1997–98 Edmonton Oilers season
NHL team season
The 1997–98 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 19th season in the NHL , and they were coming off a 36–37–9 record in 1996–97, earning their first Stanley Cup playoff spot in five seasons. The Oilers then defeated the heavily favoured Colorado Avalanche before losing to the Dallas Stars in the second round.[citation needed ]
Edmonton began the season slowly, and on January 4, with a record of 11–22–9, the Oilers traded Jason Arnott and Bryan Muir to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Bill Guerin and Valeri Zelepukin . The trade seemed to spark Edmonton, as they finished the year 24–15–1, making the playoffs for the second-straight season after finishing in seventh place in the Western Conference.[citation needed ]
Offensively, Doug Weight had another solid season, leading the Oilers in goals (26), assists (44) and points (70). Ryan Smyth was the only other player to score at least 20 goals for the team. Dean McAmmond had a breakout season, finishing second to Weight with 50 points, as well as third in goals, with 19. Bill Guerin had a solid half season in Edmonton, scoring 13 goals and 29 points in 40 games. Boris Mironov would lead the defence with 16 goals and 46 points, while Drake Berehowsky would lead the team with 169 penalty minutes.[citation needed ]
In goal, Curtis Joseph got the majority of playing time, winning 29 games, posting a goals against average (GAA) of 2.63 and setting the club record with shutouts in a season at eight. Bob Essensa backed him up once again, contributing a solid GAA of 2.55 and winning six games.[citation needed ] The Oilers also tied the Dallas Stars for most power-play goals scored (77) and finished with the most power-play opportunities (483) in the League.[ 1]
On March 2, 1998, Scott Fraser scored just 11 seconds into the overtime period to give the Oilers a 5-4 road win over the Colorado Avalanche .[ 2] It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1997–98 regular season.[ 3]
The Oilers opened the playoffs against the Pacific Division-winning Colorado Avalanche, who eliminated Edmonton from the playoffs the previous spring, and finished with 15 more points during the regular season. The Oilers, however, surprised the Avalanche in the opening game, winning 3–2, but Colorado stormed back to win three in a row to go up 3–1 in the series. The Oilers held off the Avalanche in Game 5 with a 3–1 in Denver , then returned home for game 6 to shut-out Colorado 2–0, forcing a deciding Game 7. Curtis Joseph earned his second-straight shutout in the series, as Edmonton won 4–0 and the series 4–3, eliminating the heavily favoured Avalanche.[citation needed ]
In the second round, Edmonton played against Dallas, whom the Oilers defeated the previous year in the opening round. The Stars finished with an NHL-best 109 points in the regular season. The Stars beat Edmonton in the first game, but Curtis Joseph shut-out Dallas in Game 2, evening the series as it returned to Edmonton for the next two games. The third game was scoreless in regulation time, though the Stars scored in the first overtime period to take a 2–1 series lead. The Oilers' offence then went dry as they scored only two goals in the next two games, losing both, and the series 4–1.[citation needed ]
Season standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific
bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won Division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy
Schedule and results
Regular season
1997–98 regular season[ 5]
October: 5–6–1 (home: 3–4–1; road: 2–2–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
1
October 1
Edmonton Oilers
5 – 3
San Jose Sharks
Joseph
16,769
1–0–0
2
Recap
2
October 3
Detroit Red Wings
8 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
1–1–0
2
Recap
3
October 5
Colorado Avalanche
3 – 0
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
16,093
1–2–0
2
Recap
4
October 8
New York Rangers
3 – 3
Edmonton Oilers
OT
Joseph
16,573
1–2–1
3
Recap
5
October 11
Toronto Maple Leafs
1 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
2–2–1
5
Recap
6
October 13
Edmonton Oilers
0 – 3
Vancouver Canucks
Essensa
14,535
2–3–1
5
Recap
7
October 15
Colorado Avalanche
6 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
15,972
2–4–1
5
Recap
8
October 17
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 2
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Essensa
16,565
2–5–1
5
Recap
9
October 19
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 2
Los Angeles Kings
OT
Joseph
11,279
3–5–1
7
Recap
10
October 21
Boston Bruins
2 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,870
3–6–1
7
Recap
11
October 24
Pittsburgh Penguins
3 – 4
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
4–6–1
9
Recap
12
October 29
Phoenix Coyotes
2 – 3
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,390
5–6–1
11
Recap
November: 3–7–5 (home: 1–2–2; road: 2–5–3)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
13
November 1
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 3
Boston Bruins
Joseph
13,969
5–7–1
11
Recap
14
November 3
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 2
New York Rangers
OT
Joseph
18,200
5–7–2
12
Recap
15
November 5
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 4
New York Islanders
OT
Joseph
9,036
5–7–3
13
Recap
16
November 6
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 6
Philadelphia Flyers
Essensa
19,348
5–8–3
13
Recap
17
November 8
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 2
Washington Capitals
Joseph
10,397
5–9–3
13
Recap
18
November 10
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 4
Buffalo Sabres
OT
Joseph
13,628
5–9–4
14
Recap
19
November 12
Carolina Hurricanes
6 – 4
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,240
5–10–4
14
Recap
20
November 15
Calgary Flames
2 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
OT
Joseph
17,099
5–10–5
15
Recap
21
November 17
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 6
Phoenix Coyotes
Joseph
14,686
5–11–5
15
Recap
22
November 19
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 3
Dallas Stars
Joseph
15,783
5–12–5
15
Recap
23
November 20
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 0
St. Louis Blues
Joseph
15,988
6–12–5
17
Recap
24
November 22
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 0
Ottawa Senators
Joseph
17,113
7–12–5
19
Recap
25
November 25
Chicago Blackhawks
2 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
OT
Joseph
14,473
7–12–6
20
Recap
26
November 28
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
3 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
7–13–6
20
Recap
27
November 30
San Jose Sharks
1 – 6
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,739
8–13–6
22
Recap
December: 3–7–3 (home: 1–3–1; road: 2–4–2)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
28
December 2
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 4
Colorado Avalanche
Joseph
16,061
8–14–6
22
Recap
29
December 3
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 4
Dallas Stars
Joseph
14,241
8–15–6
22
Recap
30
December 5
Detroit Red Wings
1 – 3
Edmonton Oilers
Essensa
17,099
9–15–6
24
Recap
31
December 7
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 3
Chicago Blackhawks
OT
Joseph
15,591
9–15–7
25
Recap
32
December 10
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 4
New Jersey Devils
Joseph
13,831
9–16–7
25
Recap
33
December 12
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 2
Detroit Red Wings
Essensa
19,983
10–16–7
27
Recap
34
December 13
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 1
St. Louis Blues
Joseph
17,207
11–16–7
29
Recap
35
December 17
Chicago Blackhawks
0 – 0
Edmonton Oilers
OT
Joseph
15,431
11–16–8
30
Recap
36
December 20
Dallas Stars
2 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
OT
Joseph
17,099
11–17–8
30
Recap
37
December 22
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 3
Montreal Canadiens
OT
Essensa
20,731
11–17–9
31
Recap
38
December 23
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 5
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joseph
15,726
11–18–9
31
Recap
39
December 27
Colorado Avalanche
5 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
11–19–9
31
Recap
40
December 30
Philadelphia Flyers
3 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
11–20–9
31
Recap
January: 8–5–0 (home: 5–3–0; road: 3–2–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
41
January 2
Montreal Canadiens
5 – 3
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
11–21–9
31
Recap
42
January 4
Los Angeles Kings
3 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
16,266
11–22–9
31
Recap
43
January 7
Florida Panthers
2 – 3
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,797
12–22–9
33
Recap
44
January 9
Edmonton Oilers
5 – 1
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Joseph
17,174
13–22–9
35
Recap
45
January 10
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 3
Los Angeles Kings
Joseph
16,005
14–22–9
37
Recap
46
January 12
St. Louis Blues
1 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,872
15–22–9
39
Recap
47
January 14
Calgary Flames
2 – 5
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
16–22–9
41
Recap
48
January 20
Phoenix Coyotes
2 – 6
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,842
17–22–9
43
Recap
49
January 23
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 3
San Jose Sharks
Joseph
17,483
17–23–9
43
Recap
50
January 24
Edmonton Oilers
5 – 2
Phoenix Coyotes
Essensa
15,826
18–23–9
45
Recap
51
January 26
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 2
Colorado Avalanche
OT
Joseph
16,061
18–24–9
45
Recap
52
January 28
New Jersey Devils
1 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
OT
Joseph
17,099
18–24–10
46
Recap
53
January 31
Vancouver Canucks
6 – 3
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
18–25–10
46
Recap
February: 3–4–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 0–2–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
54
February 2
Los Angeles Kings
0 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,403
19–25–10
48
Recap
55
February 4
San Jose Sharks
3 – 0
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
15,251
19–26–10
48
Recap
56
February 6
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 5
Vancouver Canucks
Joseph
17,421
19–27–10
48
Recap
57
February 7
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 4
Calgary Flames
Essensa
18,719
19–28–10
48
Recap
58
February 25
Ottawa Senators
2 – 5
Edmonton Oilers
Essensa
16,142
20–28–10
50
Recap
59
February 27
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
4 – 0
Edmonton Oilers
Essensa
17,099
20–29–10
50
Recap
60
February 28
San Jose Sharks
1 – 4
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
21–29–10
52
Recap
March: 8–6–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 4–4–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
61
March 2
Edmonton Oilers
5 – 4
Colorado Avalanche
OT
Essensa
16,061
22–29–10
54
Recap
62
March 4
Tampa Bay Lightning
2 – 4
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
14,640
23–29–10
56
Recap
63
March 7
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 4
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joseph
15,726
23–30–10
56
Recap
64
March 9
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 3
Chicago Blackhawks
OT
Joseph
17,900
24–30–10
58
Recap
65
March 11
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 0
Tampa Bay Lightning
Joseph
15,319
25–30–10
60
Recap
66
March 13
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 0
Florida Panthers
Joseph
14,703
26–30–10
62
Recap
67
March 15
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 4
Carolina Hurricanes
Joseph
7,853
26–31–10
62
Recap
68
March 17
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 4
Detroit Red Wings
Essensa
19,983
26–32–10
62
Recap
69
March 18
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 4
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joseph
14,327
26–33–10
62
Recap
70
March 21
St. Louis Blues
0 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
27–33–10
64
Recap
71
March 22
New York Islanders
3 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
16,731
27–34–10
64
Recap
72
March 25
Washington Capitals
2 – 4
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
15,130
28–34–10
66
Recap
73
March 27
Buffalo Sabres
1 – 0
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
28–35–10
66
Recap
74
March 30
Calgary Flames
1 – 3
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
29–35–10
68
Recap
April: 6–2–0 (home: 4–0–0; road: 2–2–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
75
April 1
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 4
Vancouver Canucks
Joseph
15,662
29–36–10
68
Recap
76
April 3
Dallas Stars
1 – 4
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
30–36–10
70
Recap
77
April 6
Vancouver Canucks
2 – 3
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
31–36–10
72
Recap
78
April 8
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 4
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Joseph
17,174
31–37–10
72
Recap
79
April 9
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 0
Los Angeles Kings
Joseph
14,450
32–37–10
74
Recap
80
April 11
Edmonton Oilers
5 – 4
Calgary Flames
Joseph
18,719
33–37–10
76
Recap
81
April 15
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
3 – 5
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
34–37–10
78
Recap
82
April 18
Toronto Maple Leafs
3 – 4
Edmonton Oilers
Essensa
17,099
35–37–10
80
Recap
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Playoffs
1998 Stanley Cup playoffs[ 5]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (2) Colorado Avalanche – Oilers win 4–3
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Series
Recap
1
April 22
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 2
Colorado Avalanche
Joseph
16,061
1–0
Recap
2
April 24
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 5
Colorado Avalanche
Joseph
16,061
1–1
Recap
3
April 26
Colorado Avalanche
5 – 4
Edmonton Oilers
OT
Joseph
17,099
1–2
Recap
4
April 28
Colorado Avalanche
3 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
1–3
Recap
5
April 30
Edmonton Oilers
3 – 1
Colorado Avalanche
Joseph
16,061
2–3
Recap
6
May 2
Colorado Avalanche
0 – 2
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
3–3
Recap
7
May 4
Edmonton Oilers
4 – 0
Colorado Avalanche
Joseph
16,061
4–3
Recap
Western Conference Semifinals vs. (1) Dallas Stars – Stars win 4–1
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Series
Recap
1
May 7
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 3
Dallas Stars
Joseph
16,928
0–1
Recap
2
May 9
Edmonton Oilers
2 – 0
Dallas Stars
Joseph
16,928
1–1
Recap
3
May 11
Dallas Stars
1 – 0
Edmonton Oilers
OT
Joseph
17,099
1–2
Recap
4
May 13
Dallas Stars
3 – 1
Edmonton Oilers
Joseph
17,099
1–3
Recap
5
May 16
Edmonton Oilers
1 – 2
Dallas Stars
Joseph
16,928
1–4
Recap
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 Oilers only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Oilers only.
Goaltending
Awards and records
Awards
Records
14 : An Oilers record for most shutouts in a career by Curtis Joseph .
10 : A new Oilers record for most shutouts in a career by Curtis Joseph on February 2, 1998.
Milestones
Regular Season
Player
Milestone
Reached
Todd Marchant
100th NHL Point
October 1, 1997
Boyd Devereaux
1st NHL Game
October 5, 1997
Bryan Marchment
1,300th NHL PIM
October 11, 1997
Jason Bowen
100th NHL PIM
October 21, 1997
Steve Kelly
1st NHL Assist
October 24, 1997
Drake Berehowsky
200th NHL PIM
October 29, 1997
Boyd Devereaux
1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point
November 3, 1997
Craig Millar
1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point
November 5, 1997
Curtis Joseph
400th NHL Game
November 8, 1997
Ladislav Benysek
1st NHL Game
November 15, 1997
Georges Laraque
Mike Watt
1st NHL Game 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point
Sean Brown
1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point
November 17, 1997
Joe Hulbig
Mike Grier
100th NHL Game
November 19, 1997
Bill Huard
200th NHL Game
Mike Watt
1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point
November 22, 1997
Doug Friedman
1st NHL Game
November 25, 1997
Doug Weight
400th NHL Point
November 28, 1997
Jason Arnott
100th NHL Goal
November 30, 1997
Greg de Vries
100th NHL PIM
December 2, 1997
Dean McAmmond
100th NHL Point
December 3, 1997
Joe Hulbig
1st NHL Goal
December 5, 1997
Dan McGillis
100th NHL Game
Rem Murray
Mats Lindgren
100th NHL Game
December 7, 1997
Doug Weight
300th NHL Assist
December 10, 1997
Kelly Buchberger
1,600th NHL PIM
December 20, 1997
Bryan Marchment
100th NHL Point
Kelly Buchberger
700th NHL Game
December 27, 1997
Dean McAmmond
200th NHL Game
Doug Weight
400th NHL PIM
Boyd Devereaux
1st NHL Goal
January 20, 1998
Dan McGillis
100th NHL PIM
January 23, 1998
Greg de Vries
100th NHL Game
January 31, 1998
Curtis Joseph
200th NHL Win
February 2, 1998
Terran Sandwith
1st NHL Game
Boris Mironov
100th NHL Assist
February 6, 1998
Roman Hamrlik
200th NHL Point
February 25, 1998
Boris Mironov
400th NHL PIM 300th NHL Game
February 27, 1998
Bill Guerin
500th NHL PIM
February 28, 1998
Scott Ferguson
1st NHL Game
March 4, 1998
Bill Guerin
400th NHL Game
Drake Berehowsky
300th NHL PIM
March 7, 1998
Mike Grier
100th NHL PIM
Roman Hamrlik
400th NHL Game
Valeri Zelepukin
400th NHL PIM
Scott Fraser
1st NHL Assist
March 9, 1998
Roman Hamrlik
500th NHL PIM
March 13, 1998
Dean McAmmond
100th NHL PIM
March 15, 1998
Valeri Zelepukin
400th NHL Game
Frank Musil
100th NHL Assist
March 18, 1998
Todd Marchant
200th NHL PIM
March 25, 1998
Ryan Smyth
100th NHL Point
April 1, 1998
Bobby Dollas
500th NHL Game
April 3, 1998
Doug Weight
500th NHL Game
April 8, 1998
Frank Musil
1,200th NHL PIM
April 11, 1998
Playoffs
Player
Milestone
Reached
Drake Berehowsky
1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point
April 22, 1998
Dean McAmmond
1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point
Scott Fraser
1st NHL Game
Kelly Buchberger
100th NHL PIM
April 24, 1998
Curtis Joseph
50th NHL Game
April 28, 1998
Drake Berehowsky
1st NHL Goal
May 2, 1998
Bill Guerin
100th NHL PIM
Curtis Joseph
5th NHL Shutout
Dean McAmmond
1st NHL Assist
Mats Lindgren
1st NHL Goal
May 4, 1998
Scott Fraser
1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point
May 13, 1998
Scott Fraser
1st NHL Assist
May 16, 1998
Transactions
Trades
June 18, 1997
To Philadelphia Flyers Matt Cerven
To Edmonton Oilers 7th round pick in 1997
July 16, 1997
To Tampa Bay Lightning Vladimir Vujtek 3rd round pick in 1998
To Edmonton Oilers Brantt Myhres 3rd round pick in 1998
August 12, 1997
To Pittsburgh Penguins Jiri Slegr
To Edmonton Oilers 3rd round pick in 1998
August 25, 1997
To New York Islanders Mariusz Czerkawski
To Edmonton Oilers Dan LaCouture
October 15, 1997
To Philadelphia Flyers Brantt Myhres
To Edmonton Oilers Jason Bowen
December 30, 1997
To Tampa Bay Lightning Bryan Marchment Steve Kelly Jason Bonsignore
To Edmonton Oilers Roman Hamrlik Paul Comrie
January 4, 1998
To New Jersey Devils Jason Arnott Bryan Muir
To Edmonton Oilers Bill Guerin Valeri Zelepukin
January 9, 1998
To Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Drew Bannister
To Edmonton Oilers Bobby Dollas
March 9, 1998
To Ottawa Senators Scott Ferguson
To Edmonton Oilers Frank Musil
March 24, 1998
To Philadelphia Flyers Dan McGillis 2nd round pick in 1998
To Edmonton Oilers Janne Niinimaa
Free agents
Draft picks
Edmonton's draft picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft .[ 9]
References
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