17–4
|
| Montreal
|
4–3–1 |
3–3–2 |
4–2−2 |
— |
6–2 |
17–10–5
|
| Quebec
|
3–5 |
2–5–1 |
6–2 |
2–6 |
— |
13–18–1
|
|
Vs. Patrick Division
| 1987–88 NHL records
|
| Team
|
NJD
|
NYI
|
NYR
|
PHI
|
PIT
|
WSH
|
Total
|
| Boston
|
2–1 |
1–2 |
1–2 |
1–2 |
2–0–1 |
1–2 |
8–9–1
|
|
|
2–0–1 |
1–2 |
3–0 |
0–3 |
0–2–1 |
2–0–1 |
8–7–3
|
| Hartford
|
1–1–1 |
1–2 |
1–2 |
1–2 |
1–2 |
1–2 |
6–11–1
|
| Montreal
|
1–2 |
3–0 |
1–1–1 |
1–0–2 |
1–2 |
1–1–1 |
8–6–4
|
| Quebec
|
3–0 |
1–2 |
1–2 |
0–2–1 |
0–3 |
1–2 |
6–11–1
|
|
Vs. Campbell Conference
|
Vs. Norris Division
| 1987–88 NHL records
|
| Team
|
CHI
|
DET
|
MIN
|
STL
|
TOR
|
Total
|
| Boston
|
3–0 |
1–2 |
3–0 |
1–2 |
2–1 |
10–5–0
|
|
|
2–1 |
1–2 |
1–1–1 |
3–0 |
3–0 |
10–4–1
|
| Hartford
|
2–1 |
2–1 |
3–0 |
1–2 |
3–0 |
11–4–0
|
| Montreal
|
2–0–1 |
2–1 |
1–1–1 |
2–1 |
3–0 |
10–3–2
|
| Quebec
|
2–0–1 |
3–0 |
2–1 |
1–2 |
3–0 |
11–3–1
|
|
Vs. Smythe Division
| 1987–88 NHL records
|
| Team
|
CGY
|
EDM
|
LAK
|
VAN
|
WIN
|
Total
|
| Boston
|
2–1 |
1–1–1 |
2–0–1 |
2–1 |
3–0 |
10–3–2
|
|
|
1–2 |
0–3 |
2–1 |
1–1–1 |
1–1–1 |
5–8–2
|
| Hartford
|
0–3 |
1–2 |
3–0 |
1–0–2 |
2–1 |
7–6–2
|
| Montreal
|
0–2–1 |
3–0 |
2–1 |
2–0–1 |
3–0 |
10–3–2
|
| Quebec
|
0–3 |
1–1–1 |
1–2 |
0–3 |
0–2–1 |
2–11–2
|
|
|
Schedule and results
| 1987–88 regular season[4]
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 1 |
T |
October 8, 1987 |
2–2 OT |
Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) |
0–0–1
|
| 2 |
L |
October 10, 1987 |
3–6 |
@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) |
0–1–1
|
| 3 |
W |
October 11, 1987 |
6–5 |
Washington Capitals (1987–88) |
1–1–1
|
| 4 |
L |
October 13, 1987 |
3–8 |
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) |
1–2–1
|
| 5 |
T |
October 16, 1987 |
2–2 OT |
Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) |
1–2–2
|
| 6 |
W |
October 17, 1987 |
6–3 |
@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) |
2–2–2
|
| 7 |
L |
October 21, 1987 |
3–5 |
Hartford Whalers (1987–88) |
2–3–2
|
| 8 |
W |
October 23, 1987 |
5–3 |
Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) |
3–3–2
|
| 9 |
L |
October 24, 1987 |
3–5 |
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) |
3–4–2
|
| 10 |
T |
October 28, 1987 |
2–2 OT |
@ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) |
3–4–3
|
| 11 |
W |
October 30, 1987 |
5–1 |
Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) |
4–4–3
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 12 |
W |
November 1, 1987 |
5–3 |
Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) |
5–4–3
|
| 13 |
W |
November 4, 1987 |
5–4 |
@ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) |
6–4–3
|
| 14 |
L |
November 7, 1987 |
0–5 |
@ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) |
6–5–3
|
| 15 |
W |
November 8, 1987 |
6–3 |
@ Calgary Flames (1987–88) |
7–5–3
|
| 16 |
T |
November 11, 1987 |
4–4 OT |
@ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88) |
7–5–4
|
| 17 |
L |
November 13, 1987 |
4–5 |
Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) |
7–6–4
|
| 18 |
W |
November 15, 1987 |
5–4 |
Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) |
8–6–4
|
| 19 |
L |
November 18, 1987 |
1–9 |
@ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) |
8–7–4
|
| 20 |
W |
November 20, 1987 |
5–3 |
Washington Capitals (1987–88) |
9–7–4
|
| 21 |
L |
November 22, 1987 |
5–8 |
Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) |
9–8–4
|
| 22 |
L |
November 25, 1987 |
2–5 |
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) |
9–9–4
|
| 23 |
L |
November 27, 1987 |
2–4 |
Hartford Whalers (1987–88) |
9–10–4
|
| 24 |
L |
November 29, 1987 |
2–5 |
Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) |
9–11–4
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 25 |
W |
December 3, 1987 |
6–3 |
Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) |
10–11–4
|
| 26 |
L |
December 5, 1987 |
1–2 |
@ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) |
10–12–4
|
| 27 |
L |
December 6, 1987 |
1–5 |
Vancouver Canucks (1987–88) |
10–13–4
|
| 28 |
W |
December 9, 1987 |
6–2 |
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) |
11–13–4
|
| 29 |
T |
December 12, 1987 |
3–3 OT |
@ Boston Bruins (1987–88) |
11–13–5
|
| 30 |
L |
December 13, 1987 |
1–7 |
Calgary Flames (1987–88) |
11–14–5
|
| 31 |
T |
December 18, 1987 |
2–2 OT |
Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) |
11–14–6
|
| 32 |
W |
December 19, 1987 |
2–1 |
@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) |
12–14–6
|
| 33 |
L |
December 22, 1987 |
0–9 |
@ Boston Bruins (1987–88) |
12–15–6
|
| 34 |
W |
December 23, 1987 |
5–2 |
@ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) |
13–15–6
|
| 35 |
T |
December 27, 1987 |
3–3 OT |
Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) |
13–15–7
|
| 36 |
L |
December 29, 1987 |
1–5 |
@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) |
13–16–7
|
| 37 |
L |
December 31, 1987 |
0–2 |
Boston Bruins (1987–88) |
13–17–7
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 38 |
W |
January 2, 1988 |
6–4 |
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) |
14–17–7
|
| 39 |
W |
January 3, 1988 |
2–1 |
Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) |
15–17–7
|
| 40 |
W |
January 6, 1988 |
6–5 |
@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) |
16–17–7
|
| 41 |
W |
January 8, 1988 |
3–1 |
Hartford Whalers (1987–88) |
17–17–7
|
| 42 |
W |
January 10, 1988 |
4–3 |
New York Rangers (1987–88) |
18–17–7
|
| 43 |
W |
January 12, 1988 |
4–2 |
@ St. Louis Blues (1987–88) |
19–17–7
|
| 44 |
L |
January 14, 1988 |
1–3 |
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) |
19–18–7
|
| 45 |
L |
January 16, 1988 |
1–5 |
@ Boston Bruins (1987–88) |
19–19–7
|
| 46 |
W |
January 17, 1988 |
5–2 |
New York Islanders (1987–88) |
20–19–7
|
| 47 |
W |
January 20, 1988 |
5–3 |
Boston Bruins (1987–88) |
21–19–7
|
| 48 |
W |
January 22, 1988 |
7–3 |
New Jersey Devils (1987–88) |
22–19–7
|
| 49 |
T |
January 23, 1988 |
3–3 OT |
@ Washington Capitals (1987–88) |
22–19–8
|
| 50 |
W |
January 25, 1988 |
5–2 |
@ New Jersey Devils (1987–88) |
23–19–8
|
| 51 |
L |
January 27, 1988 |
1–4 |
Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) |
23–20–8
|
| 52 |
L |
January 29, 1988 |
2–5 |
New York Islanders (1987–88) |
23–21–8
|
| 53 |
T |
January 31, 1988 |
4–4 OT |
Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) |
23–21–9
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 54 |
W |
February 2, 1988 |
6–3 |
@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) |
24–21–9
|
| 55 |
W |
February 5, 1988 |
5–2 |
Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) |
25–21–9
|
| 56 |
L |
February 6, 1988 |
4–6 |
@ New York Islanders (1987–88) |
25–22–9
|
| 57 |
L |
February 12, 1988 |
5–7 |
@ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) |
25–23–9
|
| 58 |
L |
February 14, 1988 |
3–4 OT |
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) |
25–24–9
|
| 59 |
W |
February 16, 1988 |
3–0 |
@ St. Louis Blues (1987–88) |
26–24–9
|
| 60 |
L |
February 19, 1988 |
4–5 |
Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) |
26–25–9
|
| 61 |
L |
February 21, 1988 |
5–6 |
Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) |
26–26–9
|
| 62 |
W |
February 25, 1988 |
5–2 |
St. Louis Blues (1987–88) |
27–26–9
|
| 63 |
W |
February 27, 1988 |
4–3 |
@ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) |
28–26–9
|
| 64 |
W |
February 28, 1988 |
5–3 |
Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) |
29–26–9
|
|
| Game |
Result |
Date |
Score |
Opponent |
Record
|
| 65 |
L |
March 1, 1988 |
0–4 |
@ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) |
29–27–9
|
| 66 |
W |
March 4, 1988 |
6–3 |
New York Rangers (1987–88) |
30–27–9
|
| 67 |
W |
March 6, 1988 |
3–0 |
Boston Bruins (1987–88) |
31–27–9
|
| 68 |
W |
March 9, 1988 |
6–2 |
@ Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) |
32–27–9
|
| 69 |
L |
March 12, 1988 |
4–10 |
@ Calgary Flames (1987–88) |
32–28–9
|
| 70 |
W |
March 13, 1988 |
7–5 |
@ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88) |
33–28–9
|
| 71 |
L |
March 15, 1988 |
4–6 |
@ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) |
33–29–9
|
| 72 |
W |
March 19, 1988 |
4–3 |
@ Boston Bruins (1987–88) |
34–29–9
|
| 73 |
L |
March 20, 1988 |
2–6 |
Boston Bruins (1987–88) |
34–30–9
|
| 74 |
W |
March 22, 1988 |
3–2 |
@ New York Rangers (1987–88) |
35–30–9
|
| 75 |
T |
March 25, 1988 |
2–2 OT |
New Jersey Devils (1987–88) |
35–30–10
|
| 76 |
L |
March 27, 1988 |
3–5 |
Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) |
35–31–10
|
| 77 |
W |
March 29, 1988 |
3–1 |
@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) |
36–31–10
|
| 78 |
W |
March 31, 1988 |
3–2 |
Hartford Whalers (1987–88) |
37–31–10
|
|
|
|
|
Legend:
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
|
Playoffs
1988 Stanley Cup playoffs
| Date
|
Away
|
Score
|
Home
|
Score
|
Notes
|
| April 6 |
Buffalo |
3 |
Boston |
7 |
|
| April 7 |
Buffalo |
1 |
Boston |
4 |
|
| April 9 |
Boston |
2 |
Buffalo |
6 |
|
| April 10 |
Boston |
5 |
Buffalo |
6 |
OT
|
| April 12 |
Buffalo |
4 |
Boston |
5 |
|
| April 14 |
Boston |
5 |
Buffalo |
2 |
|
Boston wins best-of-seven series 4–2.
Player statistics
Awards and records
Transactions
Draft picks
Buffalo's draft picks at the 1987 NHL entry draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
| Round
|
#
|
Player
|
Nationality
|
College/Junior/Club team (League)
|
| 1 |
1 |
Pierre Turgeon |
.svg.png) Canada |
Granby Bisons (QMJHL)
|
| 2 |
22 |
Brad Miller |
Canada |
Regina Pats (WHL)
|
| 3 |
53 |
Andrew MacVicar |
Canada |
Peterborough Petes (OHL)
|
| 4 |
84 |
John Bradley |
 United States |
New Hampton School (USHS-NH)
|
| 5 |
85 |
Dave Pergola |
United States |
Belmont High School (USHS-MA)
|
| 6 |
106 |
Chris Marshall |
United States |
Boston College High School (USHS-MA)
|
| 7 |
127 |
Paul Flanagan |
United States |
New Hampton School (USHS-NH)
|
| 8 |
148 |
Sean Dooley |
United States |
Groton School (USHS-CT)
|
| 8 |
153 |
Tim Roberts |
United States |
Deerfield Academy (USHS-MA)
|
| 9 |
169 |
Grant Tkachuk |
Canada |
Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
|
| 10 |
190 |
Ian Herbers |
Canada |
Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
|
| 11 |
211 |
David Littman |
United States |
Boston College (Hockey East)
|
| 12 |
232 |
Al MacIsaac |
Canada |
Guelph Platers (OHL)
|
| S1 |
1 |
Dave Snuggerud |
United States |
University of Minnesota (WCHA)
|
| S2 |
6 |
Mike DeCarle |
United States |
Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
|
See also
References
- ^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4.
- ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 153. ISBN 9781894801225.
- ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ "1987-88 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
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| Franchise | |
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| History | |
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| Personnel | |
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| Arenas | |
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| Affiliates | |
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| Media | |
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| Culture and lore | |
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| 1970s | |
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| 1980s | |
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| 1990s | |
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| 2000s | |
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| 2010s | |
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| 2020s | |
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| Patrick | |
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| Adams | |
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| Norris | |
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| Smythe | |
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| See also | |
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