The 1997-98 NHL season was the 81st regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL). Twenty-six teams each played 82 games. The season lasted from October 1, 1997 to June 16, 1998.
The Stanley Cup winners were the Detroit Red Wings, who swept the Washington Capitals in four games.
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 2006–07 NHL season is the longest-tenured NHL coach.
The controversial "FoxTrax" puck system was last used this season as well. In August of 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 that the Toronto Maple Leafs were in the Western Conference.
Regular season[]
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, 13 of which were earned by Dominik Hasek, who set a League record with 11 teams shut-out.
He zeroed the New York Rangers three times, and Los Angeles, Anaheim, Tampa Bay, Boston, Calgary, Washington, Montreal, Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Edmonton once each.
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.
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 1st 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
| Player
|
Team
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
PTS
|
| Jaromir Jagr |
Pittsburgh |
77 |
35 |
67 |
102
|
| Peter Forsberg |
Colorado |
72 |
25 |
66 |
91
|
| Pavel Bure |
Vancouver |
82 |
51 |
39 |
90
|
| Wayne Gretzky |
NY Rangers |
82 |
23 |
67 |
90
|
| John LeClair |
Philadelphia |
82 |
51 |
36 |
87
|
| Zigmund Palffy |
NY Islanders |
82 |
45 |
42 |
87
|
| Ron Francis |
Pittsburgh |
81 |
25 |
62 |
87
|
| Teemu Selanne |
Anaheim |
73 |
52 |
34 |
86
|
| Jason Allison |
Boston |
81 |
33 |
50 |
83
|
| Jozef Stumpel |
Los Angeles |
77 |
21 |
58 |
79
|
Stanley Cup playoffs[]
Playoff bracket[]
Template:NHLBracket
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[]
- Main article: 1998 Eastern Conference Finals (NHL)
- Main article: 1998 Western Conference Finals (NHL)
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[]
- Main article: 1998 Stanley Cup Finals
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
| Player |
Team |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts
|
| Steve Yzerman |
Detroit |
22 |
6 |
18 |
24
|
| Sergei Fedorov |
Detroit |
22 |
10 |
10 |
20
|
| Tomas Holmstrom |
Detroit |
22 |
7 |
12 |
19
|
| Nicklas Lidstrom |
Detroit |
22 |
6 |
13 |
19
|
| Joe Juneau |
Washington |
21 |
7 |
10 |
17
|
| Adam Oates |
Washington |
21 |
6 |
11 |
17
|
| Martin Lapointe |
Detroit |
21 |
9 |
6 |
15
|
| Larry Murphy |
Detroit |
22 |
3 |
12 |
15
|
| Vyacheslav Kozlov |
Detroit |
22 |
6 |
8 |
14
|
| Mike Modano |
Dallas |
17 |
4 |
10 |
14
|
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 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, Anaheim Mighty Ducks
|
| 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
See also[]
References[]
