# 1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season

The 1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season was the North Stars' 21st season. It saw the North Stars finish fifth in the Norris Division with a record of 19 wins, 48 losses, and 13 ties for 51 points — the worst record in the league. They failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second consecutive season. Despite finishing with the third-lowest winning percentage (at .319) and second-fewest wins in franchise history, they were still in contention for a playoff spot going into the last game of the season due to playing in an extremely weak Norris Division; the division champion Detroit Red Wings were the only team with a winning record. The Stars lost to the Calgary Flames on the season's final day and finished last in scoring (242 goals in favor) and penalty-killing percentage (75.23%). The day before, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were trailing the Stars for the fourth spot in the Norris as the day began, beat the Red Wings. This not only eliminated the Stars out of the playoffs but also assured them of the worst record in the league.
The leading scorer for the North Stars in 1987–88 was Dino Ciccarelli. However, he became involved in controversy when, on January 6, 1988, he struck Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Richardson with his stick in a game at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Ciccarelli was arrested and charged with assault; he was eventually fined $1000 and sentenced to one day in jail.

## Offseason
### NHL Draft

| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/junior/club team |
| 1 | 6 | Dave Archibald (RW) | Canada | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 2 | 35 | Scott McCrady (D) | Canada | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 3 | 48 | Kevin Kaminski (C) | Canada | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| 4 | 73 | John Weisbrod (C) | United States | Choate Rosemary Hall (USHS-CT) |
| 5 | 88 | Teppo Kivela (C) | Finland | HPK (Finland) |
| 6 | 109 | Darcy Norton (LW) | Canada | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
| 7 | 130 | Timo Kulonen (D) | Finland | KalPa (Finland) |
| 8 | 151 | Don Schmidt (D) | Canada | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
| 9 | 172 | Jarmo Myllys (G) | Finland | Lukko (Finland) |
| 10 | 193 | Larry Olimb (C) | United States | Warroad High School (USHS-MN) |
| 11 | 214 | Marc Felicio (G) | United States | Northwood School (USHS-NY) |
| 12 | 235 | Dave Shields (C) | Canada | University of Denver (WCHA) |
| S1 | 4 | Shawn Chambers (D) | United States | University of Alaska Fairbanks (CCHA) |
| S2 | 8 | Rick Boh (C) | Canada | Colorado College (WCHA) |

## Regular season
### Final standings

Norris Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Detroit Red Wings | 80 | 41 | 28 | 11 | 322 | 269 | 93 |
| St. Louis Blues | 80 | 34 | 38 | 8 | 278 | 294 | 76 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 80 | 30 | 41 | 9 | 284 | 328 | 69 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 80 | 21 | 49 | 10 | 273 | 345 | 52 |
| Minnesota North Stars | 80 | 19 | 48 | 13 | 242 | 349 | 51 |
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

Norris Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Norris Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
CHI
DET
MIN
STL
TOR
Total
Chicago
—3–55–2–13–4–15–316–14–2
Detroit
5–3—4–3–14–1–33–3–216–10–6
Minnesota
2–5–13–4–1—2–5–14–1–311–15–6
St. Louis
4–3–11–4–35–2–1—6–1–116–10–6
Toronto
3–53–3–21–4–31–6–1—8–18–6
Vs. Smythe Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
CGY
EDM
LAK
VAN
WIN
Total
Chicago
0–2–12–11–22–11–1–16–7–2
Detroit
1–1–12–12–12–12–0–19–4–2
Minnesota
0–2–10–2–10–31–20–2–11–11–3
St. Louis
1–20–31–22–11–25–10–0
Toronto
0–30–2–11–1–11–1–11–23–9–3
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Adams Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
HFD
MTL
QUE
Total
Chicago
0–31–21–20–2–10–2–12–11–2
Detroit
2–12–11–21–20–36–9–0
Minnesota
0–31–1–10–31–1–11–23–10–2
St. Louis
2–10–32–11–22–17–8–0
Toronto
1–20–30–30–30–31–14–0
Vs. Patrick Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
NJD
NYI
NYR
PHI
PIT
WSH
Total
Chicago
0–31–0–20–2–13–01–21–26–9–3
Detroit
3–02–11–1–10–2–12–12–0–110–5–3
Minnesota
0–31–1–11–21–21–20–2–14–12–2
St. Louis
0–30–2–10–31–23–02–0–16–10–2
Toronto
1–23–01–22–11–21–1–19–8–1 :

## Schedule and results

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

## Player statistics
### Forwards

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Dino Ciccarelli | 67 | 41 | 45 | 86 | 79 |
| Brian Bellows | 77 | 40 | 41 | 81 | 81 |
| Brian MacLellan | 75 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 74 |
| Brian Lawton | 74 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 71 |
| Neal Broten | 54 | 9 | 30 | 39 | 32 |
| Dave Archibald | 78 | 13 | 20 | 33 | 26 |
| Bob Brooke | 77 | 5 | 20 | 25 | 108 |
| Scott Bjugstad | 33 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 15 |
| Dave Gagner | 51 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 55 |

### Defencemen

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |

### Goaltending

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
| Player | GP | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
| Don Beaupre | 43 | 10 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 4.22 |
| Kari Takko | 37 | 8 | 19 | 6 | 1 | 4.47 |
| Jon Casey | 14 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3.71 |