1997–98 St. Louis Blues season
National Hockey League team season
The highlight of the 1997–98 St. Louis Blues season would mark an end of an era as former captain Brett Hull was not re-signed following the season.
Off-season
In his first full season as head coach, Joel Quenneville decided to employ a defensive formula. The move worked wonders as even Brett Hull bought into the new system as the Blues finished in third place with a solid 45–29–8 record. In the first round of the playoffs, the Blues would sweep the Los Angeles Kings in four games. In the second round, the Blues were eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings in six games. The season would mark an end of an era, as Brett Hull was not signed to a new contract after the season, joining the Dallas Stars as a free agent during the summer.[ 1]
Defenseman Chris Pronger was named team captain, a role that had been vacant during the previous season.
Regular season
The Blues were one of only two teams out the NHL's 26 to score at least 3 goals per game (The Detroit Red Wings were the other team). The Blues' 256 goals for led all teams.[ 2]
Final standings
Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific
bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won Division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy
Schedule and results
Regular season
1997–98 regular season[ 4]
October: 10–2–2 (home: 7–1–1; road: 3–1–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
1
L
October 1, 1997
1–3
Buffalo Sabres (1997–98 )
0–1–0
Recap
2
W
October 3, 1997
7–2
Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98 )
1–1–0
Recap
3
W
October 4, 1997
2–1
@ Dallas Stars (1997–98 )
2–1–0
Recap
4
W
October 9, 1997
3–2 OT
Los Angeles Kings (1997–98 )
3–1–0
Recap
5
W
October 11, 1997
5–3
Florida Panthers (1997–98 )
4–1–0
Recap
6
W
October 13, 1997
3–1
Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98 )
5–1–0
Recap
7
W
October 17, 1997
2–0
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
6–1–0
Recap
8
W
October 18, 1997
5–3
New York Rangers (1997–98 )
7–1–0
Recap
9
T
October 20, 1997
3–3 OT
@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98 )
7–1–1
Recap
10
L
October 22, 1997
3–4
@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98 )
7–2–1
Recap
11
W
October 23, 1997
4–1
Vancouver Canucks (1997–98 )
8–2–1
Recap
12
W
October 25, 1997
5–2
Washington Capitals (1997–98 )
9–2–1
Recap
13
W
October 29, 1997
3–2
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98 )
10–2–1
Recap
14
T
October 30, 1997
2–2 OT
Colorado Avalanche (1997–98 )
10–2–2
Recap
November: 5–7–1 (home: 3–3–1; road: 2–4–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
15
W
November 1, 1997
2–0
San Jose Sharks (1997–98 )
11–2–2
Recap
16
L
November 3, 1997
1–5
Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98 )
11–3–2
Recap
17
L
November 6, 1997
1–2
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
11–4–2
Recap
18
L
November 8, 1997
1–4
@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98 )
11–5–2
Recap
19
W
November 10, 1997
7–1
@ Dallas Stars (1997–98 )
12–5–2
Recap
20
W
November 13, 1997
4–2
Boston Bruins (1997–98 )
13–5–2
Recap
21
W
November 15, 1997
5–2
Detroit Red Wings (1997–98 )
14–5–2
Recap
22
W
November 17, 1997
3–2
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98 )
15–5–2
Recap
23
L
November 20, 1997
0–3
Edmonton Oilers (1997–98 )
15–6–2
Recap
24
L
November 22, 1997
0–2
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98 )
15–7–2
Recap
25
L
November 25, 1997
2–3
@ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98 )
15–8–2
Recap
26
T
November 27, 1997
2–2 OT
Los Angeles Kings (1997–98 )
15–8–3
Recap
27
L
November 29, 1997
2–4
@ New York Islanders (1997–98 )
15–9–3
Recap
December: 7–6–3 (home: 4–3–2; road: 3–3–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
28
W
December 2, 1997
3–1
@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98 )
16–9–3
Recap
29
W
December 4, 1997
4–3
Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98 )
17–9–3
Recap
30
W
December 6, 1997
4–3 OT
Calgary Flames (1997–98 )
18–9–3
Recap
31
W
December 8, 1997
5–1
Vancouver Canucks (1997–98 )
19–9–3
Recap
32
L
December 10, 1997
3–4 OT
@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98 )
19–10–3
Recap
33
W
December 11, 1997
2–1
@ Ottawa Senators (1997–98 )
20–10–3
Recap
34
L
December 13, 1997
1–4
Edmonton Oilers (1997–98 )
20–11–3
Recap
35
L
December 15, 1997
1–3
Ottawa Senators (1997–98 )
20–12–3
Recap
36
T
December 18, 1997
4–4 OT
New Jersey Devils (1997–98 )
20–12–4
Recap
37
W
December 20, 1997
4–1
Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98 )
21–12–4
Recap
38
T
December 22, 1997
2–2 OT
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98 )
21–12–5
Recap
39
W
December 23, 1997
3–2
@ Florida Panthers (1997–98 )
22–12–5
Recap
40
L
December 26, 1997
1–4
Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
22–13–5
Recap
41
T
December 27, 1997
5–5 OT
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98 )
22–13–6
Recap
42
L
December 29, 1997
2–4
@ Washington Capitals (1997–98 )
22–14–6
Recap
43
L
December 31, 1997
2–5
@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98 )
22–15–6
Recap
January: 6–5–2 (home: 3–1–1; road: 3–4–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
44
W
January 3, 1998
4–3
Calgary Flames (1997–98 )
23–15–6
Recap
45
W
January 6, 1998
5–1
@ San Jose Sharks (1997–98 )
24–15–6
Recap
46
W
January 7, 1998
3–2
@ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98 )
25–15–6
Recap
47
W
January 10, 1998
5–1
@ Calgary Flames (1997–98 )
26–15–6
Recap
48
L
January 12, 1998
1–2
@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98 )
26–16–6
Recap
49
L
January 14, 1998
1–2 OT
Dallas Stars (1997–98 )
26–17–6
Recap
50
L
January 20, 1998
1–3
@ New York Rangers (1997–98 )
26–18–6
Recap
51
T
January 22, 1998
3–3 OT
New York Islanders (1997–98 )
26–18–7
Recap
52
L
January 24, 1998
4–5
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
26–19–7
Recap
53
L
January 26, 1998
2–4
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98 )
26–20–7
Recap
54
T
January 27, 1998
3–3 OT
@ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98 )
26–20–8
Recap
55
W
January 29, 1998
2–0
Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98 )
27–20–8
Recap
56
W
January 31, 1998
6–3
Dallas Stars (1997–98 )
28–20–8
Recap
February: 3–2–0 (home: 1–0–0; road: 2–2–0)
March: 8–4–0 (home: 6–1–0; road: 2–3–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
62
W
March 1, 1998
6–2
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98 )
32–22–8
Recap
63
W
March 3, 1998
5–3
Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
33–22–8
Recap
64
W
March 5, 1998
4–0
Montreal Canadiens (1997–98 )
34–22–8
Recap
65
W
March 7, 1998
2–1
Dallas Stars (1997–98 )
35–22–8
Recap
66
W
March 9, 1998
4–0
@ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98 )
36–22–8
Recap
67
L
March 11, 1998
2–3
@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98 )
36–23–8
Recap
68
L
March 14, 1998
0–2
Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98 )
36–24–8
Recap
69
L
March 21, 1998
0–2
@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98 )
36–25–8
Recap
70
L
March 22, 1998
3–5
@ Calgary Flames (1997–98 )
36–26–8
Recap
71
W
March 26, 1998
3–2
Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98 )
37–26–8
Recap
72
W
March 28, 1998
3–2
Detroit Red Wings (1997–98 )
38–26–8
Recap
73
W
March 30, 1998
6–2
San Jose Sharks (1997–98 )
39–26–8
Recap
April: 6–3–0 (home: 2–1–0; road: 4–2–0)
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Playoffs
1998 Stanley Cup playoffs[ 4]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings: Blues win 4–0
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Series
Recap
1
W
April 23, 1998
8–3
Los Angeles Kings
Blues lead 1–0
Recap
2
W
April 25, 1998
2–1
Los Angeles Kings
Blues lead 2–0
Recap
3
W
April 27, 1998
4–3
@ Los Angeles Kings
Blues lead 3–0
Recap
4
W
April 29, 1998
2–1
@ Los Angeles Kings
Blues win 4–0
Recap
Western Conference Semifinals vs. (3) Detroit Red Wings: Red Wings win 4–2
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Series
Recap
1
W
May 8, 1998
4–2
@ Detroit Red Wings
Blues lead 1–0
Recap
2
L
May 10, 1998
1–6
@ Detroit Red Wings
Series tied 1–1
Recap
3
L
May 12, 1998
2–3 2OT
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings lead 2–1
Recap
4
L
May 14, 1998
2–5
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings lead 3–1
Recap
5
W
May 17, 1998
3–1
@ Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings lead 3–2
Recap
6
L
May 19, 1998
1–6
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 Blues only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blues only.
Goaltending
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Transactions
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(July 2010 )
Draft picks
St. Louis's draft picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania .[ 14]
See also
Notes
^ Commissioner’s selection.
References
^ St. Louis Blues (1967-Present)
^ "1997-98 NHL Summary" .
^ "1997-1998 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings" . NHL.
^ a b "1997-98 St. Louis Blues Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved July 6, 2023 .
^ "Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy" . records.nhl.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 .
^ "King Clancy Memorial Trophy" . records.nhl.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 .
^ "Postseason All-Star Teams" . records.nhl.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 .
^ "Bud Light Plus-Minus Award award winners at hockeydb.com" . www.hockeydb.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 .
^ "1998 NHL All-Star Game Rosters" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved August 29, 2024 .
^ "N.H.L.: LAST NIGHT; Lightning Coach On Thin Ice" . The New York Times . October 24, 1997. Retrieved July 9, 2023 . Blues defenseman Al MacInnis, who played in his 1,000th game, was honored in a pregame ceremony.
^ "ST. PETERSBURG TIMES POWER RANKINGS" . Tampa Bay Times . March 8, 1998. Retrieved July 9, 2023 . ST. LOUIS (8): Can you believe Geoff Courtnall played his 1,000th NHL game last week?
^ "1997-98 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 8, 2024 .
^ "1981 NHL Entry Draft -- Al MacInnis" . www.hockeydraftcentral.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 . Scored his 1,000th career NHL point during St. Louis' April 7, 1998, game at Detroit.
^ "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . www.hockeydb.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 .
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