1987–88 Philadelphia Flyers season



The 1987–88 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 21st season in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Regular Season
The Flyers stumbled in 1987–88, finishing third in the Patrick Division (after a first-place finish the previous three years). Ron Hextall scored a goal on December 8 at the Spectrum against Boston and became the first goaltender to shoot the puck into the opposing team's net. In their first round playoff series with the Washington, the Flyers blew a 3–1 series lead as Washington forced a Game 7. They then blew a 3–0 lead in Game 7 as Washington won 5-4, in overtime. It was because of this playoff collapse that head coach Mike Keenan was fired. Paul Holmgren was named Keenan's replacement, the first time a former Flyer was named the club's head coach.

Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Flyers. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.

‡Traded mid-season.

Bold/italics denotes franchise record.

Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Transactions
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions before/during the 1987–88 season.

Draft Picks
Philadelphia's picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.

Farm Teams
The Flyers were affiliated with the Hershey Bears of the AHL and the Flint Spirits of the IHL. Led by the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award winner as coach of the year (John Paddock), the Eddie Shore Award winner as top defenseman (Dave Fenyves), and the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as top goaltender (Wendell Young), Hershey finished first in their division and swept their way through the playoffs with a 12–0 record to a Calder Cup championship. Young was given the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP. In their only season as a Flyers affiliate, Flint finished fourth in the playoffs and lost in the finals to the Salt Lake Golden Eagles in six games.