| League: | NHL |
| Season: | 1986–87 |
| Year: | 1986 |
| Team: | New Jersey Devils |
| Conference: | Wales |
| Conferencerank: | 10th |
| Division: | Patrick |
| Divisionrank: | 6th |
| Record: | 29-45-6 |
| Goalsfor: | 293 |
| Goalsagainst: | 368 |
| Generalmanager: | Max McNab |
| Coach: | Doug Carpenter |
| Captain: | Mel Bridgman |
| Altcaptain: | Unknown |
| Arena: | Brendan Byrne Arena |
| Goalsleader: | Pat Verbeek (35) |
| Assistsleader: | Aaron Broten (53) |
| Pointsleader: | Aaron Broten (79) |
| Plusminusleader: | Aaron Broten (+5) |
| Pimleader: | Ken Daneyko (183) |
| Winsleader: | Alain Chevrier (24) |
| Gaaleader: | Kirk McLean (3.75) |
The 1986–87 New Jersey Devils season was the 13th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and fifth season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season.[1] This was the franchise's ninth consecutive season out of the playoffs.
| R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | W | October 9, 1986 | 5–3 | @ New York Rangers (season) | 1–0–0 | |
| 2 | W | October 11, 1986 | 5–4 | Boston Bruins (season) | 2–0–0 | |
| 3 | W | October 15, 1986 | 3–2 | Vancouver Canucks (season) | 3–0–0 | |
| 4 | L | October 17, 1986 | 2–3 | Toronto Maple Leafs (season) | 3–1–0 | |
| 5 | L | October 18, 1986 | 4–8 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (season) | 3–2–0 | |
| 6 | L | October 21, 1986 | 3–6 | @ New York Islanders (season) | 3–3–0 | |
| 7 | W | October 23, 1986 | 5–3 | Los Angeles Kings (season) | 4–3–0 | |
| 8 | L | October 25, 1986 | 1–2 | @ Washington Capitals (season) | 4–4–0 | |
| 9 | W | October 29, 1986 | 8–6 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (season) | 5–4–0 | |
| 10 | W | October 30, 1986 | 7–6 OT | New York Islanders (season) | 6–4–0 | |
| 11 | L | November 1, 1986 | 1–3 | Buffalo Sabres (season) | 6–5–0 | |
| 12 | L | November 4, 1986 | 1–7 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (season) | 6–6–0 | |
| 13 | T | November 6, 1986 | 5–5 OT | Philadelphia Flyers (season) | 6–6–1 | |
| 14 | L | November 9, 1986 | 1–8 | @ Winnipeg Jets (season) | 6–7–1 | |
| 15 | W | November 12, 1986 | 5–3 | Detroit Red Wings (season) | 7–7–1 | |
| 16 | W | November 14, 1986 | 5–4 | Pittsburgh Penguins (season) | 8–7–1 | |
| 17 | T | November 15, 1986 | 5–5 OT | @ Boston Bruins (season) | 8–7–2 | |
| 18 | W | November 17, 1986 | 3–2 | New York Rangers (season) | 9–7–2 | |
| 19 | W | November 19, 1986 | 4–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings (season) | 10–7–2 | |
| 20 | L | November 22, 1986 | 2–6 | @ Minnesota North Stars (season) | 10–8–2 | |
| 21 | L | November 23, 1986 | 3–5 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (season) | 10–9–2 | |
| 22 | W | November 26, 1986 | 5–1 | @ St. Louis Blues (season) | 11–9–2 | |
| 23 | L | November 29, 1986 | 6–9 | @ Los Angeles Kings (season) | 11–10–2 | |
| 24 | W | December 2, 1986 | 8–5 | New York Rangers (season) | 12–10–2 | |
| 25 | L | December 4, 1986 | 3–5 | Minnesota North Stars (season) | 12–11–2 | |
| 26 | W | December 6, 1986 | 4–3 | Buffalo Sabres (season) | 13–11–2 | |
| 27 | L | December 9, 1986 | 2–4 | @ Washington Capitals (season) | 13–12–2 | |
| 28 | L | December 11, 1986 | 4–8 | New York Islanders (season) | 13–13–2 | |
| 29 | L | December 13, 1986 | 2–4 | @ New York Islanders (season) | 13–14–2 | |
| 30 | W | December 14, 1986 | 4–2 | Montreal Canadiens (season) | 14–14–2 | |
| 31 | W | December 17, 1986 | 3–2 OT | Toronto Maple Leafs (season) | 15–14–2 | |
| 32 | W | December 19, 1986 | 6–4 | Washington Capitals (season) | 16–14–2 | |
| 33 | L | December 20, 1986 | 2–5 | @ Montreal Canadiens (season) | 16–15–2 | |
| 34 | L | December 23, 1986 | 5–8 | @ New York Rangers (season) | 16–16–2 | |
| 35 | L | December 26, 1986 | 4–7 | New York Rangers (season) | 16–17–2 | |
| 36 | T | December 27, 1986 | 2–2 OT | @ Quebec Nordiques (season) | 16–17–3 | |
| 37 | L | December 30, 1986 | 3–4 | Calgary Flames (season) | 16–18–3 | |
| 38 | L | January 2, 1987 | 2–7 | Boston Bruins (season) | 16–19–3 | |
| 39 | L | January 3, 1987 | 2–7 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (season) | 16–20–3 | |
| 40 | L | January 6, 1987 | 0–4 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (season) | 16–21–3 | |
| 41 | T | January 8, 1987 | 4–4 OT | Quebec Nordiques (season) | 16–21–4 | |
| 42 | T | January 10, 1987 | 2–2 OT | Vancouver Canucks (season) | 16–21–5 | |
| 43 | W | January 12, 1987 | 7–5 | Hartford Whalers (season) | 17–21–5 | |
| 44 | W | January 14, 1987 | 3–1 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (season) | 18–21–5 | |
| 45 | L | January 16, 1987 | 4–5 | Winnipeg Jets (season) | 18–22–5 | |
| 46 | L | January 18, 1987 | 1–6 | Washington Capitals (season) | 18–23–5 | |
| 47 | L | January 20, 1987 | 3–6 | @ Washington Capitals (season) | 18–24–5 | |
| 48 | W | January 22, 1987 | 7–5 | Calgary Flames (season) | 19–24–5 | |
| 49 | W | January 24, 1987 | 4–3 | Philadelphia Flyers (season) | 20–24–5 | |
| 50 | L | January 26, 1987 | 3–6 | @ New York Rangers (season) | 20–25–5 | |
| 51 | L | January 28, 1987 | 2–6 | @ Los Angeles Kings (season) | 20–26–5 | |
| 52 | W | January 30, 1987 | 4–3 | @ Vancouver Canucks (season) | 21–26–5 | |
| 53 | L | January 31, 1987 | 3–5 | @ Calgary Flames (season) | 21–27–5 | |
| 54 | W | February 7, 1987 | 3–2 | Philadelphia Flyers (season) | 22–27–5 | |
| 55 | L | February 8, 1987 | 1–2 OT | Pittsburgh Penguins (season) | 22–28–5 | |
| 56 | L | February 14, 1987 | 1–5 | @ Detroit Red Wings (season) | 22–29–5 | |
| 57 | L | February 18, 1987 | 3–6 | Hartford Whalers (season) | 22–30–5 | |
| 58 | W | February 21, 1987 | 6–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (season) | 23–30–5 | |
| 59 | L | February 22, 1987 | 0–7 | New York Islanders (season) | 23–31–5 | |
| 60 | W | February 25, 1987 | 4–2 | Edmonton Oilers (season) | 24–31–5 | |
| 61 | L | February 28, 1987 | 2–3 | @ Montreal Canadiens (season) | 24–32–5 | |
| 62 | T | March 1, 1987 | 5–5 OT | @ Hartford Whalers (season) | 24–32–6 | |
| 63 | L | March 3, 1987 | 2–3 | @ Washington Capitals (season) | 24–33–6 | |
| 64 | L | March 5, 1987 | 4–6 | @ Buffalo Sabres (season) | 24–34–6 | |
| 65 | L | March 7, 1987 | 3–4 | Chicago Blackhawks (season) | 24–35–6 | |
| 66 | L | March 8, 1987 | 3–7 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (season) | 24–36–6 | |
| 67 | L | March 11, 1987 | 4–6 | Philadelphia Flyers (season) | 24–37–6 | |
| 68 | W | March 13, 1987 | 4–1 | New York Islanders (season) | 25–37–6 | |
| 69 | L | March 14, 1987 | 6–7 OT | @ New York Islanders (season) | 25–38–6 | |
| 70 | L | March 17, 1987 | 4–7 | @ Edmonton Oilers (season) | 25–39–6 | |
| 71 | L | March 18, 1987 | 3–4 OT | @ Winnipeg Jets (season) | 25–40–6 | |
| 72 | W | March 21, 1987 | 7–6 OT | @ St. Louis Blues (season) | 26–40–6 | |
| 73 | L | March 23, 1987 | 6–7 | Edmonton Oilers (season) | 26–41–6 | |
| 74 | W | March 25, 1987 | 8–2 | @ New York Rangers (season) | 27–41–6 | |
| 75 | W | March 27, 1987 | 5–2 | Minnesota North Stars (season) | 28–41–6 | |
| 76 | L | March 29, 1987 | 1–4 | St. Louis Blues (season) | 28–42–6 | |
| 77 | W | March 31, 1987 | 5–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (season) | 29–42–6 | |
| 78 | L | April 2, 1987 | 2–6 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (season) | 29–43–6 | |
| 79 | L | April 4, 1987 | 4–8 | @ Quebec Nordiques (season) | 29–44–6 | |
| 80 | L | April 5, 1987 | 5–6 OT | Washington Capitals (season) | 29–45–6 |
| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PPG | SHG | GWG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW/C | 80 | 26 | 53 | 79 | 36 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 3 | ||
| LW | 79 | 26 | 50 | 76 | 75 | -7 | 10 | 1 | 4 | ||
| RW | 80 | 31 | 36 | 67 | 120 | -23 | 9 | 0 | 4 | ||
| RW | 74 | 35 | 24 | 59 | 120 | -23 | 17 | 0 | 5 | ||
| RW | 78 | 27 | 26 | 53 | 14 | -17 | 4 | 1 | 4 | ||
| C | 68 | 25 | 26 | 51 | 22 | -21 | 11 | 2 | 0 | ||
| LW | 72 | 20 | 27 | 47 | 19 | -16 | 6 | 0 | 1 | ||
| C | 75 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 137 | -7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
| C | 51 | 8 | 31 | 39 | 80 | -8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| D | 74 | 6 | 28 | 34 | 36 | -26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| D | 65 | 9 | 22 | 31 | 111 | -20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LW/C | 51 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 8 | -15 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| C | 46 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 8 | -14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
| D | 40 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 45 | -6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | ||
| C | 48 | 2 | 18 | 20 | 14 | -11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LW | 57 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 107 | -13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | ||
| D | 64 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 52 | -12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| RW | 47 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 98 | -5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| D | 79 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 183 | -13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| RW | 25 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 8 | -11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| D | 68 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 109 | -31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| D | 36 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 82 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| D | 44 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 143 | -12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| C | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| D | 20 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 29 | -3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LW | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 26 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| RW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| G | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| G | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| G | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| G | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| G | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | MIN | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SO | SA | SV | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3153 | 58 | 24 | 26 | 2 | 227 | 4.32 | 0 | 1793 | 1566 | .873 | ||
| 1114 | 22 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 89 | 4.79 | 0 | 569 | 480 | .844 | ||
| 160 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3.75 | 0 | 73 | 63 | .863 | ||
| 130 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 7.38 | 0 | 80 | 64 | .800 | ||
| 286 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 4.41 | 0 | 173 | 152 | .879 | ||
| Team: | 4843 | 80 | 29 | 45 | 6 | 363 | 4.50 | 0 | 2688 | 2325 | .865 |
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;
New Jersey's draft picks at the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
| Rd # | Pick # | Player | Nat | Pos | Team (League) | Notes | |
| 1 | 3 | Neil Brady | C | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) | |||
| 2 | 24 | Todd Copeland | D | Belmont Hill H.S. (Massachusetts) | |||
| 3 | 45 | Janne Ojanen | C | Tappara (SM-liiga) | |||
| 3 | 62 | Marc Laniel | D | Oshawa Generals (OHL) | |||
| 4 | 66 | Anders Carlsson | C | Södertälje SK (Elitserien) | |||
| 5 | 87 | No fifth-round pick | |||||
| 6 | 108 | Troy Crowder | RW | Hamilton Steelhawks (OHL) | |||
| 7 | 129 | Kevin Todd | C | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) | |||
| 8 | 150 | Ryan Pardoski | LW | Calgary Canucks (AJHL) | |||
| 9 | 171 | Scott McCormack | - | St. Paul's H.S. (New Hampshire) | |||
| 10 | 192 | Frederic Chabot | G | St. Foy Foosters (Quebec AAA) | |||
| 11 | 213 | John Andersen | LW | Oshawa Generals (OHL) | |||
| 12 | 236 | Doug Kirton | RW | Orillia Travelways (OPJHL) | |||
| S1 | 2 | Glen Engevik | RW | University of Denver (WCHA) | |||
| S2 | 6 | Tim Barakett | F | Harvard University (ECAC) | |||