The 1987–88 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the Penguins' 21st season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Penguins improved on their previous season, and finished with a winning record for the first time since the 1978-79 season. Nevertheless, the Penguins once again did not qualify for the playoffs, actually finishing last in a tightly-contested Patrick Division despite earning only seven fewer points than the division champion New York Islanders.