1997–98 Boston Bruins season

1997–98 Boston Bruins
Division2nd Northeast
Conference5th Eastern
1997–98 record39–30–13
Home record19–16–6
Road record20–14–7
Goals for221
Goals against194
Team information
General managerMike O'Connell
CoachPat Burns
CaptainRay Bourque
Alternate captainsKen Baumgartner
Don Sweeney
ArenaFleet Center
Average attendance15,097
Minor league affiliate(s)Providence Bruins
Charlotte Checkers
Team leaders
GoalsJason Allison (33)
AssistsJason Allison (50)
PointsJason Allison (83)
Penalty minutesKen Baumgartner (199)
Plus/minusJason Allison (+33)
WinsByron Dafoe (30)
Goals against averageRob Tallas (1.83)

The 1997–98 Boston Bruins season was the team's 74th season. The season involved drafting Joe Thornton first overall.

Off-season

Regular season

The Bruins allowed the fewest shorthanded goals (3) and were the most disciplined team during the regular season, being short-handed only 285 times.[1]

Final standings

Northeast Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 82 40 24 18 228 188 98
2 5 Boston Bruins 82 39 30 13 221 194 91
3 6 Buffalo Sabres 82 36 29 17 211 187 89
4 7 Montreal Canadiens 82 37 32 13 235 208 87
5 8 Ottawa Senators 82 34 33 15 193 200 83
6 9 Carolina Hurricanes 82 33 41 8 200 219 74
Eastern Conference[2]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 New Jersey Devils ATL 82 48 23 11 225 166 107
2 Pittsburgh Penguins NE 82 40 24 18 228 188 98
3 Philadelphia Flyers ATL 82 42 29 11 242 193 95
4 Washington Capitals ATL 82 40 30 12 219 202 92
5 Boston Bruins NE 82 39 30 13 221 194 91
6 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 36 29 17 211 187 89
7 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 37 32 13 235 208 87
8 Ottawa Senators NE 82 34 33 15 193 200 83
9 Carolina Hurricanes NE 82 33 41 8 200 219 74
10 New York Islanders ATL 82 30 41 11 212 225 71
11 New York Rangers ATL 82 25 39 18 197 231 68
12 Florida Panthers ATL 82 24 43 15 203 256 63
13 Tampa Bay Lightning ATL 82 17 55 10 151 269 44

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs


Schedule and results

Regular season

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

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

Playoffs

1998 Stanley Cup playoffs[3]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (4) Washington Capitals – Capitals win 4–2
Game Result Date Score Opponent Attendance Series Recap
1 L April 22, 1998 1–3 @ Washington Capitals 15,117 Capitals lead 1–0 Recap
2 W April 24, 1998 4–3 2OT @ Washington Capitals 19,740 Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 L April 26, 1998 2–3 2OT Washington Capitals 15,520 Capitals lead 2–1 Recap
4 L April 28, 1998 0–3 Washington Capitals 17,131 Capitals lead 3–1 Recap
5 W May 1, 1998 4–0 @ Washington Capitals 19,740 Capitals lead 3–2 Recap
6 L May 3, 1998 2–3 OT Washington Capitals 15,163 Capitals lead 4–2 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 Bruins only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Bruins only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
41 Jason Allison C 81 33 50 83 33 60 6 2 6 8 0 4
12 Dmitri Khristich RW 82 29 37 66 25 42 6 2 2 4 1 2
77 Ray Bourque D 82 13 35 48 2 80 6 1 4 5 −2 2
14 Sergei Samsonov LW 81 22 25 47 9 8 6 2 5 7 1 0
23 Steve Heinze RW 61 26 20 46 8 54 6 0 0 0 −4 6
33 Anson Carter RW 78 16 27 43 7 31 6 1 1 2 −3 0
21 Ted Donato LW 79 16 23 39 6 54 5 0 0 0 −3 2
26 Tim Taylor C 79 20 11 31 −16 57 6 0 0 0 −2 10
19 Rob DiMaio RW 79 10 17 27 −13 82 6 1 0 1 −3 8
11[a] P. J. Axelsson LW 82 8 19 27 −14 38 6 1 0 1 −3 0
18 Kyle McLaren D 66 5 20 25 13 56 6 1 0 1 −3 4
44 Dave Ellett D 82 3 20 23 3 67 6 0 1 1 −1 6
42 Mike Sullivan C 77 5 13 18 −1 34 6 0 1 1 0 2
32 Don Sweeney D 59 1 15 16 12 24 — — — — — —
20 Darren Van Impe† D 50 2 8 10 4 36 6 2 1 3 0 0
36 Grant Ledyard† D 22 2 7 9 −2 6 6 0 0 0 −3 2
6 Joe Thornton C 55 3 4 7 −6 19 6 0 0 0 0 9
25[b] Hal Gill D 68 2 4 6 4 47 6 0 0 0 −1 4
27 Landon Wilson RW 28 1 5 6 3 7 1 0 0 0 0 0
34 Byron Dafoe G 65 0 3 3 2 6 0 0 0 0
17 Shawn Bates C 13 2 0 2 −3 2 — — — — — —
37 Mattias Timander D 23 1 1 2 −9 6 — — — — — —
29 Dean Malkoc D 40 1 0 1 −12 86 — — — — — —
22 Ken Baumgartner LW 82 0 1 1 −14 199 6 0 0 0 0 14
10 Cameron Mann RW 9 0 1 1 1 4 — — — — — —
30 Jim Carey G 10 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
28 Dean Chynoweth D 2 0 0 0 −4 0 — — — — — —
45 Robert Lang‡ C 3 0 0 0 1 2 — — — — — —
60 Kirk Nielsen RW 6 0 0 0 −1 0 — — — — — —
39 Joel Prpic C 1 0 0 0 0 2 — — — — — —
16 Randy Robitaille C 4 0 0 0 −2 0 — — — — — —
43 Jean-Yves Roy RW 2 0 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
35 Robbie Tallas G 14 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
34 Byron Dafoe 65 30 25 9 1602 138 2.24 .914 6 3693 6 2 4 159 14 1.99 .912 1 422
35 Robbie Tallas 14 6 3 3 326 24 1.83 .926 1 788 — — — — — — — — —
30 Jim Carey 10 3 2 1 225 24 2.90 .893 2 496 — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		Calder Memorial Trophy Sergei Samsonov [4]
Jack Adams Award Pat Burns [5]
NHL All-Rookie Team Sergei Samsonov (Forward) [6]
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Ray Bourque[c] [8]
NHL Rookie of the Month Sergei Samsonov (January) [9]
Team Elizabeth C. Dufresne Trophy Jason Allison [10]
Seventh Player Award Jason Allison [10]
Three Stars Awards Byron Dafoe (1st) [11]
Jason Allison (2nd)
Ray Bourque (3rd)

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game P. J. Axelsson October 2, 1997 [12]
Shawn Bates
Sergei Samsonov
Joe Thornton October 8, 1997
Hal Gill October 17, 1997
Kirk Nielsen November 1, 1997
Cameron Mann December 18, 1997
Joel Prpic April 9, 1998
1,000th game played David Ellett March 1, 1998 [13]

Draft picks

Boston's picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[14]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 1 Joe Thornton Center  Canada Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
1 8 Sergei Samsonov Left wing  Russia Detroit Vipers (IHL)
2 27 Ben Clymer Right wing  United States University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
3 54 Mattias Karlin Center  Sweden Modo Hockey (Sweden)
3 63 Lee Goren Right wing  Canada University of North Dakota (WCHA)
4 81 Karol Bartanus Right wing  Slovakia Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
6 135 Denis Timofeyev Defense  Russia CSKA Moscow (Russia)
7 162 Joel Trottier Right wing  Canada Ottawa 67's (OHL)
7 180 Jim Baxter Defense  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
8 191 Antti Laaksonen Left wing  Finland University of Denver (WCHA)
9 218 Eric Van Acker Defense  Canada Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
9 246 Jay Henderson Left wing  Canada Edmonton Ice (WHL)

Notes

  1. ^ Axelsson wore number 57 through December 6.
  2. ^ Gill wore number 75 through December 6.
  3. ^ Bourque was voted to the starting lineup.[7]

References

  • "Boston Bruins 1997-98 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  • "1997-98 Boston Bruins Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  1. ^ "1997-98 NHL Summary".
  2. ^ "1997–1998 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "1997-98 Boston Bruins Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Calder Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Jack Adams Award". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)". NHL.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "1998 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "NHL Rookies of the Month". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Boston Bruins 2014–15 Guide & Record Book, p.239
  11. ^ Boston Bruins 2014–15 Guide & Record Book, p. 239–40
  12. ^ "1997-98 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  13. ^ "1982 NHL Entry Draft -- Dave Ellett". www.hockeydraftcentral.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023. Played his 1,000th career NHL game for Boston on March 1, 1998, at N.Y. Islanders.
  14. ^ "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.