1996–97 Colorado Avalanche season National Hockey League team season
The 1996–97 Colorado Avalanche season was the Avalanche's second season. The franchise's 18th season in the National Hockey League and 25th season overall.
Regular season
The Avalanche scored the most power-play goals during the regular season, with 83.[ 1]
And the most in the Western Conference with 277 goals.
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; p – Won Presidents' Trophy
Playoffs
April 24, 1997: Patrick Roy shut out Chicago by a score of 7-0. He earned his 89th postseason victory and became the goalie with the most postseason wins, surpassing the old record set by New York Islanders goalie Billy Smith.[ 3]
Schedule and results
Regular season
1996–97 regular season[ 4]
October: 8–4–1 (home: 5–1–1; road: 3–3–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
1
L
October 4, 1996
2–4
@ St. Louis Blues (1996–97 )
0–1–0
Recap
2
L
October 5, 1996
1–4
@ Dallas Stars (1996–97 )
0–2–0
Recap
3
W
October 8, 1996
6–0
San Jose Sharks (1996–97 )
1–2–0
Recap
4
T
October 10, 1996
6–6 OT
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97 )
1–2–1
Recap
5
W
October 11, 1996
2–0
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97 )
2–2–1
Recap
6
W
October 15, 1996
7–2
Edmonton Oilers (1996–97 )
3–2–1
Recap
7
L
October 17, 1996
1–2
Florida Panthers (1996–97 )
3–3–1
Recap
8
W
October 19, 1996
9–2
Vancouver Canucks (1996–97 )
4–3–1
Recap
9
L
October 22, 1996
1–5
@ Calgary Flames (1996–97 )
4–4–1
Recap
10
W
October 23, 1996
4–1
@ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97 )
5–4–1
Recap
11
W
October 26, 1996
4–2
@ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97 )
6–4–1
Recap
12
W
October 28, 1996
1–0
Washington Capitals (1996–97 )
7–4–1
Recap
13
W
October 30, 1996
6–3
St. Louis Blues (1996–97 )
8–4–1
Recap
November: 8–2–3 (home: 4–1–2; road: 4–1–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
14
T
November 2, 1996
0–0 OT
Buffalo Sabres (1996–97 )
8–4–2
Recap
15
T
November 3, 1996
1–1 OT
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97 )
8–4–3
Recap
16
W
November 6, 1996
4–1
@ San Jose Sharks (1996–97 )
9–4–3
Recap
17
W
November 8, 1996
4–1
@ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 )
10–4–3
Recap
18
W
November 9, 1996
5–2
Montreal Canadiens (1996–97 )
11–4–3
Recap
19
W
November 11, 1996
6–2
@ New York Islanders (1996–97 )
12–4–3
Recap
20
W
November 13, 1996
4–1
@ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97 )
13–4–3
Recap
21
L
November 14, 1996
4–5
@ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97 )
13–5–3
Recap
22
T
November 16, 1996
4–4 OT
Hartford Whalers (1996–97 )
13–5–4
Recap
23
W
November 20, 1996
6–0
Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 )
14–5–4
Recap
24
W
November 22, 1996
3–2
New York Islanders (1996–97 )
15–5–4
Recap
25
L
November 27, 1996
2–5
New York Rangers (1996–97 )
15–6–4
Recap
26
W
November 30, 1996
2–1
New Jersey Devils (1996–97 )
16–6–4
Recap
December: 7–4–1 (home: 4–2–0; road: 3–2–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
27
W
December 4, 1996
2–0
Edmonton Oilers (1996–97 )
17–6–4
Recap
28
L
December 6, 1996
3–4
St. Louis Blues (1996–97 )
17–7–4
Recap
29
L
December 7, 1996
2–4
@ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97 )
17–8–4
Recap
30
W
December 11, 1996
6–1
@ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97 )
18–8–4
Recap
31
L
December 14, 1996
1–4
@ Calgary Flames (1996–97 )
18–9–4
Recap
32
W
December 17, 1996
4–3
Detroit Red Wings (1996–97 )
19–9–4
Recap
33
T
December 18, 1996
4–4 OT
@ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97 )
19–9–5
Recap
34
L
December 21, 1996
2–6
Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97 )
19–10–5
Recap
35
W
December 23, 1996
4–3
Calgary Flames (1996–97 )
20–10–5
Recap
36
W
December 28, 1996
5–2
@ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97 )
21–10–5
Recap
37
W
December 29, 1996
3–2
Dallas Stars (1996–97 )
22–10–5
Recap
38
W
December 31, 1996
4–1
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97 )
23–10–5
Recap
January: 8–2–3 (home: 3–0–1; road: 5–2–2)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
39
W
January 2, 1997
3–2
Calgary Flames (1996–97 )
24–10–5
Recap
40
T
January 4, 1997
4–4 OT
Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97 )
24–10–6
Recap
41
T
January 6, 1997
2–2 OT
@ New York Rangers (1996–97 )
24–10–7
Recap
42
T
January 8, 1997
1–1 OT
@ New Jersey Devils (1996–97 )
24–10–8
Recap
43
W
January 9, 1997
2–0
@ Ottawa Senators (1996–97 )
25–10–8
Recap
44
W
January 11, 1997
3–2
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97 )
26–10–8
Recap
45
W
January 15, 1997
4–2
Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97 )
27–10–8
Recap
46
W
January 20, 1997
4–2
@ Florida Panthers (1996–97 )
28–10–8
Recap
47
L
January 21, 1997
2–3 OT
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97 )
28–11–8
Recap
48
W
January 23, 1997
4–3 OT
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97 )
29–11–8
Recap
49
L
January 25, 1997
1–4
@ Boston Bruins (1996–97 )
29–12–8
Recap
50
W
January 27, 1997
5–2
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97 )
30–12–8
Recap
51
W
January 29, 1997
6–3
Los Angeles Kings (1996–97 )
31–12–8
Recap
February: 7–4–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 4–2–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
52
L
February 1, 1997
1–2
@ San Jose Sharks (1996–97 )
31–13–8
Recap
53
W
February 2, 1997
5–2
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97 )
32–13–8
Recap
54
L
February 8, 1997
2–4
Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97 )
32–14–8
Recap
55
W
February 11, 1997
3–1
Los Angeles Kings (1996–97 )
33–14–8
Recap
56
W
February 13, 1997
3–2
@ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 )
34–14–8
Recap
57
W
February 15, 1997
5–2
@ St. Louis Blues (1996–97 )
35–14–8
Recap
58
W
February 18, 1997
3–2 OT
Boston Bruins (1996–97 )
36–14–8
Recap
59
W
February 21, 1997
4–3 OT
@ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97 )
37–14–8
Recap
60
W
February 23, 1997
4–3
Ottawa Senators (1996–97 )
38–14–8
Recap
61
L
February 25, 1997
1–3
@ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97 )
38–15–8
Recap
62
L
February 27, 1997
2–6
Dallas Stars (1996–97 )
38–16–8
Recap
March: 8–5–1 (home: 6–2–1; road: 2–3–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
63
W
March 1, 1997
2–1
Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97 )
39–16–8
Recap
64
W
March 3, 1997
5–1
Vancouver Canucks (1996–97 )
40–16–8
Recap
65
W
March 5, 1997
7–3
@ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97 )
41–16–8
Recap
66
L
March 6, 1997
3–6
@ Washington Capitals (1996–97 )
41–17–8
Recap
67
T
March 9, 1997
2–2 OT
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97 )
41–17–9
Recap
68
L
March 12, 1997
2–3
Calgary Flames (1996–97 )
41–18–9
Recap
69
W
March 14, 1997
6–3
Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97 )
42–18–9
Recap
70
W
March 16, 1997
4–2
Detroit Red Wings (1996–97 )
43–18–9
Recap
71
W
March 18, 1997
4–2
Vancouver Canucks (1996–97 )
44–18–9
Recap
72
W
March 21, 1997
4–3
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97 )
45–18–9
Recap
73
L
March 23, 1997
0–2
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97 )
45–19–9
Recap
74
W
March 25, 1997
4–0
@ Hartford Whalers (1996–97 )
46–19–9
Recap
75
L
March 26, 1997
5–6 OT
@ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97 )
46–20–9
Recap
76
L
March 29, 1997
2–3
Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97 )
46–21–9
Recap
April: 3–3–0 (home: 1–2–0; road: 2–1–0)
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Playoffs
1997 Stanley Cup playoffs[ 4]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (8) Chicago Blackhawks – Avalanche win 4–2
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Series
Recap
1
W
April 16, 1997
6–0
Chicago Blackhawks
Avalanche lead 1–0
Recap
2
W
April 18, 1997
3–1
Chicago Blackhawks
Avalanche lead 2–0
Recap
3
L
April 20, 1997
3–4 2OT
@ Chicago Blackhawks
Avalanche lead 2–1
Recap
4
L
April 22, 1997
3–6
@ Chicago Blackhawks
Series tied 2–2
Recap
5
W
April 24, 1997
7–0
Chicago Blackhawks
Avalanche lead 3–2
Recap
6
W
April 26, 1997
6–3
@ Chicago Blackhawks
Avalanche win 4–2
Recap
Western Conference Semifinals vs. (7) Edmonton Oilers – Avalanche win 4–1
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Series
Recap
1
W
May 2, 1997
5–1
Edmonton Oilers
Avalanche lead 1–0
Recap
2
W
May 4, 1997
4–1
Edmonton Oilers
Avalanche lead 2–0
Recap
3
L
May 7, 1997
3–4
@ Edmonton Oilers
Avalanche lead 2–1
Recap
4
W
May 9, 1997
3–2 OT
@ Edmonton Oilers
Avalanche lead 3–1
Recap
5
W
May 11, 1997
4–3
Edmonton Oilers
Avalanche win 4–1
Recap
Western Conference Finals vs. (3) Detroit Red Wings – Red Wings win 4–2
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Series
Recap
1
W
May 15, 1997
2–1
Detroit Red Wings
Avalanche lead 1–0
Recap
2
L
May 17, 1997
2–4
Detroit Red Wings
Series tied 1–1
Recap
3
L
May 19, 1997
1–2
@ Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings lead 2–1
Recap
4
L
May 22, 1997
0–6
@ Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings lead 3–1
Recap
5
W
May 24, 1997
6–0
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings lead 3–2
Recap
6
L
May 26, 1997
1–3
@ Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings win 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 Avalanche only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Avalanche only.
Goaltending
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Draft picks
Colorado's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis , Missouri .[ 10]
Notes
References
^ "1996-97 NHL Summary" .
^ "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings" . NHL.
^ Patrick Roy, winning, nothing else, p.429 , by Michel Roy, translated by Charles Phillips, 2008, John Wiley & Sons, Mississauga, ON, ISBN 978-0-470-15616-2
^ a b "1996-97 Colorado Avalanche Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved July 25, 2023 .
^ "Postseason All-Star Teams" . records.nhl.com . Retrieved July 27, 2023 .
^ a b Norwood, Robyn (January 12, 1997). "Selanne's Star Shines Again" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 27, 2023 .
^ "1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved August 29, 2024 .
^ "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)" . NHL.com . Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024 .
^ "1996-97 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 7, 2024 .
^ "1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . www.hockeydb.com . Retrieved July 27, 2023 .
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