1995–96 Florida Panthers season

National Hockey League season March 2026 August 2023 1995–96 1995 NHL Florida Panthers Eastern 4th Atlantic 3rd 41–31–10 25–12–4 16–19–6 254 234 Bryan Murray Doug MacLean Brian Skrudland Scott MellanbyGord Murphy Miami Arena 13,278 Carolina MonarchsTallahassee Tiger Sharks Detroit Falcons Scott Mellanby (32) Robert Svehla (49) Scott Mellanby (70) Paul Laus (236) Bill Lindsay (+13) John Vanbiesbrouck (26) John Vanbiesbrouck (2.68) yes The 1995–96 Florida Panthers season was the third season of the franchise that was established in 1993. In their third season in the National Hockey League (NHL), the Panthers qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in franchise history, becoming the Eastern Conference champions. They then played in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final, where Florida lost to the Colorado Avalanche in four games. The Panthers would not win another playoff series until the 2021–22 season. This season was tied for their most successful season ever (also 2022–23) until the 2023–24 season, when the Panthers won the Stanley Cup Final. Off-season Head coach Roger Neilson was fired on June 8.Panthers fire coach Roger Neilson - UPI Archives https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/06/08/Panthers-fire-coach-Roger-Neilson/6572802584000/ UPI September 6, 2023 June 8, 1995 Player-development director Doug MacLean was named his replacement on July 24.MacLean hired to increase Panthers' roar https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/07/25/maclean-hired-to-increase-panthers-roar/ Tampa Bay Times September 6, 2023 July 25, 1995 Regular season Year of the Rat A very unusual goal celebration developed in Miami. On the night of the Panthers' 1995–96 home opener, a rat scurried across the Florida locker room. Panthers winger Scott Mellanby reacted by "one-timing" the rat against the wall, killing it.Florida Panthers FAQ Page http://www.darsys.com/panth/pfaq.html darsys.com July 11, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20070928120010/http://www.darsys.com/panth/pfaq.html September 28, 2007All things rat https://www.flapanthersvault.com/collection/all-things-rat/ Florida Panthers Virtual Vault July 11, 2025 That night he scored two goals, which goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck quipped was "a rat trick". Two nights later, as the story found its way into the world, a few fans threw rubber rats on the ice in celebration of a goal. The rubber rat count went from 16 for the third home game to over 2,000 during the playoffs. In an amusing coincidence, 1996 was also year of the Rat according to Chinese astrology. In the 1996 playoffs, as the fourth seed, the Panthers defeated the Boston Bruins in five games, then upset the top-seeded Philadelphia Flyers in six and the second-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Their opponents, the Colorado Avalanche, eliminated the Panthers in four games. Final standings FLA FLA Playoffs Eastern Conference Quarterfinals The fifth-seeded Boston Bruins had one of the best offenses in the Eastern Conference, scoring 282 goals led by Cam Neely (26 goals) and Adam Oates (25 goals, 67 assists). The Panthers won their first-ever playoff game 6-3 before a sold out Miami Arena,http://panthers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=61322 History: 1996 Playoffs 19 December 2022 29 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120129045932/http://panthers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=61322 dead and soon built a 3–0 lead despite being outshot by the Bruins on all games.https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/25/sports/1996-nhl-playoffs-panthers-put-bruins-to-wall.html 1996 N.H.L. PLAYOFFS;Panthers Put Bruins TO Wall The New York Times 25 April 1996 19 December 2022 NYTimes.com The Bruins stepped up to win Game 4 with a 6-2 blowout before the Boston crowd.https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/04/26/Bruins-6-Panthers-2/3381830491200/ Bruins 6, Panthers 2 UPI 19 December 2022 Game 5 was tied 3-3 when with 4:57 left, Bill Lindsay scored with a dive through the air goal while being tripped by star defenseman Ray Bourque, giving the Panthers their first-ever playoff series victory.https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/28/sports/nhl-playoffs-panthers-eliminate-bruins.html N.H.L. PLAYOFFS;Panthers Eliminate Bruins The New York Times Associated Press 28 April 1996 19 December 2022 NYTimes.com This was the last year in a record 29 consecutive seasons in the playoffs for the Bruins, as they missed the 1997 post-season.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-08-sp-46484-story.html From Bruins to Ruins : After 30 Years, Another Boston Tradition--Playoff Hockey--Crumbles Beneath Weight of Inept Team 8 April 1997 Los Angeles Times 19 December 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals The Philadelphia Flyers finished atop the Eastern Conference in the regular season with 103 points, led by the high-scoring "Legion of Doom" and the strong goaltending of Garth Snow and Ron Hextall. Philadelphia had just eliminated the other Florida team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in five games after overcoming a 2–1 series deficit.https://www.inquirer.com/archives/ Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes www.inquirer.com 19 December 2022 Vanbiesbrouck posted a 2–0 shutout in Game 1,https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/03/sports/hockey-vanbiesbrouck-blanks-flyers-as-panthers-jump-on-top.html HOCKEY;Vanbiesbrouck Blanks Flyers as Panthers Jump on Top The New York Times 3 May 1996 and it took until midway through Game 2 for the Flyers to get rolling offensively in a narrow 3–2 win.https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-01-23-9601230077-story.html DUELING GOALIES: PANTHERS, FLYERS TIE AT 1 Sun Sentinel 19 December 2022 Game 3 saw Flyers veterans Dan Quinn, Dale Hawerchuk, Eric Desjardins and Hextall set the tone in a 3–1 victory. With young defenseman Ed Jovanovski tightly covering Flyers superstar Eric Lindros, the Panthers reversed the tide,https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/looking-back-florida-panthers-1996-playoff-run/ Looking back at the Florida Panthers' 1996 playoff run www.sportsnet.ca 19 December 2022 defeating the Flyers in overtime in Game 4 and double-overtime in Game 5, in what would turn out to be the last Flyers game at the Spectrum.http://alongtheboards.com/2016/04/remembering-the-spectrum-flyers-say-goodbye-after-29-years/ Remembering the Spectrum: Flyers say goodbye after 29 years 2016-04-12 2016-04-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20160413191407/http://alongtheboards.com/2016/04/remembering-the-spectrum-flyers-say-goodbye-after-29-years/ dead Lindros promised to win game 6 to return the series to Philadelphia, but the Panthers won with a 4–1 score. Florida became the third team to reach the conference finals in their third season – following fellow expansion team New York Islanders in 1975 and the Quebec Nordiques in 1982.https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/15/sports/nhl-playoffs-surprising-panthers-eliminate-the-flyers.html NHL PLAYOFFS;Surprising Panthers Eliminate the Flyers Charlie Nobles The New York Times 15 May 1996 19 December 2022 NYTimes.com Eastern Conference Finals The 2-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins were energized by the return of Mario Lemieux, who missed the entire 1994–95 season due to injury, and had the league's best offense, scoring 362 goals, and the most wins in the Eastern conference with 49, finishing just one point behind the Flyers. The Penguins advanced to the third round for the first time since 1992, defeating the Washington Capitals in six games and the New York Rangers in five games. Despite being outshot 33–25 in game one the Panthers came out on top with an impressive 5–1 win, with 32 saves by Vanbiesbrouck and two goals by forward Tom Fitzgerald. The Penguins wanting to avoid going down two games to none against the Panthers came out with a better effort in game two and won the game 3–2 and evened the series at one game each. In game three the Panthers fired an incredible 61 shots on Penguins goaltender Tom Barrasso and it paid off as the Panthers won 5–2 – two goals by Stu Barnes – to take a 2–1 series lead. The Penguins tied game four on Brad Lauer's goal with 11:03 remaining in regulation, and Bryan Smolinski scored with 3:31 to go to give the Penguins a 2–1 lead, tying the series. In game five the Penguins shut out the Panthers 3–0, with Barrasso stopping 28 shots. Leading the series three games to two Pittsburgh looked to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals in game six. The Penguins led 2–1 in the second period but the Panthers scored three of the next four goals and edged the Penguins 4–3 to tie the series at 3–3. In game seven Florida got a 1–0 lead on Mike Hough's goal at 13:13 of the first period. After a scoreless second period Pittsburgh tied the game on Petr Nedvěd's power-play goal at 1:23 of the third period. The Panthers regained the lead on Tom Fitzgerald's bizarre 58-foot slapshot at 6:18 and got an insurance goal from Johan Garpenlov at 17:23. Florida hung on to win the game 3–1, with a total of 39 saves by Vanbiesbrouck, and closed the series four games to three. http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/greg-cote/article65704547.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160315113038/http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/greg-cote/article65704547.html 2016-03-15 Florida Panthers' 1996 rat pack celebration a well-deserved honor Miami Herald Miami Herald By reaching the finals in only their third season, the Panthers became the fastest expansion team to do so since the St. Louis Blues reached the Stanley Cup finals in their first three seasons. Many Panthers players were managing their first trips to the finals after long careers, such as Vanbiesbrouck (13 years). Stanley Cup Final In the first Stanley Cup Final where neither team had ever reached the decision before, the Panthers faced the Colorado Avalanche, who were in their inaugural season after relocating from Quebec City. Led by captain Joe Sakic, forward Peter Forsberg and defenceman Adam Foote, the Avalanche got even stronger once goaltender Patrick Roy joined the team in December 1995. The Avalanche finished the season with a 47–25–10 record for 104 points, won the Pacific Division and finished second in the Western Conference. On their way to the Western title, the Avs beat the Vancouver Canucks, the Chicago Blackhawks and Presidents' Trophy winners Detroit Red Wings, all in six games.https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/06/17/with-brilliant-trades-and-blended-talent-the-avalanche-captured-the-stanley-cup-giving-colorado-its-first-major-pro-championship https://web.archive.org/web/20200902030156/https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/06/17/with-brilliant-trades-and-blended-talent-the-avalanche-captured-the-stanley-cup-giving-colorado-its-first-major-pro-championship dead September 2, 2020 WITH BRILLIANT TRADES AND BLENDED TALENT, THE AVALANCHE CAPTURED THE STANLEY CUP, GIVING COLORADO ITS FIRST MAJOR PRO CHAMPIONSHIP Michael Farber Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com 19 December 2022 The series started in Denver, and the Avs dominated the Panthers at the McNichols Sports Arena. On game 1, Vanbiesbrouck shut out Colorado for half the game, before three goals were scored in a stretch of 3:49 minutes in the second period, leading to a 3–1 victory. The following game was an 8–1 blowout, starting with three power play goals in the first period as Florida incurred in bad penalties that forced Vanbiesbrouck to be pulled out in favor of Mark Fitzpatrick. Returning to Miami, Game 3 was closer, with Florida scoring twice in the first period. But the Avs still came through, taking over the lead with a Joe Sakic goal early in the second period and holding on to a 3–2 victory.https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/06/17/show-stoppers-colorado-a-dynasty-in-the-making-swept-florida-to-win-the-stanley-cup https://web.archive.org/web/20200902024807/https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/06/17/show-stoppers-colorado-a-dynasty-in-the-making-swept-florida-to-win-the-stanley-cup dead September 2, 2020 SHOW STOPPERS COLORADO, A DYNASTY IN THE MAKING, SWEPT FLORIDA TO WIN THE STANLEY CUP Michael Farber Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com 19 December 2022 With their backs to the wall, the Panthers played a defensive game four. Vanbiesbrouck and Roy stood out, combining for 118 saves, and the two teams played a marathon game that took until the third overtime period. Uwe Krupp's unassisted goal at 4:31 ended 44 minutes and 31 seconds of overtime and gave the Avalanche a 1–0 win and a four-games-to-none series win. Goaltender Patrick Roy stopped all 63 shots he faced. Colorado outscored Florida 15–4 in the series, and Patrick Roy stopped 147 of 151 shots, for a save percentage of .974. Joe Sakic was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, having led all skaters in goals with 18, and points with 34. For both Patrick Roy and Claude Lemieux, it was their third Stanley Cup win in eleven years. Schedule and results Regular season background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 5px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 5px solid; 1995–96 regular season1995-96 Florida Panthers Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/FLA/1996_games.html Hockey-Reference.com August 9, 2023 y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; October: 7–4–0 (home: 5–2–0; road: 2–2–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |1 || October 7, 1995 || 0–4 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1995–96) || 0–1–0 || 1995020007 L |- |2 || October 8, 1995 || 4–3 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1995–96) || 1–1–0 || 1995020013 W |- |3 || October 11, 1995 || 6–1 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) || 2–1–0 || 1995020026 W |- |4 || October 13, 1995 || 6–2 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1995–96) || 3–1–0 || 1995020036 W |- |5 || October 15, 1995 || 5–3 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1995–96) || 4–1–0 || 1995020050 W |- |6 || October 17, 1995 || 3–6 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96) || 4–2–0 || 1995020057 L |- |7 || October 21, 1995 || 3–0 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1995–96) || 5–2–0 || 1995020081 W |- |8 || October 24, 1995 || 6–1 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96) || 6–2–0 || 1995020094 W |- |9 || October 25, 1995 || 2–7 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) || 6–3–0 || 1995020098 L |- |10 || October 28, 1995 || 4–1 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1995–96) || 7–3–0 || 1995020115 W |- |11 || October 31, 1995 || 4–5 OT || align="left"| New York Islanders (1995–96) || 7–4–0 || 1995020133 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; November: 10–2–1 (home: 7–1–1; road: 3–1–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |12 || November 2, 1995 || 2–1 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) || 8–4–0 || 1995020147 W |- |13 || November 3, 1995 || 3–2 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1995–96) || 9–4–0 || 1995020151 W |- |14 || November 5, 1995 || 4–1 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) || 10–4–0 || 1995020167 W |- |15 || November 7, 1995 || 4–2 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) || 11–4–0 || 1995020174 W |- |16 || November 9, 1995 || 2–1 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) || 12–4–0 || 1995020186 W |- |17 || November 11, 1995 || 4–1 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1995–96) || 13–4–0 || 1995020200 W |- |18 || November 14, 1995 || 5–2 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96) || 14–4–0 || 1995020214 W |- |19 || November 16, 1995 || 2–2 OT || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) || 14–4–1 || 1995020227 T |- |20 || November 18, 1995 || 2–3 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) || 14–5–1 || 1995020245 L |- |21 || November 19, 1995 || 4–3 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) || 15–5–1 || 1995020249 W |- |22 || November 21, 1995 || 4–3 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1995–96) || 16–5–1 || 1995020256 W |- |23 || November 26, 1995 || 5–1 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) || 17–5–1 || 1995020285 W |- |24 || November 29, 1995 || 1–2 OT || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) || 17–6–1 || 1995020299 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; December: 8–4–1 (home: 3–1–1; road: 5–3–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |25 || December 1, 1995 || 1–2 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) || 17–7–1 || 1995020309 L |- |26 || December 2, 1995 || 5–3 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1995–96) || 18–7–1 || 1995020317 W |- |27 || December 5, 1995 || 4–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1995–96) || 19–7–1 || 1995020333 W |- |28 || December 7, 1995 || 3–3 OT || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) || 19–7–2 || 1995020347 T |- |29 || December 9, 1995 || 3–1 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1995–96) || 20–7–2 || 1995020360 W |- |30 || December 11, 1995 || 2–1 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1995–96) || 21–7–2 || 1995020371 W |- |31 || December 12, 1995 || 3–1 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1995–96) || 22–7–2 || 1995020374 W |- |32 || December 14, 1995 || 4–6 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1995–96) || 22–8–2 || 1995020386 L |- |33 || December 16, 1995 || 7–2 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) || 23–8–2 || 1995020403 W |- |34 || December 21, 1995 || 6–1 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1995–96) || 24–8–2 || 1995020428 W |- |35 || December 23, 1995 || 2–1 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1995–96) || 25–8–2 || 1995020444 W |- |36 || December 28, 1995 || 4–5 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1995–96) || 25–9–2 || 1995020465 L |- |37 || December 30, 1995 || 5–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) || 25–10–2 || 1995020476 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; January: 6–4–3 (home: 3–1–0; road: 3–3–3) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |38 || January 3, 1996 || 2–7 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) || 25–11–2 || 1995020501 L |- |39 || January 5, 1996 || 3–2 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) || 26–11–2 || 1995020513 W |- |40 || January 6, 1996 || 0–2 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1995–96) || 26–12–2 || 1995020522 L |- |41 || January 8, 1996 || 5–2 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1995–96) || 27–12–2 || 1995020533 W |- |42 || January 10, 1996 || 4–4 OT || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) || 27–12–3 || 1995020543 T |- |43 || January 12, 1996 || 6–6 OT || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1995–96) || 27–12–4 || 1995020553 T |- |44 || January 16, 1996 || 4–1 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1995–96) || 28–12–4 || 1995020575 W |- |45 || January 22, 1996 || 1–1 OT || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) || 28–12–5 || 1995020592 T |- |46 || January 23, 1996 || 5–4 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1995–96) || 29–12–5 || 1995020596 W |- |47 || January 25, 1996 || 2–6 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) || 29–13–5 || 1995020610 L |- |48 || January 27, 1996 || 6–3 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1995–96) || 30–13–5 || 1995020621 W |- |49 || January 29, 1996 || 2–1 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) || 31–13–5 || 1995020630 W |- |50 || January 31, 1996 || 1–6 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1995–96) || 31–14–5 || 1995020637 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; February: 4–5–3 (home: 2–3–2; road: 2–2–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |51 || February 1, 1996 || 2–2 OT || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1995–96) || 31–14–6 || 1995020646 T |- |52 || February 3, 1996 || 5–3 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) || 32–14–6 || 1995020658 W |- |53 || February 6, 1996 || 2–4 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1995–96) || 32–15–6 || 1995020673 L |- |54 || February 8, 1996 || 3–1 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1995–96) || 33–15–6 || 1995020686 W |- |55 || February 11, 1996 || 2–2 OT || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1995–96) || 33–15–7 || 1995020707 T |- |56 || February 14, 1996 || 2–4 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) || 33–16–7 || 1995020719 L |- |57 || February 16, 1996 || 4–5 OT || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) || 33–17–7 || 1995020731 L |- |58 || February 18, 1996 || 6–4 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1995–96) || 34–17–7 || 1995020744 W |- |59 || February 21, 1996 || 4–1 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1995–96) || 35–17–7 || 1995020757 W |- |60 || February 24, 1996 || 0–4 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1995–96) || 35–18–7 || 1995020778 L |- |61 || February 25, 1996 || 1–6 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1995–96) || 35–19–7 || 1995020784 L |- |62 || February 29, 1996 || 2–2 OT || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1995–96) || 35–19–8 || 1995020802 T |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; March: 3–9–1 (home: 3–3–0; road: 0–6–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |63 || March 2, 1996 || 1–7 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1995–96) || 35–20–8 || 1995020815 L |- |64 || March 5, 1996 || 0–2 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1995–96) || 35–21–8 || 1995020832 L |- |65 || March 7, 1996 || 3–5 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1995–96) || 35–22–8 || 1995020844 L |- |66 || March 10, 1996 || 1–4 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1995–96) || 35–23–8 || 1995020860 L |- |67 || March 11, 1996 || 4–8 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96) || 35–24–8 || 1995020865 L |- |68 || March 13, 1996 || 3–3 OT || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1995–96) || 35–24–9 || 1995020871 T |- |69 || March 17, 1996 || 3–0 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1995–96) || 36–24–9 || 1995020894 W |- |70 || March 19, 1996 || 5–2 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1995–96) || 37–24–9 || 1995020907 W |- |71 || March 21, 1996 || 3–2 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1995–96) || 38–24–9 || 1995020490 W |- |72 || March 23, 1996 || 2–4 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) || 38–25–9 || 1995020933 L |- |73 || March 27, 1996 || 0–3 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1995–96) || 38–26–9 || 1995020954 L |- |74 || March 28, 1996 || 2–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) || 38–27–9 || 1995020961 L |- |75 || March 30, 1996 || 1–2 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) || 38–28–9 || 1995020973 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; April: 3–3–1 (home: 2–1–0; road: 1–2–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |76 || April 1, 1996 || 3–2 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1995–96) || 39–28–9 || 1995020985 W |- |77 || April 3, 1996 || 2–3 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1995–96) || 39–29–9 || 1995020991 L |- |78 || April 6, 1996 || 1–2 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) || 39–30–9 || 1995021014 L |- |79 || April 8, 1996 || 5–3 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1995–96) || 40–30–9 || 1995021026 W |- |80 || April 10, 1996 || 1–2 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) || 40–31–9 || 1995021036 L |- |81 || April 12, 1996 || 1–1 OT || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1995–96) || 40–31–10 || 1995021047 T |- |82 || April 14, 1996 || 5–1 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1995–96) || 41–31–10 || 1995021062 W |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T Playoffs background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 5px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 5px solid; 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (5) Boston Bruins – Panthers win 4–1 Game Date Score Opponent Attendance Decision Series Recap |- | 1 || April 17, 1996 || 6–3 || align="left"| Boston Bruins || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers lead 1–0 || 1995030141 W |- | 2 || April 22, 1996 || 6–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers lead 2–0 || 1995030142 W |- | 3 || April 24, 1996 || 4–2 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins || 14,922 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers lead 3–0 || 1995030143 W |- | 4 || April 25, 1996 || 2–6 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins || 14,810 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers lead 3–1 || 1995030144 L |- | 5 || April 27, 1996 || 4–3 || align="left"| Boston Bruins || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers win 4–1 || 1995030145 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (1) Philadelphia Flyers – Panthers win 4–2 Game Date Score Opponent Attendance Decision Series Recap |- | 1 || May 2, 1996 || 2–0 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers || 17,380 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers lead 1–0 || 1995030211 W |- | 2 || May 4, 1996 || 0–2 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers || 17,380 || Vanbiesbrouck || Series tied 1–1 || 1995030212 L |- | 3 || May 7, 1996 || 2–3 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Flyers lead 2–1 || 1995030213 L |- | 4 || May 9, 1996 || 4–3 OT || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Series tied 2–2 || 1995030214 W |- | 5 || May 12, 1996 || 2–1 2OT || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers || 17,380 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers lead 3–2 || 1995030215 W |- | 6 || May 14, 1996 || 4–1 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers win 4–2 || 1995030216 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; Eastern Conference Finals vs. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins – Panthers win 4–3 Game Date Score Opponent Attendance Decision Series Recap |- | 1 || May 18, 1996 || 5–1 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 17,355 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers lead 1–0 || 1995030311 W |- | 2 || May 20, 1996 || 2–3 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 17,181 || Vanbiesbrouck || Series tied 1–1 || 1995030312 L |- | 3 || May 24, 1996 || 5–2 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers lead 2–1 || 1995030313 W |- | 4 || May 26, 1996 || 1–2 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Series tied 2–2 || 1995030314 L |- | 5 || May 28, 1996 || 0–3 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 17,355 || Vanbiesbrouck || Penguins lead 3–2 || 1995030315 L |- | 6 || May 30, 1996 || 4–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Series tied 3–3 || 1995030316 W |- | 7 || June 1, 1996 || 3–1 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 17,355 || Vanbiesbrouck || Panthers win 4–3 || 1995030317 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#E51A38 2px solid; border-bottom:#002D62 2px solid; Stanley Cup Finals vs. (W2) Colorado Avalanche – Avalanche win 4–0 Game Date Score Opponent Attendance Decision Series Recap |- | 1 || June 4, 1996 || 1–3 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche || 16,061 || Vanbiesbrouck || Avalanche lead 1–0 || 1995030411 L |- | 2 || June 6, 1996 || 1–8 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche || 16,061 || Vanbiesbrouck || Avalanche lead 2–0 || 1995030412 L |- | 3 || June 8, 1996 || 2–3 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Avalanche lead 3–0 || 1995030413 L |- | 4 || June 10, 1996 || 0–1 3OT || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche || 14,703 || Vanbiesbrouck || Avalanche win 4–0 || 1995030414 L |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win 1px solid black W #fcc Loss 1px solid black L Player statistics Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Panthers only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Panthers only. No. Jersey number Player Pos Position Regular season Playoffs GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 27 Scott Mellanby RW 79 32 38 70 4 160 22 3 6 9 −10 44 44 Rob Niedermayer C 82 26 35 61 1 107 22 5 3 8 −8 12 24 Robert Svehla Róbert Švehla D 81 8 49 57 −3 94 22 0 6 6 3 32 29 Johan Garpenlov Johan Garpenlöv LW 82 23 28 51 −10 36 20 4 2 6 −2 8 14 Stu Barnes C 72 19 25 44 −12 46 22 6 10 16 10 4 26 Jesse Belanger Jesse Bélanger C 63 17 21 38 −5 10 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 12 Jody Hull RW 78 20 17 37 5 25 14 3 2 5 4 0 21 Tom Fitzgerald ice hockey RW 82 13 21 34 −3 75 22 4 4 8 3 34 11 Bill Lindsay RW 73 12 22 34 13 57 22 5 5 10 6 18 6 Jason Woolley D 52 6 28 34 −9 32 13 2 6 8 3 14 5 Gord Murphy D 70 8 22 30 5 30 14 0 4 4 1 6 9 Radek Dvorak Radek Dvořák RW 77 13 14 27 5 20 16 1 3 4 2 0 20 Brian Skrudland C 79 7 20 27 6 129 21 1 3 4 6 18 10 Dave Lowry LW 63 10 14 24 −2 36 22 10 7 17 8 39 18 Mike Hough LW 64 7 16 23 4 37 22 4 1 5 5 8 55 Ed Jovanovski D 70 10 11 21 −3 137 22 1 8 9 2 52 2 Terry Carkner D 73 3 10 13 10 80 22 0 4 4 8 10 8 Magnus Svensson ice hockey, born 1963 D 27 2 9 11 −1 21 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 26Sheppard wore number 16 in his first two games. Ray Sheppard RW 14 8 2 10 0 4 21 8 8 16 4 4 25 Geoff Smith ice hockey D 31 3 7 10 −4 20 1 0 0 0 −1 2 3 Paul Laus D 78 3 6 9 −2 236 21 2 6 8 3 62 28 Martin Straka C 12 2 4 6 1 6 13 2 2 4 −2 2 16 Gilbert Dionne LW 5 1 2 3 0 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 15 Brett Harkins LW 8 0 3 3 −2 6 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 23Warrener wore number 45 in his first eleven games Rhett Warrener D 28 0 3 3 4 46 21 0 1 1 3 0 19 Brad Smyth RW 7 1 1 2 −3 4 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 51 David Nemirovsky RW 9 0 2 2 −1 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 34 John Vanbiesbrouck G 57 0 2 2   10 22 0 1 1   20 22 Bob Kudelski RW 13 0 1 1 1 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 40 Steve Washburn C 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 7 Mike Casselman C 3 0 0 0 −1 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 30 Mark Fitzpatrick G 34 0 0 0   12 2 0 0 0   0 Goaltending No. Jersey number Player Regular season Playoffs GP Games played W Wins L Losses T Ties SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on Ice GP Games played W Wins L Losses SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on Ice 34 John Vanbiesbrouck 57 26 20 7 1473 142 2.68 .904 2 3178 22 12 10 735 50 2.25 .932 1 1332 30 Mark Fitzpatrick 34 15 11 3 810 88 2.96 .891 0 1786 2 0 0 30 6 6.00 .800 0 60 Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(annual) NHL All-Rookie Team Ed Jovanovski (Defense)Postseason All-Star Teams https://records.nhl.com/awards/phwa-all-star-teams?season=19951996 NHL.com August 27, 2023 League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Doug MacLean (coach)1996 NHL All-Star Game Rosters https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_1996_roster.html Hockey-Reference.com August 29, 2024 Scott Mellanby John Vanbiesbrouck Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Radek Dvorak October 7, 19951995-96 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1996_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 6, 2024 Rhett Warrener David Nemirovsky October 8, 1995 Ed Jovanovski November 2, 1995 Mike Casselman February 24, 1996 Brad Smyth February 25, 1996 Steve Washburn April 14, 1996 Transactions Trades The Panthers acquired Ray Sheppard from the San Jose Sharks on the trade deadline in 1996. Draft picks Florida's draft picks at the 1995 NHL entry draft held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta.1995 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1995e.html hockeydb.com August 28, 2023 Round # Player Pos Nationality College/junior/club team110 Radek Dvorak RW Czech Republic HC České Budějovice (ELH)236 Aaron MacDonald G Canada Swift Current Broncos (WHL)362 Mike O'Grady D Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)480 Dave Duerden LW Canada Peterborough Petes (OHL)488 Daniel Tjarnqvist D Sweden Rögle BK (Sweden)5114 Francois Cloutier LW Canada Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)7166 Peter Worrell LW Canada Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)8192 Filip Kuba D Czech Republic HC Vítkovice (ELH)9218 David Lemanowicz G Canada Spokane Chiefs (WHL) Notes References Florida Panthers 1995-96 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0002341996.html www.hockeydb.com August 9, 2023 1995-96 Florida Panthers Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/FLA/1996.html Hockey-Reference.com August 9, 2023 F Category:Florida Panthers seasons Category:Eastern Conference (NHL) championship seasons Fl Florida Panthers Florida Panthers