The 1997–98 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 72nd season. The Rangers posted a 25–39–18 record in the regular season and finished in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. New York missed the

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup (french: La Coupe Stanley) is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, an ...

playoffs for the first time since the 1992–93 season. The Rangers fired head coach

Colin Campbell Colin may refer to: * Colin (given name) * Colin (surname) * ''Colin'' (film), a 2008 Cannes film festival zombie movie * Colin (horse) (1905–1932), thoroughbred racehorse * Colin (humpback whale), a humpback whale calf abandoned north of Sydney, ...

during the season and replaced him with former

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 ...

Stanley Cup-winning coach

John Muckler John Muckler (April 13, 1934 – January 4, 2021) was a professional hockey coach and executive, who last served as the general manager of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Muckler had over 50 years of professional hockey e ...

. This was also the first season since the 1990–91 campaign that the Rangers did not have

Mark Messier Mark John Douglas Messier (; born January 18, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League (NHL). His playing career in the NHL lasted 25 years ( 1979– 2004) with the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rang ...

; after a contentious negotiating period, the Rangers elected not to re-sign Messier and he instead joined the

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 ...

Regular season

The Rangers were the only team in the league not to score a short-handed goal.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 1 , , October 3, 1997 , ,

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 ( ...

, , 2–2 OT , , 0–0–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 2 , , October 5, 1997 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–2 OT , , 0–0–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 3 , , October 8, 1997 , , @

, , 3–3 OT , , 0–0–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 4 , , October 9, 1997 , , @

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 ...

, , 1–1 OT , , 0–0–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 5 , , October 11, 1997 , , @

, , 6–3 , , 1–0–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 6 , , October 14, 1997 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–0 , , 1–1–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 7 , , October 15, 1997 , , @

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 ...

, , 5–1 , , 1–2–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 8 , , October 18, 1997 , , @

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 ...

, , 5–3 , , 1–3–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 9 , , October 20, 1997 , ,

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...

, , 4–2 , , 2–3–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 10 , , October 22, 1997 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–0 , , 2–4–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 11 , , October 24, 1997 , ,

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 , , 3–4–4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 12 , , October 26, 1997 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–3 OT , , 3–4–5 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 13 , , October 28, 1997 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–2 , , 3–5–5 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 14 , , October 30, 1997 , , @

, , 5–3 , , 3–6–5 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 15 , , November 3, 1997 , ,

, , 2–2 OT , , 3–6–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 16 , , November 5, 1997 , , @

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 ...

, , 4–2 , , 4–6–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 17 , , November 7, 1997 , , @

, , 2–2 OT , , 4–6–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 18 , , November 12, 1997 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–2 , , 4–7–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 19 , , November 14, 1997 , ,

, , 3–1 , , 5–7–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 20 , , November 16, 1997 , ,

, , 4–1 , , 6–7–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 21 , , November 18, 1997 , , @

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 , , 7–7–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 22 , , November 19, 1997 , , @

, , 6–3 , , 7–8–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 23 , , November 21, 1997 , , @

, , 4–3 , , 8–8–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 24 , , November 22, 1997 , , @

, , 4–3 OT , , 8–9–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 25 , , November 25, 1997 , ,

, , 4–2 , , 8–10–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 26 , , November 26, 1997 , , @

, , 4–1 , , 8–11–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 27 , , November 28, 1997 , , @

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 ...

, , 3–3 OT , , 8–11–8 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 28 , , November 30, 1997 , ,

, , 1–1 OT , , 8–11–9 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 29 , , December 2, 1997 , ,

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) ...

, , 3–2 OT , , 8–12–9 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 30 , , December 5, 1997 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–4 OT , , 8–12–10 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 31 , , December 6, 1997 , , @

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 ...

, , 3–3 OT , , 8–12–11 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 32 , , December 8, 1997 , ,

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 , , 9–12–11 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 33 , , December 10, 1997 , ,

, , 4–1 , , 9–13–11 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 34 , , December 12, 1997 , ,

, , 4–3 , , 9–14–11 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 35 , , December 16, 1997 , , @

, , 4–3 , , 9–15–11 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 36 , , December 17, 1997 , , @

, , 4–2 , , 10–15–11 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 37 , , December 20, 1997 , , @

, , 2–2 OT , , 10–15–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 38 , , December 21, 1997 , ,

, , 2–0 , , 10–16–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 39 , , December 23, 1997 , ,

, , 4–1 , , 11–16–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 40 , , December 26, 1997 , , @

, , 3–0 , , 11–17–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 41 , , December 28, 1997 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–3 , , 12–17–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 42 , , December 31, 1997 , , @

, , 2–0 , , 12–18–12 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 43 , , January 3, 1998 , , @

, , 3–2 , , 13–18–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 44 , , January 6, 1998 , ,

, , 4–2 , , 14–18–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 45 , , January 8, 1998 , ,

, , 5–3 , , 14–19–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 46 , , January 12, 1998 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–2 , , 15–19–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 47 , , January 14, 1998 , , @

, , 4–1 , , 15–20–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 48 , , January 20, 1998 , ,

, , 3–1 , , 16–20–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 49 , , January 22, 1998 , ,

, , 4–3 , , 16–21–12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 50 , , January 24, 1998 , ,

, , 3–3 OT , , 16–21–13 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 51 , , January 26, 1998 , ,

, , 2–2 OT , , 16–21–14 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 52 , , January 29, 1998 , , @

, , 2–2 OT , , 16–21–15 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 53 , , January 31, 1998 , , @

, , 4–2 , , 16–22–15 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 54 , , February 2, 1998 , , @

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 ...

, , 3–2 , , 17–22–15 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 55 , , February 4, 1998 , , @

, , 3–2 , , 17–23–15 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 56 , , February 5, 1998 , , @

, , 3–1 , , 17–24–15 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 57 , , February 7, 1998 , , @

, , 1–1 OT , , 17–24–16 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 58 , , February 26, 1998 , , @

, , 5–2 , , 18–24–16 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 59 , , February 28, 1998 , ,

, , 3–1 , , 18–25–16 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 60 , , March 2, 1998 , ,

, , 1–0 , , 18–26–16 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 61 , , March 4, 1998 , , @

, , 4–3 , , 19–26–16 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 62 , , March 7, 1998 , , @

, , 6–3 , , 19–27–16 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 63 , , March 9, 1998 , ,

, , 2–2 OT , , 19–27–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 64 , , March 11, 1998 , ,

, , 5–3 , , 20–27–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 65 , , March 12, 1998 , , @

, , 4–1 , , 20–28–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 66 , , March 14, 1998 , , @

, , 5–1 , , 20–29–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 67 , , March 16, 1998 , ,

, , 5–4 , , 21–29–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 68 , , March 18, 1998 , ,

, , 2–1 OT , , 22–29–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 69 , , March 21, 1998 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–3 , , 22–30–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 70 , , March 22, 1998 , , @

, , 5–4 OT , , 22–31–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 71 , , March 25, 1998 , ,

, , 3–2 OT , , 22–32–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 72 , , March 26, 1998 , , @

, , 4–1 , , 22–33–17 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="white" , 73 , , March 28, 1998 , , @

, , 2–2 OT , , 22–33–18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 74 , , March 30, 1998 , ,

, , 3–1 , , 22–34–18 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 75 , , April 1, 1998 , ,

, , 4–2 , , 22–35–18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 76 , , April 4, 1998 , , @

, , 3–0 , , 22–36–18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 77 , , April 5, 1998 , , @

, , 2–1 OT , , 23–36–18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 78 , , April 7, 1998 , ,

, , 3–2 , , 23–37–18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 79 , , April 11, 1998 , , @

, , 5–2 , , 23–38–18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 80 , , April 14, 1998 , , @

, , 3–1 , , 23–39–18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 81 , , April 15, 1998 , ,

, , 4–2 , , 24–39–18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 82 , , April 18, 1998 , , @

, , 2–1 , , 25–39–18 , , , - , - , ''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 Rangers only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Rangers only.''

Goaltending

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

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Draft picks

New York's picks at the

1997 NHL Entry Draft The 1997 NHL Entry Draft was the 35th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 1997. As of 2022, the only remaining active player in the NHL from the 1997 draft class is Joe Thornton. Selections ...

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

at the Civic Arena.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1997-98 New York Rangers season New York Rangers seasons

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 ...

1990s in Manhattan Madison Square Garden