The 1995–96 Florida Panthers seasonseason ever. In only their third season in the National Hockey League , the Panthers qualified for the playoffs, and won three playoff series to become Eastern Conference champions. In the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals , they lost to the Colorado Avalanche in four games.
Offseason [ ] NHL draft [ ] Regular season [ ] Year of the Rat [ ] A very unusual goal celebration developed in Miami. On the night of the Panthers' '95–'96 home opener, a rat scurried across the Florida locker room. Mellanby reacted by "one-timing " the rat against the wall, killing it [1] . That night he scored two goals, which Vanbiesbrouck quipped was "a rat trick ". Two nights later, as the story found its way into the world, a few fans threw rubber rats on the ice in celebration of a goal. The rubber rat count went from 16 for the third home game to over 2,000 during the playoffs. In a freak coincidence, 1996 was also year of the rat according to Chinese Astrology .
In the 1996 playoffs, as the #4 seed, the Panthers beat the Boston Bruins in 5 games, then upset the top seeded Philadelphia Flyers in six, and then the second seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in seven to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Their opponents, the Colorado Avalanche , swept the Panthers in four games.
Final standings [ ] Game log [ ]
No.
R
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
1
L
October 7, 1995
0–4
@ New Jersey Devils (1995–96 )
0–1–0
2
W
October 8, 1995
4–3
Calgary Flames (1995–96 ) 1–1–0
3
W
October 11, 1995
6–1
Montreal Canadiens (1995–96 ) 2–1–0
4
W
October 13, 1995
6–2
Ottawa Senators (1995–96 ) 3–1–0
5
W
October 15, 1995
5–3
New York Islanders (1995–96 ) 4–1–0
6
L
October 17, 1995
3–6
Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96 ) 4–2–0
7
W
October 21, 1995
3–0
Hartford Whalers (1995–96 ) 5–2–0
8
W
October 24, 1995
6–1
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96 )
6–2–0
9
L
October 25, 1995
2–7
@ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96 )
6–3–0
10
W
October 28, 1995
4–1
@ Ottawa Senators (1995–96 )
7–3–0
11
L
October 31, 1995
4–5 OT
New York Islanders (1995–96 ) 7–4–0
12
W
November 2, 1995
2–1
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96 )
8–4–0
13
W
November 3, 1995
3–2
@ Washington Capitals (1995–96 )
9–4–0
14
W
November 5, 1995
4–1
Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96 ) 10–4–0
15
W
November 7, 1995
4–2
Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96 ) 11–4–0
16
W
November 9, 1995
2–1
Edmonton Oilers (1995–96 ) 12–4–0
17
W
November 11, 1995
4–1
Buffalo Sabres (1995–96 ) 13–4–0
18
W
November 14, 1995
5–2
Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96 ) 14–4–0
19
T
November 16, 1995
2–2 OT
Vancouver Canucks (1995–96 ) 14–4–1
20
L
November 18, 1995
2–3
@ Los Angeles Kings (1995–96 )
14–5–1
21
W
November 19, 1995
4–3
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96 )
15–5–1
22
W
November 21, 1995
4–3
New Jersey Devils (1995–96 ) 16–5–1
23
W
November 26, 1995
5–1
Los Angeles Kings (1995–96 ) 17–5–1
24
L
November 29, 1995
1–2 OT
Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96 ) 17–6–1
25
L
December 1, 1995
1–2
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96 )
17–7–1
26
W
December 2, 1995
5–3
@ Hartford Whalers (1995–96 )
18–7–1
27
W
December 5, 1995
4–3
@ Washington Capitals (1995–96 )
19–7–1
28
T
December 7, 1995
3–3 OT
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96 ) 19–7–2
29
W
December 9, 1995
3–1
Boston Bruins (1995–96 ) 20–7–2
30
W
December 11, 1995
2–1
@ New Jersey Devils (1995–96 )
21–7–2
31
W
December 12, 1995
3–1
@ New York Islanders (1995–96 )
22–7–2
32
L
December 14, 1995
4–6
@ Boston Bruins (1995–96 )
22–8–2
33
W
December 16, 1995
7–2
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96 )
23–8–2
34
W
December 21, 1995
6–1
Winnipeg Jets (1995–96 ) 24–8–2
35
W
December 23, 1995
2–1
New Jersey Devils (1995–96 ) 25–8–2
36
L
December 28, 1995
4–5
Washington Capitals (1995–96 ) 25–9–2
37
L
December 30, 1995
5–6
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96 )
25–10–2
38
L
January 3, 1996
2–7
@ Vancouver Canucks (1995–96 )
25–11–2
39
W
January 5, 1996
3–2
@ Edmonton Oilers (1995–96 )
26–11–2
40
L
January 6, 1996
0–2
@ Calgary Flames (1995–96 )
26–12–2
41
W
January 8, 1996
5–2
@ San Jose Sharks (1995–96 )
27–12–2
42
T
January 10, 1996
4–4 OT
@ Colorado Avalanche (1995–96 )
27–12–3
43
T
January 12, 1996
6–6 OT
@ Dallas Stars (1995–96 )
27–12–4
44
W
January 16, 1996
4–1
San Jose Sharks (1995–96 ) 28–12–4
45
T
January 22, 1996
1–1 OT
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96 )
28–12–5
46
W
January 23, 1996
5–4
@ Washington Capitals (1995–96 )
29–12–5
47
L
January 25, 1996
2–6
Montreal Canadiens (1995–96 ) 29–13–5
48
W
January 27, 1996
6–3
Buffalo Sabres (1995–96 ) 30–13–5
49
W
January 29, 1996
2–1
Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96 ) 31–13–5
50
L
January 31, 1996
1–6
@ Buffalo Sabres (1995–96 )
31–14–5
51
T
February 1, 1996
2–2 OT
@ Boston Bruins (1995–96 )
31–14–6
52
W
February 3, 1996
5–3
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96 )
32–14–6
53
L
February 6, 1996
2–4
@ Detroit Red Wings (1995–96 )
32–15–6
54
W
February 8, 1996
3–1
Detroit Red Wings (1995–96 ) 33–15–6
55
T
February 11, 1996
2–2 OT
St. Louis Blues (1995–96 ) 33–15–7
56
L
February 14, 1996
2–4
Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96 ) 33–16–7
57
L
February 16, 1996
4–5 OT
Colorado Avalanche (1995–96 ) 33–17–7
58
W
February 18, 1996
6–4
Dallas Stars (1995–96 ) 34–17–7
59
W
February 21, 1996
4–1
@ New Jersey Devils (1995–96 )
35–17–7
60
L
February 24, 1996
0–4
New York Rangers (1995–96 ) 35–18–7
61
L
February 25, 1996
1–6
@ Buffalo Sabres (1995–96 )
35–19–7
62
T
February 29, 1996
2–2 OT
Washington Capitals (1995–96 ) 35–19–8
63
L
March 2, 1996
1–7
@ Hartford Whalers (1995–96 )
35–20–8
64
L
March 5, 1996
0–2
@ St. Louis Blues (1995–96 )
35–21–8
65
L
March 7, 1996
3–5
@ Winnipeg Jets (1995–96 )
35–22–8
66
L
March 10, 1996
1–4
Boston Bruins (1995–96 ) 35–23–8
67
L
March 11, 1996
4–8
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96 )
35–24–8
68
T
March 13, 1996
3–3 OT
@ New York Rangers (1995–96 )
35–24–9
69
W
March 17, 1996
3–0
New Jersey Devils (1995–96 ) 36–24–9
70
W
March 19, 1996
5–2
Ottawa Senators (1995–96 ) 37–24–9
71
W
March 21, 1996
3–2
New York Islanders (1995–96 ) 38–24–9
72
L
March 23, 1996
2–4
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96 )
38–25–9
73
L
March 27, 1996
0–3
@ New York Rangers (1995–96 )
38–26–9
74
L
March 28, 1996
2–3
Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96 ) 38–27–9
75
L
March 30, 1996
1–2
Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96 ) 38–28–9
76
W
April 1, 1996
3–2
Hartford Whalers (1995–96 ) 39–28–9
77
L
April 3, 1996
2–3
@ Ottawa Senators (1995–96 )
39–29–9
78
L
April 6, 1996
1–2
@ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96 )
39–30–9
79
W
April 8, 1996
5–3
@ New York Rangers (1995–96 )
40–30–9
80
L
April 10, 1996
1–2
Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96 ) 40–31–9
81
T
April 12, 1996
1–1 OT
@ New York Islanders (1995–96 )
40–31–10
82
W
April 14, 1996
5–1
New York Rangers (1995–96 ) 41–31–10
Player stats [ ]
Regular season
Scoring
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
PPG
SHG
GWG
Mellanby, Scott Scott Mellanby
RW
79
32
38
70
160
4
19
0
3
Niedermayer, Rob Rob Niedermayer
C
82
26
35
61
107
1
11
0
6
Svehla, Robert Robert Svehla
D
81
8
49
57
94
-3
7
0
0
Garpenlov, Johan Johan Garpenlov
LW
82
23
28
51
36
-10
8
0
7
Barnes, Stu Stu Barnes
C
72
19
25
44
46
-12
8
0
5
Belanger, Jesse Jesse Belanger
C
63
17
21
38
10
-5
7
0
1
Hull, Jody Jody Hull
RW
78
20
17
37
25
5
2
0
3
Fitzgerald, Tom Tom Fitzgerald
RW
82
13
21
34
75
-3
1
6
2
Lindsay, Bill Bill Lindsay
RW
73
12
22
34
57
13
0
3
2
Woolley, Jason Jason Woolley
D
52
6
28
34
32
-9
3
0
0
Murphy, Gord Gord Murphy
D
70
8
22
30
30
5
4
0
0
Dvorak, Radek Radek Dvorak
RW
77
13
14
27
20
5
0
0
4
Skrudland, Brian Brian Skrudland
C
79
7
20
27
129
6
0
1
1
Lowry, Dave Dave Lowry
LW
63
10
14
24
36
-2
0
0
1
Hough, Mike Mike Hough
LW
64
7
16
23
37
4
0
1
1
Jovanovski, Ed Ed Jovanovski
D
70
10
11
21
137
-3
2
0
2
Carkner, Terry Terry Carkner
D
73
3
10
13
80
10
1
0
0
Svensson, Magnus Magnus Svensson
D
27
2
9
11
21
-1
2
0
1
Sheppard, Ray Ray Sheppard
RW
14
8
2
10
4
0
2
0
2
Smith, Geoff Geoff Smith
D
31
3
7
10
20
-4
2
0
0
Laus, Paul Paul Laus
D
78
3
6
9
236
-2
0
0
0
Straka, Martin Martin Straka
C
12
2
4
6
6
1
1
0
0
Dionne, Gilbert Gilbert Dionne
LW
5
1
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
Harkins, Brett Brett Harkins
LW
8
0
3
3
6
-2
0
0
0
Warrener, Rhett Rhett Warrener
D
28
0
3
3
46
4
0
0
0
Smyth, Brad Brad Smyth
RW
7
1
1
2
4
-3
1
0
0
Nemirovsky, David David Nemirovsky
RW
9
0
2
2
2
-1
0
0
0
Vanbiesbrouck, John John Vanbiesbrouck
G
57
0
2
2
10
0
0
0
0
Kudelski, Bob Bob Kudelski
RW
13
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
Washburn, Steve Steve Washburn
C
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
Casselman, Mike Mike Casselman
C
3
0
0
0
0
-1
0
0
0
Fitzpatrick, Mark Mark Fitzpatrick
G
34
0
0
0
12
0
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
T
GA
GAA
SO
SA
SV
SV%
Vanbiesbrouck, John John Vanbiesbrouck
3178
57
26
20
7
142
2.68
2
1473
1331
.904
Fitzpatrick, Mark Mark Fitzpatrick
1786
34
15
11
3
88
2.96
0
810
722
.891
Team: 4964
82
41
31
10
230
2.78
2
2283
2053
.899
Playoffs
Scoring
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
PPG
SHG
GWG
Lowry, Dave Dave Lowry
LW
22
10
7
17
39
8
4
0
2
Sheppard, Ray Ray Sheppard
RW
21
8
8
16
4
4
3
0
0
Barnes, Stu Stu Barnes
C
22
6
10
16
4
10
2
0
2
Lindsay, Bill Bill Lindsay
RW
22
5
5
10
18
6
0
1
1
Mellanby, Scott Scott Mellanby
RW
22
3
6
9
44
-10
2
0
0
Jovanovski, Ed Ed Jovanovski
D
22
1
8
9
52
2
0
0
0
Niedermayer, Rob Rob Niedermayer
C
22
5
3
8
12
-8
2
0
2
Fitzgerald, Tom Tom Fitzgerald
RW
22
4
4
8
34
3
0
0
2
Laus, Paul Paul Laus
D
21
2
6
8
62
3
0
0
0
Woolley, Jason Jason Woolley
D
13
2
6
8
14
3
1
0
1
Garpenlov, Johan Johan Garpenlov
LW
20
4
2
6
8
-2
0
0
0
Svehla, Robert Robert Svehla
D
22
0
6
6
32
3
0
0
0
Hough, Mike Mike Hough
LW
22
4
1
5
8
5
0
0
2
Hull, Jody Jody Hull
RW
14
3
2
5
0
4
0
0
0
Straka, Martin Martin Straka
C
13
2
2
4
2
-2
0
0
0
Dvorak, Radek Radek Dvorak
RW
16
1
3
4
0
2
0
0
0
Skrudland, Brian Brian Skrudland
C
21
1
3
4
18
6
0
0
0
Carkner, Terry Terry Carkner
D
22
0
4
4
10
8
0
0
0
Murphy, Gord Gord Murphy
D
14
0
4
4
6
1
0
0
0
Vanbiesbrouck, John John Vanbiesbrouck
G
22
0
1
1
20
0
0
0
0
Warrener, Rhett Rhett Warrener
D
21
0
1
1
0
3
0
0
0
Washburn, Steve Steve Washburn
C
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Fitzpatrick, Mark Mark Fitzpatrick
G
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Smith, Geoff Geoff Smith
D
1
0
0
0
2
-1
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
GA
GAA
SO
SA
SV
SV%
Vanbiesbrouck, John John Vanbiesbrouck
1332
22
12
10
50
2.25
1
735
685
.932
Fitzpatrick, Mark Mark Fitzpatrick
60
2
0
0
6
6.00
0
30
24
.800
Team: 1392
22
12
10
56
2.41
1
765
709
.927
[1]
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Trades [ ] The Panthers acquired Ray Sheppard from the San Jose Sharks on the trade deadline in 1996 .
Playoffs [ ] Stanley Cup Finals [ ] With their backs to the wall, the Panthers played a defensive game four. This was the Scott Mellanby 's first trip to the finals in 9 years. Florida goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck went save for save with Colorado goaltender Patrick Roy . The two teams played a marathon game that took until the third overtime period. Uwe Krupp 's unassisted goal at 4:31 ended 44 minutes and 31 seconds of overtime and gave the Avalanche a 1–0 win and a four-games-to-none series win. Goaltender Patrick Roy stopped all 63 shots he faced. Colorado outscored Florida 15–4 in the series, and Patrick Roy stopped 147 of 151 shots, for a save percentage of .974. Joe Sakic was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP , having led all skaters in goals with 18, and points with 34. For both Patrick Roy and Claude Lemieux , it was their third Stanley Cup win in eleven years.
Colorado vs. Florida
Date
Away
Home
June 4
Florida 1
3 Colorado
June 6
Florida 1
8 Colorado
June 8
Colorado 3 2 Florida
June 10
Colorado 1 0 Florida
3OT
Colorado wins series 4–0Stanley Cup
Joe Sakic (Colorado)Conn Smythe Trophy
Awards and records [ ] Game Ads [ ]
References [ ]
Czech Republic
