The 1995–96

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

season was the 3rd season of the franchise that was established in 1993 and is tied for their most successful

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

ever, until 2024, when they won the Stanley Cup Finals. In only their

third Third or 3rd may refer to: Numbers * 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3 * , a fraction of one third * 1⁄60 of a ''second'', i.e., the third in a series of fractional parts in a sexagesimal number system Places * 3rd Street (di ...

season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

, the Panthers qualified for the playoffs, and won three playoff series to become Eastern Conference champions. In 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 t ...

, Florida lost to the

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

in four games. The Panthers would not win another playoff series until

2022 The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...

Offseason

Head coach

Roger Neilson Roger Paul Neilson, (June 16, 1934 – June 21, 2003) was a Canadian professional ice hockey coach, most notably in the NHL, where he served with eight teams. Known as Captain Video because of his technological contributions to the game, he is ...

was fired on June 8. Player-development director Doug MacLean was named his replacement on July 24.

Regular season

Year of the Rat

A very unusual goal celebration developed in Miami. On the night of the Panthers' 1995–96 home opener, a

rat Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents. Species of rats are found throughout the order Rodentia, but stereotypical rats are found in the genus ''Rattus''. Other rat genera include '' Neotoma'' (pack rats), '' Bandicota'' (bandicoo ...

scurried across the Florida locker room. Panthers winger Scott Mellanby reacted by " one-timing" the rat against the wall, killing i

That night he scored two goals, which goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck quipped was "a rat trick". Two nights later, as the story found its way into the world, a few fans threw rubber rats on the ice in celebration of a goal. The rubber rat count went from 16 for the third home game to over 2,000 during the playoffs. In an amusing coincidence, 1996 was also year of the Rat according to

Chinese astrology Chinese astrology is based on traditional Chinese astronomy and the Chinese calendar. Chinese astrology flourished during the Han dynasty (2nd century BC to 2nd century AD). Chinese astrology has a close relation with Chinese philosophy (theor ...

. In the 1996 playoffs, as the fourth seed, the Panthers defeated the

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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

in five games, then upset the top-seeded

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 (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

in six and the second-seeded

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

in seven games to reach the

Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...

. Their opponents, the

, eliminated the Panthers in four games.

Final standings

Playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

The fifth-seeded

had one of the best offenses in the Eastern Conference, scoring 282 goals led by

Cam Neely Cameron Michael Neely (born June 6, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He played right wing for the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1983 to 1996. Neely was inducte ...

(26 goals) and Adam Oates (25 goals, 67 assists). The Panthers won their first-ever playoff game 6-3 before a sold out Miami Arena, and soon built a 3–0 lead despite being outshot by the Bruins on all games. The Bruins stepped up to win Game 4 with a 6-2 blowout before the Boston crowd. Game 5 was tied 3-3 when with 4:57 left, Bill Lindsay scored with a dive through the air goal while being tripped by star defenseman

Ray Bourque Raymond Jean Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial ...

, giving the Panthers their first-ever playoff series victory. This was the last year in a record 29 consecutive seasons in the playoffs for the Bruins, as they missed the 1997 post-season.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

The

finished atop the Eastern Conference in the regular season with 103 points, led by the high-scoring "

Legion of Doom The Legion of Doom is a group of supervillains who originated in '' Challenge of the Superfriends'', 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 ...

" and the strong goaltending of Garth Snow and

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

. Philadelphia had just eliminated the other Florida team, the

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

, in 5 games after overcoming a 2–1 series deficit. Vanbiesbrouck posted a 2–0 shutout in Game 1, and it took until midway through Game 2 for the Flyers to get rolling offensively in a narrow 3–2 win. Game 3 saw Flyers veterans Dan Quinn,

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) for ...

, Eric Desjardins and Hextall set the tone in a 3–1 victory. With young defenseman Ed Jovanovski tightly covering Flyers superstar

Eric Lindros Eric Bryan Lindros (; born February 28, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Oshawa Generals prior to being chosen first overall in the 1991 NHL entry d ...

, the Panthers reversed the tide, defeating the Flyers in overtime in Game 4 and double-overtime in Game 5, in what would turn out to be the last Flyers game at the Spectrum. Lindros promised to win game 6 to return the series to Philadelphia, but the Panthers won with a 4–1 score. Florida became the third team to reach the conference finals in their third season – following fellow expansion team

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 (N ...

in 1975 and the

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

in 1982.

Eastern Conference Finals

The 2-seeded

were energized by the return of

Mario Lemieux Mario Lemieux (; ; born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played parts of 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 1984–85 NHL season, 1984 and 2005–06 NHL se ...

, who missed the entire 1994–95 season due to injury, and had the league's best offense, scoring 362 goals, and the most wins in the Eastern conference with 49, finishing just one point behind the Flyers. The Penguins advanced to the third round for the first time since 1992, defeating the

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

in six games and the

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

in five games. Despite being outshot 33–25 in game one the Panthers came out on top with an impressive 5–1 win, with 32 saves by Vanbiesbrouck and two goals by forward Tom Fitzgerald. The Penguins wanting to avoid going down two games to none against the Panthers came out with a better effort in game two and won the game 3–2 and evened the series at one game each. In game three the Panthers fired an incredible 61 shots on Penguins goaltender

Tom Barrasso Thomas Patrick Barrasso (born March 31, 1965) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 18 seasons. Barrasso began his time in the NHL with the ...

and it paid off as the Panthers won 5–2 – two goals by

Stu Barnes Stuart Douglas Barnes (born December 25, 1970) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey Forward (ice hockey), forward. He played 16 seasons at Centre (ice hockey), centre in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets (1972–96), Winnipeg Jets, ...

– to take a 2–1 series lead. The Penguins tied game four on Brad Lauer's goal with 11:03 remaining in regulation, and

Bryan Smolinski Bryan Anthony Smolinski (born December 27, 1971) is an American former professional ice hockey center. The Boston Bruins drafted him 21st overall in 1990. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islan ...

scored with 3:31 to go to give the Penguins a 2–1 lead, tying the series. In game five the Penguins shut out the Panthers 3–0, with Barrasso stopping 28 shots. Leading the series three games to two Pittsburgh looked to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals in game six. The Penguins led 2–1 in the second period but the Panthers scored three of the next four goals and edged the Penguins 4–3 to tie the series at 3–3. In game seven Florida got a 1–0 lead on Mike Hough's goal at 13:13 of the first period. After a scoreless second period Pittsburgh tied the game on

Petr Nedvěd Petr Nedvěd (born December 9, 1971) is a Czech-Canadian former professional ice hockey player who spent 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1990 and 2007. Early career Nedvěd was born in Liberec, Czechoslovakia to Jaroslav ...

's power-play goal at 1:23 of the third period. The Panthers regained the lead on Tom Fitzgerald's bizarre 58-foot slapshot at 6:18 and got an insurance goal from Johan Garpenlov at 17:23. Florida hung on to win the game 3–1, with a total of 39 saves by Vanbiesbrouck, and closed the series four games to three. By reaching the finals in only their third season, the Panthers became the fastest

expansion team An expansion team is a new team in a sports league, usually from a city that has not hosted a team in that league before, formed with the intention of satisfying the demand for a local team from a population in a new area. Sporting leagues also ...

to do so since the St. Louis Blues reached the Stanley Cup finals in their first three seasons. Many Panthers players were managing their first trips to the finals after long careers, such as Vanbiesbrouck (13 years).

Stanley Cup Finals

In the first

where neither team had ever reached the decision before, the Panthers faced the

, who were in their inaugural season after relocating from

Quebec City Quebec City is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the Census Metropolitan Area (including surrounding communities) had a populati ...

. Led by

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

Joe Sakic Joseph Steven Sakic (; () born July 7, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He played his entire 21-year National Hockey League (NHL) career, which lasted from 1988 to 2009, with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado ...

, forward Peter Forsberg and defenceman Adam Foote, the Avalanche got even stronger once goaltender

Patrick Roy Patrick Jacques Roy (; born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach, executive and former player who is the head coach for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Roy previously served as head coach for ...

joined the team in December 1995. The Avalanche finished the season with a 47–25–10 record for 104 points, won the Pacific Division and finished second in the Western Conference. On their way to the Western title, the Avs beat the

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

, the

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 (N ...

and

Presidents' Trophy The Presidents' Trophy () is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL) to the team that finishes with the most points (i.e., best overall record) during the regular season. If two teams are tied for the most points, then the Trophy ...

winners

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 ...

, all in six games. The series started in

Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

, and the Avs dominated the Panthers at the

McNichols Sports Arena McNichols Sports Arena was an indoor arena located in Denver, Colorado, United States. Located adjacent to Mile High Stadium and completed in 1975, at a cost of $16 million, it seated 16,061 for hockey games and 17,171 for basketball games. Sp ...

. On game 1, Vanbiesbrouck shut out Colorado for half the game, before three goals were scored in a stretch of 3:49 minutes in the second period, leading to a 3–1 victory. The following game was an 8–1 blowout, starting with three power play goals in the first period as Florida incurred in bad penalties that forced Vanbiesbrouck to be pulled out in favor of Mark Fitzpatrick. Returning to Miami, Game 3 was closer, with Florida scoring twice in the first period. But the Avs still came through, taking over the lead with a

goal early in the second period and holding on to a 3–2 victory. With their backs to the wall, the Panthers played a defensive game four. Vanbiesbrouck and Roy stood out, combining for 118 saves, and the two teams played a marathon game that took until the third overtime period. Uwe Krupp's unassisted goal at 4:31 ended 44 minutes and 31 seconds of overtime and gave the Avalanche a 1–0 win and a four-games-to-none series win. Goaltender Patrick Roy stopped all 63 shots he faced. Colorado outscored Florida 15–4 in the series, and Patrick Roy stopped 147 of 151 shots, for a save percentage of .974.

was awarded the

Conn Smythe Trophy The Conn Smythe Trophy () is awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the ...

as playoff

MVP MVP most commonly refers to: * Most valuable player, an award, typically for the best performing player in a sport or competition * Minimum viable product, a concept for feature estimating used in business and engineering MVP may also refer to: ...

, having led all skaters in goals with 18, and points with 34. For both Patrick Roy and

Claude Lemieux Claude Percy Lemieux (born July 16, 1965), is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for six teams between 1983 and 2009. Lemieux won four Stanley Cup championships during his car ...

, it was their third Stanley Cup win in eleven years.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1, , October 7, 1995, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a 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 Conference. The club w ...

( 1995–96) , , 0–1–0 , , , - , 2, , October 8, 1995, , 4–3 , , align="left",

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. The ...

( 1995–96) , , 1–1–0 , , , - , 3, , October 11, 1995, , 6–1 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1995–96) , , 2–1–0 , , , - , 4, , October 13, 1995, , 6–2 , , align="left",

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 1995–96) , , 3–1–0 , , , - , 5, , October 15, 1995, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 4–1–0 , , , - , 6, , October 17, 1995, , 3–6 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 4–2–0 , , , - , 7, , October 21, 1995, , 3–0 , , align="left",

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year 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 1 ...

( 1995–96) , , 5–2–0 , , , - , 8, , October 24, 1995, , 6–1 , , align="left", @

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. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1995–96) , , 6–2–0 , , , - , 9, , October 25, 1995, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 6–3–0 , , , - , 10, , October 28, 1995, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 7–3–0 , , , - , 11, , October 31, 1995, , 4–5 OT, , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 7–4–0 , , , - , - , 12, , November 2, 1995, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 8–4–0 , , , - , 13, , November 3, 1995, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 9–4–0 , , , - , 14, , November 5, 1995, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 10–4–0 , , , - , 15, , November 7, 1995, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 11–4–0 , , , - , 16, , November 9, 1995, , 2–1 , , align="left",

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 (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1995–96) , , 12–4–0 , , , - , 17, , November 11, 1995, , 4–1 , , align="left",

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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1995–96) , , 13–4–0 , , , - , 18, , November 14, 1995, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 14–4–0 , , , - , 19, , November 16, 1995, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 14–4–1 , , , - , 20, , November 18, 1995, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

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

( 1995–96) , , 14–5–1 , , , - , 21, , November 19, 1995, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

( 1995–96) , , 15–5–1 , , , - , 22, , November 21, 1995, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 16–5–1 , , , - , 23, , November 26, 1995, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 17–5–1 , , , - , 24, , November 29, 1995, , 1–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 17–6–1 , , , - , - , 25, , December 1, 1995, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 17–7–1 , , , - , 26, , December 2, 1995, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 18–7–1 , , , - , 27, , December 5, 1995, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 19–7–1 , , , - , 28, , December 7, 1995, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 19–7–2 , , , - , 29, , December 9, 1995, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 20–7–2 , , , - , 30, , December 11, 1995, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 21–7–2 , , , - , 31, , December 12, 1995, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 22–7–2 , , , - , 32, , December 14, 1995, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 22–8–2 , , , - , 33, , December 16, 1995, , 7–2 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 23–8–2 , , , - , 34, , December 21, 1995, , 6–1 , , align="left",

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

( 1995–96) , , 24–8–2 , , , - , 35, , December 23, 1995, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 25–8–2 , , , - , 36, , December 28, 1995, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 25–9–2 , , , - , 37, , December 30, 1995, , 5–6 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 25–10–2 , , , - , - , 38, , January 3, 1996, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 25–11–2 , , , - , 39, , January 5, 1996, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 26–11–2 , , , - , 40, , January 6, 1996, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 26–12–2 , , , - , 41, , January 8, 1996, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 1995–96) , , 27–12–2 , , , - , 42, , January 10, 1996, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 27–12–3 , , , - , 43, , January 12, 1996, , 6–6 OT, , align="left", @

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

( 1995–96) , , 27–12–4 , , , - , 44, , January 16, 1996, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 28–12–4 , , , - , 45, , January 22, 1996, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 28–12–5 , , , - , 46, , January 23, 1996, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 29–12–5 , , , - , 47, , January 25, 1996, , 2–6 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 29–13–5 , , , - , 48, , January 27, 1996, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 30–13–5 , , , - , 49, , January 29, 1996, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 31–13–5 , , , - , 50, , January 31, 1996, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 31–14–5 , , , - , - , 51, , February 1, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 31–14–6 , , , - , 52, , February 3, 1996, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 32–14–6 , , , - , 53, , February 6, 1996, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 32–15–6 , , , - , 54, , February 8, 1996, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 33–15–6 , , , - , 55, , February 11, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

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 (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1995–96) , , 33–15–7 , , , - , 56, , February 14, 1996, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 33–16–7 , , , - , 57, , February 16, 1996, , 4–5 OT, , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 33–17–7 , , , - , 58, , February 18, 1996, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 34–17–7 , , , - , 59, , February 21, 1996, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 35–17–7 , , , - , 60, , February 24, 1996, , 0–4 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 35–18–7 , , , - , 61, , February 25, 1996, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 35–19–7 , , , - , 62, , February 29, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 35–19–8 , , , - , - , 63, , March 2, 1996, , 1–7 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 35–20–8 , , , - , 64, , March 5, 1996, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 35–21–8 , , , - , 65, , March 7, 1996, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 35–22–8 , , , - , 66, , March 10, 1996, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 35–23–8 , , , - , 67, , March 11, 1996, , 4–8 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 35–24–8 , , , - , 68, , March 13, 1996, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 35–24–9 , , , - , 69, , March 17, 1996, , 3–0 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 36–24–9 , , , - , 70, , March 19, 1996, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 37–24–9 , , , - , 71, , March 21, 1996, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 38–24–9 , , , - , 72, , March 23, 1996, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 38–25–9 , , , - , 73, , March 27, 1996, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 38–26–9 , , , - , 74, , March 28, 1996, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 38–27–9 , , , - , 75, , March 30, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 38–28–9 , , , - , - , 76, , April 1, 1996, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 39–28–9 , , , - , 77, , April 3, 1996, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 39–29–9 , , , - , 78, , April 6, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 39–30–9 , , , - , 79, , April 8, 1996, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 40–30–9 , , , - , 80, , April 10, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 40–31–9 , , , - , 81, , April 12, 1996, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1995–96) , , 40–31–10 , , , - , 82, , April 14, 1996, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1995–96) , , 41–31–10 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 17, 1996 , , 6–3 , , align="left",

, , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 22, 1996 , , 6–2 , , align="left", Boston Bruins , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , April 24, 1996 , , 4–2 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins , , 14,922 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers lead 3–0 , , , - , 4 , , April 25, 1996 , , 2–6 , , align="left", @ Boston Bruins , , 14,810 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , April 27, 1996 , , 4–3 , , align="left", Boston Bruins , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers win 4–1 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 2, 1996 , , 2–0 , , align="left", @

, , 17,380 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , May 4, 1996 , , 0–2 , , align="left", @ Philadelphia Flyers , , 17,380 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , May 7, 1996 , , 2–3 , , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Flyers lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 9, 1996 , , 4–3 OT , , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Series tied 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , May 12, 1996 , , 2–1 2OT , , align="left", @ Philadelphia Flyers , , 17,380 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers lead 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , May 14, 1996 , , 4–1 , , align="left", Philadelphia Flyers , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers win 4–2 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 18, 1996 , , 5–1 , , align="left", @

, , 17,355 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , May 20, 1996 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , 17,181 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , May 24, 1996 , , 5–2 , , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 26, 1996 , , 1–2 , , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Series tied 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , May 28, 1996 , , 0–3 , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , 17,355 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Penguins lead 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , May 30, 1996 , , 4–3 , , align="left", Pittsburgh Penguins , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Series tied 3–3 , , , - , 7 , , June 1, 1996 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , 17,355 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Panthers win 4–3 , , , - , - , 1 , , June 4, 1996 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @

, , 16,061 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Avalanche lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , June 6, 1996 , , 1–8 , , align="left", @ Colorado Avalanche , , 16,061 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Avalanche lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , June 8, 1996 , , 2–3 , , align="left", Colorado Avalanche , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Avalanche lead 3–0 , , , - , 4 , , June 10, 1996 , , 0–1 3OT , , align="left", Colorado Avalanche , , 14,703 , , Vanbiesbrouck , , Avalanche win 4–0 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; 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 goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW = Left wing; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

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

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

The Panthers acquired Ray Sheppard from the

on the trade deadline in

1996 1996 was designated as: * International Year for the Eradication of Poverty Events January * January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...

Draft picks

Florida's draft picks at the 1995 NHL entry draft held at the

Edmonton Coliseum Northlands Coliseum is a defunct indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta. It was used for sports events and concerts, and was home to the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) and National Hockey League (NHL), and the Edmonton Oil Kin ...

Edmonton Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

Alberta Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:1995-96 Florida Panthers season F Florida Panthers seasons Eastern Conference (NHL) championship seasons Fl