1988–89 Los Angeles Kings season

{{see also|1988 NHL Entry Draft}}

On August 9, 1988, in a move that drastically changed the dynamics of the NHL, the Oilers traded Gretzky (along with Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski) to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15 million in cash and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989 (Jason Miller), 1991 (Martin Rucinsky) and 1993 (Nick Stajduhar). "The Trade", as it came to be known,oilersheritage.com, [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20101208160525/http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/transformation_transformed_after_trade.html After the Trade], OilersHeritage.com, Accessed July 13, 2006 upset Canadians to the extent that New Democratic Party House Leader Nelson Riis demanded that the government block itScott Morrison, [https://web.archive.org/web/19970422031438/http://www.canoe.com/Gretzky/gretztrade.html Wayne Gretzky traded... ...California here he comes], Toronto Sun, August 10, 1988 and Peter Pocklington was burned in effigy. Gretzky himself was considered a "traitor" by some Canadians for turning his back on his adopted hometown, his home province and his home country; his motivation was widely rumoured to be the furtherance of his wife's acting career.Terry Jones, {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20030910084927/http://slam.canoe.ca/Gretzky/gretzky_janet_speaks.html Telling it like it is]}}, Edmonton Sun, August 12, 1988 Others believe it was Pocklington who instigated the trade, seeking to benefit personally from the transaction.

On October 6, 1988, Wayne Gretzky made his debut as a member of the Los Angeles Kings in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. Gretzky scored on his first shot, and contributed 3 assists in an 8–2 victory.Gretzky's Tears, Stephen Brunt, pp.182-183, Alfred A. Knopf Publishers, Toronto, Canada, 2009, {{ISBN|978-0-307-39729-4}} In Gretzky's first season with the Kings, he led the team in scoring with 168 points on 54 goals and 114 assists, and won his ninth Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player. He led the Kings to a second-place finish in the Smythe Division with a 42–31–7 record (91 points), and they ranked fourth in the NHL overall.

Gretzky recorded at least one point in all forty regular season home games, as well as the Kings' six home playoff games. No other NHL player has ever accomplished such a feat under a schedule of seventy games or more.

Gretzky's first season in Los Angeles saw a marked increase in attendance and fan interest in a city not previously known for following hockey. The Kings, who then played their home games at the Great Western Forum, named Gretzky their captain (a position he held until his trade to St. Louis in 1996) and boasted numerous sellouts on their way to reaching the 1989 playoffs.

• December 1, 1988: Bernie Nicholls had an eight-point game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

{{1988–89 NHL Smythe Division standings|team=LAK}}

{{1988–89 NHL Record vs. opponents (Smythe)|team=LAK}}

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 5px solid;|title=1988–89 regular season{{cite web |title=1988-89 Los Angeles Kings Schedule |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/LAK/1989_games.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=March 27, 2025}}}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid;|title=October|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |OT |Record |Points}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 1 || October 6 || Detroit || 2 – 8 || Los Angeles || || 1–0–0 || 2

|- {{Game-won}}

| 2 || October 8 || Calgary || 5 – 6 || Los Angeles || OT || 2–0–0 || 4

|- {{Game-won}}

| 3 || October 9 || N.Y. Islanders || 5 – 6 || Los Angeles || OT || 3–0–0 || 6

|- {{Game-won}}

| 4 || October 12 || Boston || 2 – 6 || Los Angeles || || 4–0–0 || 8

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 5 || October 15 || Philadelphia || 1 – 4 || Los Angeles || || 4–1–0 || 8

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 6 || October 17 || Los Angeles || 4 – 11 || Calgary || || 4–2–0 || 8

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 7 || October 19 || Los Angeles || 6 – 8 || Edmonton || || 4–3–0 || 8

|- {{Game-won}}

| 8 || October 22 || Minnesota || 8 – 2 || Los Angeles || || 5–3–0 || 10

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 9 || October 25 || Edmonton || 4 – 5 || Los Angeles || || 5–4–0 || 10

|- {{Game-won}}

| 10 || October 28 || Los Angeles || 7 – 4 || Winnipeg || || 6–4–0 || 12

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 11 || October 30 || Los Angeles || 4 – 8 || Winnipeg || || 6–5–0 || 12

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid;|title=November|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |OT |Record |Points}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 12 || November 1 || Los Angeles || 3 – 1 || Quebec || || 7–5–0 || 14

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 13 || November 2 || Los Angeles || 3 – 5 || Montreal || || 7–6–0 || 14

|- {{Game-won}}

| 14 || November 5 || Los Angeles || 6 – 4 || Toronto || || 8–6–0 || 16

|- {{Game-won}}

| 15 || November 6 || Los Angeles || 5 – 3 || Chicago || || 9–6–0 || 18

|- {{Game-won}}

| 16 || November 10 || Hartford || 7 – 2 || Los Angeles || || 10–6–0 || 20

|- {{Game-won}}

| 17 || November 12 || Pittsburgh || 7 – 2 || Los Angeles || || 11–6–0 || 22

|- {{Game-won}}

| 18 || November 15 || Vancouver || 6 – 4 || Los Angeles || || 12–6–0 || 24

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 19 || November 17 || N.Y. Rangers || 5 – 6 || Los Angeles || || 12–7–0 || 24

|- {{Game-won}}

| 20 || November 19 || Buffalo || 5 – 4 || Los Angeles || || 13–7–0 || 26

|- {{Game-won}}

| 21 || November 22 || Los Angeles || 6 – 1 || Philadelphia || || 14–7–0 || 28

|- {{Game-won}}

| 22 || November 23 || Los Angeles || 8 – 3 || Detroit || || 15–7–0 || 30

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 23 || November 26 || Los Angeles || 1 – 4 || Calgary || || 15–8–0 || 30

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 24 || November 27 || Los Angeles || 2 – 5 || Vancouver || || 15–9–0 || 30

|- {{Game-won}}

| 25 || November 29 || New Jersey || 9 – 3 || Los Angeles || || 16–9–0 || 32

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid;|title=December|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |OT |Record |Points}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 26 || December 1 || Toronto || 9 – 3 || Los Angeles || || 17–9–0 || 34

|- {{Game-won}}

| 27 || December 3 || Chicago || 6 – 4 || Los Angeles || || 18–9–0 || 36

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 28 || December 6 || Winnipeg || 4 – 5 || Los Angeles || OT || 18–10–0 || 36

|- {{Game-tied}}

| 29 || December 8 || Winnipeg || 5 – 5 || Los Angeles || OT || 18–10–1 || 37

|- {{Game-won}}

| 30 || December 10 || Los Angeles || 4 – 3 || N.Y. Islanders || || 19–10–1 || 39

|- {{Game-won}}

| 31 || December 12 || Los Angeles || 5 – 2 || N.Y. Rangers || || 20–10–1 || 41

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 32 || December 14 || Los Angeles || 4 – 5 || Pittsburgh || || 20–11–1 || 41

|- {{Game-won}}

| 33 || December 16 || Los Angeles || 6 – 4 || Detroit || || 21–11–1 || 43

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 34 || December 17 || Los Angeles || 2 – 3 || Minnesota || || 21–12–1 || 43

|- {{Game-won}}

| 35 || December 20 || Calgary || 7 – 3 || Los Angeles || || 22–12–1 || 45

|- {{Game-won}}

| 36 || December 21 || Minnesota || 8 – 6 || Los Angeles || || 23–12–1 || 47

|- {{Game-won}}

| 37 || December 23 || Los Angeles || 5 – 2 || Vancouver || || 24–12–1 || 49

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 38 || December 27 || Montreal || 2 – 3 || Los Angeles || || 24–13–1 || 49

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 39 || December 29 || Vancouver || 3 – 6 || Los Angeles || || 24–14–1 || 49

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid;|title=January|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |OT |Record |Points}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 40 || January 5 || Los Angeles || 6 – 8 || Calgary || || 24–15–1 || 49

|- {{Game-tied}}

| 41 || January 6 || Los Angeles || 4 – 4 || Winnipeg || OT || 24–15–2 || 50

|- {{Game-tied}}

| 42 || January 8 || Los Angeles || 4 – 4 || Winnipeg || OT || 24–15–3 || 51

|- {{Game-won}}

| 43 || January 10 || Edmonton || 5 – 4 || Los Angeles || OT || 25–15–3 || 53

|- {{Game-won}}

| 44 || January 12 || St. Louis || 7 – 4 || Los Angeles || || 26–15–3 || 55

|- {{Game-won}}

| 45 || January 14 || Hartford || 9 – 6 || Los Angeles || || 27–15–3 || 57

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 46 || January 17 || Los Angeles || 2 – 5 || St. Louis || || 27–16–3 || 57

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 47 || January 19 || Los Angeles || 2 – 4 || N.Y. Islanders || || 27–17–3 || 57

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 48 || January 21 || Los Angeles || 4 – 5 || Hartford || || 27–18–3 || 57

|- {{Game-tied}}

| 49 || January 24 || Los Angeles || 4 – 4 || Washington || OT || 27–18–4 || 58

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 50 || January 26 || Vancouver || 2 – 6 || Los Angeles || || 27–19–4 || 58

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 51 || January 28 || Edmonton || 6 – 7 || Los Angeles || || 27–20–4 || 58

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 52 || January 31 || Calgary || 5 – 8 || Los Angeles || || 27–21–4 || 58

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid;|title=February|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |OT |Record |Points}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

| 53 || February 2 || New Jersey || 6 – 6 || Los Angeles || OT || 27–21–5 || 59

|- {{Game-won}}

| 54 || February 4 || Buffalo || 5 – 3 || Los Angeles || || 28–21–5 || 61

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 55 || February 9 || Los Angeles || 1 – 4 || Boston || || 28–22–5 || 61

|- {{Game-won}}

| 56 || February 10 || Los Angeles || 7 – 6 || Washington || OT || 29–22–5 || 63

|- {{Game-won}}

| 57 || February 12 || Los Angeles || 6 – 2 || Chicago || || 30–22–5 || 65

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 58 || February 15 || Boston || 3 – 7 || Los Angeles || || 30–23–5 || 65

|- {{Game-won}}

| 59 || February 18 || Quebec || 11 – 3 || Los Angeles || || 31–23–5 || 67

|- {{Game-won}}

| 60 || February 20 || Toronto || 5 – 4 || Los Angeles || || 32–23–5 || 69

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 61 || February 22 || Washington || 2 – 7 || Los Angeles || || 32–24–5 || 69

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 62 || February 24 || Los Angeles || 1 – 4 || Edmonton || || 32–25–5 || 69

|- {{Game-tied}}

| 63 || February 26 || Los Angeles || 1 – 1 || New Jersey || || 32–25–6 || 70

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 64 || February 27 || Los Angeles || 4 – 6 || N.Y. Rangers || || 32–26–6 || 70

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid;|title=March|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |OT |Record |Points}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 65 || March 1 || Los Angeles || 5 – 4 || Buffalo || || 33–26–6 || 72

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 66 || March 2 || Los Angeles || 4 – 6 || St. Louis || || 33–27–6 || 72

|- {{Game-won}}

| 67 || March 4 || Philadelphia || 6 – 2 || Los Angeles || || 34–27–6 || 74

|- {{Game-won}}

| 68 || March 7 || Pittsburgh || 3 – 2 || Los Angeles || OT || 35–27–6 || 76

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 69 || March 10 || Los Angeles || 2 – 4 || Vancouver || || 35–28–6 || 76

|- {{Game-won}}

| 70 || March 12 || Los Angeles || 6 – 3 || Edmonton || || 36–28–6 || 78

|- {{Game-won}}

| 71 || March 14 || Los Angeles || 4 – 0 || Quebec || || 37–28–6 || 80

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 72 || March 15 || Los Angeles || 2 – 5 || Montreal || || 37–29–6 || 80

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 73 || March 18 || Calgary || 3 – 9 || Los Angeles || || 37–30–6 || 80

|- {{Game-won}}

| 74 || March 21 || Los Angeles || 4 – 3 || Edmonton || || 38–30–6 || 82

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 75 || March 23 || Los Angeles || 2 – 4 || Calgary || || 38–31–6 || 82

|- {{Game-won}}

| 76 || March 25 || Edmonton || 4 – 2 || Los Angeles || || 39–31–6 || 84

|- {{Game-tied}}

| 77 || March 28 || Winnipeg || 3 – 3 || Los Angeles || OT || 39–31–7 || 85

|- {{Game-won}}

| 78 || March 29 || Winnipeg || 2 – 1 || Los Angeles || OT || 40–31–7 || 87

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid;|title=April|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |OT |Record |Points}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 79 || April 1 || Vancouver || 6 – 4 || Los Angeles || || 41–31–7 || 89

|- {{Game-won}}

| 80 || April 2 || Los Angeles || 5 – 4 || Vancouver || || 42–31–7 || 91

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#ffc|Tie (1 point)|border=1px solid black}}

{{Game log end}}

The Kings faced Gretzky's old team, the Oilers, in the first round of the 1989 playoffs. They fell behind 3 games to 1, but rallied to take the series in seven games, helped in no small part by nine goals from Chris Kontos, a little-known player who had just recently been called up from the minor leagues. However, the Kings were quickly swept out of the playoffs in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames.

• Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

Los Angeles wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3

Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames

Calgary wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0

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

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

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

• Wayne Gretzky, Hart Memorial Trophy
• Wayne Gretzky, Center, NHL Second All-Star Team
• Wayne Gretzky, All-Star Game MVP National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p. 219, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, {{ISBN|0-920445-98-5}}
• Luc Robitaille, Left Wing, NHL First All-Star Team
• Wayne Gretzky, Club Record, Most Points in One Season (168)
• Bernie Nicholls, Club Record, Most Goals in One Season (70)

The Kings were involved in the following transactions during the 1988–89 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=Kings&BeginDate=1988-05-01&EndDate=1989-09-01&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&submit=Search&start=0|title=Hockey Transactions Search Results}}

• [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000401989.html Kings on Hockey Database]

{{reflist}}

{{Los Angeles Kings}}

{{Los Angeles Kings seasons}}

{{1988–89 NHL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Los Angeles Kings Season}}

Category:Los Angeles Kings seasons

Los

Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Category:1980s in Los Angeles County, California