The 1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season was the

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...

30th season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

(NHL). The Flyers reached the

Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, french: Finale de la Coupe Stanley) is the National Hockey League's (NHL) championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, North America ...

but lost to the

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

in a four-game sweep.

Regular season

While

Eric Lindros Eric Bryan Lindros (; born February 28, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Lindros was born in London, Ontario, but grew up in Toronto. He played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Oshawa Generals pr ...

rehabbed from a bothersome groin injury, the Flyers treaded water through the early part of the schedule. They dropped the first-ever home game at the new

CoreStates Center The Wells Fargo Center is a multi-purpose List of indoor arenas, indoor arena located in Philadelphia. It serves as the home of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Assoc ...

to the

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

, 3–1, on October 5, and lost again to their new rivals three weeks later. However, they rebounded to end the Panthers' season-opening 8–0–4 run with a 3–2 victory in Miami on November 2. With

John LeClair John Clark LeClair (born July 5, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. With the Flyers, LeCl ...

Mikael Renberg Mikael Bo Renberg (born 5 May 1972) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player, last playing for Skellefteå AIK in Elitserien. He spent ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and eight in the Swedish Elite League. Playing care ...

Dale Hawerchuk Dale Martin Hawerchuk (April 4, 1963 – August 18, 2020) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Drafted first overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Hawerchuk played in the National Hockey League (NHL) fo ...

and

Rod Brind'Amour Roderic Jean Brind'Amour (born August 9, 1970) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Brind'Amour played 20 seasons in the National Ho ...

expected to pick up the slack on offense, the club was inconsistent and went 12–10–1 prior to Lindros' return in a 2–0 loss in Boston on November 26. Another loss the next night to the Islanders dropped the team into fourth place, but the team soon caught fire, ripping off a 14–0–3 stretch from November 30 to January 7. The run included an incredible stretch of four consecutive shutout wins in mid-December (Hartford, Boston, Islanders, St. Louis), a trade which netted high-scoring defenseman

Paul Coffey Paul Douglas Coffey (born June 1, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for nine teams over 21 seasons in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among ...

and a thrilling come-from-behind 4–4 tie against the

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The Avalanche play thei ...

in Denver on January 4. In a 9–5 win over Montreal on February 6, the

Legion of Doom The Legion of Doom is a group of supervillains who originated in ''Challenge of the Super Friends'', an animated series from Hanna-Barbera based on DC Comics' Justice League. The Legion of Doom has since been incorporated into the main DC Univers ...

line set a franchise-record with 16 points and spoiled the NHL debut of

Tomas Vokoun Tomas may refer to: People * Tomás (given name), a Spanish, Portuguese, and Gaelic given name * Tomas (given name), a Swedish, Dutch, and Lithuanian given name * Tomáš, a Czech and Slovak given name * Tomas (surname), a French and Croatian surna ...

, and in a 5–5 tie on March 1 in Boston, third-line winger

Trent Klatt Trent Thomas Klatt (born January 30, 1971) is an American former professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), right winger who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, ...

recorded his first (and only) 20-goal season with a hat trick. A 2–3–2 finish which saw Lindros sit out a one-game suspension and the Devils vault over the team for first place in the Atlantic was mitigated when LeClair scored his 50th goal of the season in a 5–4 win over New Jersey in the final regular-season game.

Season standings

Playoffs

Backstopped by the goaltending tandem of

Ron Hextall Ronald Jeffrey Hextall (born May 3, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and executive. He is the current general manager#Sports teams, general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hext ...

and

Garth Snow Garth E. Snow (born July 28, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender and former general manager, president and alternate governor of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted by the Quebec Nordiq ...

, the Flyers dominated the

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...

, the

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...

, and the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

all in five games apiece to win the Eastern Conference championship, and clinch a berth in the

for the first time since

1987 File:1987 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The MS Herald of Free Enterprise capsizes after leaving the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, killing 193; Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashes after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, k ...

. However, their opponent, the

, swept the Flyers in four straight games. After Game 3,

Terry Murray Terry is a unisex given name, derived from French Thierry and Theodoric. It can also be used as a diminutive nickname for the names Teresa or Theresa (feminine) or Terence (given name), Terence or Terrier (masculine). People Male * Terry Albrit ...

said that the team was in a "choking situation." It is said this remark cost Murray his job, as he was fired less than a week after the conclusion of the finals.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - style="background:#fcf;" , 1 , , October 5 , ,

, , 1–3 , , 0–1–0 , , 0 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2 , , October 7 , ,

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional sports, professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

, , 3–1 , , 1–1–0 , , 2 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 3 , , October 10 , ,

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...

, , 5–4 OT , , 2–1–0 , , 4 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 4 , , October 12 , , @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ( ...

, , 1–5 , , 2–2–0 , , 4 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 5 , , October 13 , ,

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...

, , 0–1 , , 2–3–0 , , 4 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 6 , , October 15 , , @ Los Angeles Kings , , 2–3 , , 2–4–0 , , 4 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 7 , , October 16 , , @

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: * ''Mighty'' (The Planet Smashers album) * ''Mighty'' (Kristene DiMarco album) * ''The Mighty'' (1929 film), a 1929 American action film *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy-drama film * ''The Mighty'' (comics), a DC Comics title *Th ...

, , 4–3 , , 3–4–0 , , 6 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 8 , , October 18 , , @

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...

, , 3–1 , , 4–4–0 , , 8 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 9 , , October 22 , , Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , 3–0 , , 5–4–0 , , 10 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 10 , , October 26 , , @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...

, , 5–6 , , 5–5–0 , , 10 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 11 , , October 27 , , Florida Panthers , , 2–3 , , 5–6–0 , , 10 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 12 , , October 30 , , @

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL) ...

, , 2–4 , , 5–7–0 , , 10 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 13 , , October 31 , , @

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play th ...

, , 4–3 , , 6–7–0 , , 12 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 14 , , November 2 , , @ Florida Panthers , , 3–2 , , 7–7–0 , , 14 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 15 , , November 4 , , New York Islanders , , 3–4 , , 7–8–0 , , 14 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 16 , , November 7 , , @

, , 5–2 , , 8–8–0 , , 16 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 17 , , November 9 , ,

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division i ...

, , 1–4 , , 8–9–0 , , 16 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 18 , , November 10 , ,

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

, , 3–1 , , 9–9–0 , , 18 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 19 , , November 13 , , @

, , 2–1 , , 10–9–0 , , 20 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 20 , , November 14 , , Washington Capitals , , 2–5 , , 10–10–0 , , 20 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 21 , , November 16 , ,

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are owned by San Jose Sports & Entertainm ...

, , 2–2 OT , , 10–10–1 , , 21 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 22 , , November 21 , ,

, , 7–3 , , 11–10–1 , , 23 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 23 , , November 23 , , @ Tampa Bay Lightning , , 2–1 , , 12–10–1 , , 25 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 24 , , November 26 , , @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making t ...

, , 0–2 , , 12–11–1 , , 25 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 25 , , November 27 , , @ New York Islanders , , 1–4 , , 12–12–1 , , 25 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 26 , , November 30 , , @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...

, , 4–3 , , 13–12–1 , , 27 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 27 , , December 1 , ,

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at Rogers Arena. Bruce B ...

, , 4–3 , , 14–12–1 , , 29 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 28 , , December 4 , , @ New York Rangers , , 1–1 OT , , 14–12–2 , , 30 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 29 , , December 6 , , @

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...

, , 6–3 , , 15–12–2 , , 32 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 30 , , December 10 , , Florida Panthers , , 5–4 , , 16–12–2 , , 34 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 31 , , December 12 , ,

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to ...

, , 3–2 , , 17–12–2 , , 36 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 32 , , December 14 , , @ Hartford Whalers , , 4–0 , , 18–12–2 , , 38 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 33 , , December 15 , , Boston Bruins , , 6–0 , , 19–12–2 , , 40 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 34 , , December 19 , , New York Islanders , , 5–0 , , 20–12–2 , , 42 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 35 , , December 21 , ,

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the s ...

, , 4–0 , , 21–12–2 , , 44 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 36 , , December 22 , , @ Chicago Blackhawks , , 2–2 OT , , 21–12–3 , , 45 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 37 , , December 27 , , @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...

, , 6–4 , , 22–12–3 , , 47 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 38 , , December 29 , , @ Calgary Flames , , 4–2 , , 23–12–3 , , 49 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 39 , , December 31 , , @ Vancouver Canucks , , 5–3 , , 24–12–3 , , 51 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 40 , , January 2 , , @ San Jose Sharks , , 4–1 , , 25–12–3 , , 53 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 41 , , January 4 , , @

, , 4–4 OT , , 25–12–4 , , 54 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 42 , , January 7 , , Boston Bruins , , 7–3 , , 26–12–4 , , 56 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 43 , , January 9 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 1–3 , , 26–13–4 , , 56 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 44 , , January 11 , , Washington Capitals , , 3–3 OT , , 26–13–5 , , 57 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 45 , , January 14 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 3–2 , , 27–13–5 , , 59 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 46 , , January 21 , , Dallas Stars , , 3–3 OT , , 27–13–6 , , 60 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 47 , , January 22 , , @

, , 2–2 OT , , 27–13–7 , , 61 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 48 , , January 25 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 1–4 , , 27–14–7 , , 61 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 49 , , January 28 , , Phoenix Coyotes , , 4–1 , , 28–14–7 , , 63 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 50 , , January 29 , , @ Washington Capitals , , 2–1 , , 29–14–7 , , 65 , , , - , - style="background:#fcf;" , 51 , , February 1 , , New York Rangers , , 2–4 , , 29–15–7 , , 65 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 52 , , February 4 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 1–1 OT , , 29–15–8 , , 66 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 53 , , February 6 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 9–5 , , 30–15–8 , , 68 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 54 , , February 8 , , @ New Jersey Devils , , 2–4 , , 30–16–8 , , 68 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 55 , , February 13 , , Ottawa Senators , , 4–2 , , 31–16–8 , , 70 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 56 , , February 15 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–1 , , 32–16–8 , , 72 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 57 , , February 16 , , @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–2 , , 33–16–8 , , 74 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 58 , , February 19 , , Hartford Whalers , , 2–2 OT , , 33–16–9 , , 75 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 59 , , February 20 , , @ Tampa Bay Lightning , , 2–5 , , 33–17–9 , , 75 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 60 , , February 22 , , @ Florida Panthers , , 4–3 OT , , 34–17–9 , , 77 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 61 , , February 23 , , New York Rangers , , 2–1 , , 35–17–9 , , 79 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 62 , , February 26 , , @ Ottawa Senators , , 8–5 , , 36–17–9 , , 81 , , , - , - style="background:#ffc;" , 63 , , March 1 , , @ Boston Bruins , , 5–5 OT , , 36–17–10 , , 82 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 64 , , March 2 , , @ Hartford Whalers , , 5–2 , , 37–17–10 , , 84 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 65 , , March 5 , , New Jersey Devils , , 1–3 , , 37–18–10 , , 84 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 66 , , March 8 , , @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–3 OT , , 37–19–10 , , 84 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 67 , , March 9 , , Washington Capitals , , 5–0 , , 38–19–10 , , 86 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 68 , , March 11 , , @ Buffalo Sabres , , 2–3 OT , , 38–20–10 , , 86 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 69 , , March 13 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5–4 OT , , 39–20–10 , , 88 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 70 , , March 15 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 5–7 , , 39–21–10 , , 88 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 71 , , March 19 , , @ Toronto Maple Leafs , , 6–3 , , 40–21–10 , , 90 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 72 , , March 22 , , @ New York Islanders , , 3–3 OT , , 40–21–11 , , 91 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 73 , , March 23 , , Colorado Avalanche , , 2–0 , , 41–21–11 , , 93 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 74 , , March 25 , , @ New Jersey Devils , , 4–3 , , 42–21–11 , , 95 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 75 , , March 29 , , @ Washington Capitals , , 5–3 , , 43–21–11 , , 97 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 76 , , March 30 , , @ St. Louis Blues , , 2–3 , , 43–22–11 , , 97 , , , - , - style="background:#ffc;" , 77 , , April 1 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 1–1 OT , , 43–22–12 , , 98 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 78 , , April 6 , , Ottawa Senators , , 2–1 , , 44–22–12 , , 100 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 79 , , April 7 , , @ New York Rangers , , 2–3 , , 44–23–12 , , 100 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 80 , , April 10 , , New York Rangers , , 3–6 , , 44–24–12 , , 100 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 81 , , April 12 , , @ Montreal Canadiens , , 3–3 OT , , 44–24–13 , , 101 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 82 , , April 13 , , New Jersey Devils , , 5–4 , , 45–24–13 , , 103 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - style="background:#cfc;" , 1 , , April 17 , ,

, , 5–1 , , Flyers lead 1–0 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2 , , April 19 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–2 , , Flyers lead 2–0 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 3 , , April 21 , , @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–3 , , Flyers lead 3–0 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 4 , , April 23 , , @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–4 , , Flyers lead 3–1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 5 , , April 26 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–3 , , Flyers win 4–1 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 1 , , May 3 , , @

, , 5–3 , , Flyers lead 1–0 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2 , , May 5 , , @ Buffalo Sabres , , 2–1 , , Flyers lead 2–0 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 3 , , May 7 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 4–1 , , Flyers lead 3–0 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 4 , , May 9 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 4–5 OT , , Flyers lead 3–1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 5 , , May 11 , , @ Buffalo Sabres , , 6–3 , , Flyers win 4–1 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 1 , , May 16 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Flyers lead 1–0 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 2 , , May 18 , , New York Rangers , , 4–5 , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 3 , , May 20 , , @ New York Rangers , , 6–3 , , Flyers lead 2–1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 4 , , May 23 , , @ New York Rangers , , 3–2 , , Flyers lead 3–1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 5 , , May 25 , , New York Rangers , , 4–2 , , Flyers win 4–1 , , , - , - style="background:#fcf;" , 1 , , May 31 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Red Wings lead 1–0 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 2 , , June 3 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 2–4 , , Red Wings lead 2–0 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 3 , , June 5 , , @ Detroit Red Wings , , 1–6 , , Red Wings lead 3–0 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 4 , , June 7 , , @ Detroit Red Wings , , 1–2 , , Red Wings win 4–0 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...

; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as the goalie) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays in or near t ...

; LW =

Left Wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soci ...

; RW =

Right Wing Right-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that view certain social orders and hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position on the basis of natural law, economics, authori ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Among the team records set during the 1996–97 season was goaltender

tying a team record with nine consecutive wins from December 6 to January 7. During Hextall’s streak the team set two shutout streaks, going a team record 265 minutes and eight seconds without allowing a goal from December 12 to December 22, and recording four consecutive shutouts from December 14 to December 21 (tied during the 1998–99 season). On January 29,

tied

Rick MacLeish Richard George MacLeish (January 3, 1950 – May 30, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Philadelphia Flyers, Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit ...

's team record for consecutive games played at 287. Brind'Amour's streak continued another two seasons until a fractured left foot during training camp caused him to miss the first 34 games of the 1999–2000 season, ending the streak at 484 games. The

line of

, and

had two record setting games in February. On February 6 against the

, the line combined for a team record 16 points (LeClair 6 points, Lindros 5, and Renberg 5) with LeClair tying a team regular season record with four goals in the game.2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 264 Three weeks later on February 26 against the

, the line again recorded a combined 16 points (Lindros 7 points, Renberg 5, and LeClair 4) with Lindros setting the team records for assists in a single game (6) and a single period (4, later tied). Lindros also tied the team record for points in a single period (4). On March 19, Lindros tied the team regular season record for goals scored in a game (4) and tied the team record for goals in a period (3).

Janne Niinimaa Janne Henrik Niinimaa (born May 22, 1975) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Dallas Stars, and Montreal C ...

’s 40 assists on the season set a team record for rookie defensemen. During game three of their conference quarterfinals series against the

, the Flyers set a franchise single period playoff record for most shots on goal (28). During game three, Rod Brind’Amour tied the NHL records for most shorthanded goals scored in a playoff game and playoff period (2 for both). Likewise, the two total shorthanded goals scored by the Flyers is also tied for the franchise single playoff game and playoff period records. John LeClair’s three game-winning goals during the series is a franchise single series high. During game three of their conference semifinals series against the

, defenseman

recorded three assists during the first period, tying the franchise single playoff period mark. Brind’Amour repeated Coffey’s feat during the second period of game five. The Flyers five consecutive playoff wins on the road from May 3 to May 23 tied a team record.

Milestones

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 12, 1996, the day after the deciding game of the

1996 Stanley Cup Finals The 1996 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1995–96 season, and the culmination of the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Western Conference champion Colorado Avalanche and th ...

, through June 7, 1997, the day of the deciding game of the

1997 Stanley Cup Finals The 1997 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1996–97 season, and the culmination of the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hocke ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the

1996 NHL Entry Draft The 1996 NHL Entry Draft was the 34th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 22, 1996. The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Zdeno Chára, who retired after the 2021–22 season. ...

, which was held at the

Kiel Center Kiel () is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 246,243 (2021). Kiel lies approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the southeast of the Jutland pe ...

St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...

, on June 22, 1996. The Flyers traded their first-round pick, 24th overall, their fourth-round pick, 106th overall, and

Martin Spanhel Martin may refer to: Places * Martin City (disambiguation) * Martin County (disambiguation) * Martin Township (disambiguation) Antarctica * Martin Peninsula, Marie Byrd Land * Port Martin, Adelie Land * Point Martin, South Orkney Islands Austral ...

to the

for

Pat Falloon Patrick J. Falloon (born September 22, 1972) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League between 1991 and 2000. He played with the San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Se ...

on September 20, 1995. They also traded their third-round pick, 78th overall, and their sixth-round pick, 157th overall, to the

for

on July 12, 1995, and their ninth-round pick, 239th overall, to the

for

Kerry Huffman Kerry Huffman (born January 3, 1968) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques and Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League (NHL) and is currently a profession ...

on March 19, 1996.

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the

Philadelphia Phantoms The Philadelphia Phantoms were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League (AHL) from 1996 to 2009. The club was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and played most of its home games at the Spectrum (arena), Spectrum ...

of the AHL and the

Mobile Mysticks The Mobile Mysticks were a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Mobile, Alabama that played in the ECHL. They played their home games at the Mobile Civic Center. The team was founded in 1995 as an expansion franchise, joining the ECH ...

of the

ECHL The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams scattered across the United States and Canada. It is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The E ...

Notes

References

;General * * * ;Specific {{DEFAULTSORT:Philadelphia P P

1996 File:1996 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: A Centennial Olympic Park bombing, bomb explodes at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, set off by a radical Anti-abortion violence, anti-abortionist; The center fuel tank explodes on TWA Flight 8 ...

1996-1997 2

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...