1988 Stanley Cup playoffs
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 6–May 26, 1988 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Edmonton Oilers |
| Runner-up | Boston Bruins |
| Semifinalists | |
|
← 1987
1989 →
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The 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 6, after the conclusion of the 1987–88 NHL season. It concluded on May 26, with the defending champion Edmonton Oilers defeating the Boston Bruins to win their second straight Stanley Cup and fourth in five years.
The Presidents' Trophy winning Calgary Flames had home ice during the playoffs thanks in part to Edmonton's struggles without Wayne Gretzky, who missed a number of games due to injury. The Oilers, who had won the Cup in three of the previous four seasons, were still thought to have a good chance at repeating with Gretzky's return. The clash between the Flames and Oilers in the Smythe Division Final was highly anticipated.
The New Jersey Devils made the playoffs for the first time in their history, winning in overtime at Chicago Stadium on the season's final day to edge the New York Rangers for the Patrick Division's fourth spot. This was only the second time they made the playoffs including their Colorado and Kansas City days.
Gretzky set NHL playoff records with 31 assists in 18 games and 13 points in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The following teams qualified for the playoffs:
Montreal was the best team in the Wales Conference during the regular season.
This was the first and to date only playoff series between these two teams. This was the first time that a team representing the state of New Jersey qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs. This was the first ever playoff series victory for the Scouts/Rockies/Devils franchise.
Washington overcame a 3–1 series deficit to advance to the second round for the first time in two years. Game seven ended when Dale Hunter scored at 5:57 of the first overtime period to complete the Capitals comeback.
Game six in Maple Leaf Gardens was future Hall of Famer Borje Salming's final playoff game in the NHL.
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