1997 Stanley Cup playoffs

August 2023 National Hockey League playoffs Stanley Cup playoffs 1997 April 16–June 7, 1997 16 Colorado Avalanche Detroit Red Wings Philadelphia Flyers Scoring leader(s) Eric Lindros (Flyers) 26 points MVP Mike Vernon (Red Wings) 1996 1998 The 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 16, 1997, following the completion of the 1996–97 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup. The playoffs ended on June 7, with the Detroit Red Wings defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in a four-game sweep to win their eighth Stanley Cup championship in their history, and their first since 1955, ending what was the longest championship drought in the league at the time. Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff's Most Valuable Player. This was the only time Ray Bourque missed the playoffs in his career. His team, the Boston Bruins, missed the playoffs for the first time since 1967, ending their 29-year consecutive playoffs appearances record. The longest active appearance streak moved to the Chicago Blackhawks at 28 consecutive seasons. right|175px|thumb|The Stanley Cup, awarded to the champion of the NHL. Playoff seeds The top eight teams in each conference qualified for the playoffs. The top two seeds in each conference were awarded to the division winners; while the six remaining spots were awarded to the highest finishers in their respective conferences. The following teams qualified for the playoffs: Eastern Conference New Jersey Devils, Atlantic Division champions, Eastern Conference regular season champions – 104 points Buffalo Sabres, Northeast Division champions – 92 points Philadelphia Flyers – 103 points Florida Panthers – 89 points New York Rangers – 86 points Pittsburgh Penguins – 84 points Ottawa Senators – 77 points (31 wins, 8 points head-to-head vs. Montreal) Montreal Canadiens – 77 points (31 wins, 2 points head-to-head vs. Ottawa) Western Conference Colorado Avalanche, Pacific Division champions, Western Conference regular season champions, Presidents' Trophy winners – 107 points Dallas Stars, Central Division champions – 104 points Detroit Red Wings – 94 points Mighty Ducks of Anaheim – 85 points Phoenix Coyotes – 83 points (38 wins) St. Louis Blues – 83 points (36 wins) Edmonton Oilers – 81 points (36 wins) Chicago Blackhawks – 81 points (34 wins) Playoff bracket In each round, teams competed in a best-of-seven series, following a 2–2–1–1–1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team with home ice advantage played at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team played at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). For any series played between Central and Pacific Division teams, the team with home ice advantage had the option of using a 2–3–2 format to reduce travel, with the sites for games five and six switched; if the 2–3–2 format was chosen, the team with home ice advantage then had the additional option to start the series on the road instead of at home. The top eight teams in each conference made the playoffs, with the two division winners seeded 1–2 based on regular season record, and the six remaining teams seeded 3–8. The NHL used "re-seeding" instead of a fixed bracket playoff system. During the first three rounds, the highest remaining seed in each conference was matched against the lowest remaining seed, the second-highest remaining seed played the second-lowest remaining seed, and so forth. The higher-seeded team was awarded home ice advantage. The two conference winners then advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, where home ice advantage was awarded to the team that had the better regular season record. main Bracket 0 Conference quarterfinals Conference semifinals Conference finals Stanley Cup Final Eastern Conference Western Conference 1 New Jersey 4 8 Montreal 1 2 Buffalo 4 7 Ottawa 3 3 Philadelphia 4 6 Pittsburgh 1 4 Florida 1 5 NY Rangers 4 1 Colorado 4 8 Chicago 2 2 Dallas 3 7 Edmonton 4 3 Detroit 4 6 St. Louis 2 4 Anaheim 4 5 Phoenix 3 1 New Jersey 1 5 NY Rangers 4 2 Buffalo 1 3 Philadelphia 4 1 Colorado 4 7 Edmonton 1 3 Detroit 4 4 Anaheim 0 3 Philadelphia 4 5 NY Rangers 1 1 Colorado 2 3 Detroit 4 E3 Philadelphia 0 W3 Detroit 4 Conference quarterfinals Eastern Conference quarterfinals (1) New Jersey Devils vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Martin Brodeur became the fourth goaltender in league history to score a goal in game one, marking the second time in NHL history that a goaltender had scored a goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the fifth time overall. Montreal Canadiens New Jersey Devils Molson Centre Continental Airlines Arena April 17 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-njd/1997/04/17/1996030111#game=1996030111,game_state=final No scoring 04:28 – Brian Rolston (1)08:07 – pp – Shawn Chambers (1) Shayne Corson – sh – 05:40Benoit Brunet (1) – sh – 17:17 No scoring No scoring 05:19 – Bill Guerin (1)11:59 – sh – Brian Rolston (2)19:15 – en – Martin Brodeur (1) Jocelyn Thibault 30 saves / 34 shots Martin Brodeur 28 saves / 30 shots April 19 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-njd/1997/04/19/1996030112#game=1996030112,game_state=final No scoring 05:56 – pp – John MacLean (1) No scoring 11:29 – pp – John MacLean (2)15:49 – pp – Bill Guerin (2) Brian Savage (1) – 14:33 04:58 – Bobby Carpenter (1) Jocelyn Thibault 37 saves / 41 shots Martin Brodeur 21 saves / 22 shots April 22 6–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/njd-vs-mtl/1997/04/22/1996030113#game=1996030113,game_state=final 00:34 – Mark Recchi (1)17:06 – Scott Thornton (1) Patrik Elias (1) – pp – 14:02Bobby Holik (1) – 19:35 02:39 – Mark Recchi (2) Valeri Zelepukin (1) – 04:58Valeri Zelepukin (2) – 07:15 04:37 – Saku Koivu (1) Valeri Zelepukin (3) – pp – 07:50Brian Rolston (3) – sh-en – 19:01 Jocelyn Thibault 21 saves / 26 shots Martin Brodeur 21 saves / 25 shots April 24 3–4 3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/njd-vs-mtl/1997/04/24/1996030114#game=1996030114,game_state=final No scoring Scott Niedermayer (1) – pp – 03:11Patrik Elias (2) – 11:53 07:42 – Mark Recchi (3) No scoring 02:41 – Turner Stevenson (1)05:03 – Mark Recchi (4) Lyle Odelein (1) – 18:24 07:37 – Patrice Brisebois (1) No scoring Jose Theodore 56 saves / 59 shots Martin Brodeur 37 saves / 41 shots April 26 0–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-njd/1997/04/26/1996030115#game=1996030115,game_state=final No scoring 17:32 – Kevin Dean (1) No scoring 14:17 – pp – Bobby Holik (2) No scoring 08:01 – sh – John MacLean (3)11:08 – pp – Lyle Odelein (2) Jose Theodore 45 saves / 49 shots Martin Brodeur 24 saves / 24 shots New Jersey won series 4–1 (2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (7) Ottawa Senators This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. This series marked the first appearance of a team representing Ottawa in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 67 years. The most recent team to represent Ottawa prior to this was the original Ottawa Senators, who lost in the Quarterfinal round in 1930. Ottawa Senators Buffalo Sabres Corel Centre Marine Midland Arena April 17 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ott-vs-buf/1997/04/17/1996030121#game=1996030121,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 14:30 – sh – Brian Holzinger (1) Daniel Alfredsson (1) – pp – 03:57 05:08 – Derek Plante (1)14:09 – pp – Randy Burridge (1) Ron Tugnutt 23 saves / 26 shots Dominik Hasek 22 saves / 23 shots April 19 3–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ott-vs-buf/1997/04/19/1996030122#game=1996030122,game_state=final Andreas Dackell (1) – 02:48 No scoring Steve Duchesne (1) – pp – 08:37 09:34 – Randy Burridge (2) Daniel Alfredsson (2) – pp – 00:18 No scoring Ron Tugnutt 23 saves / 24 shots Dominik Hasek 26 saves / 29 shots April 21 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-ott/1997/04/21/1996030123#game=1996030123,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 15:31 – pp – Sergei Zholtok (1)17:41 – pp – Alexei Yashin (1) Randy Burridge (3) – 13:27 No scoring Darryl Shannon (1) – 11:51Dixon Ward (1) – 19:40 Ron Tugnutt 22 saves / 25 shots Dominik Hasek 15 saves / 16 shotsSteve Shields 11 saves / 12 shots April 23 0–1 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-ott/1997/04/23/1996030124#game=1996030124,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 02:34 – Daniel Alfredsson (3) No scoring Ron Tugnutt 17 saves / 17 shots Steve Shields 35 saves / 36 shots April 25 4–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ott-vs-buf/1997/04/25/1996030125#game=1996030125,game_state=final Shawn McEachern (1) – 16:14 No scoring Daniel Alfredsson (4) – 01:00 No scoring Daniel Alfredsson (5) – sh – 00:28Randy Cunneyworth (1) – 13:56 01:19 – Donald Audette (1) Ron Tugnutt 24 saves / 25 shots Steve Shields 22 saves / 26 shotsAndrei Trefilov 4 saves / 4 shots April 27 3–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-ott/1997/04/27/1996030126#game=1996030126,game_state=final No scoring Brian Holzinger (2) – 03:25 No scoring Alexei Zhitnik (1) – 07:46 No scoring Jason Dawe (1) – 15:44 Ron Tugnutt 18 saves / 21 shots Steve Shields 31 saves / 31 shots April 29 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ott-vs-buf/1997/04/29/1996030127#game=1996030127,game_state=final Shawn McEachern (2) – pp – 10:50 No scoring No scoring 16:03 – pp – Donald Audette (2) Wade Redden (1) – 00:45 06:29 – Derek Plante (2) No scoring 05:24 – Derek Plante (3) Ron Tugnutt 28 saves / 31 shots Steve Shields 25 saves / 27 shots Buffalo won series 4–3 (3) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (6) Pittsburgh Penguins This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams; with Philadelphia winning the only previous series in the 1989 Patrick Division Finals in seven games. Pittsburgh Penguins Philadelphia Flyers Civic Arena CoreStates Center April 17 1–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-phi/1997/04/17/1996030131#game=1996030131,game_state=final No scoring 07:45 – Pat Falloon (1) No scoring 00:39 – John LeClair (1)19:28 – pp – Rod Brind'Amour (1) Jaromir Jagr (1) – 05:00 08:51 – pp – Eric Lindros (1)18:17 – Pat Falloon (2) Ken Wregget 33 saves / 38 shots Garth Snow 27 saves / 28 shots April 19 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-phi/1997/04/19/1996030132#game=1996030132,game_state=final Mario Lemieux (1) – 10:59 No scoring No scoring No scoring Jaromir Jagr (2) – 04:44 03:23 – Joel Otto (1)05:52 – John LeClair (2)13:40 – Trent Klatt (1) Ken Wregget 36 saves / 39 shots Garth Snow 28 saves /30 shots April 21 5–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-pit/1997/04/21/1996030133#game=1996030133,game_state=final 07:19 – pp – Jaromir Jagr (3)16:29 – pp – Jaromir Jagr (4) Mikael Renberg (1) – 07:54 No scoring Pat Falloon (3) – pp – 10:33Eric Lindros (2) – 13:46John LeClair (3) – pp – 19:48 19:44 – Greg Johnson (1) Dainius Zubrus (1) – 18:28 Ken Wregget 48 saves / 52 shots Garth Snow 35 saves / 38 shots April 23 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-pit/1997/04/23/1996030134#game=1996030134,game_state=final 01:09 – Ian Moran (1)13:22 – sh – Eddie Olczyk (1)18:28 – sh – Petr Nedved (1) Shjon Podein (1) – 01:45 No scoring No scoring 18:56 – Mario Lemieux (2) No scoring Ken Wregget 37 saves /38 shots Garth Snow 21 saves / 25 shots April 26 3–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-phi/1997/04/26/1996030135#game=1996030135,game_state=final Kevin Hatcher (1) – pp – 05:37Mario Lemieux (3) – 15:34 00:14 – Eric Lindros (3)17:38 – sh – Rod Brind'Amour (2)18:32 – sh – Rod Brind'Amour (3) Ron Francis (1) – pp – 02:37 07:30 – John LeClair (4)10:28 – Trent Klatt (2) No scoring 19:55 – en – Vinny Prospal (1) Ken Wregget 39 saves / 44 shots Garth Snow 15 saves / 18 shots Philadelphia won series 4–1 (4) Florida Panthers vs. (5) New York Rangers This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Game 5 was the final playoff game played at Miami Arena. New York Rangers Florida Panthers Madison Square Garden Miami Arena April 17 0–3 2 https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-fla/1997/04/17/1996030141#game=1996030141,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 06:06 – pp – Johan Garpenlov (1)13:13 – pp – Kirk Muller (1)15:07 – Rob Niedermayer (1) No scoring No scoring Mike Richter 25 saves /28 shots John Vanbiesbrouck 34 saves /34 shots April 20 3–0 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-fla/1997/04/20/1996030142#game=1996030142,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Wayne Gretzky (1) – 13:15Esa Tikkanen (1) – pp – 14:58 No scoring Luc Robitaille (1) – 03:29 No scoring Mike Richter 31 saves / 31 shots John Vanbiesbrouck 41 saves / 44 shots April 22 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/fla-vs-nyr/1997/04/22/1996030143#game=1996030143,game_state=final 13:12 – Mike Eastwood (1)17:09 – Luc Robitaille (2) No scoring No scoring Johan Garpenlov (2) – pp – 01:16Ray Sheppard (1) – 02:58Robert Svehla (1) – pp – 16:32 19:41 – Luc Robitaille (3) No scoring 16:29 – Esa Tikkanen (2) No scoring Mike Richter 36 saves / 39 shots John Vanbiesbrouck 41 saves / 45 shots April 23 2–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/fla-vs-nyr/1997/04/23/1996030144#game=1996030144,game_state=final No scoring Rob Niedermayer (2) – pp – 13:23 03:07 – pp – Wayne Gretzky (2)06:46 – Wayne Gretzky (3)09:30 – Wayne Gretzky (4) No scoring No scoring David Nemirovsky (1) – 01:40 Mike Richter 21 saves / 23 shots John Vanbiesbrouck 25 saves / 28 shots April 25 3–2 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-fla/1997/04/25/1996030145#game=1996030145,game_state=final Mark Messier (1) – 00:39 14:17 – Mike Hough (1) Mark Messier (2) – 19:44 No scoring No scoring 12:37 – pp – Ray Sheppard (2) Esa Tikkanen (3) – 12:02 No scoring Mike Richter 38 saves /40 shots John Vanbiesbrouck 30 saves / 33 shots New York won series 4–1 Western Conference quarterfinals (1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (8) Chicago Blackhawks This was the second consecutive and second overall playoff meeting between these two teams; with Colorado winning last year's series in six games. Chicago Blackhawks Colorado Avalanche United Center McNichols Sports Arena April 16 0–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-col/1997/04/16/1996030151#game=1996030151,game_state=final No scoring 05:54 – Mike Keane (1)09:23 – pp – Sandis Ozolinsh (1)12:48 – pp – Peter Forsberg (1)19:00 – Peter Forsberg (2) No scoring 16:14 – Mike Ricci (1) No scoring 05:31 – Claude Lemieux (1) Jeff Hackett 19 saves / 24 shotsChris Terreri 13 saves / 14 shots Patrick Roy 22 saves / 22 shots April 18 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-col/1997/04/18/1996030152#game=1996030152,game_state=final James Black (1) – 17:53 03:53 – Mike Keane (1)05:06 – Sandis Ozolinsh (2) No scoring 07:30 – Claude Lemieux (2) No scoring No scoring Jeff Hackett 30 saves / 33 shots Patrick Roy 24 saves / 25 shots April 20 3–4 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-chi/1997/04/20/1996030153#game=1996030153,game_state=final 09:38 – Eric Daze (1) No scoring 13:51 – Tony Amonte (1) Keith Jones (1) – 10:59 04:00 – Eric Daze (2) Rene Corbet (1) – 15:25Claude Lemieux (3) – 17:28 Sergei Krivokrasov (1) – 11:03 No scoring Jeff Hackett 48 saves / 51 shots Patrick Roy 53 saves / 57 shots April 22 3–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-chi/1997/04/22/1996030154#game=1996030154,game_state=final 03:34 – Tony Amonte (2) Keith Jones (2) – 09:31Joe Sakic (1) – 14:17 05:53 – Bob Probert (1)06:57 – Ethan Moreau (1)10:16 – pp – Bob Probert (2)17:53 – Steve Dubinsky (1) No scoring 14:28 – sh-en – Tony Amonte (3) Aaron Miller (1) – 16:00 Jeff Hackett 29 saves / 32 shots Patrick Roy 25 saves / 30 shots April 24 0–7 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-col/1997/04/24/1996030155#game=1996030155,game_state=final No scoring 02:53 – pp – Claude Lemieux (4)09:14 – Mike Keane (3)16:49 – pp – Valeri Kamensky (1) No scoring 14:12 – pp – Valeri Kamensky (2)16:44 – Jon Klemm (1) No scoring 08:01 – pp – Valeri Kamensky (3)15:13 – pp – Keith Jones (3) Jeff Hackett 16 saves / 21 shotsChris Terreri 12 saves / 14 shots Patrick Roy 25 saves / 25 shots April 26 6–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-chi/1997/04/26/1996030156#game=1996030156,game_state=final 02:46 – Keith Carney (1)10:18 – Gary Suter (1)17:28 – sh – Tony Amonte (4) Joe Sakic (2) – pp – 18:37 No scoring Valeri Kamensky (4) – 00:28Joe Sakic (3) – 15:10 No scoring Valeri Kamensky (5) – pp – 08:00Claude Lemieux (5) – pp – 09:25Adam Deadmarsh (1) – 17:00 Jeff Hackett 23 saves / 29 shots Patrick Roy 21 saves / 24 shots Colorado won series 4–2 (2) Dallas Stars vs. (7) Edmonton Oilers This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams; with the teams splitting the two previous series. They last met in the 1991 Clarence Campbell Conference Final where the Minnesota North Stars defeated Edmonton in five games. This was the Oilers' last playoff series victory against the Stars until 2024 as they lost the next five series against Dallas. Edmonton Oilers Dallas Stars Edmonton Coliseum Reunion Arena April 16 3–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-dal/1997/04/16/1996030161#game=1996030161,game_state=final Todd Marchant (1) – sh – 03:16Kelly Buchberger (1) – 14:58 12:24 – Joe Nieuwendyk (1)12:54 – Jere Lehtinen (1) No scoring No scoring Doug Weight (1) – 06:52 02:42 – Bob Bassen (1)17:29 – Mike Modano (1)18:57 – en – Brent Gilchrist (1) Curtis Joseph 24 saves / 28 shots Andy Moog 20 saves / 23 shots April 18 4–0 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-dal/1997/04/18/1996030162#game=1996030162,game_state=final Mike Grier (1) – pp – 14:51 No scoring Mariusz Czerkawski (1) – 00:43 No scoring Boris Mironov (1) – pp – 02:50Ryan Smyth (1) – 07:07 No scoring Curtis Joseph 25 saves / 25 shots Andy Moog 17 saves / 21 shotsArturs Irbe 4 saves / 4 shots April 20 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/dal-vs-edm/1997/04/20/1996030163#game=1996030163,game_state=final No scoring Mike Modano (2) – sh – 04:53Benoit Hogue (1) – pp – 18:53 No scoring Joe Nieuwendyk (1) – 08:07 16:00 – Doug Weight (2)17:44 – pp – Andrei Kovalenko (1)17:56 – Mike Grier (2) No scoring 09:15 – Kelly Buchberger (2) No scoring Curtis Joseph 39 saves / 42 shots Andy Moog 37 saves / 41 shots April 22 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/dal-vs-edm/1997/04/22/1996030164#game=1996030164,game_state=final 10:13 – pp –Andrei Kovalenko (1) Mike Modano (1) – pp – 13:15 08:23 – pp – Jason Arnott (1) Dave Reid (1) – 02:20 18:47 – Ryan Smyth (2) Brent Gilchrist (2) – 01:53Jamie Langenbrunner (1) – 05:31 Curtis Joseph 26 saves / 30 shots Andy Moog 30 saves / 33 shots April 25 1–0 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-dal/1997/04/25/1996030165#game=1996030165,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Ryan Smyth (3) – 00:22 No scoring Curtis Joseph 43 saves / 43 shots Andy Moog 27 saves / 28 shots April 27 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/dal-vs-edm/1997/04/27/1996030166#game=1996030166,game_state=final 13:25 – Mike Grier (3) Jere Lehtinen (2) – 03:49 19:42 – Mariusz Czerkawski (2) Bob Bassen (2) – 14:43 No scoring Mike Modano (4) – 14:42 Curtis Joseph 38 saves / 41 shots Andy Moog 33 saves / 35 shots April 29 4–3 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-dal/1997/04/29/1996030167#game=1996030167,game_state=final Rem Murray (1) – 01:45 01:38 – Benoit Hogue (2) Boris Mironov (2) – pp – 07:24Andrei Kovalenko (3) – 19:40 11:22 – pp – Pat Verbeek (1)13:27 – Bob Bassen (3) No scoring No scoring Todd Marchant (2) – 12:26 No scoring Curtis Joseph 38 saves / 41 shots Andy Moog 29 saves / 33 shots Edmonton won series 4–3 (3) Detroit Red Wings vs. (6) St. Louis Blues This was the second consecutive and fifth overall playoff meeting between these two teams; with the teams splitting the four previous series. Detroit won last year's Western Conference Semifinals in seven games. Game three was Craig McTavish's final game and the last NHL game ever with a helmetless player. St. Louis Blues Detroit Red Wings Kiel Center Joe Louis Arena April 16 2–0 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-det/1997/04/16/1996030171/recap/box-score#game=1996030171,game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Geoff Courtnall (1) – 12:44Pierre Turgeon (1) – pp – 19:22 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Grant Fuhr 30 saves / 30 shots Mike Vernon 25 saves / 27 shots April 18 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-det/1997/04/18/1996030172/recap/box-score#game=1996030172,game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Marc Bergevin (1) – 04:24 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 04:05 – sh – Kris Draper (1)07:09 – Larry Murphy (1) Grant Fuhr 31 saves / 33 shots Mike Vernon 22 saves / 23 shots April 20 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-stl/1997/04/20/1996030173/recap/box-score#game=1996030173,game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 17:09 – Brett Hull (1) Kris Draper (2) – 02:40 06:36 – pp – Joe Murphy (1) Brendan Shanahan (1) – pp – 00:39Steve Yzerman (1) – pp – 15:22 No scoring No scoring Grant Fuhr 26 saves / 29 shots Mike Vernon 24 saves / 26 shots April 22 0–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-stl/1997/04/22/1996030174/recap/box-score#game=1996030174,game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 05:50 – Geoff Courtnall (2)18:51 – Pavol Demitra (1) No scoring No scoring No scoring 01:10 – pp – Geoff Courtnall (3)09:23 – Chris Pronger (1) No scoring Grant Fuhr 28 saves / 28 shots Mike Vernon 19 saves / 23 shotsChris Osgood 4 saves / 4 shots April 25 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-det/1997/04/25/1996030175/recap/box-score#game=1996030175,game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=boxscore Al MacInnis (1) – pp – 11:02 03:22 – Steve Yzerman (2) Jim Campbell (1) – pp – 12:14 05:02 – pp – Vyacheslav Kozlov (1)07:58 – Darren McCarty (1)13:15 – Brendan Shanahan (2) No scoring 06:32 – pp – Larry Murphy (2) Grant Fuhr 28 saves / 33 shots Mike Vernon 19 saves / 21 shots April 27 3–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-stl/1997/04/27/1996030176/recap/box-score#game=1996030176,game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=boxscore 02:12 – Brett Hull (2) Vyacheslav Kozlov (2) – pp – 08:45 No scoring Brendan Shanahan (3) – pp – 01:07 No scoring Kirk Maltby (1) – 08:24 Grant Fuhr 27 saves / 30 shots Mike Vernon 24 saves / 25 shots Detroit won series 4–2 (4) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim vs. (5) Phoenix Coyotes This was the first and to date only playoff series between these two teams. This was the first time the cities of Anaheim and Phoenix were represented in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Phoenix Coyotes Mighty Ducks of Anaheim America West Arena Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim April 16 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phx-vs-ana/1997/04/16/1996030181#game=1996030181,game_state=final No scoring 08:57 – pp – Teemu Selanne (1)16:01 – Paul Kariya (1) Jeremy Roenick (1) – 03:27Keith Tkachuk (1) – pp – 16:48 14:15 – Teemu Selanne (2) No scoring 19:13 – en – Paul Kariya (2) Nikolai Khabibulin 25 saves / 28 shots Guy Hebert 29 saves / 31 shots April 18 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phx-vs-ana/1997/04/18/1996030182#,game=1996030182,game_state=final Teppo Numminen (1) – pp – 09:23 10:46 – pp – Dmitri Mironov (1) No scoring 07:03 – pp – J. J. Daigneault (1) Keith Tkachuk (2) – 03:55 13:26 – J. J. Daigneault (2)19:53 – en – Teemu Selanne (3) Nikolai Khabibulin 31 saves / 35 shots Guy Hebert 36 saves / 38 shots April 20 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-phx/1997/04/20/1996030183#game=1996030183,game_state=final 01:18 – Darrin Shannon (1)08:50 – Darrin Shannon14:01 – Keith Tkachuk (3) Paul Kariya (3) – pp – 18:49 No scoring No scoring 15:28 – Mike Gartner (1) No scoring Nikolai Khabibulin 30 saves / 31 shots Guy Hebert 22 saves / 26 shots April 22 0–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-phx/1997/04/22/1996030184#game=1996030184,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 12:45 – Bob Corkum (1)19:54 – en – Teppo Numminen (2) No scoring Nikolai Khabibulin 32 saves / 32 shots Guy Hebert 23 saves / 24 shots April 24 5–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phx-vs-ana/1997/04/24/1996030185#game=1996030185,game_state=final Keith Tkachuk (4) – 14:46 17:37 – Teemu Selanne (4) Jeremy Roenick (2) – 07:17Teppo Numminen (3) – 09:12 No scoring Bob Corkum (2) – 14:10Keith Tkachuk (5) – en – 19:39 06:52 – pp – Teemu Selanne (5) Nikolai Khabibulin 30 saves / 32 shots Guy Hebert 19 saves / 23 shots April 27 3–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-phx/1997/04/27/1996030186#game=1996030186,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring Paul Kariya (4) – pp – 06:12Brian Bellows (1) – 19:01 09:00 – Darrin Shannon (3)17:44 – pp – Keith Tkachuk (6) No scoring No scoring Paul Kariya (5) – 07:29 Nikolai Khabibulin 36 saves / 39 shots Guy Hebert 19 saves / 21 shots April 29 0–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phx-vs-ana/1997/04/29/1996030187#game=1996030187,game_state=final No scoring 03:11 – Dave Karpa (1) No scoring 03:12 – Steve Rucchin (1)08:19 – Joe Sacco (1) No scoring No scoring Nikolai Khabibulin 23 saves / 26 shots Guy Hebert 31 saves / 31 shots Anaheim won series 4–3 Conference semifinals Eastern Conference semifinals (1) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams; with New York winning both previous series. They last met in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, where New York won in seven games. New York Rangers New Jersey Devils Madison Square Garden Continental Airlines Arena May 2 0–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-njd/1997/05/02/1996030211#game=1996030211,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 13:45 – pp – Scott Niedermayer (2) No scoring 19:56 – en – John MacLean (4) Mike Richter 32 saves / 33 shots Martin Brodeur 21 saves / 21 shots May 4 2–0 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-njd/1997/05/04/1996030212#game=1996030212,game_state=final Brian Leetch (1) – pp – 18:21 No scoring No scoring No scoring Russ Courtnall (1) – en – 19:15 No scoring Mike Richter 32 saves / 32 shots Martin Brodeur 20 saves / 21 shots May 6 2–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/njd-vs-nyr/1997/05/06/1996030213#game=1996030213,game_state=final 03:57 – Wayne Gretzky (5)05:24 – Esa Tikkanen (4) Randy McKay (1) – 06:04 06:41 – pp – Esa Tikkanen (5) Steve Thomas (1) – 07:26 No scoring No scoring Mike Richter 33 saves / 35 shots Martin Brodeur 23 saves / 26 shots May 8 0–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/njd-vs-nyr/1997/05/08/1996030214#game=1996030214,game_state=final 05:49 – pp – Adam Graves (1) No scoring 14:36 – Wayne Gretzky (6) No scoring 19:02 – en – Esa Tikkanen (6) No scoring Mike Richter 35 saves / 35 shots Martin Brodeur 25 saves / 27 shots May 11 2–1 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-njd/1997/05/11/1996030215#game=1996030215,game_state=final Esa Tikkanen (7) – 07:53 No scoring No scoring 12:02 – pp – Brian Rolston (4) No scoring No scoring Adam Graves (2) – 14:08 No scoring Mike Richter 46 saves / 47 shots Martin Brodeur 29 saves / 31 shots New York won series 4–1 (2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams; with Philadelphia winning all three previous series. They last met in the 1995 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, where Philadelphia won in five games. Philadelphia Flyers Buffalo Sabres CoreStates Center Marine Midland Arena May 3 5–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-buf/1997/05/03/1996030221#game=1996030221,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Dan Kordic (1) – 11:23Mikael Renberg (2) – pp – 19:59 05:10 – Michal Grosek (1)06:00 – Brad May (1)17:26 – pp – Donald Audette (3) Rod Brind'Amour (4) – 10:00Shjon Podein (2) – 19:12Rod Brind'Amour (5) – en – 19:54 No scoring Garth Snow 29 saves / 32 shots Steve Shields 42 saves / 46 shots May 5 2–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-buf/1997/05/05/1996030222#game=1996030222,game_state=final Mikael Renberg (3) – 04:47Chris Therien (1) – 16:49 No scoring No scoring 18:18 – Jason Dawe (2) No scoring No scoring Garth Snow 29 saves / 30 shots Steve Shields 35 saves / 37 shots May 7 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-phi/1997/05/07/1996030223#game=1996030223,game_state=final 08:18 – pp – Eric Lindros (4)11:51 – pp – Dale Hawerchuk (1)18:57 – Rod Brind'Amour (6) Darryl Shannon (2) – pp – 14:55 No scoring No scoring 19:48 – en – Eric Desjardins (1) No scoring Garth Snow 15 saves / 16 shots Steve Shields 34 saves / 37 shots May 9 5–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-phi/1997/05/09/1996030224#game=1996030224,game_state=final 10:15 – pp – Dainius Zubrus (2) Donald Audette (2) – pp – 04:27 01:03 – Dale Hawerchuk (2) No scoring 05:28 – Trent Klatt (3)13:26 – Mikael Renberg (4) Derek Plante (4) – pp – 03:34Michal Grosek (2) – 04:28Dixon Ward (2) – sh – 11:53 No scoring Ed Ronan (1) – 06:24 Garth Snow 20 saves / 25 shots Steve Shields 39 saves / 43 shots May 11 6–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-buf/1997/05/11/1996030225#game=1996030225,game_state=final No scoring No scoring John LeClair (5) – 05:27Eric Lindros (5) – 08:32Eric Lindros (6) – 09:13Dainius Zubrus (3) – 14:51 10:07 – Michal Grosek (3)14:19 – pp – Randy Burridge (4)19:59 – pp – Randy Burridge (5) Shjon Podein (3) – 06:00Dainius Zubrus (4) – en – 19:48 No scoring Ron Hextall 21 saves / 24 shots Steve Shields 34 saves / 39 shots Philadelphia won series 4–1 Western Conference semifinals (1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (7) Edmonton Oilers This was the first playoff meeting between the Avalanche and Oilers. The Avalanche defeated the Oilers in five games to return to the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row. Edmonton Oilers Colorado Avalanche Edmonton Coliseum McNichols Sports Arena May 2 1–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-col/1997/05/02/1996030231#game=1996030231,game_state=final No scoring 03:10 – Eric Lacroix (1)09:08 – Claude Lemieux (6) Kelly Buchberger (3) – 04:00 12:28 – Peter Forsberg (3)16:16 – Sandis Ozolinsh (3) No scoring 06:39 – pp – Peter Forsberg (4) Curtis Joseph 32 saves / 37 shots Patrick Roy 35 saves / 36 shots May 4 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-col/1997/05/04/1996030232#game=1996030232,game_state=final No scoring 13:52 – pp – Scott Young (1) Doug Weight (3) – 04:19 06:39 – Valeri Kamensky (6)11:35 – pp – Claude Lemieux (7) No scoring 09:51 – Rene Corbet (2) Curtis Joseph 20 saves / 24 shots Patrick Roy 42 saves / 43 shots May 7 3–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-edm/1997/05/07/1996030233#game=1996030233,game_state=final 03:20 – Kelly Buchberger (4)19:48 – Jason Arnott (2) Peter Forsberg (5) – 02:25 No scoring Valeri Kamensky (7) – pp – 07:29Claude Lemieux (8) – 11:24 13:57 – Kelly Buchberger (5)16:15 – Ryan Smyth (4) No scoring Curtis Joseph 21 saves / 24 shots Patrick Roy 34 saves / 38 shots May 9 3–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-edm/1997/05/09/1996030234#game=1996030234,game_state=final No scoring Valeri Kamensky (8) – 03:06 07:08 – sh – Todd Marchant (3)12:47 – pp – Ryan Smyth (5) Sandis Ozolinsh (4) – pp – 18:40 No scoring No scoring No scoring Claude Lemieux (9) – 08:35 Curtis Joseph 38 saves / 41 shots Patrick Roy 27 saves / 29 shots May 11 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-col/1997/05/11/1996030235#game=1996030235,game_state=final No scoring 13:56 – Joe Sakic (4) Todd Marchant (4) – sh – 09:38Jason Arnott (3) – 17:52 04:56 – Adam Deadmarsh (2) Andrei Kovalenko (4) – pp – 13:49 00:35 – Claude Lemieux (10)18:52 – pp – Adam Deadmarsh (3) Curtis Joseph 25 saves / 29 shots Patrick Roy 26 saves / 29 shots Colorado won series 4–1 (3) Detroit Red Wings vs. (4) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim This was the first playoff meeting between the Red Wings and Ducks. The Red Wings swept the Ducks to return to the Western Conference Finals for the third year in a row. Despite ending in a sweep, three of the four games played required at least one overtime period, the longest being Game 2 which went into triple overtime. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Detroit Red Wings Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim Joe Louis Arena May 2 1–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-det/1997/05/02/1996030241#game=1996030241,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Paul Kariya (6) – pp – 19:00 No scoring No scoring 11:01 – Sergei Fedorov (1) No scoring 00:59 – Martin Lapointe (1) Guy Hebert 28 saves / 30 shots Mike Vernon 19 saves / 20 shots May 4 2–3 3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-det/1997/05/04/1996030242#game=1996030242,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 04:34 – Steve Yzerman (3) Jari Kurri (1) – 04:18Teemu Selanne (6) – 16:53 12:14 – Doug Brown (1) No scoring 01:31 – pp – Vyacheslav Kozlov (3) Guy Hebert 30 saves / 31 shotsMikhail Shtalenkov 38 saves / 40 shots Mike Vernon 49 saves / 51 shots May 6 5–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-ana/1997/05/06/1996030243#game=1996030243,game_state=final 11:19 – pp – Paul Kariya (7)12:09 – pp – Teemu Selanne (7) Vyacheslav Kozlov (4) – pp – 15:47 05:12 – Ted Drury (1) Igor Larionov (1) – pp – 13:03Doug Brown (2) – 16:28 No scoring Sergei Fedorov (2) – 03:34Vyacheslav Kozlov (5) – 03:58 Mikhail Shtalenkov 44 saves / 49 shots Mike Vernon 20 saves / 23 shots May 8 3–2 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-ana/1997/05/08/1996030244#game=1996030244,game_state=final 03:01 – Joe Sacco (2) Doug Brown (3) – 18:25 15:23 – pp – Brian Bellows (2) No scoring No scoring Nicklas Lidstrom (1) – 09:09 No scoring Brendan Shanahan (4) – 17:03 Mikhail Shtalenkov 70 saves / 73 shots Mike Vernon 35 saves / 37 shots Detroit won series 4–0 Conference finals NHL conference finals Eastern Conference final (3) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) New York Rangers This was the tenth playoff meeting between these two teams, with Philadelphia having won five of the nine previous series. Their most recent meeting was in the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals, which Philadelphia won in four games. The Rangers made their fourth semifinal/conference final appearance since the league began using a 16-team or greater playoff format in 1980 and first since defeating New Jersey in seven games in 1994. Philadelphia made their sixth semifinal/conference final appearance in that same time and first since losing to New Jersey in six games in 1995. New York outshot Philadelphia in Game 1 25–21, but the Flyers ended up winning 3–1. Wayne Gretzky had his second hat trick of the playoffs in Game 2 as the Rangers edged the Flyers 5–4. With the series tied at 1–1, the two teams moved to Madison Square Garden in New York for Games 3 and 4. This time, it was the Flyers' Eric Lindros who scored a hat-trick as Philadelphia won 6–3. In Game 4, Lindros broke a 2–2 tie with just seven seconds remaining in regulation, and the Flyers won 3–2. The Rangers scored twice in 26 seconds in the first period to take a 2–1 lead. The Flyers scored three unanswered goals and won the game 4–2 and the series 4–1. This was the last playoff game for both Gretzky and Mark Messier, as neither of the players' teams made the post-season for the rest of their careers. New York Rangers Philadelphia Flyers Madison Square Garden CoreStates Center May 16 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-phi/1997/05/16/1996030311#game=1996030311,game_state=final No scoring 02:28 – Dainius Zubrus (5)04:39 – pp – Janne Niinimaa (1) No scoring No scoring Luc Robitaille (4) – 19:50 08:34 – Eric Lindros (6) Mike Richter 18 saves / 21 shots Garth Snow 24 saves / 25 shots May 18 5–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-phi/1997/05/18/1996030312#game=1996030312,game_state=final Doug Lidster (1) – 05:09Wayne Gretzky (7) – pp – 07:35Wayne Gretzky (8) – pp – 09:34 04:11 – pp – John LeClair (6) Wayne Gretzky (9) – 09:30Mark Messier (3) – 13:45 06:45 – Paul Coffey (1)07:34 – Rod Brind'Amour (7)15:11 – Shjon Podein (4) No scoring No scoring Mike Richter 25 saves / 29 shots Garth Snow 5 saves / 10 shotsRon Hextall 12 saves / 12 shots May 20 6–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-nyr/1997/05/20/1996030313#game=1996030313,game_state=final No scoring Eric Lindros (7) – 07:33Petr Svoboda (1) – 12:03 No scoring No scoring 00:43 – pp – Russ Courtnall (2)04:02 – Russ Courtnall (3)14:21 – Wayne Gretzky (10) Eric Lindros (8) – 06:35Trent Klatt (4) – 14:59Rod Brind'Amour (8) – 16:52Eric Lindros (9) – en – 19:22 Mike Richter 19 saves / 24 shots Ron Hextall 25 saves / 28 shots May 23 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-nyr/1997/05/23/1996030314#game=1996030314,game_state=final No scoring Mikael Renberg (5) – pp – 07:08 No scoring No scoring 01:41 – sh – Esa Tikkanen (8)17:52 – Brian Leetch (2) John Druce (1) – sh – 16:47Eric Lindros (10) – pp – 19:53 Mike Richter 39 saves / 42 shots Ron Hextall 31 saves / 33 shots May 25 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-phi/1997/05/25/1996030315#game=1996030315,game_state=final Alexander Karpovtsev (1) – pp – 12:30Esa Tikkanen (9) – pp – 12:56 05:18 – pp – Eric Lindros (11)15:53 – pp – John LeClair (7)19:06 – Rod Brind'Amour (9) No scoring No scoring No scoring 06:43 – Rod Brind'Amour (10) Mike Richter 25 saves / 29 shots Ron Hextall 17 saves / 19 shots Philadelphia won series 4–1 Western Conference final (1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (3) Detroit Red Wings This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with Colorado winning the only previous series. This was a rematch of the previous season's Western Conference Final, which Colorado won in six games. This was Detroit's third straight and fifth overall Conference Finals appearance, while it was Colorado's fourth trip to the Conference Finals. The rivalry between the two teams was as heated as ever after the events of a brawl during a game on March 26 still fresh. The Red Wings played a determined Game 1 as Brendan Shanahan broke a scoreless tie at 1:13 of the third period to give Detroit a 1–0 lead. Joe Sakic scored just 27 seconds later and Mike Ricci added another at 6:13 gave Colorado a 2–1 lead that they would not relinquish. In Game 2, Colorado led 2–0 but Detroit pulled to within one on a power-play goal by Igor Larionov at 16:51 of the second period. The Red Wings then went on to score three times in the third period to win 4–2 and tie the series at one game apiece. In Game 3, the Red Wings got two goals from Vyacheslav Kozlov and went on to win 2–1. Detroit also won Game 4, 6–0. Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon made 19 saves in the shutout and Igor Larionov and Kirk Maltby both scored twice. Detroit now led the series three games to one. Embarrassed and frustrated after such a lopsided loss in Game 4, Colorado came right back in Game 5 with a 6–0 win of their own, with Patrick Roy stopping all 32 shots he faced. Claude Lemieux and Joe Sakic both scored two goals in the victory. In Game 6, the Red Wings looked to close out the series. Sergei Fedorov's goal at 6:11 of the third period gave Detroit a 2–0 lead. Scott Young pulled Colorado to within one on a goal at 14:48, but the Avalanche could not score the equalizer, and Brendan Shanahan sealed the game and series for Detroit with an empty net goal at 19:30. Detroit Red Wings Colorado Avalanche Joe Louis Arena McNichols Sports Arena May 15 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-col/1997/05/15/1996030321#game=1996030321,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Brendan Shanahan (5) – 01:13 01:40 – Joe Sakic (5)06:13 – Mike Ricci (2) Mike Vernon 17 saves / 19 shots Patrick Roy 34 saves / 35 shots May 17 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-col/1997/05/17/1996030322#game=1996030322,game_state=final No scoring 18:37 – pp – Scott Young (2) Igor Larionov (2) – pp – 16:51 16:09 – Claude Lemieux (11) Sergei Fedorov (3) – pp – 02:10Steve Yzerman (4) – 16:00Darren McCarty (2) – 18:43 No scoring Mike Vernon 15 saves / 17 shots Patrick Roy 36 saves / 40 shots May 19 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-det/1997/05/19/1996030323#game=1996030323,game_state=final 01:12 – Vyacheslav Kozlov (6) No scoring No scoring Joe Sakic (6) – pp – 14:47 08:20 – Vyacheslav Kozlov (7) No scoring Mike Vernon 27 saves / 28 shots Patrick Roy 26 saves / 28 shots May 22 0–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-det/1997/05/22/1996030324#game=1996030324,game_state=final 01:52 – pp – Igor Larionov (3)07:15 – Igor Larionov (4) No scoring 12:24 – Vyacheslav Kozlov (8)16:54 – pp – Sergei Fedorov (4)19:13 – Kirk Maltby (2) No scoring 05:25 – Kirk Maltby (3) No scoring Mike Vernon 19 saves / 19 shots Patrick Roy 20 saves / 25 shotsCraig Billington 12 saves / 13 shots May 24 0–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-col/1997/05/24/1996030325#game=1996030325,game_state=final No scoring 06:46 – Claude Lemieux (12)11:04 – Claude Lemieux (13)15:34 – Joe Sakic (7) No scoring 02:23 – Stephane Yelle (1)10:57 – Joe Sakic (8)18:04 – Scott Young (3) No scoring No scoring Mike Vernon 7 saves / 11 shotsChris Osgood 15 saves / 17 shots Patrick Roy 32 saves / 32 shots May 26 1–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/col-vs-det/1997/05/26/1996030326#game=1996030326,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 03:29 – Martin Lapointe (2) No scoring 06:11 – Sergei Fedorov (5)19:30 – en – Brendan Shanahan (6) Scott Young (4) – 14:48 Mike Vernon 15 saves / 16 shots Patrick Roy 39 saves / 41 shots Detroit won series 4–2 Stanley Cup Final 1997 Stanley Cup Final This was the first and to date only playoff series between these two teams. Detroit made their twentieth appearance in the Finals and second in the past three years. Their last appearance was in 1995, where they were upset by the New Jersey Devils in a sweep. Philadelphia made their seventh appearance in the Finals and first since 1987 when they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. Detroit last won the Stanley Cup in 1955, while Philadelphia last won the Stanley Cup in 1975. The Red Wings swept the Flyers to win their first Stanley Cup since 1955 and eighth overall, ending what was the longest Stanley Cup title drought in the league at that time. With the loss, the Flyers' record in the Stanley Cup Final fell to 2-5. The Red Wings would win the Stanley Cup three more times after this in 1998, 2002, and 2008. The 1997 Stanley Cup Final began a streak of playoff success for Detroit-based teams over their Philadelphia counterparts. After the Red Wings' victory, the NBA's Detroit Pistons would defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA playoffs in 2003, 2005, and 2008. Detroit Red Wings Philadelphia Flyers Joe Louis Arena CoreStates Center May 31 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-phi/1997/05/31/1996030411#game=1996030411,game_state=final Kirk Maltby (4) – sh – 06:38Joe Kocur (1) – 15:56 07:37 – pp – Rod Brind'Amour (11) Sergei Fedorov (6) – 11:41 17:11 – John LeClair (8) Steve Yzerman (5) – 00:56 No scoring Mike Vernon 26 saves / 28 shots Ron Hextall 26 saves / 30 shots June 3 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-phi/1997/06/03/1996030412#game=1996030412,game_state=final Brendan Shanahan (7) – 01:37Steve Yzerman (6) – pp – 09:22 17:42 – pp – Rod Brind'Amour (12)18:58 – pp – Rod Brind'Amour (13) Kirk Maltby (5) – 02:39 No scoring Brendan Shanahan (8) – 09:56 No scoring Mike Vernon 29 saves / 31 shots Garth Snow 24 saves / 28 shots June 5 1–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-det/1997/06/05/1996030413#game=1996030413,game_state=final 09:03 – pp – Steve Yzerman (7)11:05 – Sergei Fedorov (7)19:00 – Martin Lapointe (3) John LeClair (9) – pp – 07:03 03:12 – pp – Sergei Fedorov (8)19:17 – Brendan Shanahan (9) No scoring 01:08 – pp – Martin Lapointe (4) No scoring Mike Vernon 21 saves / 22 shots Ron Hextall 23 saves / 29 shots June 7 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-det/1997/06/07/1996030414#game=1996030414,game_state=final 19:27 – Nicklas Lidstrom (2) No scoring 13:02 – Darren McCarty (3) No scoring No scoring Eric Lindros (12) – 19:45 Mike Vernon 26 saves / 27 shots Ron Hextall 26 saves / 28 shots Detroit won series 4–0 Playoff statistics Skaters These are the top ten skaters based on points.NHL.com - Skater Stats Player Team GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/– Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutesEric LindrosPhiladelphia Flyers19121426+740Joe SakicColorado Avalanche1781725+514Claude LemieuxColorado Avalanche17131023+732Valeri KamenskyColorado Avalanche1781422-116Rod Brind'AmourPhiladelphia Flyers1913821+910John LeClairPhiladelphia Flyers1991221+510Wayne GretzkyNew York Rangers15101020+52Sergei FedorovDetroit Red Wings2081220+512Brendan ShanahanDetroit Red Wings209817+843Peter ForsbergColorado Avalanche1451217-610 Goaltenders This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage, with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.NHL.com - Goalie Stats Player Team 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 (minutes:seconds) Martin Brodeur New Jersey Devils 10 5 5 268 19 1.73 .929 2 658-48 658:48 Mike Vernon Mike Vernon (ice hockey) Detroit Red Wings 20 16 4 494 36 1.76 .927 1 1229-12 1229:12 Ron Tugnutt Ottawa Senators 7 3 4 169 14 1.98 .917 1 424-37 424:37 Guy Hebert Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 9 4 4 255 18 2.02 .929 1 533-31 533:31 Mike Richter New York Rangers 15 9 6 488 33 2.11 .932 3 938-39 938:39 See also List of Stanley Cup champions 1996 NHL entry draft 47th National Hockey League All-Star Game NHL All-Star Game NHL All-Rookie Team 1997 in sports 1996–97 NHL season References External links 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs at Hockey Reference 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup playoffs pl Category:Stanley Cup playoffs