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1997–98 Montreal Canadiens season

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1997–98 Montreal Canadiens
Division4th Northeast
Conference7th Eastern
1997–98 record37–32–13
Home record15–17–9
Road record22–15–4
Goals for235
Goals against208
Team information
General managerRejean Houle
CoachAlain Vigneault
CaptainVincent Damphousse
ArenaMolson Centre
Average attendance20,771
Minor league affiliate(s)Fredericton Canadiens
New Orleans Brass
Team leaders
GoalsMark Recchi (32)
AssistsSaku Koivu (43)
PointsMark Recchi (74)
Penalty minutesScott Thornton (158)
Plus/minusDave Manson (+22)
WinsJocelyn Thibault (19)
Goals against averageJocelyn Thibault (2.47)

The 1997–98 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 89th season of play. The Canadiens made the playoffs and advanced to the Conference Semifinals after winning 4 games to 2 in Conference Quarterfinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, their first playoff series win since the 1992–93 Stanley Cup title year. However, in the Conference semifinals, they were swept in four games by the Buffalo Sabres.

Offseason

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Regular season

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Final standings

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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[1]
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

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Regular season

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

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

Playoffs

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1998 Stanley Cup playoffs[2]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins – Canadiens win 4–2
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L April 23, 1998 2–3 @ Pittsburgh Penguins Penguins lead 1–0 Recap
2 W April 25, 1998 4–1 @ Pittsburgh Penguins Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 W April 27, 1998 3–1 Pittsburgh Penguins Canadiens lead 2–1 Recap
4 L April 29, 1998 3–6 Pittsburgh Penguins Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 W May 1, 1998 5–2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins Canadiens lead 3–2 Recap
6 W May 3, 1998 3–0 Pittsburgh Penguins Canadiens win 4–2 Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (6) Buffalo Sabres – Sabres win 4–0
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L May 8, 1998 2–3 OT @ Buffalo Sabres Sabres lead 1–0 Recap
2 L May 10, 1998 3–6 @ Buffalo Sabres Sabres lead 2–0 Recap
3 L May 12, 1998 4–5 2OT Buffalo Sabres Sabres lead 3–0 Recap
4 L May 14, 1998 1–3 Buffalo Sabres Sabres win 4–0 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

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Scoring

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  • Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; 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 Canadiens only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
8 Mark Recchi RW 82 32 42 74 11 51 10 4 8 12 2 6
25 Vincent Damphousse C 76 18 41 59 14 58 10 3 6 9 −4 22
11 Saku Koivu C 69 14 43 57 8 48 6 2 3 5 4 2
27 Shayne Corson LW 62 21 34 55 2 108 10 3 6 9 3 26
26 Martin Rucinsky LW 78 21 32 53 13 84 10 3 0 3 −2 4
38 Vladimir Malakhov D 74 13 31 44 16 70 9 3 4 7 −3 10
49 Brian Savage LW 64 26 17 43 11 36 9 0 2 2 −2 6
43 Patrice Brisebois D 79 10 27 37 16 67 10 1 0 1 −5 0
22 Dave Manson D 81 4 30 34 22 122 10 0 1 1 0 14
17 Benoit Brunet LW 68 12 20 32 11 61 8 1 0 1 1 4
20 Valeri Bure‡ RW 50 7 22 29 −5 33 — — — — — —
28 Marc Bureau C 74 13 6 19 0 12 10 1 2 3 −1 6
5 Stephane Quintal D 71 6 10 16 13 97 9 0 2 2 2 4
24 Scott Thornton LW 67 6 9 15 0 158 9 0 2 2 0 10
71 Sebastien Bordeleau C 53 6 8 14 5 36 5 0 0 0 −1 2
44 Jonas Hoglund† LW 28 6 5 11 2 6 10 2 0 2 −1 0
37 Patrick Poulin† C 34 4 6 10 −1 8 3 0 0 0 −1 0
23 Turner Stevenson RW 63 4 6 10 −8 110 10 3 4 7 1 12
44 Stephane Richer‡ RW 14 5 4 9 1 5 — — — — — —
34 Peter Popovic D 69 2 6 8 −6 38 10 1 1 2 2 2
12 Darcy Tucker‡ RW 39 1 5 6 −6 57 — — — — — —
3 Zarley Zalapski† D 28 1 5 6 −1 22 6 0 1 1 −3 4
52 Craig Rivet D 61 0 2 2 −3 93 5 0 0 0 −2 2
41 Jocelyn Thibault G 47 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 1 0
29 Brett Clark D 41 1 0 1 −3 20 — — — — — —
15 Eric Houde C 9 1 0 1 −3 0 — — — — — —
3 David Wilkie‡ D 5 1 0 1 −1 4 — — — — — —
55 Igor Ulanov† D 4 0 1 1 −2 12 10 1 4 5 3 12
21 Jassen Cullimore‡ D 3 0 0 0 0 4 — — — — — —
48 Francois Groleau D 1 0 0 0 1 0 — — — — — —
46 Matt Higgins C 1 0 0 0 −1 0 — — — — — —
51 David Ling‡ RW 1 0 0 0 −1 0 — — — — — —
35 Andy Moog G 42 0 0 0 4 9 0 0 0 0
14 Terry Ryan LW 4 0 0 0 0 31 — — — — — —
21 Mick Vukota† RW 22 0 0 0 −4 76 1 0 0 0 0 0
60 Jose Theodore G — — — — — — 3 0 0 0 0

Goaltending

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No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
41 Jocelyn Thibault 47 19 15 8 1109 109 2.47 .902 2 2652 2 0 0 16 4 5.53 .750 0 43
35 Andy Moog 42 18 17 5 1024 97 2.49 .905 3 2337 9 4 5 204 24 3.04 .882 1 474
60 Jose Theodore — — — — — — — — — — 3 0 1 35 1 0.50 .971 0 120

Awards and records

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Awards

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Type Award/honour Recipient Ref
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Shayne Corson [3]
Saku Koivu
Mark Recchi
Team Jacques Beauchamp Molson Trophy Patrice Brisebois [4]
Marc Bureau
Molson Cup Mark Recchi [5]

Milestones

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Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Brett Clark October 4, 1997 [6]
Matt Higgins November 26, 1997

Transactions

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Draft picks

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Montreal's draft picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[7]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 11 Jason Ward  Canada Erie Otters (OHL)
2 37 Gregor Baumgartner  Austria Laval Titan College Francais (QMJHL)
3 65 Ilkka Mikkola  Finland Karpat (Finland)
4 91 Daniel Tetrault  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
5 118 Konstantin Sidulov  Russia Mechel Chelyabinsk (Russia)
5 122 Gennady Razin  Ukraine Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
6 145 Jonathan Desroches  Canada Granby Predateurs (QMJHL)
7 172 Ben Guite  Canada University of Maine (Hockey East)
8 197 Petr Kubos  Czech Republic Petra Vsetin (Czech Republic)
8 202 Andrei Sidyakin  Russia Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia)
9 228 Jarl-Espen Ygranes  Norway Furuset (Norway)

See also

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References

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  • "Montreal Canadiens 1997-98 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  • "1997-98 Montreal Canadiens Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  1. ^ "1997–1998 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "1997-98 Montreal Canadiens Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "1998 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Montreal Canadiens 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.553
  5. ^ Montreal Canadiens 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.552
  6. ^ "1997-98 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  7. ^ "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
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