Top 5 Players of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals

Originally published on Jan. 5, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Thursday, May 26th, 1988, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Boston Bruins at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton to win the 75th Stanley Cup Finals four games to none with one suspended game. It was the fourth Stanley Cup championship for the Oilers franchise, and the fifth that was won in Alberta. These are the top five players that I felt most stood out during the series.

5. #9 Glenn Anderson (Oilers)- F

Anderson scored three goals and three assists during the course of the series, getting a total of six points.

4. #35 Andy Moog (Bruins)- G

Moog got player of the game in the suspended game four, as he made 18 saves on 21 shots as the game was stopped with the teams tied 3-3.

3. #99 Wayne Gretzky (Oilers)- F

Gretzky scored player of the game honors in game two, getting one goal and two assists in the Oilers’ 4-2 win.

2. #31 Grant Fuhr (Oilers)- G

Fuhr claimed player of the game in game one, making 13 saves on 14 shots as the Oilers took it 2-1.

1. #10 Esa Tikkanen (Oilers)- F

Tikkanen earned player of the game honors in games three and five, as game three saw him get three goals in the Oilers’ 6-3 win, while game five saw him score two goals and an assist as the Oilers won 6-3 to clinch the series victory.

Players of the Game Breakdown:

 

Explanation of the suspended game situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92T5DBT0Brs

Link to stats database: https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1988-boston-bruins-vs-edmonton-oilers-stanley-cup-final.html