1997–98 Ottawa Senators 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.

1997–98 Ottawa Senators
Division5th Northeast
Conference8th Eastern
1997–98 record34–33–15
Home record18–16–7
Road record16–17–8
Goals for193
Goals against200
Team information
General managerPierre Gauthier
CoachJacques Martin
CaptainRandy Cunneyworth
Alternate captainsDaniel Alfredsson
Alexei Yashin
ArenaCorel Centre
Average attendance16,686 (667,454 total)
Minor league affiliate(s)Worcester IceCats
Raleigh IceCaps
Team leaders
GoalsAlexei Yashin (33)
AssistsAlexei Yashin (39)
PointsAlexei Yashin (72)
Penalty minutesDenny Lambert (250)
Plus/minusWade Redden (+17)
WinsDamian Rhodes (19)
Goals against averageRon Tugnutt (2.25)

Regular season

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
Northeast Division
No. GP W L T GF GA Pts
1Pittsburgh Penguins8240241822818898
2Boston Bruins8239301322119491
3Buffalo Sabres8236291721118789
4Montreal Canadiens8237321323520887
5Ottawa Senators8234331519320083
6Carolina Hurricanes823341820021974
Eastern Conference[1]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1New Jersey DevilsATL82482311225166107
2Pittsburgh PenguinsNE8240241822818898
3Philadelphia FlyersATL8242291124219395
4Washington CapitalsATL8240301221920292
5Boston BruinsNE8239301322119491
6Buffalo SabresNE8236291721118789
7Montreal CanadiensNE8237321323520887
8Ottawa SenatorsNE8234331519320083
9Carolina HurricanesNE823341820021974
10New York IslandersATL8230411121222571
11New York RangersATL8225391819723168
12Florida PanthersATL8224431520325663
13Tampa Bay LightningATL8217551015126944

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs

Playoffs

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

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]

Eastern Conference Semifinals

The Senators did not capitalize on their first-round win, and the Capitals took the series in five games.

Schedule and results

Regular season
1997–98 regular season[11]
October: 8–3–3 (home: 4–1–1; road: 4–2–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordAttendanceRecap
1TOctober 1, 19972–2 OT@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)0–0–120,673Recap
2LOctober 3, 19973–5@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)0–1–119,231Recap
3WOctober 4, 19973–2Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)1–1–118,500Recap
4WOctober 7, 19971–0@ San Jose Sharks (1997–98)2–1–116,073Recap
5TOctober 10, 19971–1 OT@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)2–1–217,174Recap
6LOctober 12, 19974–7@ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)2–2–216,005Recap
7WOctober 15, 19975–1New York Rangers (1997–98)3–2–217,111Recap
8WOctober 17, 19974–2New Jersey Devils (1997–98)4–2–213,681Recap
9WOctober 19, 19973–1Dallas Stars (1997–98)5–2–214,354Recap
10WOctober 22, 19976–2@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)6–2–215,726Recap
11TOctober 23, 19972–2 OTFlorida Panthers (1997–98)6–2–315,168Recap
12LOctober 25, 19972–4Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)6–3–318,500Recap
13WOctober 29, 19975–2@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)7–3–310,776Recap
14WOctober 30, 19975–2@ Florida Panthers (1997–98)8–3–314,703Recap
November: 2–10–1 (home: 2–7–0; road: 0–3–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordAttendanceRecap
15LNovember 2, 19971–3Boston Bruins (1997–98)8–4–316,753Recap
16WNovember 6, 19974–1Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)9–4–313,437Recap
17LNovember 8, 19973–4Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)9–5–318,500Recap
18LNovember 9, 19971–4@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)9–6–35,551Recap
19LNovember 11, 19970–1@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)9–7–319,314Recap
20LNovember 13, 19972–4Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)9–8–318,136Recap
21TNovember 15, 19973–3 OT@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)9–8–414,761Recap
22LNovember 17, 19972–4Boston Bruins (1997–98)9–9–415,742Recap
23LNovember 20, 19970–2Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)9–10–414,097Recap
24LNovember 22, 19970–1Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)9–11–417,113Recap
25LNovember 26, 19971–4@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)9–12–419,983Recap
26WNovember 27, 19973–1Washington Capitals (1997–98)10–12–413,671Recap
27LNovember 29, 19972–3Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)10–13–418,251Recap
December: 8–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 4–3–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordAttendanceRecap
28WDecember 2, 19974–2@ New York Islanders (1997–98)11–13–48,141Recap
29WDecember 4, 19973–2Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)12–13–414,108Recap
30WDecember 6, 19973–0Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)13–13–415,285Recap
31LDecember 11, 19971–2St. Louis Blues (1997–98)13–14–414,961Recap
32LDecember 13, 19971–3Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)13–15–414,290Recap
33WDecember 15, 19973–1@ St. Louis Blues (1997–98)14–15–414,155Recap
34LDecember 16, 19971–2@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)14–16–47,317Recap
35WDecember 18, 19973–2Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)15–16–414,437Recap
36LDecember 20, 19971–4@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)15–17–420,910Recap
37WDecember 22, 19974–1@ New York Islanders (1997–98)16–17–410,227Recap
38WDecember 23, 19974–3 OTMontreal Canadiens (1997–98)17–17–418,500Recap
39WDecember 27, 19973–0@ Washington Capitals (1997–98)18–17–417,921Recap
40LDecember 31, 19970–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)18–18–415,636Recap
January: 4–5–5 (home: 2–2–1; road: 2–3–4)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordAttendanceRecap
41TJanuary 1, 19980–0 OT@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)18–18–513,714Recap
42LJanuary 3, 19982–7Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)18–19–518,500Recap
43LJanuary 5, 19981–4@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)18–20–56,055Recap
44WJanuary 7, 19982–0@ Dallas Stars (1997–98)19–20–516,928Recap
45TJanuary 10, 19983–3 OT@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)19–20–616,061Recap
46TJanuary 11, 19984–4 OT@ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)19–20–713,963Recap
47LJanuary 13, 19980–4@ Washington Capitals (1997–98)19–21–711,109Recap
48TJanuary 20, 19980–0 OT@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)19–21–813,116Recap
49LJanuary 22, 19982–4Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)19–22–815,491Recap
50WJanuary 24, 19983–2New York Islanders (1997–98)20–22–818,327Recap
51WJanuary 26, 19982–1Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)21–22–813,804Recap
52LJanuary 27, 19981–6@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)21–23–814,183Recap
53TJanuary 29, 19982–2 OTNew York Rangers (1997–98)21–23–918,500Recap
54WJanuary 31, 19984–3@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)22–23–921,273Recap
February: 1–4–1 (home: 1–1–1; road: 0–3–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordAttendanceRecap
55LFebruary 2, 19980–1New Jersey Devils (1997–98)22–24–915,675Recap
56LFebruary 4, 19980–2@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98)22–25–915,302Recap
57WFebruary 5, 19983–2Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)23–25–918,500Recap
58TFebruary 7, 19982–2 OTPittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)23–25–1018,500Recap
59LFebruary 25, 19982–5@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)23–26–1016,142Recap
60LFebruary 28, 19984–6@ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98)23–27–1017,233Recap
March: 5–4–3 (home: 4–1–2; road: 1–3–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordAttendanceRecap
61LMarch 1, 19981–2@ Calgary Flames (1997–98)23–28–1017,463Recap
62WMarch 5, 19984–2Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)24–28–1018,500Recap
63WMarch 7, 19982–1Calgary Flames (1997–98)25–28–1018,036Recap
64WMarch 11, 19985–3Florida Panthers (1997–98)26–28–1015,539Recap
65WMarch 14, 19984–0Washington Capitals (1997–98)27–28–1018,500Recap
66LMarch 16, 19984–5@ New York Rangers (1997–98)27–29–1018,200Recap
67TMarch 18, 19984–4 OTNew York Islanders (1997–98)27–29–1117,403Recap
68TMarch 20, 19981–1 OTVancouver Canucks (1997–98)27–29–1218,500Recap
69LMarch 22, 19982–5Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)27–30–1217,177Recap
70WMarch 25, 19983–2 OT@ New York Rangers (1997–98)28–30–1218,200Recap
71LMarch 27, 19981–2@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)28–31–1219,172Recap
72TMarch 29, 19981–1 OT@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)28–31–1314,322Recap
April: 6–2–2 (home: 1–2–2; road: 5–0–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordAttendanceRecap
73TApril 2, 19983–3 OTSan Jose Sharks (1997–98)28–31–1418,119Recap
74WApril 3, 19983–2@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98)29–31–1417,313Recap
75WApril 5, 19981–0@ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)30–31–1415,661Recap
76LApril 7, 19982–4Boston Bruins (1997–98)30–32–1418,226Recap
77WApril 9, 19984–1Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)31–32–1417,895Recap
78TApril 11, 19984–4 OTBuffalo Sabres (1997–98)31–32–1518,500Recap
79WApril 13, 19983–2@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)32–32–1512,387Recap
80WApril 14, 19983–2@ Florida Panthers (1997–98)33–32–1514,703Recap
81LApril 16, 19980–2Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)33–33–1518,500Recap
82WApril 19, 19982–1@ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)34–33–1518,595Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs
1998 Stanley Cup playoffs[11]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (1) New Jersey Devils – Senators win 4–2
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesAttendanceRecap
1WApril 22, 19982–1 OT@ New Jersey DevilsSenators lead 1–018,457Recap
2LApril 24, 19981–3@ New Jersey DevilsSeries tied 1–119,040Recap
3WApril 26, 19982–1 OTNew Jersey DevilsSenators lead 2–118,500Recap
4WApril 28, 19984–3New Jersey DevilsSenators lead 3–118,500Recap
5LApril 30, 19981–3@ New Jersey DevilsSenators lead 3–219,040Recap
6WMay 2, 19983–1New Jersey DevilsSenators win 4–218,500Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (4) Washington Capitals – Capitals win 4–1
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesAttendanceRecap
1LMay 7, 19982–4@ Washington CapitalsCapitals lead 1–017,941Recap
2LMay 9, 19981–6@ Washington CapitalsCapitals lead 2–019,740Recap
3WMay 11, 19984–3Washington CapitalsCapitals lead 2–118,500Recap
4LMay 13, 19980–2Washington CapitalsCapitals lead 3–118,500Recap
5LMay 15, 19980–3@ Washington CapitalsCapitals win 4–119,740Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring
  • Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; 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 Senators only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Senators only.
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
19Alexei YashinC8233397262411538−68
15Shawn McEachernRW8124244814211044−68
11Daniel AlfredssonRW5517284571811729−420
29Igor KravchukD8182735−19811235−24
10Andreas DackellRW82151833−112411112−42
20Magnus ArvedsonLW6111152623611011−66
16Sergei ZholtokC78101323−71611022−10
6Wade ReddenD808142217279022−52
27Janne LaukkanenD6041721−156411224−38
28Denny LambertLW7291019425011000219
22Shaun Van AllenC804151944811011−310
25Bruce GardinerRW557111825011134−22
14Radek BonkC657916−13165000−32
9Alexandre Daigle‡C387916−78——————
4[lower-alpha 1]Chris PhillipsD725111623811022−22
33Jason YorkD73313168627112−27
7Randy CunneyworthLW7121113−1463601106
2Lance PitlickD6927985011011−317
17Chris Murray†RW4653819611101−28
13Vaclav Prospal†C15167−146000−20
12Pat Falloon†RW28336−118100000
24Stan NeckarD60224−14319000−42
26Phil CroweLW9303324——————
42Derek ArmstrongC920219——————
4Sean Hill‡D13112−36——————
3Per Gustafsson†D9011361000−20
18Marian HossaRW7011−10——————
1Damian RhodesG500110100000
23Radim BicanekD100000——————
48Ivan CiernikRW200000——————
31Ron TugnuttG42000020000
21Dennis VialLW19000045——————
38Jason ZentLW300004——————

Goaltending
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
1Damian Rhodes501919711481072.34.907527431055236212.14.9110590
31Ron Tugnutt4215148882842.25.905322362012564.86.760074

Awards and records

Awards
Type Award/honour Recipient Ref
League
(in-season)		 NHL All-Star Game selection Daniel Alfredsson [12]
Igor Kravchuk
Team Molson Cup Alexei Yashin [13]

Transactions

June 1997
June 17 Re-signed Jason Zent to a 1-year, $350,000 contract.
June 21 Acquired a 3rd round draft pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft - (Jani Hurme) and a 3rd round draft pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft - (Josh Langfeld) from the New Jersey Devils for a 2nd round draft pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft - (Stanislav Gron)

Source[14]

July 1997
July 3 Signed free agent Marc LaBelle from the Dallas Stars to a 1-year contract.
July 17 Signed free agent Clayton Beddoes from the Boston Bruins to a 1-year contract.
July 28 Re-signed Denny Lambert to a 1-year, $243,750 contract.
Signed free agent Derek Armstrong from the New York Islanders to a 1-year contract.
July 29 Re-signed Jason York to a 2-year, $1.4 million contract.
July 31 Signed Justin Hocking to a 1-year contract.
Signed Mike Prokopec to a 1-year contract.

Source[15]

August 1997
August 1 Re-signed Janne Laukkanen to a 2-year, $1.4 million contract.
Re-signed Phil Crowe to a 1-year contract.
August 12 Re-signed Mike Maneluk to a multi-year contract.
August 25 Acquired Igor Kravchuk from the St. Louis Blues for Steve Duchesne.
August 26 Re-signed Lance Pitlick to a 2-year, $881,250 contract.

Source[16]

September 1997
September 9 Re-signed Stanislav Neckář to a 1-year, $650,000 contract.
September 24 Acquired a 6th round draft pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft - (Chris Neil) from the Chicago Blackhawks for Kirk Daubenspeck.
September 28 Lost Tom Chorske in 1997 NHL Waiver Draft to the New York Islanders.

Source[17]

October 1997
October 6 Re-signed Shaun Van Allen to a 2-year, $975,000 contract extension beginning in 1998-99 to 1999-2000.
October 12 Re-signed Daniel Alfredsson to a 4-year, $10 million contract.
October 21 Traded Mike Maneluk to the Philadelphia Flyers for future considerations.

Source[18]

November 1997
November 7 Re-signed Alexandre Daigle to a 1-year, $1.9 million contract extension for the 1998-99 season.
November 17 Acquired Chris Murray from the Carolina Hurricanes for Sean Hill.

Source[19]

January 1998
January 17 Acquired Václav Prospal, Pat Falloon and a 2nd round pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft - (Chris Bala) from the Philadelphia Flyers for Alexandre Daigle.

Source[20]

March 1998
March 9 Acquired Scott Ferguson from the Edmonton Oilers for Frank Musil.
March 17 Acquired Per Gustafsson from the Toronto Maple Leafs for an 8th round pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft - (Dwight Wolfe).

Source[21]

Draft picks

Ottawa's draft picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[22]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
112Marian Hossa SlovakiaDukla Trencin (Slovak Extraliga)
358Jani Hurme FinlandTPS (SM-liiga)
366Josh Langfeld United StatesLincoln Stars (USHL)
5119Magnus Arvedson SwedenFarjestad BK (Elitserien)
6146Jeff Sullivan CanadaHalifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
7173Robin Bacul Czech RepublicSlavia Prague (Czech Extraliga)
8203Nick Gillis United StatesCushing Academy (USHS-MA)
9229Karel Rachunek Czech RepublicZlin ZPS (Czech Extraliga)

Farm teams

See also

Notes
  1. Phillips wore number 5 through November 22.

References
  • "Ottawa Senators 1997-98 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  • "1997-98 Ottawa Senators Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  • Garrioch, Bruce (1998), "Ottawa Senators 1992–93 to Date", Total Hockey
  • Ottawa Senators staff (2006). Ottawa Senators Media Guide 2007. Ottawa Senators.
  • National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
  1. "1997–1998 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  2. Panzeri, Allen (May 3, 1998). "'We deserved to win': Senators ready for Round 2". Ottawa Citizen. p. C1.
  3. Scanlan, Wayne (May 3, 1998). "Arrogant Devils wonder what hit them". Ottawa Citizen. p. C2.
  4. Shoalts, David (April 23, 1998). "Ottawa shocks New Jersey in OT". The Globe and Mail. p. S1.
  5. Shoals, David (April 25, 1998). "Gilmour scuttles Ottawa". The Globe and Mail. p. A28.
  6. Warren, Ken (April 27, 1998). "none". The Record. p. D1.
  7. 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.
  8. MacGregor, Roy (May 1, 1998). "Brodeur steals show: New Jersey goalie earns assist in win over Ottawa". The Record. p. D1.
  9. Panzeri, Allen (May 3, 1998). "Senators complete titanic upset: Ottawa advances to second round for first time". Calgary Herald. p. B1.
  10. 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.
  11. "1997-98 Ottawa Senators Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  12. "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1998". NHL.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  13. Ottawa Senators 2014–15 Media Guide, p.162–82
  14. "Transactions". prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  15. "Transactions". prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  16. "Transactions". prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  17. "Transactions". prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  18. "Transactions".
  19. "Transactions".
  20. "Transactions".
  21. "Transactions".
  22. "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
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