1997–98 Los Angeles Kings season

1997–98 Los Angeles Kings
Division2nd Pacific
Conference5th Western
1997–98 record38–33–11
Home record22–16–3
Road record16–17–8
Goals for227
Goals against225
Team information
General managerDave Taylor
CoachLarry Robinson
CaptainRob Blake
Alternate captainsLuc Robitaille
Garry Galley
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Average attendance13,019
Minor league affiliate(s)Long Beach Ice Dogs
Fredericton Canadiens
Mississippi Sea Wolves
Team leaders
GoalsGlen Murray (29)
AssistsJozef Stumpel (58)
PointsJozef Stumpel (79)
Penalty minutesMatt Johnson (249)
Plus/minusJozef Stumpel (+17)
WinsStephane Fiset (26)
Goals against averageJamie Storr (2.22)

The 1997–98 Los Angeles Kings season was the Kings' 31st season in the National Hockey League. The Kings qualified for the playoffs for the first time in five years, losing in the first round to St. Louis in four straight games.

Offseason

Regular season

On Saturday, April 11, 1998, the Kings scored three short-handed goals in 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche.[1]

Final standings

Pacific Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 2 Colorado Avalanche 82 39 26 17 231 205 95
2 5 Los Angeles Kings 82 38 33 11 227 225 87
3 7 Edmonton Oilers 82 35 37 10 215 224 80
4 8 San Jose Sharks 82 34 38 10 210 216 78
5 11 Calgary Flames 82 26 41 15 217 252 67
6 12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 82 26 43 13 205 261 65
7 13 Vancouver Canucks 82 25 43 14 224 273 64

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.

Western Conference[2]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Dallas Stars CEN 82 49 22 11 242 167 109
2 x – Colorado Avalanche PAC 82 39 26 17 231 205 95
3 Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 44 23 15 250 196 103
4 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 45 29 8 256 204 98
5 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 38 33 11 227 225 87
6 Phoenix Coyotes CEN 82 35 35 12 224 227 82
7 Edmonton Oilers PAC 82 35 37 10 215 224 80
8 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 34 38 10 210 216 78
9 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 30 39 13 192 199 73
10 Toronto Maple Leafs CEN 82 30 43 9 194 237 69
11 Calgary Flames PAC 82 26 41 15 217 252 67
12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 26 43 13 205 261 65
13 Vancouver Canucks PAC 82 25 43 14 224 273 64

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won Division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy


Playoffs

The Kings were swept by the St. Louis Blues in 4 games in the first round. At home (game 3) LA were leading 3-0, until Storr was run by Geoff Courtnall with 11:27 remaining in the 3rd period. Kings player Sean O'Donnell stuck up for Storr resulting in a 5-minute major for the Blues. St. Louis went on to score 4 PP goals in a 3:07 span. Jamie likely had a concussion or some injury from the charge as his reactions and play were sluggishly uncoordinated contributing to the goals especially the 4th one.

Schedule and results

Regular season

1997–98 regular season[3]
October: 5–5–4 (home: 3–3–0; road: 2–2–4)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 T October 1, 1997 3–3 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) 0–0–1 Recap
2 L October 2, 1997 5–6 @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) 0–1–1 Recap
3 T October 5, 1997 2–2 OT @ New York Rangers (1997–98) 0–1–2 Recap
4 T October 7, 1997 3–3 OT @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) 0–1–3 Recap
5 L October 9, 1997 2–3 OT @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 0–2–3 Recap
6 W October 12, 1997 7–4 Ottawa Senators (1997–98) 1–2–3 Recap
7 L October 15, 1997 3–5 Boston Bruins (1997–98) 1–3–3 Recap
8 W October 17, 1997 5–1 Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 2–3–3 Recap
9 L October 19, 1997 2–3 OT Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 2–4–3 Recap
10 W October 21, 1997 3–2 New York Islanders (1997–98) 3–4–3 Recap
11 L October 23, 1997 1–4 Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 3–5–3 Recap
12 W October 26, 1997 3–1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 4–5–3 Recap
13 T October 28, 1997 2–2 OT @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) 4–5–4 Recap
14 W October 31, 1997 5–1 @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 5–5–4 Recap
November: 7–4–1 (home: 5–2–0; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
15 L November 1, 1997 2–4 @ New York Islanders (1997–98) 5–6–4 Recap
16 W November 4, 1997 3–0 @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 6–6–4 Recap
17 W November 6, 1997 5–2 Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 7–6–4 Recap
18 L November 8, 1997 1–4 Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) 7–7–4 Recap
19 W November 11, 1997 8–2 Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 8–7–4 Recap
20 W November 13, 1997 6–3 San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 9–7–4 Recap
21 L November 15, 1997 1–5 Dallas Stars (1997–98) 9–8–4 Recap
22 W November 20, 1997 4–3 Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 10–8–4 Recap
23 W November 23, 1997 2–1 OT @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 11–8–4 Recap
24 L November 26, 1997 1–4 @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) 11–9–4 Recap
25 T November 27, 1997 2–2 OT @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 11–9–5 Recap
26 W November 29, 1997 4–1 New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 12–9–5 Recap
December: 4–7–2 (home: 2–2–1; road: 2–5–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
27 L December 3, 1997 0–2 @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) 12–10–5 Recap
28 L December 4, 1997 2–3 @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) 12–11–5 Recap
29 L December 6, 1997 2–7 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) 12–12–5 Recap
30 L December 9, 1997 1–2 Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) 12–13–5 Recap
31 T December 13, 1997 2–2 OT Washington Capitals (1997–98) 12–13–6 Recap
32 L December 15, 1997 0–7 @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 12–14–6 Recap
33 W December 18, 1997 5–2 Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) 13–14–6 Recap
34 W December 20, 1997 4–1 @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) 14–14–6 Recap
35 W December 22, 1997 1–0 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 15–14–6 Recap
36 L December 23, 1997 1–5 @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 15–15–6 Recap
37 L December 27, 1997 2–4 Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 15–16–6 Recap
38 W December 29, 1997 5–2 Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 16–16–6 Recap
39 T December 31, 1997 2–2 OT @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) 16–16–7 Recap
January: 7–3–2 (home: 5–1–1; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
40 L January 1, 1998 0–4 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 16–17–7 Recap
41 W January 4, 1998 3–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 17–17–7 Recap
42 L January 5, 1998 2–3 @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 17–18–7 Recap
43 T January 8, 1998 2–2 OT Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) 17–18–8 Recap
44 L January 10, 1998 3–4 Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 17–19–8 Recap
45 W January 12, 1998 3–2 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 18–19–8 Recap
46 W January 14, 1998 4–2 @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 19–19–8 Recap
47 W January 20, 1998 4–3 Calgary Flames (1997–98) 20–19–8 Recap
48 W January 22, 1998 3–1 Florida Panthers (1997–98) 21–19–8 Recap
49 T January 24, 1998 3–3 OT @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 21–19–9 Recap
50 W January 29, 1998 5–3 Calgary Flames (1997–98) 22–19–9 Recap
51 W January 31, 1998 3–0 Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 23–19–9 Recap
February: 4–2–1 (home: 1–1–0; road: 3–1–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
52 L February 2, 1998 0–1 @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 23–20–9 Recap
53 W February 3, 1998 6–3 @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) 24–20–9 Recap
54 W February 5, 1998 3–1 New York Rangers (1997–98) 25–20–9 Recap
55 W February 7, 1998 5–2 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 26–20–9 Recap
56 T February 25, 1998 1–1 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 26–20–10 Recap
57 W February 26, 1998 7–4 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 27–20–10 Recap
58 L February 28, 1998 2–5 St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 27–21–10 Recap
March: 7–6–1 (home: 4–4–1; road: 3–2–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
59 T March 2, 1998 2–2 OT Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 27–21–11 Recap
60 L March 5, 1998 1–2 Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) 27–22–11 Recap
61 W March 7, 1998 2–1 Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 28–22–11 Recap
62 W March 9, 1998 4–3 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 29–22–11 Recap
63 W March 10, 1998 4–3 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 30–22–11 Recap
64 L March 12, 1998 1–2 Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) 30–23–11 Recap
65 W March 14, 1998 5–2 Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 31–23–11 Recap
66 L March 16, 1998 1–2 @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 31–24–11 Recap
67 L March 17, 1998 3–4 Dallas Stars (1997–98) 31–25–11 Recap
68 W March 21, 1998 3–2 Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 32–25–11 Recap
69 W March 24, 1998 4–3 @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 33–25–11 Recap
70 L March 26, 1998 2–5 San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 33–26–11 Recap
71 L March 28, 1998 2–5 @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) 33–27–11 Recap
72 W March 30, 1998 3–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) 34–27–11 Recap
April: 4–6–0 (home: 2–3–0; road: 2–3–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
73 L April 1, 1998 0–4 @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) 34–28–11 Recap
74 L April 2, 1998 0–3 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 34–29–11 Recap
75 L April 4, 1998 2–3 @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) 34–30–11 Recap
76 W April 6, 1998 3–1 @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 35–30–11 Recap
77 L April 9, 1998 0–4 Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 35–31–11 Recap
78 W April 11, 1998 4–3 Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 36–31–11 Recap
79 W April 13, 1998 4–2 Calgary Flames (1997–98) 37–31–11 Recap
80 W April 15, 1998 2–0 @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 38–31–11 Recap
81 L April 16, 1998 3–7 St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 38–32–11 Recap
82 L April 18, 1998 1–4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 38–33–11 Recap
Legend:

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

Playoffs

1998 Stanley Cup playoffs[3]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (4) St. Louis Blues: Blues win 4–0
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L April 23, 1998 3–8 @ St. Louis Blues Blues lead 1–0 Recap
2 L April 25, 1998 1–2 @ St. Louis Blues Blues lead 2–0 Recap
3 L April 27, 1998 3–4 St. Louis Blues Blues lead 3–0 Recap
4 L April 29, 1998 1–2 St. Louis Blues Blues win 4–0 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
15 Jozef Stumpel C 77 21 58 79 17 53 4 1 2 3 2 2
27 Glen Murray RW 81 29 31 60 6 54 4 2 0 2 2 6
9 Vladimir Tsyplakov LW 73 18 34 52 15 18 4 0 1 1 −1 8
4 Rob Blake D 81 23 27 50 −3 94 4 0 0 0 −4 6
44 Yanic Perreault C 79 28 20 48 6 32 4 1 2 3 −1 6
20 Luc Robitaille LW 57 16 24 40 5 66 4 1 2 3 1 6
23 Craig Johnson LW 74 17 21 38 9 42 4 1 0 1 0 4
3 Garry Galley D 74 9 28 37 −5 63 4 0 1 1 −2 2
45 Sandy Moger C 62 11 13 24 4 70 — — — — — —
22 Ian Laperriere RW 77 6 15 21 0 131 4 1 0 1 0 6
19 Russ Courtnall† RW 58 12 6 18 −2 27 4 0 0 0 −2 2
6 Sean O'Donnell D 80 2 15 17 7 179 4 1 0 1 1 36
28 Philippe Boucher D 45 6 10 16 6 49 — — — — — —
26 Ray Ferraro C 40 6 9 15 −10 42 3 0 1 1 1 2
14 Mattias Norstrom D 73 1 12 13 14 90 4 0 0 0 −1 2
42 Dan Bylsma RW 65 3 9 12 9 33 2 0 0 0 −3 0
24 Nathan LaFayette C 34 5 3 8 2 32 4 0 0 0 −2 2
7 Steve McKenna LW 62 4 4 8 −9 150 3 0 1 1 1 8
5 Aki Berg D 72 0 8 8 3 61 4 0 3 3 3 0
2 Doug Zmolek D 46 0 8 8 0 111 2 0 0 0 0 2
10 Donald MacLean C 22 5 2 7 −1 4 — — — — — —
17 Matt Johnson LW 66 2 4 6 −8 249 4 0 0 0 −1 6
33 Jan Vopat D 21 1 5 6 8 10 2 0 1 1 1 2
11 Brad Smyth‡ RW 9 1 3 4 −1 4 — — — — — —
12 Roman Vopat C 25 0 3 3 −7 55 — — — — — —
52 Jason Morgan C 11 1 0 1 −7 4 — — — — — —
35 Stephane Fiset G 60 0 1 1 8 2 0 0 0 0
43 Vitali Yachmenev LW 4 0 1 1 1 4 — — — — — —
31 Frederic Chabot G 12 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
21 Olli Jokinen C 8 0 0 0 −5 6 — — — — — —
1 Jamie Storr G 17 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
35 Stephane Fiset 60 26 25 8 1728 158 2.71 .909 2 3497 2 0 2 61 7 4.52 .885 0 93
1 Jamie Storr 17 9 5 1 482 34 2.22 .929 2 920 3 0 2 77 9 3.72 .883 0 145
31 Frederic Chabot 12 3 3 2 267 29 3.14 .891 0 554 — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		James Norris Memorial Trophy Rob Blake [4]
NHL All-Rookie Team Jamie Storr (Goaltender) [5]
NHL First All-Star Team Rob Blake (Defense) [5]
Team Best Newcomer Jozef Stumpel [6]
Bill Libby Memorial Award Rob Blake [6]
Defensive Player Ian Laperriere [6]
Jim Fox Community Service Luc Robitaille [6]
Leading Scorer Jozef Stumpel [6]
Most Inspirational Rob Blake [6]
Most Popular Player Rob Blake [6]
Outstanding Defenseman Rob Blake [6]
Unsung Hero Mattias Norstrom [6]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Olli Jokinen October 1, 1997 [7]
Donald MacLean
1,000th point Luc Robitaille January 29, 1998 [8]

Transactions

The Kings were involved in the following transactions during the 1997–98 season.[9]

Trades

August 28, 1997 To Los Angeles Kings
Luc Robitaille 		To New York Rangers
Kevin Stevens
August 29, 1997 To Los Angeles Kings
Jozef Stümpel
Sandy Moger
4th round pick in 1998 - Pierre Dagenais 		To Boston Bruins
Byron Dafoe
Dmitri Khristich
November 14, 1997 To Los Angeles Kings
Future considerations 		To New York Rangers
Brad Smyth

Free agent signings

July 5, 1997 From Buffalo Sabres
Garry Galley (3 years, $4.8 million)
July 18, 1997 From Milwaukee Admirals (IHL)
Mark Visheau
July 25, 1997 From New York Islanders
Chris Taylor
September 3, 1997 From Florida Panthers
Frédéric Chabot
November 7, 1997 From New York Rangers
Russ Courtnall (1 year, $940,000)

Free agents lost

August 11, 1997 To Buffalo Sabres
Patrice Tardif
August 15, 1997 To San Jose Sharks
Barry Potomski
August 18, 1997 To Phoenix Coyotes
John Slaney (1 year, $350,000)
September 4, 1997 To Phoenix Coyotes
Brad Tiley

Draft picks

Los Angeles's draft picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[10]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 3 Olli Jokinen  Finland HIFK (Finland)
1 15 Matt Zultek  Canada Ottawa 67's (OHL)
2 29 Scott Barney  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHL)
4 83 Joe Corvo  United States Western Michigan University (CCHA)
4 99 Sean Blanchard  Canada Ottawa 67's (OHL)
6 137 Richard Seeley  Canada Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
6 150 Jeff Katcher  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
8 193 Jay Kopischke  United States North Iowa Huskies (USHL)
9 220 Konrad Brand  Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

See also

References

  • "Los Angeles Kings 1997-98 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  • "1997-98 Los Angeles Kings Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  1. ^ "Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings Box Score — April 11, 1998".
  2. ^ "1997-1998 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  3. ^ a b "1997-98 Los Angeles Kings Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "James Norris Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Los Angeles Kings 2014–15 Media Guide, p. 201–03
  7. ^ "1997-98 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "Robitaille reaches milestone". Deseret News. January 30, 1998. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  9. ^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results".
  10. ^ "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.