1996–97 Ottawa Senators season
Encyclopedia
The 1996–97 Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...

was a season of great improvement by the club, as the team finished out of last place in the NHL for the first time in team history, and went on to qualify for the 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....

. In the playoffs, the Senators lost in the first round (Conference quarter-finals) to the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

.

Regular season

Ottawa would get off to a slow start, with a 7–12–6 record in their first 25 games, but as the season would go on, the team would get better, finishing with a .500 record in their remaining 57 games, and would earn 45 points in the last 41 games of the regular season. The Sens would go 10–4–2 in their final 16 games of the season, including a 1–0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

 in the final game of the season to earn a playoff berth.

Alexei Yashin
Alexei Yashin
Alexei Valeryevich Yashin is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a member of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League...

 and Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators...

 would lead the club offensively, while Ron Tugnutt
Ron Tugnutt
Ronald Frederick Bradley Tugnutt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the NHL with several teams from 1987–2004 and is currently an assistant coach with the OHL's Peterborough Petes.-Early years:Tugnutt was born in Scarborough, Ontario and played three seasons...

 and Damian Rhodes
Damian Rhodes
Damian "Dusty" Rhodes is an American former professional ice hockey player. Rhodes played from 1993 until 2002 in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

 would provide very solid goaltending for the team throughout the season.

Game log

Regular season schedule
No. R Date Score Opponent Record
1 T October 5, 1996 3–3 OT @ Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season
The 1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 88th season. On October 16, the Canadiens scored three short-handed goals in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. The Canadiens qualified for the playoffs despite a sub-.500 season...

)
0–0–1
2 T October 9, 1996 3–3 OT New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New York Islanders season
The 1996-97 New York Islanders season was the 25th in the franchise's history. It saw the withdrawal of the "Fisherman" logo from 1995 at the start of the season and the return of the original logo.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
0–0–2
3 W October 11, 1996 3–2 Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 30th in the National Hockey League. This was the final season for Mario Lemieux before his first retirement.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending...

)
1–0–2
4 L October 12, 1996 2–3 @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 30th in the National Hockey League. This was the final season for Mario Lemieux before his first retirement.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending...

)
1–1–2
5 T October 18, 1996 2–2 OT @ New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New Jersey Devils season
The 1996–97 New Jersey Devils season was the team's 15th in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. The Devils captured the Atlantic Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference, but fell in the second round of the playoffs to their arch-rivals, the...

)
1–1–3
6 W October 19, 1996 6–3 Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season
The 1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 88th season. On October 16, the Canadiens scored three short-handed goals in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. The Canadiens qualified for the playoffs despite a sub-.500 season...

)
2–1–3
7 L October 23, 1996 2–5 @ Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Florida Panthers season
-Game log:-Playoffs:Following their remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 1996 playoffs, the Panthers qualified for the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs. As the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, they played the fifth seeded New York Rangers...

)
2–2–3
8 W October 24, 1996 5–2 @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; 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-External links:...

)
3–2–3
9 L October 26, 1996 1–5 @ Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Dallas Stars season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; 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...

)
3–3–3
10 T October 30, 1996 2–2 OT Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Los Angeles Kings season
The 1996–97 Los Angeles Kings season was the Kings' thirtieth season of operation in the National Hockey League . The Kings failed to make the playoffs.-Schedule and results:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-External links:...

)
3–3–4
11 T November 1, 1996 2–2 OT Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Detroit Red Wings season
The 1996–97 Detroit Red Wings season was the 71st National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The highlight of the Red Wings season was winning the Stanley Cup, their first since 1955....

)
3–3–5
12 L November 2, 1996 3–7 @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 30th in the National Hockey League. This was the final season for Mario Lemieux before his first retirement.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending...

)
3–4–5
13 W November 7, 1996 6–2 Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs season
The Maple Leafs entered the 1996-1997 NHL season with the hopes of making the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. Mike Murphy was hired prior to the season as the head coach replacing interim coach Nick Beverley. The team played mediocre for most of the season and missed the playoffs for the...

)
4–4–5
14 L November 9, 1996 3–4 Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Boston Bruins season
The 1996–97 Boston Bruins season was the Boston Bruins' 73rd season of operation in the National Hockey League . The Bruins slipped to last place in the Northeast Division and missed the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
4–5–5
15 L November 10, 1996 0–2 @ Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Chicago Blackhawks season
-Game log:-Player stats:*April 24, 1997: Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche shut out Chicago by a score of 7-0. He earned his 89th postseason victory and became the goalie with the most postseason wins, surpassing the old record set by New York Islanders goalie Billy Smith.-External links:...

)
4–6–5
16 L November 13, 1996 0–4 Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

 (1996–97
1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season
The 1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 18th season in the NHL, and they were coming off a 30–44–8 record, earning 68 points, in the 1995–96 season, failing to qualify for the post-season for the 4th straight season....

)
4–7–5
17 W November 15, 1996 4–3 Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Chicago Blackhawks season
-Game log:-Player stats:*April 24, 1997: Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche shut out Chicago by a score of 7-0. He earned his 89th postseason victory and became the goalie with the most postseason wins, surpassing the old record set by New York Islanders goalie Billy Smith.-External links:...

)
5–7–5
18 W November 16, 1996 4–1 @ New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New York Islanders season
The 1996-97 New York Islanders season was the 25th in the franchise's history. It saw the withdrawal of the "Fisherman" logo from 1995 at the start of the season and the return of the original logo.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
6–7–5
19 L November 19, 1996 1–2 New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New Jersey Devils season
The 1996–97 New Jersey Devils season was the team's 15th in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. The Devils captured the Atlantic Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference, but fell in the second round of the playoffs to their arch-rivals, the...

)
6–8–5
20 T November 23, 1996 3–3 OT Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Hartford Whalers season
The 1996–97 Hartford Whalers season was the twenty-fifth season of the franchise and the eighteenth and final season in Hartford. The Whalers would move to Greensboro, North Carolina the next season to become the Carolina Hurricanes....

)
6–8–6
21 W November 27, 1996 2–1 @ Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Washington Capitals season
The 1996–97 Washington Capitals season was the team's twenty-third season of play. The Capitals finished fifth in the division, and ninth in the conference, and failed to qualify for the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
7–8–6
22 L November 29, 1996 0–3 @ Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 28th season in the National Hockey League. The Sabres allowed the fewest shorthanded goals and scored the most shorthanded goals in the league.-Game log:-Playoffs:...

)
7–9–6
23 L November 30, 1996 3–4 Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 30th season in the National Hockey League .Though Eric Lindros missed 30 games in 1996–97, John LeClair still managed to score 50 goals for the second consecutive year...

)
7–10–6
24 L December 4, 1996 2–4 Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 30th in the National Hockey League. This was the final season for Mario Lemieux before his first retirement.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending...

)
7–11–6
25 L December 6, 1996 2–5 @ Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

 (1996–97
1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season
The 1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 18th season in the NHL, and they were coming off a 30–44–8 record, earning 68 points, in the 1995–96 season, failing to qualify for the post-season for the 4th straight season....

)
7–12–6
26 W December 7, 1996 3–2 @ Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Vancouver Canucks season
-Game log:-Playoffs:The Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs by 3 points, this is the first of 4 seasons that the Canucks failed to qualify.-Player stats:...

)
8–12–6
27 T December 10, 1996 5–5 OT @ Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Calgary Flames season
The 1996–97 Calgary Flames season was the 17th National Hockey League season in Calgary. It was another season of decline, as the Flames began the rebuilding process after remaining near the top of the league standings for nearly a decade...

)
8–12–7
28 L December 13, 1996 2–4 Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....

 (1996–97
1996–97 Phoenix Coyotes season
The 1996–97 season was the Coyotes' first in Phoenix.-NHL Draft:-Regular season:The Winnipeg Jets team was sold to Phoenix businessmen Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke, and in 1996, the club moved to Arizona and became the Phoenix Coyotes....

)
8–13–7
29 L December 15, 1996 0–4 Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Dallas Stars season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; 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...

)
8–14–7
30 W December 19, 1996 5–2 Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Florida Panthers season
-Game log:-Playoffs:Following their remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 1996 playoffs, the Panthers qualified for the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs. As the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, they played the fifth seeded New York Rangers...

)
9–14–7
31 L December 21, 1996 2–3 Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 28th season in the National Hockey League. The Sabres allowed the fewest shorthanded goals and scored the most shorthanded goals in the league.-Game log:-Playoffs:...

)
9–15–7
32 W December 23, 1996 6–0 @ Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season
The 1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 88th season. On October 16, the Canadiens scored three short-handed goals in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. The Canadiens qualified for the playoffs despite a sub-.500 season...

)
10–15–7
33 W December 26, 1996 5–2 New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New York Rangers season
The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 71st season. The highlight of the season was that it was Wayne Gretzky’s first season in New York.-Schedule and Results:The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 71st season...

)
11–15–7
34 L December 28, 1996 2–3 @ Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Hartford Whalers season
The 1996–97 Hartford Whalers season was the twenty-fifth season of the franchise and the eighteenth and final season in Hartford. The Whalers would move to Greensboro, North Carolina the next season to become the Carolina Hurricanes....

)
11–16–7
35 L December 30, 1996 3–4 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97
1996–97 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season
The 1996–97 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season was the fourth season in franchise history. The team qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.-Game log:-Playoffs:The Mighty Ducks qualified for the playoffs for the first time...

)
11–17–7
36 W January 1, 1997 3–2 Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Boston Bruins season
The 1996–97 Boston Bruins season was the Boston Bruins' 73rd season of operation in the National Hockey League . The Bruins slipped to last place in the Northeast Division and missed the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
12–17–7
37 L January 3, 1997 0–1 New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New Jersey Devils season
The 1996–97 New Jersey Devils season was the team's 15th in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. The Devils captured the Atlantic Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference, but fell in the second round of the playoffs to their arch-rivals, the...

)
12–18–7
38 L January 4, 1997 4–6 @ New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New York Rangers season
The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 71st season. The highlight of the season was that it was Wayne Gretzky’s first season in New York.-Schedule and Results:The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 71st season...

)
12–19–7
39 L January 6, 1997 3–4 Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; 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-External links:...

)
12–20–7
40 L January 9, 1997 0–2 Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Colorado Avalanche season
The 1996–97 Colorado Avalanche season was the Avalanche's second season.-Game log:-Player stats:Note: Pos = Position; 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...

)
12–21–7
41 T January 11, 1997 3–3 OT Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 30th in the National Hockey League. This was the final season for Mario Lemieux before his first retirement.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending...

)
12–21–8
42 W January 13, 1997 4–3 @ Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Boston Bruins season
The 1996–97 Boston Bruins season was the Boston Bruins' 73rd season of operation in the National Hockey League . The Bruins slipped to last place in the Northeast Division and missed the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
13–21–8
43 W January 15, 1997 5–1 Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Washington Capitals season
The 1996–97 Washington Capitals season was the team's twenty-third season of play. The Capitals finished fifth in the division, and ninth in the conference, and failed to qualify for the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
14–21–8
44 L January 22, 1997 1–4 Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Boston Bruins season
The 1996–97 Boston Bruins season was the Boston Bruins' 73rd season of operation in the National Hockey League . The Bruins slipped to last place in the Northeast Division and missed the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
14–22–8
45 T January 24, 1997 2–2 OT Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Calgary Flames season
The 1996–97 Calgary Flames season was the 17th National Hockey League season in Calgary. It was another season of decline, as the Flames began the rebuilding process after remaining near the top of the league standings for nearly a decade...

)
14–22–9
46 W January 27, 1997 5–3 Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; 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-External links:...

)
15–22–9
47 T January 29, 1997 1–1 OT @ New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New Jersey Devils season
The 1996–97 New Jersey Devils season was the team's 15th in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. The Devils captured the Atlantic Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference, but fell in the second round of the playoffs to their arch-rivals, the...

)
15–22–10
48 L January 30, 1997 2–5 St. Louis Blues (1996–97
1996–97 St. Louis Blues season
The highlight of the 1996–97 St. Louis Blues season was, after losing Wayne Gretzky the Blues were in turmoil as an ugly public feud between Brett Hull and Coach Mike Keenan developed...

)
15–23–10
49 W February 1, 1997 2–1 @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs season
The Maple Leafs entered the 1996-1997 NHL season with the hopes of making the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. Mike Murphy was hired prior to the season as the head coach replacing interim coach Nick Beverley. The team played mediocre for most of the season and missed the playoffs for the...

)
16–23–10
50 W February 3, 1997 6–4 Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Vancouver Canucks season
-Game log:-Playoffs:The Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs by 3 points, this is the first of 4 seasons that the Canucks failed to qualify.-Player stats:...

)
17–23–10
51 W February 4, 1997 4–3 @ Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Boston Bruins season
The 1996–97 Boston Bruins season was the Boston Bruins' 73rd season of operation in the National Hockey League . The Bruins slipped to last place in the Northeast Division and missed the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
18–23–10
52 T February 8, 1997 3–3 OT San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 San Jose Sharks season
The 1996–97 San Jose Sharks season was the Sharks' sixth season of operation in the National Hockey League. On October 18, the Sharks scored three short-handed goals in a 4-1 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim...

)
18–23–11
53 L February 9, 1997 1–2 @ Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 28th season in the National Hockey League. The Sabres allowed the fewest shorthanded goals and scored the most shorthanded goals in the league.-Game log:-Playoffs:...

)
18–24–11
54 T February 11, 1997 5–5 OT @ New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New York Islanders season
The 1996-97 New York Islanders season was the 25th in the franchise's history. It saw the withdrawal of the "Fisherman" logo from 1995 at the start of the season and the return of the original logo.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
18–24–12
55 L February 13, 1997 2–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 30th season in the National Hockey League .Though Eric Lindros missed 30 games in 1996–97, John LeClair still managed to score 50 goals for the second consecutive year...

)
18–25–12
56 L February 15, 1997 1–2 @ Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Hartford Whalers season
The 1996–97 Hartford Whalers season was the twenty-fifth season of the franchise and the eighteenth and final season in Hartford. The Whalers would move to Greensboro, North Carolina the next season to become the Carolina Hurricanes....

)
18–26–12
57 W February 16, 1997 4–2 Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Hartford Whalers season
The 1996–97 Hartford Whalers season was the twenty-fifth season of the franchise and the eighteenth and final season in Hartford. The Whalers would move to Greensboro, North Carolina the next season to become the Carolina Hurricanes....

)
19–26–12
58 W February 18, 1997 6–1 @ Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Washington Capitals season
The 1996–97 Washington Capitals season was the team's twenty-third season of play. The Capitals finished fifth in the division, and ninth in the conference, and failed to qualify for the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
20–26–12
59 T February 20, 1997 1–1 OT @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97
1996–97 St. Louis Blues season
The highlight of the 1996–97 St. Louis Blues season was, after losing Wayne Gretzky the Blues were in turmoil as an ugly public feud between Brett Hull and Coach Mike Keenan developed...

)
20–26–13
60 L February 23, 1997 3–4 @ Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Colorado Avalanche season
The 1996–97 Colorado Avalanche season was the Avalanche's second season.-Game log:-Player stats:Note: Pos = Position; 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...

)
20–27–13
61 L February 26, 1997 5–8 Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 30th season in the National Hockey League .Though Eric Lindros missed 30 games in 1996–97, John LeClair still managed to score 50 goals for the second consecutive year...

)
20–28–13
62 W February 28, 1997 4–1 New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New York Islanders season
The 1996-97 New York Islanders season was the 25th in the franchise's history. It saw the withdrawal of the "Fisherman" logo from 1995 at the start of the season and the return of the original logo.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
21–28–13
63 L March 1, 1997 1–3 Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 28th season in the National Hockey League. The Sabres allowed the fewest shorthanded goals and scored the most shorthanded goals in the league.-Game log:-Playoffs:...

)
21–29–13
64 L March 5, 1997 1–4 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97
1996–97 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season
The 1996–97 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season was the fourth season in franchise history. The team qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.-Game log:-Playoffs:The Mighty Ducks qualified for the playoffs for the first time...

)
21–30–13
65 L March 6, 1997 0–2 @ San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 San Jose Sharks season
The 1996–97 San Jose Sharks season was the Sharks' sixth season of operation in the National Hockey League. On October 18, the Sharks scored three short-handed goals in a 4-1 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim...

)
21–31–13
66 L March 8, 1997 1–3 @ Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Los Angeles Kings season
The 1996–97 Los Angeles Kings season was the Kings' thirtieth season of operation in the National Hockey League . The Kings failed to make the playoffs.-Schedule and results:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-External links:...

)
21–32–13
67 W March 10, 1997 4–1 @ Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....

 (1996–97
1996–97 Phoenix Coyotes season
The 1996–97 season was the Coyotes' first in Phoenix.-NHL Draft:-Regular season:The Winnipeg Jets team was sold to Phoenix businessmen Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke, and in 1996, the club moved to Arizona and became the Phoenix Coyotes....

)
22–32–13
68 L March 14, 1997 3–4 OT New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New York Rangers season
The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 71st season. The highlight of the season was that it was Wayne Gretzky’s first season in New York.-Schedule and Results:The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 71st season...

)
22–33–13
69 T March 15, 1997 2–2 OT @ Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season
The 1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 88th season. On October 16, the Canadiens scored three short-handed goals in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. The Canadiens qualified for the playoffs despite a sub-.500 season...

)
22–33–14
70 W March 17, 1997 4–3 @ New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 New York Rangers season
The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 71st season. The highlight of the season was that it was Wayne Gretzky’s first season in New York.-Schedule and Results:The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the Rangers' 71st season...

)
23–33–14
71 T March 20, 1997 2–2 OT Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Florida Panthers season
-Game log:-Playoffs:Following their remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 1996 playoffs, the Panthers qualified for the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs. As the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, they played the fifth seeded New York Rangers...

)
23–33–15
72 W March 22, 1997 5–4 @ Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Boston Bruins season
The 1996–97 Boston Bruins season was the Boston Bruins' 73rd season of operation in the National Hockey League . The Bruins slipped to last place in the Northeast Division and missed the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
24–33–15
73 L March 25, 1997 0–5 @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; 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-External links:...

)
24–34–15
74 W March 27, 1997 3–2 @ Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Florida Panthers season
-Game log:-Playoffs:Following their remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 1996 playoffs, the Panthers qualified for the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs. As the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, they played the fifth seeded New York Rangers...

)
25–34–15
75 W March 29, 1997 5–2 Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season
The 1996–97 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 88th season. On October 16, the Canadiens scored three short-handed goals in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. The Canadiens qualified for the playoffs despite a sub-.500 season...

)
26–34–15
76 W April 2, 1997 2–0 @ Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 28th season in the National Hockey League. The Sabres allowed the fewest shorthanded goals and scored the most shorthanded goals in the league.-Game log:-Playoffs:...

)
27–34–15
77 W April 3, 1997 4–0 Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Washington Capitals season
The 1996–97 Washington Capitals season was the team's twenty-third season of play. The Capitals finished fifth in the division, and ninth in the conference, and failed to qualify for the playoffs.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending...

)
28–34–15
78 L April 5, 1997 2–5 @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 30th in the National Hockey League. This was the final season for Mario Lemieux before his first retirement.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending...

)
28–35–15
79 L April 6, 1997 1–2 @ Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 30th season in the National Hockey League .Though Eric Lindros missed 30 games in 1996–97, John LeClair still managed to score 50 goals for the second consecutive year...

)
28–36–15
80 W April 9, 1997 5–4 Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Hartford Whalers season
The 1996–97 Hartford Whalers season was the twenty-fifth season of the franchise and the eighteenth and final season in Hartford. The Whalers would move to Greensboro, North Carolina the next season to become the Carolina Hurricanes....

)
29–36–15
81 W April 11, 1997 3–2 @ Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Detroit Red Wings season
The 1996–97 Detroit Red Wings season was the 71st National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The highlight of the Red Wings season was winning the Stanley Cup, their first since 1955....

)
30–36–15
82 W April 12, 1997 1–0 Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

 (1996–97
1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season
The 1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 28th season in the National Hockey League. The Sabres allowed the fewest shorthanded goals and scored the most shorthanded goals in the league.-Game log:-Playoffs:...

)
31–36–15


Playoffs

The Ottawa Senators ended the 1996–97 regular season as the Eastern Conference's seventh seed. The Senators faced the Buffalo Sabres, and nearly pulled off the upset against their heavily favoured opponent, losing to the Sabres in overtime in the seventh game of the series, ending a very memorable season for the team.

Eastern Conference Quarter-finals: vs. (2) Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

Buffalo wins series 4–3
# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1 April 17 Ottawa 0 – 1 Buffalo 0 – 1
2 April 19 Ottawa 3 – 1 Buffalo 1 – 1
3 April 21 Buffalo 3 – 2 Ottawa 1 – 2
4 April 23 Buffalo 0 – 1 Ottawa 2 – 2
5 April 25 Ottawa 4 – 1 Buffalo 3 – 2
6 April 27 Buffalo 3 – 0 Ottawa 3 – 3
7 April 29 Ottawa 2 – 3 Buffalo 3 – 4

Regular season

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
C 82 35 40 75 44
10 0 5
RW 76 24 47 71 30 5 11 1 1
C 82 26 25 51 33
4 0 5
D 78 19 28 47 38
10 2 3
LW 76 12 24 36 99
6 0 3
RW 79 12 19 31 8
2 0 3
RW 65 11 20 31 18
0 1 2
D 82 6 24 30 41 1 2 0 1
C 57 12 16 28 19 2 5 0 0
LW 68 18 8 26 16
1 1 1
C 80 11 14 25 35
1 1 2
RW 67 11 10 21 49 4 0 1 2
D 75 4 17 21 67
1 0 0
D 76 3 18 21 76
2 0 0
LW 80 4 16 20 217
0 0 1
C 53 5 13 18 14
0 1 0
D 66 5 5 10 91 2 0 0 1
LW 22 3 3 6 9 5 0 0 0
D 25 2 3 5 10
1 0 0
RW 22 1 4 5 19 3 0 0 0
D 57 0 5 5 58 6 0 0 0
C 34 2 2 4 8
0 1 1
G 50 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
D 21 0 1 1 8
0 0 0
LW 26 0 1 1 30 0 0 0 0
G 37 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
D/LW 11 0 1 1 25 0 0 0 0
D 6 0 1 1 7
0 0 0
G 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D 5 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0
D 5 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0

Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
1991 37 17 15 1 93 2.80 3 882 789 .895
2934 50 14 20 14 133 2.72 1 1213 1080 .890
52 1 0 1 0 4 4.62 0 18 14 .778
Team: 4977 82 31 36 15 230 2.77 4 2113 1883 .891

Playoffs

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
RW 7 5 2 7 6
3 0 2
C 7 1 5 6 2
1 0 0
D 7 1 4 5 0
1 0 1
D 7 1 3 4 2
0 0 0
RW 7 2 0 2 8
1 0 0
LW 7 1 1 2 10
0 0 0
C 7 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 0
RW 7 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
C 7 0 1 1 4
0 0 0
LW 5 0 1 1 2
0 0 0
RW 7 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0
LW 6 0 1 1 9 0 0 0 0
D 7 0 1 1 6
0 0 0
C 7 0 1 1 4
0 0 0
D 7 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0
LW 3 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0
C 7 0 0 0 2
0 0 0
D 7 0 0 0 4
0 0 0
G 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D 7 0 0 0 4
0 0 0

Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
425 7 3 4 14 1.98 1 169 155 .917
Team: 425 7 3 4 14 1.98 1 169 155 .917

Trades

May 21, 1996 To Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...


future considerations
To Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...


Michel Picard
Michel Picard
Michel Picard is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Picard played in the National Hockey League with the Hartford Whalers, San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators, St...

June 22, 1996 To Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...


Trent McCleary
Trent McCleary
Trent Kenneth McCleary is a Canadian former professional hockey player who played for the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League . His career was ended in 2000 after taking a slapshot to the throat, an injury that required life-saving surgery moments...


Ottawa's third-round pick in 1996 Draft
1996 NHL Entry Draft
The 1996 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 22, 1996.- Selections by round :Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :- Round two :...

 (Eric Naud)
To Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...


Shawn McEachern
Shawn McEachern
Shawn K. McEachern is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. He is the current head boys' varsity ice hockey coach at The Rivers School, an independent 6–12 school in Weston, Massachusetts....

October 1, 1996 To Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Ted Drury
Ted Drury
Theodore Evans Drury is a retired American ice hockey player. He is the older brother of former NHL star, Chris Drury....


Marc Moro
Marc Moro
Marc Moro is a retired Canadian hockey player who was the first captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs AHL affiliate team, the Toronto Marlies. He was drafted in the 2nd Round, 27th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft....

To Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...


Mika Stromberg
Mika Strömberg
Mika Strömberg is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques as their eleventh-round pick, #211 overall, in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft....


Jason York
Jason York
Jason Andrew York , is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL. A defenceman, he last played for the Boston Bruins in the 2006–07 season.-Playing career:...


Shaun Van Allen
Shaun Van Allen
Shaun Van Allen is a retired professional hockey player who played in the NHL from 1991 to 2004. He played 794 games in the NHL, and scored 269 points.-Professional career:...

November 27, 1996 To St. Louis Blues
Pavol Demitra
Pavol Demitra
Pavol Demitra was a Slovak professional ice hockey player. He played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League , two in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League /Slovak Extraliga and one in the Kontinental Hockey League . Known as an offensive player, Demitra was a first- or second-line...

To Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...


Christer Olsson
Christer Olsson
Christer Olsson is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player and the current head coach of Leksands IF in the HockeyAllsvenskan. Olsson played briefly in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators. He played Defense and shot left-handed.-Playing career:Olsson was drafted by the...

March 18, 1997 To Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...


Denis Chasse
Denis Chasse
Denis Chassé is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. He played in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators. He played right wing and shot right-handed.-Playing career:...


Kevin Bolibruck
Kevin Bolibruck
Kevin Bolibruck is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. After playing professionally in North America, he moved to Europe in 2003 and is currently a member of Sport Ghiaccio Pontebba in the Italian Serie A Hockey League.-Playing career:Kevin Bolibruck played junior hockey for his hometown...


Ottawa's sixth-round pick 1998 Entry Draft
1998 NHL Entry Draft
The 1998 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27 at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. A total of 258 players were drafted.- Selections by round :Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :- Round two :...

 (Ottawa later reacquired pick -Chris Neil
Chris Neil
Chris Neil is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Neil currently plays right wing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League .-Early years:Neil started out playing minor hockey in the town of Flesherton, Ontario...

)
To Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...


Mike Prokopec
Mike Prokopec
Mike Prokopec is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 15 games in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Blackhawks.-External links:...


Free agents

Player Former team
Sergei Zholtok
Sergei Zholtok
Sergejs Žoltoks was a Latvian professional ice hockey center who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators....

 
Las Vegas Thunder
Las Vegas Thunder
The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999...

 (IHL)
Denny Lambert
Denny Lambert
Denny Lambert is a former professional Canadian ice hockey player. Lambert played in the National Hockey League for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators and the Atlanta Thrashers between 1995 and 2002. He has also coached the Sault Ste...

 
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Phil Crowe
Phil Crowe
Philip Ross Crowe is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, and the Nashville Predators between 1994 and 2000...

 
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

Ron Tugnutt
Ron Tugnutt
Ronald Frederick Bradley Tugnutt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the NHL with several teams from 1987–2004 and is currently an assistant coach with the OHL's Peterborough Petes.-Early years:Tugnutt was born in Scarborough, Ontario and played three seasons...

 
Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

Denis Chasse
Denis Chasse
Denis Chassé is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. He played in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators. He played right wing and shot right-handed.-Playing career:...

 
Winnipeg Jets
Player New team
Daniel Laperriere
Daniel Laperriere
Daniel Laperrière is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Laperriere played 48 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the St. Louis Blues and the Ottawa Senators. He graduated from St. Lawrence University where he played for the Skating Saints,...

 
Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

Pat Elyniuk  Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...



Source:

Roster

1996-97 Ottawa Senators
Goaltenders


Defencemen


Wingers
- C
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...

 


Centres

  • GM:   Pierre Gauthier
    Pierre Gauthier
    For the Canadian politician see Pierre Gauthier Pierre Gauthier is an ice hockey administrator in the National Hockey League...

  • Coach:   Jacques Martin


Sources:

Draft picks

Ottawa's draft picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft
1996 NHL Entry Draft
The 1996 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 22, 1996.- Selections by round :Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :- Round two :...

 in St. Louis, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...

.
Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 1 Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded...

 
Prince Albert Raiders
Prince Albert Raiders
The Prince Albert Raiders are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The Raiders play in the East Division of the Eastern Conference. They are based in the Saskatchewan city of Prince Albert...

 (WHL)
4 81 Antti-Jussi Niemi
Antti-Jussi Niemi
Antti-Jussi Jormanpoika Niemi is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman playing for Jokerit of the SM-Liiga.- Draft :...

 
Jokerit
Jokerit
Jokerit is an ice-hockey team from Helsinki, Finland, playing in the Finnish Elite League, SM-liiga. The team has won 6 league championships...

 (SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...

)
6 136 Andreas Dackell
Andreas Dackell
Andreas L. Dackell is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He played for several seasons with Brynäs IF in Sweden and was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the sixth round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.- Playing career :...

 
Brynäs IF
Brynäs IF
Brynäs IF is a professional Swedish ice hockey team from Gävle. The club plays in the highest Swedish league , and has done so since 1960.-History:...

 (Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...

)
7 163 Francois Hardy  Val d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
8 212 Erich Goldmann
Erich Goldmann
Erich Goldmann is a German ice hockey defenceman. He has played 1 game in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators. He was drafted by the Senators in the 8th round in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Most of his professional career has been spent in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, most...

 
Mannheim Eagles (DEL)
9 216 Ivan Ciernik  MHC Plastika Nitra (Slovakia)
9 239 Sami Salo
Sami Salo
Sami Salo is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He began his professional career with TPS of the SM-liiga before being selected by the Ottawa Senators with their last pick in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the Senators in...

 
TPS
TPS
-Math, science, and engineering:*Theorem Proving System, an automated theorem proving system for first-order and higher-order logic*Twin Prime Search, a distributed computing project that looks for large twin primes...

 (SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...

)

Farm teams

  • Worcester IceCats
    Worcester IceCats
    The Worcester IceCats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA at the Worcester Centrum...

     (American Hockey League
    American Hockey League
    The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...

    )
  • Raleigh IceCaps
    Raleigh IceCaps
    The Raleigh Icecaps were a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1991 and playing at Dorton Arena, located at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, the IceCaps were members of the ECHL...

     (East Coast Hockey League)
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