1997–98 Ottawa Senators season – Wikipedia
NHL hockey team season
The 1997–98 Ottawa Senators season was the sixth season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). The season saw the Senators face the challenge of improving on their very successful 1996–97 season, when they made the playoffs for the first time in team history. The 1997–98 season was even more successful, as Ottawa finished over .500 for the first time in club history, qualified for the playoffs for the second straight year, and won their first playoff series in modern club history. The Senators defeated the top-seeded New Jersey Devils in six games in the first round before falling to the Washington Capitals in five games in the second round.
Regular season[edit]
Alexei Yashin led the club offensively, with 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) in 82 games. Damian Rhodes and Ron Tugnutt once again performed solidly in the Senators’ net, helping set a club record for fewest goals allowed (200).
The Alexandre Daigle era came to an end midway through the season, as the Senators traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Václav Prospal and Pat Falloon.
Final standings[edit]
Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast
bold – Qualified for playoffs
Playoffs[edit]
The Ottawa Senators ended the 1997–98 regular season as the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed. Daniel Alfredsson, who missed 27 games in the regular season due to injuries, led the team with nine points (seven goals, two assists) in the playoffs and the club won its first round matchup, an upset win over the New Jersey Devils
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (1) New Jersey Devils[edit]
On paper, the series was a big mismatch, as the Devils had finished 24 points ahead in the standings. One American newspaper covering the playoffs did not even preview the series, expecting an easy win for the Devils.[2] The Devils were characterized as arrogant, although the Devils and the Senators had split their season series. Devil Randy McKay, when asked which player on the Senators he respected, said, “To be honest, I’d have to see their (roster) list.”[3]
The series opened in New Jersey. In Game 1, the Senators got a 1–0 lead and held onto it until 3:24 was left in the third period, when Doug Gilmour scored to tie the game. After the goal, the Devils got several penalties in a row, including some in overtime. Although the Senators went 0–6 on the power play, they managed to win the game on an overtime winner from Bruce Gardiner at 5:58.[4] In Game 2, the Devils won the game in large part due to the offence of Doug Gilmour, who assisted on the first goal and scored the second, game-winning goal and an empty netter to tie the series.[5]
The series now moved to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4. In Game 3, Damian Rhodes played outstanding and Alexei Yashin scored the winner, 2:47 into overtime on the power play. According to Devils’ goaltender Martin Brodeur, “It’s Rhodes, that’s the bottom line. He has been tremendous. We’re getting the puck to him, we’re getting rebounds, but he closes the door every time.” Devils Head Coach Jacques Lemaire refused to appear for the post-game press conference.[6] The Senators won Game 4, 4–3, on the strength of a hat-trick by Daniel Alfredsson. The Senators had led 4–1, but late goals by Scott Stevens and Doug Gilmour, with 69 seconds left, made it a close contest.[7]
The series now returned to New Jersey, with the Devils on the brink of elimination. In Game 5, Brodeur stopped 22 of 23 shots and even assisted on a short-handed goal as the Devils won 3–1. Gilmour scored the game-winner and the Devils staved off elimination.[8]
In Game 6, Janne Laukkanen scored the winner, giving the Senators the lead that was solidified when Igor Kravchuk scored into an empty net to complete the series upset, 4–2, for the Senators. After the game, Scott Stevens commented, “The bottom line is that they’re an average team that played great. And we’re an above average team that played poorly.”[2] The headlines from other newspapers labelled the playoff win a “titanic upset”[9] and “sensational upset.”[10]
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record | Attendance |
| 1 | April 22 | Ottawa | 2 – 1 (OT) | New Jersey | 1 – 0 | 18,457 |
| 2 | April 24 | Ottawa | 1 – 3 | New Jersey | 1 – 1 | 19,040 |
| 3 | April 26 | New Jersey | 1 – 2 (OT) | Ottawa | 2 – 1 | 18,500 |
| 4 | April 28 | New Jersey | 3 – 4 | Ottawa | 3 – 1 | 18,500 |
| 5 | April 30 | Ottawa | 1 – 3 | New Jersey | 3 – 2 | 19,040 |
| 6 | May 2 | New Jersey | 1 – 3 | Ottawa | 4 – 2 | 18,500 |
Ottawa wins series 4–2.
Eastern Conference Semifinals: vs. (4) Washington Capitals[edit]
The Senators did not capitalize on their first-round win, and the Capitals took the series in five games.
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record | Attendance |
| 1 | May 7 | Ottawa | 2 – 4 | Washington | 0 – 1 | 17,941 |
| 2 | May 9 | Ottawa | 1 – 6 | Washington | 0 – 2 | 19,740 |
| 3 | May 11 | Washington | 3 – 4 | Ottawa | 1 – 2 | 18,500 |
| 4 | May 13 | Washington | 2 – 0 | Ottawa | 1 – 3 | 18,500 |
| 5 | May 15 | Ottawa | 0 – 3 | Washington | 1 – 4 | 19,740 |
Washington wins series 4–1
Awards and records[edit]
Schedule and results[edit]
| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T | October 1, 1997 | 2–2 OT | @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) | 0–0–1 | 20,673 |
| 2 | L | October 3, 1997 | 3–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) | 0–1–1 | 19,231 |
| 3 | W | October 4, 1997 | 3–2 | Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) | 1–1–1 | 18,500 |
| 4 | W | October 7, 1997 | 1–0 | @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) | 2–1–1 | 16,073 |
| 5 | T | October 10, 1997 | 1–1 OT | @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) | 2–1–2 | 17,174 |
| 6 | L | October 12, 1997 | 4–7 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) | 2–2–2 | 16,005 |
| 7 | W | October 15, 1997 | 5–1 | New York Rangers (1997–98) | 3–2–2 | 17,111 |
| 8 | W | October 17, 1997 | 4–2 | New Jersey Devils (1997–98) | 4–2–2 | 13,681 |
| 9 | W | October 19, 1997 | 3–1 | Dallas Stars (1997–98) | 5–2–2 | 14,354 |
| 10 | W | October 22, 1997 | 6–2 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) | 6–2–2 | 15,726 |
| 11 | T | October 23, 1997 | 2–2 OT | Florida Panthers (1997–98) | 6–2–3 | 15,168 |
| 12 | L | October 25, 1997 | 2–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) | 6–3–3 | 18,500 |
| 13 | W | October 29, 1997 | 5–2 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) | 7–3–3 | 10,776 |
| 14 | W | October 30, 1997 | 5–2 | @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) | 8–3–3 | 14,703 |
| 15 | L | November 2, 1997 | 1–3 | Boston Bruins (1997–98) | 8–4–3 | 16,753 |
| 16 | W | November 6, 1997 | 4–1 | Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) | 9–4–3 | 13,437 |
| 17 | L | November 8, 1997 | 3–4 | Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) | 9–5–3 | 18,500 |
| 18 | L | November 9, 1997 | 1–4 | @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) | 9–6–3 | 5,551 |
| 19 | L | November 11, 1997 | 0–1 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) | 9–7–3 | 19,314 |
| 20 | L | November 13, 1997 | 2–4 | Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) | 9–8–3 | 18,136 |
| 21 | T | November 15, 1997 | 3–3 OT | @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) | 9–8–4 | 14,761 |
| 22 | L | November 17, 1997 | 2–4 | Boston Bruins (1997–98) | 9–9–4 | 15,742 |
| 23 | L | November 20, 1997 | 0–2 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) | 9–10–4 | 14,097 |
| 24 | L | November 22, 1997 | 0–1 | Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) | 9–11–4 | 17,113 |
| 25 | L | November 26, 1997 | 1–4 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) | 9–12–4 | 19,983 |
| 26 | W | November 27, 1997 | 3–1 | Washington Capitals (1997–98) | 10–12–4 | 13,671 |
| 27 | L | November 29, 1997 | 2–3 | Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) | 10–13–4 | 18,251 |
| 28 | W | December 2, 1997 | 4–2 | @ New York Islanders (1997–98) | 11–13–4 | 8,141 |
| 29 | W | December 4, 1997 | 3–2 | Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) | 12–13–4 | 14,108 |
| 30 | W | December 6, 1997 | 3–0 | Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) | 13–13–4 | 15,285 |
| 31 | L | December 11, 1997 | 1–2 | St. Louis Blues (1997–98) | 13–14–4 | 14,961 |
| 32 | L | December 13, 1997 | 1–3 | Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) | 13–15–4 | 14,290 |
| 33 | W | December 15, 1997 | 3–1 | @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) | 14–15–4 | 14,155 |
| 34 | L | December 16, 1997 | 1–2 | @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) | 14–16–4 | 7,317 |
| 35 | W | December 18, 1997 | 3–2 | Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) | 15–16–4 | 14,437 |
| 36 | L | December 20, 1997 | 1–4 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) | 15–17–4 | 20,910 |
| 37 | W | December 22, 1997 | 4–1 | @ New York Islanders (1997–98) | 16–17–4 | 10,227 |
| 38 | W | December 23, 1997 | 4–3 OT | Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) | 17–17–4 | 18,500 |
| 39 | W | December 27, 1997 | 3–0 | @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) | 18–17–4 | 17,921 |
| 40 | L | December 31, 1997 | 0–3 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) | 18–18–4 | 15,636 |
| 41 | T | January 1, 1998 | 0–0 OT | @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) | 18–18–5 | 13,714 |
| 42 | L | January 3, 1998 | 2–7 | Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) | 18–19–5 | 18,500 |
| 43 | L | January 5, 1998 | 1–4 | @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) | 18–20–5 | 6,055 |
| 44 | W | January 7, 1998 | 2–0 | @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) | 19–20–5 | 16,928 |
| 45 | T | January 10, 1998 | 3–3 OT | @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) | 19–20–6 | 16,061 |
| 46 | T | January 11, 1998 | 4–4 OT | @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) | 19–20–7 | 13,963 |
| 47 | L | January 13, 1998 | 0–4 | @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) | 19–21–7 | 11,109 |
| 48 | T | January 20, 1998 | 0–0 OT | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) | 19–21–8 | 13,116 |
| 49 | L | January 22, 1998 | 2–4 | Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) | 19–22–8 | 15,491 |
| 50 | W | January 24, 1998 | 3–2 | New York Islanders (1997–98) | 20–22–8 | 18,327 |
| 51 | W | January 26, 1998 | 2–1 | Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) | 21–22–8 | 13,804 |
| 52 | L | January 27, 1998 | 1–6 | @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) | 21–23–8 | 14,183 |
| 53 | T | January 29, 1998 | 2–2 OT | New York Rangers (1997–98) | 21–23–9 | 18,500 |
| 54 | W | January 31, 1998 | 4–3 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) | 22–23–9 | 21,273 |
| 55 | L | February 2, 1998 | 0–1 | New Jersey Devils (1997–98) | 22–24–9 | 15,675 |
| 56 | L | February 4, 1998 | 0–2 | @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) | 22–25–9 | 15,302 |
| 57 | W | February 5, 1998 | 3–2 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) | 23–25–9 | 18,500 |
| 58 | T | February 7, 1998 | 2–2 OT | Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) | 23–25–10 | 18,500 |
| 59 | L | February 25, 1998 | 2–5 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) | 23–26–10 | 16,142 |
| 60 | L | February 28, 1998 | 4–6 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) | 23–27–10 | 17,233 |
| 61 | L | March 1, 1998 | 1–2 | @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) | 23–28–10 | 17,463 |
| 62 | W | March 5, 1998 | 4–2 | Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) | 24–28–10 | 18,500 |
| 63 | W | March 7, 1998 | 2–1 | Calgary Flames (1997–98) | 25–28–10 | 18,036 |
| 64 | W | March 11, 1998 | 5–3 | Florida Panthers (1997–98) | 26–28–10 | 15,539 |
| 65 | W | March 14, 1998 | 4–0 | Washington Capitals (1997–98) | 27–28–10 | 18,500 |
| 66 | L | March 16, 1998 | 4–5 | @ New York Rangers (1997–98) | 27–29–10 | 18,200 |
| 67 | T | March 18, 1998 | 4–4 OT | New York Islanders (1997–98) | 27–29–11 | 17,403 |
| 68 | T | March 20, 1998 | 1–1 OT | Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) | 27–29–12 | 18,500 |
| 69 | L | March 22, 1998 | 2–5 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) | 27–30–12 | 17,177 |
| 70 | W | March 25, 1998 | 3–2 OT | @ New York Rangers (1997–98) | 28–30–12 | 18,200 |
| 71 | L | March 27, 1998 | 1–2 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) | 28–31–12 | 19,172 |
| 72 | T | March 29, 1998 | 1–1 OT | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) | 28–31–13 | 14,322 |
| 73 | T | April 2, 1998 | 3–3 OT | San Jose Sharks (1997–98) | 28–31–14 | 18,119 |
| 74 | W | April 3, 1998 | 3–2 | @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) | 29–31–14 | 17,313 |
| 75 | W | April 5, 1998 | 1–0 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) | 30–31–14 | 15,661 |
| 76 | L | April 7, 1998 | 2–4 | Boston Bruins (1997–98) | 30–32–14 | 18,226 |
| 77 | W | April 9, 1998 | 4–1 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) | 31–32–14 | 17,895 |
| 78 | T | April 11, 1998 | 4–4 OT | Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) | 31–32–15 | 18,500 |
| 79 | W | April 13, 1998 | 3–2 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) | 32–32–15 | 12,387 |
| 80 | W | April 14, 1998 | 3–2 | @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) | 33–32–15 | 14,703 |
| 81 | L | April 16, 1998 | 0–2 | Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) | 33–33–15 | 18,500 |
| 82 | W | April 19, 1998 | 2–1 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) | 34–33–15 | 18,595 |
[11]
Player statistics[edit]
Regular season[edit]
- Scoring
- Goaltending
| Player | MIN | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SO | SA | SV | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Rhodes | 2743 | 50 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 107 | 2.34 | 5 | 1148 | 1041 | .907 |
| Ron Tugnutt | 2236 | 42 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 84 | 2.25 | 3 | 882 | 798 | .905 |
| Team: | 4979 | 82 | 34 | 33 | 15 | 191 | 2.30 | 8 | 2030 | 1839 | .906 |
Playoffs[edit]
- Scoring
- Goaltending
| Player | MIN | GP | W | L | GA | GAA | SO | SA | SV | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Rhodes | 590 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 2.14 | 0 | 236 | 215 | .911 |
| Ron Tugnutt | 74 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4.86 | 0 | 25 | 19 | .760 |
| Team: | 664 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 27 | 2.44 | 0 | 261 | 234 | .897 |
[12]
Transactions[edit]
Trades[edit]
Waivers[edit]
Source: Ottawa Senators 2008–09 Media Guide. Ottawa Senators. 2008. p. 188.
Free agents[edit]
Draft picks[edit]
Ottawa’s draft picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Farm teams[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- Garrioch, Bruce (1998), “Ottawa Senators 1992–93 to Date”, Total Hockey
- Ottawa Senators staff (2006). Ottawa Senators Media Guide 2007. Ottawa Senators.
- The Internet Hockey Database
- National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
- ^ “1997–1998 Conference Standings”. National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ a b Panzeri, Allen (May 3, 1998). “‘We deserved to win’: Senators ready for Round 2″. Ottawa Citizen. p. C1.
- ^ Scanlan, Wayne (May 3, 1998). “Arrogant Devils wonder what hit them”. Ottawa Citizen. p. C2.
- ^ Shoalts, David (April 23, 1998). “Ottawa shocks New Jersey in OT”. The Globe and Mail. p. S1.
- ^ Shoals, David (April 25, 1998). “Gilmour scuttles Ottawa”. The Globe and Mail. p. A28.
- ^ Warren, Ken (April 27, 1998). “none”. The Record. p. D1.
- ^ Warren, Ken (April 29, 1998). “Devils pushed to the brink Ottawa Senators one game away from first- round upset of conference champs”. The Record. p. F1.
- ^ MacGregor, Roy (May 1, 1998). “Brodeur steals show: New Jersey goalie earns assist in win over Ottawa”. The Record. p. D1.
- ^ Panzeri, Allen (May 3, 1998). “Senators complete titanic upset: Ottawa advances to second round for first time”. Calgary Herald. p. B1.
- ^ Hickey, Pat (May 3, 1998). “Sensational upset: Deja-woo: eighth-place Ottawa casts out first- place Devils in six games; Senators 3 Devils 1”. Montreal Gazette. p. B1.
- ^ “1997–98 Ottawa Senators Games”. Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
- ^ “1997-98 Ottawa Senators Statistics – Hockey-Reference.com”. hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
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