|
The 1997–98 NHL season was the 81st regular season of the National Hockey League. Twenty-six teams each played 82 games. The Stanley Cup winners were the Detroit Red Wings, who swept the Washington Capitals in four games. The all-time record for most shutouts in a season, set at 127 just a year earlier, was broken again as 160 shutouts were recorded. Only two teams, the St. Louis Blues and the Detroit Red Wings, averaged more than three goals scored per game. In addition, only one player, Jaromir Jagr, reached the 100-point plateau during the regular season.
League Business
This was the first season for the Carolina Hurricanes, who were previously known as the Hartford Whalers. The Hurricanes played their home games at the Greensboro Coliseum.
This was the first season for Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who as of the 2008–09 season is the longest-tenured NHL coach.
The controversial "FoxTrax" puck system was last used this season as well. In August 1998, the NHL signed a five-year, $600 million rights agreement with ABC Sports/ESPN. FOX elected not to use the system in the subsequent "lame duck" season.
This was the last season the Toronto Maple Leafs were in the Western Conference.
This was the last season of the four division alignment. It would change the following season.
Regular season
Highlights
Jari Kurri reached 600 goals in his career, finishing with 601.
The Vancouver Canucks and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim opened the season with a two-game series in Tokyo, Japan; this was the first time the NHL played games outside of North America.
Final standings
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points
Playoffs
-
Playoff bracket
Conference quarterfinals
Eastern Conference
| Ottawa vs. New Jersey |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| April 22 |
Ottawa 2 |
1 New Jersey |
OT |
| April 24 |
Ottawa 1 |
3 New Jersey |
| April 26 |
New Jersey 1 |
2 Ottawa |
OT |
| April 28 |
New Jersey 3 |
4 Ottawa |
| April 30 |
Ottawa 1 |
3 New Jersey |
| May 2 |
New Jersey 1 |
3 Ottawa |
| Ottawa wins series 4–2 |
|
| Montreal vs. Pittsburgh |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| April 23 |
Montreal 3 |
2 Pittsburgh |
OT |
| April 25 |
Montreal 1 |
4 Pittsburgh |
| April 27 |
Pittsburgh 1 |
3 Montreal |
| April 29 |
Pittsburgh 6 |
3 Montreal |
| May 1 |
Montreal 5 |
2 Pittsburgh |
| May 3 |
Pittsburgh 0 |
3 Montreal |
| Montreal wins series 4–2 |
|
| Buffalo vs. Philadelphia |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| April 22 |
Buffalo 3 |
2 Philadelphia |
| April 24 |
Buffalo 2 |
3 Philadelphia |
| April 27 |
Philadelphia 1 |
6 Buffalo |
| April 29 |
Philadelphia 1 |
4 Buffalo |
| May 1 |
Buffalo 3 |
2 Philadelphia |
OT |
| Buffalo wins series 4–1 |
|
| Boston vs. Washington |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| April 22 |
Boston 1 |
3 Washington |
| April 24 |
Boston 4 |
3 Washington |
2OT |
| April 26 |
Washington 3 |
2 Boston |
2OT |
| April 28 |
Washington 3 |
0 Boston |
| May 1 |
Boston 4 |
0 Washington |
| May 3 |
Washington 3 |
2 Boston |
OT |
| Washington wins series 4–2 |
|
Western Conference
| San Jose vs. Dallas |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| April 23 |
San Jose 1 |
4 Dallas |
| April 24 |
San Jose 2 |
5 Dallas |
| April 26 |
Dallas 1 |
4 San Jose |
| April 28 |
Dallas 0 |
1 San Jose |
OT |
| April 30 |
San Jose 2 |
3 Dallas |
| May 2 |
Dallas 3 |
2 San Jose |
OT |
| Dallas wins series 4–2 |
|
| Edmonton vs. Colorado |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| April 22 |
Edmonton 3 |
2 Colorado |
| April 24 |
Edmonton 2 |
5 Colorado |
| April 26 |
Colorado 5 |
4 Edmonton |
OT |
| April 28 |
Colorado 3 |
1 Edmonton |
| April 30 |
Edmonton 3 |
1 Colorado |
| May 2 |
Colorado 0 |
2 Edmonton |
| May 4 |
Edmonton 4 |
0 Colorado |
| Edmonton wins series 4–3 |
|
| Phoenix vs. Detroit |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| April 22 |
Phoenix 3 |
6 Detroit |
| April 24 |
Phoenix 7 |
4 Detroit |
| April 26 |
Detroit 2 |
3 Phoenix |
| April 28 |
Detroit 4 |
2 Phoenix |
| April 30 |
Phoenix 1 |
3 Detroit |
| May 3 |
Detroit 5 |
2 Phoenix |
| Detroit wins series 4–2 |
|
| Los Angeles vs. St. Louis |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| April 23 |
Los Angeles 3 |
8 St. Louis |
| April 25 |
Los Angeles 1 |
3 St. Louis |
| April 27 |
St. Louis 4 |
3 Los Angeles |
| April 29 |
St. Louis 2 |
1 Los Angeles |
| St. Louis wins series 4–0 |
|
Conference semifinals
Eastern Conference
| Ottawa vs. Washington |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| May 7 |
Ottawa 2 |
4 Washington |
| May 9 |
Ottawa 1 |
6 Washington |
| May 11 |
Washington 3 |
4 Ottawa |
| May 13 |
Washington 2 |
0 Ottawa |
| May 15 |
Ottawa 0 |
3 Washington |
| Washington win series 4–1 |
|
| Montreal vs. Buffalo |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| May 8 |
Montreal 2 |
3 Buffalo |
OT |
| May 10 |
Montreal 3 |
6 Buffalo |
| May 12 |
Buffalo 5 |
4 Montreal |
2OT |
| May 14 |
Buffalo 3 |
1 Montreal |
| Buffalo wins series 4–0 |
|
Western Conference
| Edmonton vs. Dallas |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| May 7 |
Edmonton 1 |
3 Dallas |
| May 9 |
Edmonton 2 |
0 Dallas |
| May 11 |
Dallas 1 |
0 Edmonton |
OT |
| May 13 |
Dallas 3 |
1 Edmonton |
| May 16 |
Edmonton 1 |
2 Dallas |
| Dallas wins series 4–1 |
|
| St. Louis vs. Detroit |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| May 8 |
St. Louis 4 |
2 Detroit |
| May 10 |
St. Louis 1 |
6 Detroit |
| May 12 |
Detroit 3 |
2 St. Louis |
2OT |
| May 14 |
Detroit 5 |
2 St. Louis |
| May 17 |
St. Louis 3 |
1 Detroit |
| May 19 |
Detroit 6 |
1 St. Louis |
| Detroit wins series 4–2 |
|
Conference finals
Eastern Conference
| Buffalo vs. Washington |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| May 23 |
Buffalo 2 |
0 Washington |
| May 25 |
Buffalo 2 |
3 Washington |
OT |
| May 28 |
Washington 4 |
3 Buffalo |
OT |
| May 30 |
Washington 2 |
0 Buffalo |
| June 2 |
Buffalo 2 |
1 Washington |
| June 4 |
Washington 3 |
2 Buffalo |
OT |
Washington wins series 4–2
and Prince of Wales Trophy |
|
Western Conference
| Detroit vs. Dallas |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| May 24 |
Detroit 2 |
0 Dallas |
| May 26 |
Detroit 1 |
3 Dallas |
| May 29 |
Dallas 3 |
5 Detroit |
| May 31 |
Dallas 2 |
3 Detroit |
| June 3 |
Detroit 2 |
3 Dallas |
OT |
| June 5 |
Dallas 0 |
2 Detroit |
Detroit wins series 4–2 and
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl |
|
Stanley Cup final
-
The 1998 Stanley Cup Finals were played in the 105th year of the Stanley Cup. The series was played between the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and the Eastern Conference champion Washington Capitals. The Red Wings were led by Captain Steve Yzerman, Coach Scotty Bowman, and Goalie Chris Osgood. The Capitals were led by Captain Dale Hunter, Coach Ron Wilson, and Goalie Olaf Kolzig.
| Washington vs. Detroit |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
| June 9 |
Washington 1 |
2 Detroit |
| June 11 |
Washington 4 |
5 Detroit |
OT |
| June 13 |
Detroit 2 |
1 Washington |
| June 16 |
Detroit 4 |
1 Washington |
Detroit wins series 4–0
and Stanley Cup |
Steve Yzerman (Detroit)
wins Conn Smythe Trophy |
|
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points
NHL Awards
The NHL Awards took place in Toronto, Ontario
| Presidents' Trophy: |
Dallas Stars |
| Prince of Wales Trophy: |
Washington Capitals |
| Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: |
Detroit Red Wings |
| Art Ross Memorial Trophy: |
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: |
Jamie McLennan, St. Louis Blues |
| Calder Memorial Trophy: |
Sergei Samsonov, Boston Bruins |
| Frank J. Selke Trophy: |
Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars |
| Hart Memorial Trophy: |
Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres |
| Conn Smythe Trophy: |
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings |
| Jack Adams Award: |
Pat Burns, Boston Bruins |
| James Norris Memorial Trophy: |
Rob Blake, Los Angeles Kings |
| King Clancy Memorial Trophy: |
Kelly Chase, St. Louis Blues |
| Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: |
Ron Francis, Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Lester B. Pearson Award: |
Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres |
| Lester Patrick Trophy: |
Peter Karmanos, Max McNab, Neal Broten, John Mayasich |
| NHL Plus/Minus Award: |
Chris Pronger, St. Louis Blues |
| Vezina Trophy: |
Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres |
| William M. Jennings Trophy: |
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils |
All-Star teams
| First Team |
Position |
Second Team |
| Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres |
G |
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils |
| Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings |
D |
Chris Pronger, St. Louis Blues |
| Rob Blake, Los Angeles Kings |
D |
Scott Niedermayer, New Jersey Devils |
| Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche |
C |
Wayne Gretzky, New York Rangers |
| Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins |
RW |
Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim |
| John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers |
LW |
Keith Tkachuk, Phoenix Coyotes |
Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1997–98 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):
- Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins
- Sergei Samsonov, Boston Bruins
- Derek Morris, Calgary Flames
- Olli Jokinen, Los Angeles Kings
- Brendan Morrison, New Jersey Devils
- Sheldon Souray, New Jersey Devils
- Zdeno Chara, New York Islanders
- Marc Savard, New York Rangers
- Chris Phillips, Ottawa Senators
- Marian Hossa, Ottawa Senators
- Daniel Briere, Phoenix Coyotes
- Marco Sturm, San Jose Sharks
- Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
- Pavel Kubina, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Danny Markov, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Mattias Ohlund, Vancouver Canucks
Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1997–98 (listed with their last team):
- Brent Sutter, Chicago Blackhawks
- Jari Kurri, Colorado Avalanche
- Slava Fetisov, Detroit Red Wings
- Kevin Lowe, Edmonton Oilers
- Andy Moog, Montreal Canadiens
- Bruce Driver, New York Rangers
- Pat LaFontaine, New York Rangers
- Joel Otto, Philadelphia Flyers
- Michel Petit, Phoenix Coyotes
- Mike Gartner, Phoenix Coyotes
- Al Iafrate, San Jose Sharks
- Kelly Hrudey, San Jose Sharks
- Jeff Brown, Washington Capitals
1998 Trading Deadline
- Trading Deadline: MARCH 24, 1998 1
- March 24, 1998: D David Babych traded from Vancouver to Philadelphia for Philadelphia’s third round pick in 1998 Entry Draft. Vancouver also returns the conditional pick previously acquired from Philadelphia in the Mike Sillinger trade dated Feb. 5, 1998.
- March 24, 1998: D Dmitri Mironov traded from Anaheim to Detroit for D Jamie Pushor and Detroit’s fourth round pick in 1998 Entry Draft.
- March 24, 1998: G Kirk McLean traded from Carolina to Florida for RW Ray Sheppard.
- March 24, 1998: D Jeff Brown traded from Toronto to Washington for D Sylvain Cote.
- March 24, 1998: RW Jason Dawe traded from Buffalo to NY Islanders for D Jason Holland and LW Paul Kruse.
- March 24, 1998: D Dan McGillis and Edmonton’s second round pick in 1998 Entry Draft traded from Edmonton to Philadelphia for D Janne Niinimaa.
- March 24, 1998: C Mark Janssens traded from NY Islanders to Phoenix for Phoenix’s ninth round pick in 1998 Entry Draft.
- March 24, 1998: LW Warren Rychel and a conditional pick in 1999 Entry Draft traded from Anaheim to Colorado for C Josef Marha.
- March 24, 1998: C Sean Pronger traded from Anaheim to Pittsburgh for the rights to G Patrick Lalime.
- March 24, 1998: D Todd Gill traded from San Jose to St. Louis for RW Joe Murphy.
- March 24, 1998: RW Andrei Nazarov and future considerations traded from San Jose to Tampa Bay for D Bryan Marchment, D David Shaw and a conditional exchange of first round picks in 1998 Entry Draft.
- March 24, 1998: C Mike Eastwood traded from NY Rangers to St. Louis for C Harry York.
- March 24, 1998: RW Mike Kennedy traded from Toronto to Dallas for Dallas’ eighth round pick in 1998 Entry Draft.
- March 24, 1998: RW Sandy McCarthy, Calgary’s third round pick in 1998 Entry Draft and a fifth round pick in 1998 Entry Draft traded from Calgary to Tampa Bay for LW Jason Wiemer.
- March 24, 1998: RW Todd Harvey, LW Bob Errey and a fourth round pick in 1998 Entry Draft traded from Dallas to NY Rangers for C Brian Skrudland, RW Mike Keane and a conditional pick in either the 1998 or 1999 Entry Draft.
- March 24, 1998: RW Tom Fitzgerald traded from Florida to Colorado for the rights to LW Mark Parrish and Anaheim’s third round pick in 1998 Entry Draft (previously acquired).
- March 24, 1998: D Rich Brennan traded from San Jose to NY Rangers for G Jason Muzzatti.
- March 24, 1998: D Ryan Risidore traded from Chicago to NY Rangers for RW Ryan Vandenbussche.
- March 24, 1998: D Jamie Macoun traded from Toronto to Detroit for Tampa Bay’s fourth round pick in 1998 Entry Draft (previously acquired)
See also
References
|
1997–98 NHL season by team |
|
| Northeast Division |
|
|
| Atlantic Division |
|
|
| Central Division |
|
|
| Pacific Division |
|
|
| See also |
|
|
