# 1988–89 New York Islanders season

The 1988–89 New York Islanders season was the 17th season for the franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). It saw the Islanders finish in last place in the Patrick Division with a record of 28 wins, 47 losses, and 5 ties for 61 points, failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 1974.

## Regular season

The Islanders failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 1973–74 season. This broke a streak of 14 consecutive playoff appearances for the team, which included four straight Stanley Cup championships from 1980 to 1983.

### Final standings

Patrick Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Washington Capitals | 80 | 41 | 29 | 10 | 305 | 259 | 92 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 80 | 40 | 33 | 7 | 347 | 349 | 87 |
| New York Rangers | 80 | 37 | 35 | 8 | 310 | 307 | 82 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 80 | 36 | 36 | 8 | 307 | 285 | 80 |
| New Jersey Devils | 80 | 27 | 41 | 12 | 281 | 325 | 66 |
| New York Islanders | 80 | 28 | 47 | 5 | 265 | 325 | 61 |
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
#### Vs. Wales Conference

1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | NJD | NYI | NYR | PHI | PIT | WSH | Total |
| New Jersey | — | 1–4–2 | 4–3 | 2–5 | 1–4–2 | 4–3 | 12–19–4 |
| N.Y. Islanders | 4–1–2 | — | 2–5 | 1–5–1 | 2–4–1 | 3–4 | 12–19–4 |
| N.Y. Rangers | 3–4 | 5–2 | — | 3–3–1 | 3–3–1 | 3–2–2 | 17–14–4 |
| Philadelphia | 5–2 | 5–1–1 | 3–3–1 | — | 3–4 | 3–4 | 19–14–2 |
| Pittsburgh | 4–1–2 | 4–2–1 | 3–3–1 | 4–3 | — | 4–3 | 19–12–4 |
| Washington | 3–4 | 4–3 | 2–3–2 | 4–3 | 3–4 | — | 16–17–2 |
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | BOS | BUF | HFD | MTL | QUE | Total |
| New Jersey | 0–2–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 3–11–1 |
| N.Y. Islanders | 1–2 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 6–9–0 |
| N.Y. Rangers | 0–1–2 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 3–10–2 |
| Philadelphia | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 0–1–2 | 2–1 | 6–6–3 |
| Pittsburgh | 1–1–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 5–9–1 |
| Washington | 1–1–1 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 1–1–1 | 2–0–1 | 10–2–3 |

#### Vs. Campbell Conference

1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | CHI | DET | MIN | STL | TOR | Total |
| New Jersey | 2–1 | 2–0–1 | 1–1–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 9–4–2 |
| N.Y. Islanders | 0–3 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 4–11–0 |
| N.Y. Rangers | 2–0–1 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 1–1–1 | 8–5–2 |
| Philadelphia | 3–0 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 8–7–0 |
| Pittsburgh | 3–0 | 2–0–1 | 1–2 | 1–1–1 | 2–1 | 9–4–2 |
| Washington | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 1–1–1 | 2–0–1 | 2–1 | 8–4–3 |
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | CGY | EDM | LAK | VAN | WIN | Total |
| New Jersey | 0–3 | 2–1 | 0–1–2 | 1–1–1 | 0–1–2 | 3–7–5 |
| N.Y. Islanders | 0–2–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 6–8–1 |
| N.Y. Rangers | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 9–6–0 |
| Philadelphia | 0–3 | 0–1–2 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 2–0–1 | 3–9–3 |
| Pittsburgh | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 7–8–0 |
| Washington | 0–2–1 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 7–6–2 |

## Schedule and results

| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
| 1 | T | October 6, 1988 | 4–4 OT | @ Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 0–0–1 |
| 2 | L | October 7, 1988 | 1–5 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 0–1–1 |
| 3 | L | October 9, 1988 | 5–6 OT | @ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 0–2–1 |
| 4 | W | October 10, 1988 | 3–2 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 1–2–1 |
| 5 | W | October 15, 1988 | 2–1 | Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 2–2–1 |
| 6 | W | October 18, 1988 | 3–2 | Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 3–2–1 |
| 7 | W | October 22, 1988 | 7–3 | Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 4–2–1 |
| 8 | L | October 25, 1988 | 3–4 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) | 4–3–1 |
| 9 | L | October 27, 1988 | 2–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 4–4–1 |
| 10 | L | October 29, 1988 | 2–3 OT | @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 4–5–1 |
| 11 | L | November 1, 1988 | 1–8 | Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 4–6–1 |
| 12 | L | November 4, 1988 | 2–4 | @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 4–7–1 |
| 13 | W | November 5, 1988 | 4–3 OT | Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 5–7–1 |
| 14 | W | November 8, 1988 | 4–3 | New York Rangers (1988–89) | 6–7–1 |
| 15 | T | November 11, 1988 | 3–3 OT | @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 6–7–2 |
| 16 | L | November 12, 1988 | 0–3 | Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 6–8–2 |
| 17 | L | November 15, 1988 | 1–5 | Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 6–9–2 |
| 18 | L | November 16, 1988 | 4–5 OT | @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 6–10–2 |
| 19 | W | November 19, 1988 | 6–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 7–10–2 |
| 20 | L | November 22, 1988 | 2–4 | Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 7–11–2 |
| 21 | L | November 23, 1988 | 6–7 | @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 7–12–2 |
| 22 | L | November 26, 1988 | 4–6 | New York Rangers (1988–89) | 7–13–2 |
| 23 | L | November 27, 1988 | 3–5 | @ New York Rangers (1988–89) | 7–14–2 |
| 24 | L | November 29, 1988 | 3–5 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 7–15–2 |
| 25 | L | December 1, 1988 | 0–8 | @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 7–16–2 |
| 26 | L | December 3, 1988 | 2–4 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 7–17–2 |
| 27 | L | December 6, 1988 | 3–4 | Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 7–18–2 |
| 28 | L | December 9, 1988 | 5–6 | @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 7–19–2 |
| 29 | L | December 10, 1988 | 3–4 | Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 7–20–2 |
| 30 | L | December 14, 1988 | 1–2 | @ New York Rangers (1988–89) | 7–21–2 |
| 31 | L | December 15, 1988 | 2–8 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 7–22–2 |
| 32 | W | December 17, 1988 | 5–2 | New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 8–22–2 |
| 33 | L | December 20, 1988 | 3–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 8–23–2 |
| 34 | L | December 22, 1988 | 2–4 | Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 8–24–2 |
| 35 | W | December 26, 1988 | 4–3 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) | 9–24–2 |
| 36 | W | December 31, 1988 | 6–4 | Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 10–24–2 |
| 37 | L | January 3, 1989 | 1–4 | Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 10–25–2 |
| 38 | W | January 5, 1989 | 5–3 | @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 11–25–2 |
| 39 | L | January 7, 1989 | 1–5 | New York Rangers (1988–89) | 11–26–2 |
| 40 | L | January 8, 1989 | 2–3 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 11–27–2 |
| 41 | L | January 10, 1989 | 3–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 11–28–2 |
| 42 | W | January 13, 1989 | 5–3 | @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 12–28–2 |
| 43 | L | January 14, 1989 | 3–5 | Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 12–29–2 |
| 44 | W | January 17, 1989 | 5–2 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 13–29–2 |
| 45 | W | January 19, 1989 | 4–2 | Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 14–29–2 |
| 46 | W | January 21, 1989 | 8–6 | Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 15–29–2 |
| 47 | T | January 24, 1989 | 2–2 OT | New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 15–29–3 |
| 48 | W | January 26, 1989 | 8–6 | Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 16–29–3 |
| 49 | L | January 28, 1989 | 4–7 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 16–30–3 |
| 50 | L | January 30, 1989 | 3–7 | @ New York Rangers (1988–89) | 16–31–3 |
| 51 | L | February 2, 1989 | 1–4 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) | 16–32–3 |
| 52 | W | February 4, 1989 | 5–3 | Hartford Whalers (1988–89) | 17–32–3 |
| 53 | W | February 5, 1989 | 3–2 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 18–32–3 |
| 54 | L | February 10, 1989 | 1–3 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 18–33–3 |
| 55 | L | February 11, 1989 | 0–5 | @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 18–34–3 |
| 56 | W | February 14, 1989 | 5–3 | Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 19–34–3 |
| 57 | W | February 16, 1989 | 7–3 | St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 20–34–3 |
| 58 | W | February 18, 1989 | 3–2 | Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 21–34–3 |
| 59 | L | February 19, 1989 | 4–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 21–35–3 |
| 60 | L | February 21, 1989 | 5–6 | Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 21–36–3 |
| 61 | L | February 22, 1989 | 5–7 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 21–37–3 |
| 62 | T | February 25, 1989 | 5–5 OT | Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 21–37–4 |
| 63 | L | February 28, 1989 | 1–3 | Hartford Whalers (1988–89) | 21–38–4 |
| 64 | L | March 1, 1989 | 5–6 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 21–39–4 |
| 65 | L | March 4, 1989 | 3–4 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 21–40–4 |
| 66 | W | March 5, 1989 | 4–3 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 22–40–4 |
| 67 | L | March 7, 1989 | 1–2 | Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 22–41–4 |
| 68 | T | March 9, 1989 | 4–4 OT | Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 22–41–5 |
| 69 | W | March 11, 1989 | 3–2 OT | New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 23–41–5 |
| 70 | W | March 13, 1989 | 5–3 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 24–41–5 |
| 71 | L | March 14, 1989 | 2–8 | @ Hartford Whalers (1988–89) | 24–42–5 |
| 72 | L | March 18, 1989 | 1–2 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 24–43–5 |
| 73 | L | March 19, 1989 | 2–3 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 24–44–5 |
| 74 | L | March 21, 1989 | 1–4 | @ Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 24–45–5 |
| 75 | W | March 23, 1989 | 3–1 | Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 25–45–5 |
| 76 | L | March 26, 1989 | 2–3 | @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 25–46–5 |
| 77 | W | March 28, 1989 | 5–4 | Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 26–46–5 |
| 78 | W | March 29, 1989 | 5–4 OT | @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 27–46–5 |
| 79 | L | April 1, 1989 | 3–4 | Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 27–47–5 |
| 80 | W | April 2, 1989 | 6–4 | @ New York Rangers (1988–89) | 28–47–5 |

## Player statistics
### Forwards

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points
| Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
| Pat LaFontaine | 79 | 45 | 43 | 88 | 26 |
| Brent Sutter | 77 | 29 | 34 | 63 | 77 |
| David Volek | 77 | 25 | 34 | 59 | 24 |
| Bryan Trottier | 73 | 17 | 28 | 45 | 44 |
| Mikko Mäkelä | 76 | 17 | 28 | 45 | 22 |
| Derek King | 60 | 14 | 29 | 43 | 14 |
| Alan Kerr | 71 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 144 |
| Randy Wood | 77 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 44 |
| Patrick Flatley | 41 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 31 |
| Brad Dalgarno | 55 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 86 |
| Greg Gilbert | 55 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 45 |
| Raimo Helminen | 24 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 4 |
| Tom Fitzgerald | 23 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Richard Kromm | 20 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
| Brad Lauer | 14 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Bob Bassen | 19 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 21 |
| Mick Vukota | 48 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 237 |
| Dale Henry | 22 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 66 |
| Bill Berg | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| Mike Walsh | 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Mike Stevens | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Rob DiMaio | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 30 |
| Rod Dallman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |

### Defensemen

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points
| Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
| Gerald Diduck | 65 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 155 |
| Tomas Jonsson | 53 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 34 |
| Jeff Norton | 69 | 1 | 30 | 31 | 74 |
| Reed Larson | 33 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 35 |
| Marc Bergevin | 58 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 62 |
| Rich Pilon | 62 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 242 |
| Gary Nylund | 46 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 74 |
| Steve Konroyd | 21 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Ken Morrow | 34 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 32 |
| Wayne McBean | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Dean Chynoweth | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| Chris Pryor | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Jeff Finley | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |

### Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against
| Player | GP | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
| Kelly Hrudey | 50 | 18 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 3.92 |
| Jeff Hackett | 13 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3.53 |
| Mark Fitzpatrick | 11 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3.92 |
| Billy Smith | 17 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4.44 |

## Awards and records

* Bryan Trottier, King Clancy Memorial Trophy
* David Volek, Wing, NHL 1st All-Rookie Team

## Draft picks

New York's draft picks at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 1 | 16 | Kevin Cheveldayoff | Canada | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| 2 | 29 | Wayne Doucet | Canada | Hamilton Steelhawks (OHL) |
| 2 | 37 | Sean LeBrun | Canada | New Westminster Bruins (WHL) |
| 3 | 58 | Danny Lorenz | Canada | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 4 | 79 | Andre Brassard | Canada | Trois-Rivières Draveurs (QMJHL) |
| 5 | 100 | Paul Rutherford | Canada | Ohio State University (CCHA) |
| 6 | 111 | Pavel Gross | Czechoslovakia | Sparta Prague (Czechoslovakia) |
| 6 | 121 | Jason Rathbone | United States | Brookline High School (USHS-MA) |
| 7 | 142 | Yves Gaucher | Canada | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) |
| 8 | 163 | Marty McInnis | United States | Milton Academy (USHS-MA) |
| 9 | 173 | Patrick Forrest | United States | St. Cloud State University (NCAA Independent) |
| 9 | 184 | Jeff Blumer | United States | College of St. Thomas (MIAC) |
| 10 | 205 | Jeffery Kampersal | United States | St. John's Preparatory School (USHS-MA) |
| 11 | 226 | Phil Neururer | United States | Osseo Senior High School (USHS-MN) |
| 12 | 247 | Joe Capprini | United States | Babson College (NEWMAC) |
| S | 21 | Doug Melnyk | Canada | Western Michigan University (CCHA) |