The 1996–97 New Jersey Devils season 15th in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. The Devils captured the Atlantic Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference , but fell in the second round of the playoffs to their arch-rivals, the New York Rangers .
During the regular season, the Devils allowed the fewest power-play goals (28), took the fewest penalties (232) and had the best penalty killing % (87.93%) in the league. Coincidentally, they also had the fewest power-plays (288) scored the fewest power-play goals (40) in the league.
and
Regular season [ ] Final standings [ ] Game log [ ]
#
R
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
1
W
Oct 5, 1996
3–1
Detroit Red Wings 1–0–0
2
L
Oct 7, 1996
1–3
@ Philadelphia Flyers
1–1–0
3
L
Oct 12, 1996
2–4
Dallas Stars 1–2–0
4
W
Oct 15, 1996
3–2
Montreal Canadiens 2–2–0
5
T
Oct 18, 1996
2–2 OT
Ottawa Senators 2–2–1
6
L
Oct 19, 1996
2–6
@ Hartford Whalers
2–3–1
7
W
Oct 24, 1996
3–1
San Jose Sharks 3–3–1
8
W
Oct 26, 1996
4–1
@ Tampa Bay Lightning
4–3–1
9
L
Oct 29, 1996
2–5
@ Boston Bruins
4–4–1
10
L
Oct 30, 1996
1–6
New York Rangers 4–5–1
11
W
Nov 2, 1996
2–1
Tampa Bay Lightning 5–5–1
12
W
Nov 6, 1996
2–0
@ Detroit Red Wings
6–5–1
13
W
Nov 7, 1996
4–2
@ Chicago Blackhawks
7–5–1
14
W
Nov 9, 1996
4–0
New York Islanders 8–5–1
15
W
Nov 12, 1996
3–2 OT
Washington Capitals 9–5–1
16
L
Nov 14, 1996
0–3
Vancouver Canucks 9–6–1
17
W
Nov 16, 1996
6–3
Tampa Bay Lightning 10–6–1
18
W
Nov 19, 1996
2–1
@ Ottawa Senators
11–6–1
19
L
Nov 22, 1996
1–5
Washington Capitals 11–7–1
20
L
Nov 23, 1996
3–4
@ Washington Capitals
11–8–1
21
W
Nov 27, 1996
3–2
@ Dallas Stars
12–8–1
22
L
Nov 28, 1996
3–4 OT
@ Phoenix Coyotes
12–9–1
23
L
Nov 30, 1996
1–2
@ Colorado Avalanche
12–10–1
24
W
Dec 3, 1996
2–0
Florida Panthers 13–10–1
25
W
Dec 5, 1996
2–1
Calgary Flames 14–10–1
26
L
Dec 7, 1996
3–4 OT
Phoenix Coyotes 14–11–1
27
W
Dec 10, 1996
5–2
@ Toronto Maple Leafs
15–11–1
28
W
Dec 12, 1996
7–4
@ Boston Bruins
16–11–1
29
T
Dec 14, 1996
3–3 OT
Montreal Canadiens 16–11–2
30
W
Dec 16, 1996
5–0
@ Calgary Flames
17–11–2
31
W
Dec 18, 1996
2–1
@ Vancouver Canucks
18–11–2
32
W
Dec 20, 1996
3–2
@ Edmonton Oilers
19–11–2
33
T
Dec 23, 1996
0–0 OT
Buffalo Sabres 19–11–3
34
L
Dec 26, 1996
1–4
@ New York Islanders
19–12–3
35
W
Dec 28, 1996
5–3
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 20–12–3
36
L
Dec 31, 1996
5–6
@ Buffalo Sabres
20–13–3
37
L
Jan 2, 1997
1–6
Pittsburgh Penguins 20–14–3
38
W
Jan 3, 1997
1–0
@ Ottawa Senators
21–14–3
39
L
Jan 5, 1997
3–5
St. Louis Blues 21–15–3
40
T
Jan 8, 1997
1–1 OT
Colorado Avalanche 21–15–4
41
T
Jan 10, 1997
3–3 OT
Chicago Blackhawks 21–15–5
42
L
Jan 12, 1997
0–3
@ New York Rangers
21–16–5
43
W
Jan 14, 1997
4–2
Boston Bruins 22–16–5
44
W
Jan 21, 1997
4–1
@ Los Angeles Kings
23–16–5
45
L
Jan 22, 1997
1–3
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
23–17–5
46
W
Jan 24, 1997
3–1
@ San Jose Sharks
24–17–5
47
T
Jan 29, 1997
1–1 OT
Ottawa Senators 24–17–6
48
T
Jan 31, 1997
3–3 OT
Toronto Maple Leafs 24–17–7
49
T
Feb 1, 1997
4–4 OT
@ Montreal Canadiens
24–17–8
50
W
Feb 5, 1997
4–1
New York Islanders 25–17–8
51
T
Feb 7, 1997
2–2 OT
Florida Panthers 25–17–9
52
W
Feb 8, 1997
4–2
Philadelphia Flyers 26–17–9
53
W
Feb 12, 1997
3–2
@ Hartford Whalers
27–17–9
54
W
Feb 13, 1997
4–0
Hartford Whalers 28–17–9
55
W
Feb 15, 1997
4–1
@ Montreal Canadiens
29–17–9
56
T
Feb 17, 1997
2–2 OT
@ New York Rangers
29–17–10
57
T
Feb 19, 1997
1–1 OT
New York Rangers 29–17–11
58
T
Feb 20, 1997
2–2 OT
@ Florida Panthers
29–17–12
59
L
Feb 22, 1997
1–3
@ Tampa Bay Lightning
29–18–12
60
W
Feb 26, 1997
5–3
@ New York Islanders
30–18–12
61
W
Feb 27, 1997
4–1
Buffalo Sabres 31–18–12
62
W
Mar 1, 1997
6–3
Pittsburgh Penguins 32–18–12
63
W
Mar 4, 1997
3–1
@ Pittsburgh Penguins
33–18–12
64
W
Mar 5, 1997
3–1
@ Philadelphia Flyers
34–18–12
65
L
Mar 8, 1997
1–5
@ New York Islanders
34–19–12
66
W
Mar 9, 1997
4–1
@ Buffalo Sabres
35–19–12
67
W
Mar 11, 1997
6–1
Edmonton Oilers 36–19–12
68
W
Mar 13, 1997
6–0
Hartford Whalers 37–19–12
69
W
Mar 15, 1997
3–2
Washington Capitals 38–19–12
70
L
Mar 17, 1997
1–4
Florida Panthers 38–20–12
71
T
Mar 19, 1997
2–2 OT
@ Washington Capitals
38–20–13
72
W
Mar 22, 1997
3–2
@ Pittsburgh Penguins
39–20–13
73
L
Mar 25, 1997
3–4
Philadelphia Flyers 39–21–13
74
W
Mar 27, 1997
4–0
New York Rangers 40–21–13
75
W
Mar 30, 1997
5–2
Los Angeles Kings 41–21–13
76
W
Apr 1, 1997
1–0
@ Washington Capitals
42–21–13
77
W
Apr 4, 1997
3–0
Tampa Bay Lightning 43–21–13
78
W
Apr 6, 1997
2–0
@ St. Louis Blues
44–21–13
79
T
Apr 8, 1997
2–2 OT
@ Tampa Bay Lightning
44–21–14
80
L
Apr 9, 1997
2–4
@ Florida Panthers
44–22–14
81
W
Apr 11, 1997
2–0
Boston Bruins 45–22–14
82
L
Apr 13, 1997
4–5
@ Philadelphia Flyers
45–23–14
Playoffs [ ] In the first game of the series against Montreal, on April 17, 1997, with the Devils up by two goals late in the game, Martin Brodeur fired the puck the length of the ice and into the Canadiens' empty net to ensure a 5-2 victory. It was only the second time in NHL history that a goaltender had scored in the playoffs, and the fifth time overall.[ 1]
Player stats [ ] Regular season [ ] Scoring
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
+/-
PPG
SHG
GWG
Holik, Bobby Bobby Holik
C
82
23
39
62
54
24
5
0
6
Andreychuk, Dave Dave Andreychuk
LW
82
27
34
61
48
38
4
1
2
MacLean, John John MacLean
RW
80
29
25
54
49
11
5
0
6
Guerin, Bill Bill Guerin
RW
82
29
18
47
95
-2
7
0
9
Rolston, Brian Brian Rolston
C/RW
81
18
27
45
20
6
2
2
3
Zelepukin, Valeri Valeri Zelepukin
LW
71
14
24
38
36
-10
3
0
2
Niedermayer, Scott Scott Niedermayer
D
81
5
30
35
64
-4
3
0
3
Thomas, Steve Steve Thomas
LW
57
15
19
34
46
9
1
0
2
Pederson, Denis Denis Pederson
C/RW
70
12
20
32
62
7
3
0
3
McKay, Randy Randy McKay
RW
77
9
18
27
109
15
0
0
2
Stevens, Scott Scott Stevens
D
79
5
19
24
70
26
0
0
1
Sullivan, Steve Steve Sullivan
RW
33
8
14
22
14
9
2
0
2
Gilmour, Doug Doug Gilmour
C
20
7
15
22
22
7
2
0
0
Chambers, Shawn Shawn Chambers
D
73
4
17
21
19
17
1
0
0
Carpenter, Bobby Bobby Carpenter
C
62
4
15
19
14
6
0
1
0
Odelein, Lyle Lyle Odelein
D
79
3
13
16
110
16
1
0
2
Pandolfo, Jay Jay Pandolfo
LW
46
6
8
14
6
-1
0
0
1
Daneyko, Ken Ken Daneyko
D
77
2
7
9
70
24
0
0
0
Ellett, Dave Dave Ellett
D
20
2
5
7
6
2
1
0
1
Dean, Kevin Kevin Dean
D
28
2
4
6
6
2
0
0
0
Elias, Patrik Patrik Elias
LW
17
2
3
5
2
-4
0
0
0
Brylin, Sergei Sergei Brylin
LW
29
2
2
4
20
-13
0
0
0
Brodeur, Martin Martin Brodeur
G
67
0
4
4
8
0
0
0
0
Simpson, Reid Reid Simpson
LW
27
0
4
4
60
0
0
0
0
Smith, Jason Jason Smith
D
57
1
2
3
38
-8
0
0
0
Sykora, Petr Petr Sykora
RW
19
1
2
3
4
-8
0
0
0
Zezel, Peter Peter Zezel
C
18
0
3
3
4
4
0
0
0
Peluso, Mike Mike Peluso
LW
20
0
2
2
68
0
0
0
0
Rheaume, Pascal Pascal Rheaume
C
2
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
Broten, Neal Neal Broten
C
3
0
1
1
0
-1
0
0
0
Dunham, Mike Mike Dunham
G
26
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
Oliwa, Krzysztof Krzysztof Oliwa
LW
1
0
0
0
5
-1
0
0
0
Persson, Ricard Ricard Persson
D
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reese, Jeff Jeff Reese
G
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sharifijanov, Vadim Vadim Sharifijanov
LW
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
T
GA
GAA
SO
SA
SV
SV%
Brodeur, Martin Martin Brodeur
3838
67
37
14
13
120
1.88
10
1633
1513
.927
Dunham, Mike Mike Dunham
1013
26
8
7
1
43
2.55
2
456
413
.906
Reese, Jeff Jeff Reese
139
3
0
2
0
13
5.61
0
65
52
.800
Team: 4990
82
45
23
14
176
2.12
12
2154
1978
.918
Playoffs [ ] Scoring
Player
Pos
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
PPG
SHG
GWG
MacLean, John John MacLean
RW
10
4
5
9
4
2
1
1
Chambers, Shawn Shawn Chambers
D
10
1
6
7
6
1
0
0
Niedermayer, Scott Scott Niedermayer
D
10
2
4
6
6
2
0
1
Rolston, Brian Brian Rolston
C/RW
10
4
1
5
6
1
2
0
Zelepukin, Valeri Valeri Zelepukin
LW
8
3
2
5
2
1
0
1
Elias, Patrik Patrik Elias
LW
8
2
3
5
4
1
0
0
Holik, Bobby Bobby Holik
C
10
2
3
5
4
1
0
0
Odelein, Lyle Lyle Odelein
D
10
2
2
4
19
1
0
0
Gilmour, Doug Doug Gilmour
C
10
0
4
4
14
0
0
0
Stevens, Scott Scott Stevens
D
10
0
4
4
2
0
0
0
Guerin, Bill Bill Guerin
RW
8
2
1
3
18
1
0
1
Carpenter, Bobby Bobby Carpenter
C
10
1
2
3
2
0
0
0
Ellett, Dave Dave Ellett
D
10
0
3
3
10
0
0
0
McKay, Randy Randy McKay
RW
10
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
Thomas, Steve Steve Thomas
LW
10
1
1
2
18
0
0
0
Brodeur, Martin Martin Brodeur
G
10
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Dean, Kevin Kevin Dean
D
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
Pandolfo, Jay Jay Pandolfo
LW
6
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Andreychuk, Dave Dave Andreychuk
LW
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Daneyko, Ken Ken Daneyko
D
10
0
0
0
28
0
0
0
Pederson, Denis Denis Pederson
C/RW
9
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
Simpson, Reid Reid Simpson
LW
5
0
0
0
29
0
0
0
Sykora, Petr Petr Sykora
RW
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
Zezel, Peter Peter Zezel
C
2
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
GA
GAA
SO
SA
SV
SV%
Brodeur, Martin Martin Brodeur
659
10
5
5
19
1.73
2
268
249
.929
Team: 659
10
5
5
19
1.73
2
268
249
.929
[ 2]
Note: 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
Awards and records [ ] Transactions [ ] Draft picks [ ] Team's picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft , held in
See also [ ] References [ ]
↑ Martin Brodeur - Facts . MartinBrodeur.net. Retrieved on 2006-12-31.↑ 1996-97 New Jersey Devils Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com . hockey-reference.com. Retrieved on 2009-06-02.↑ Never reported for the Devils; was subsequently redrafted by Florida in the third round (63rd overall) of the 1998 Draft .
↑ The Devils acquired the 1996 second-round pick (Mason) from Vancouver for Esa Tikkanen on November 23, 1995; Tikkanen had been acquired from St. Louis just 22 days earlier.
↑ 5.0 5.1 The Devils acquired two 1996 second-round picks, DeWolf (originally Toronto's ) and White, from Pittsburgh for San Jose's 1996 second-round pick (used on Pavel Skrbek ) on June 22, 1996. The Devils had originally received the pick from San Jose in exchange for Chris Terreri on November 15, 1995.
↑ 6.0 6.1 The Devils traded Corey Schwab to Tampa Bay in exchange for Jeff Reese , Chicago's 1996 second-round pick (Dagenais), and Tampa Bay's 1996 eighth-round pick (Bertsch), on June 22, 1996.
↑ Although the Devils made four picks in the second round of the 1996 Draft, none were originally their picks; the Devils' original pick (used on Marek Posmyk ) was traded to Toronto in exchange for Dave Andreychuk on March 13, 1996.
↑ Parker never reported for the Devils; he was subsequently redrafted by Colorado in the first round (20th overall) of the 1998 Draft .
↑ No source exists to indicate why the Devils made two selections this round.
↑ Bertsch had previously been drafted by Quebec in the eighth round (191st overall) of the 1994 Draft . Bertsch's profile at HockeyDB.com
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