The 1996–97

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 ...

season was the Oilers' 18th

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 ...

in the

NHL 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 ...

. They were coming off a 30–44–8 record, earning 68 points in the 1995–96 season, which led them to failing to qualify for the post-season for the 4th time in a row. The Oilers had their best season since 1991–92 as they won 36 games and earn 81 points, finishing third place in the Pacific Division and seventh in the Western Conference, earning their first playoff berth in five years. The main reason for the Oilers' turn-around was their solid

goaltending Goaltending is a violation of the rules in the sport of basketball. It consists of certain forms of player interference with the ball while it is on its way to the basket. It is goaltending if a player touches the ball when it is (a) in downwar ...

and defensive hockey, only allowing 247 goals, 57 fewer than the previous season.

Regular season

On November 26, 1996, the Oilers defeated their provincial rival

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 ...

on the road by a score of 10-1. Ten different Oilers scored in the game. It was the first time that the Oilers had scored 10 goals in a regular-season game since December 4, 1988, when they defeated 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 ...

at home by a score of 10-6. Offensively,

Doug Weight Douglas Daniel Weight (born January 21, 1971) is an American professional ice hockey coach, executive, and former player. He is also the former head coach and assistant General manager (ice hockey), general manager for the New York Islanders. Dur ...

led the club once again this season in points, earning 82, and achieved a club high 61 assists. Ryan Smyth had a breakout season, scoring a team high 39 goals and led the team in

power play "Power play" is a sporting term used to describe a period of play where one team has a numerical advantage in players, usually due to a rule violation by the opposing team. Temporary numerical advantage in players during a team sport In several ...

goals with 20. Andrei Kovalenko, acquired in the off-season, scored 32 goals and 59 points, while

Jason Arnott Jason William Arnott (born October 11, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He began his National Hockey League career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft ...

earned 57 points in 67 games. Rookie

Mike Grier Michael James Grier (born January 5, 1975) is an American former professional ice hockey winger and current general manager of the San Jose Sharks in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Bu ...

had 32 points in 79 games, and

Mariusz Czerkawski Mariusz Krzysztof Czerkawski (pronounced ; born 13 April 1972) is a Polish former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens and Tor ...

finished third on the team in goals with 26.

Boris Mironov Boris Olegovich Mironov (; born 21 March 1972) is a Russian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is the younger brother of Dmitri Mironov. Playing career Mironov began his hockey career with five seasons playing for HC CSKA Mosc ...

anchored the defense, earning 32 points in only 55 games. Todd Marchant led the team in short-handed goals with 4. Team captain

Kelly Buchberger Kelly Michael Buchberger (born December 2, 1966) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He played for several National Hockey League teams from 1986 to 2004. As a coach, he has been an assistant for the New York Islanders ...

provided the team toughness, earning a club high 159 penalty minutes. In goal,

Curtis Joseph Curtis Shayne Joseph (né Munro; born April 29, 1967) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional player. Nicknamed "Cujo", Joseph was immediately recognizable on the ice for his masks featuring a snarling dog, drawing inspiration from ...

got the majority of playing time, winning 32 games while posting a 2.93

GAA Gaa may refer to: * Gaa language, a language of Nigeria * gaa, the ISO 639 code for the Ga language of Ghana GAA may stand for: Compounds * Glacial (water-free), acetic acid * Acid alpha-glucosidase, also known as glucosidase, alpha; acid, an e ...

and a .907

save percentage Save percentage (often known by such symbols as SV%, SVS%, SVP, PCT) is a statistic in various Goal (sports), goal-scoring sports that track Save (goaltender), saves as a statistic. In ice hockey and lacrosse and association football, it is a sta ...

. He set a team record with 6

shutout In team sports, a shutout (North American English, US) or clean sheet (Commonwealth English, UK) is a game in which the losing team fails to score. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketba ...

s. Bob Essensa, despite a strong GAA of 2.83, won only 4 games. The Oilers had the most power-play opportunities during the regular season, with 406 opportunities in total.

Season standings

Playoffs

The Oilers faced the Central Division winning

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 ...

in the opening round of the playoffs. After splitting the first 2 games in Dallas, the Oilers returned home for game 3 for their first home playoff game since 1992 and found themselves losing 3–0 with about 4 minutes left in the 3rd period. Edmonton then struck for 3 goals to tie the game, and

provided the overtime heroics, as the Oilers won the game 4–3 and take a 2–1 series lead. Dallas tied the series up again in game 4, however, the Oilers shocked the Stars, winning 1–0 in double overtime in the 5th game in Dallas, and returning to Edmonton in a position to clinch the series. The Stars spoiled the Oilers' party, winning the 6th game 3–2, setting up a game 7 at

Reunion Arena Reunion Arena was an indoor arena located in the Reunion, Dallas, Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas, United States. The arena served as the primary home of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Dallas Stars and the National Basketball Ass ...

in Dallas. The game was a memorable one, as the score was tied up at 3 as the teams headed into overtime. Todd Marchant turned out to be the hero, scoring for the Oilers in the 1st overtime, as Edmonton completed the upset, defeating the Stars in 7 games. In the 2nd round, Edmonton faced the defending

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () 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, and the International Ic ...

champions, 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 ...

, who won the Pacific Division and had 26 more points than the Oilers during the season. The Avalanche won the opening 2 games easily 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 while the Oilers rebounded to win the 3rd game, the Avs proved to be too much for Edmonton to handle, as they won the series in 5 games, ending the Oilers' season.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 4 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , ,

Joseph Joseph is a common male name, derived from the Hebrew (). "Joseph" is used, along with " Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the modern-day Nordic count ...

, , 15,236 , , 1–0–0 , , 2 , , , - , 2 , , October 6 , ,

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 ...

, , 0 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 15,144 , , 2–0–0 , , 4 , , , - , 3 , , October 8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 2 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Joseph , , 15,424 , , 3–0–0 , , 6 , , , - , 4 , , October 9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 0 – 2 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Essensa , , 19,983 , , 3–1–0 , , 6 , , , - , 5 , , October 11 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,145 , , 3–2–0 , , 6 , , , - , 6 , , October 14 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 3 , ,

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

, , , , Joseph , , 13,916 , , 4–2–0 , , 8 , , , - , 7 , , October 15 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 7 , ,

, , , , Joseph , , 16,061 , , 4–3–0 , , 8 , , , - , 8 , , October 20 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 6 , ,

, , , , Joseph , , 16,295 , , 4–4–0 , , 8 , , , - , 9 , , October 22 , ,

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 ...

, , 2 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,536 , , 5–4–0 , , 10 , , , - , 10 , , October 24 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 8 – 2 , ,

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. ...

, , , , Essensa , , 10,195 , , 6–4–0 , , 12 , , , - , 11 , , October 26 , , Colorado Avalanche , , 4 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 6–5–0 , , 12 , , , - , 12 , , October 30 , , Phoenix Coyotes , , 1 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 14,678 , , 7–5–0 , , 14 , , , - , - , 13 , , November 1 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 5 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 16,177 , , 7–6–0 , , 14 , , , - , 14 , , November 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 4 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Joseph , , 16,875 , , 7–7–0 , , 14 , , , - , 15 , , November 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , , , Essensa , , 15,159 , , 7–8–0 , , 14 , , , - , 16 , , November 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 6 – 0 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Joseph , , 13,643 , , 8–8–0 , , 16 , , , - , 17 , , November 9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 7 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , , , Joseph , , 15,726 , , 8–9–0 , , 16 , , , - , 18 , , November 11 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 3 , ,

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 ...

, , OT , , Joseph , , 20,452 , , 8–10–0 , , 16 , , , - , 19 , , November 13 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 0 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Joseph , , 15,312 , , 9–10–0 , , 18 , , , - , 20 , , November 17 , ,

, , 7 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 14,574 , , 9–11–0 , , 18 , , , - , 21 , , November 19 , , Chicago Blackhawks , , 4 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 14,792 , , 9–11–1 , , 19 , , , - , 22 , , November 21 , ,

, , 2 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 10–11–1 , , 21 , , , - , 23 , , November 23 , , Calgary Flames , , 2 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,829 , , 11–11–1 , , 23 , , , - , 24 , , November 26 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 10 – 1 , , Calgary Flames , , , , Joseph , , 17,146 , , 12–11–1 , , 25 , , , - , 25 , , November 27 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 5 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Essensa , , 14,039 , , 12–12–1 , , 25 , , , - , 26 , , November 29 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 2 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Joseph , , 17,442 , , 13–12–1 , , 27 , , , - , - , 27 , , December 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 4 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Joseph , , 16,735 , , 13–13–1 , , 27 , , , - , 28 , , December 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 0 – 2 , , Colorado Avalanche , , , , Joseph , , 16,061 , , 13–14–1 , , 27 , , , - , 29 , , December 6 , , Ottawa Senators , , 2 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 15,060 , , 14–14–1 , , 29 , , , - , 30 , , December 8 , , St. Louis Blues , , 3 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 14,922 , , 14–15–1 , , 29 , , , - , 31 , , December 10 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 0 – 0 , , Detroit Red Wings , , OT , , Joseph , , 19,983 , , 14–15–2 , , 30 , , , - , 32 , , December 12 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 2 , ,

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 ...

, , OT , , Joseph , , 13,925 , , 14–15–3 , , 31 , , , - , 33 , , December 15 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 6 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Essensa , , 14,703 , , 14–16–3 , , 31 , , , - , 34 , , December 18 , , Colorado Avalanche , , 4 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 16,053 , , 14–16–4 , , 32 , , , - , 35 , , December 20 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 14,692 , , 14–17–4 , , 32 , , , - , 36 , , December 22 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 6 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,724 , , 14–18–4 , , 32 , , , - , 37 , , December 23 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 7 – 0 , , Vancouver Canucks , , , , Essensa , , 17,854 , , 15–18–4 , , 34 , , , - , 38 , , December 27 , ,

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 ...

, , 6 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 15–19–4 , , 34 , , , - , 39 , , December 28 , , San Jose Sharks , , 3 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Essensa , , 16,670 , , 16–19–4 , , 36 , , , - , 40 , , December 30 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 1 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 15,954 , , 17–19–4 , , 38 , , , - , - , 41 , , January 3 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 3 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 18–19–4 , , 40 , , , - , 42 , , January 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 2 , , St. Louis Blues , , , , Joseph , , 15,760 , , 19–19–4 , , 42 , , , - , 43 , , January 8 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 4 , , Chicago Blackhawks , , , , Essensa , , 17,500 , , 19–20–4 , , 42 , , , - , 44 , , January 11 , , San Jose Sharks , , 2 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 15,451 , , 19–21–4 , , 42 , , , - , 45 , , January 12 , ,

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 ...

, , 1 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 14,301 , , 20–21–4 , , 44 , , , - , 46 , , January 15 , , Florida Panthers , , 0 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 15,673 , , 21–21–4 , , 46 , , , - , 47 , , January 21 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 4 , , New York Rangers , , OT , , Joseph , , 18,200 , , 21–21–5 , , 47 , , , - , 48 , , January 22 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 8 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Joseph , , 10,438 , , 21–22–5 , , 47 , , , - , 49 , , January 24 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 1 , , Buffalo Sabres , , , , Joseph , , 16,775 , , 22–22–5 , , 49 , , , - , 50 , , January 26 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 1 , ,

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 ...

, , , , Joseph , , 14,623 , , 23–22–5 , , 51 , , , - , 51 , , January 29 , , San Jose Sharks , , 1 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 14,378 , , 24–22–5 , , 53 , , , - , 52 , , January 31 , , New York Islanders , , 0 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,211 , , 25–22–5 , , 55 , , , - , - , 53 , , February 5 , , Calgary Flames , , 2 – 5 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,770 , , 26–22–5 , , 57 , , , - , 54 , , February 8 , , Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , 2 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 16,743 , , 26–23–5 , , 57 , , , - , 55 , , February 9 , , Washington Capitals , , 1 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Essensa , , 15,361 , , 27–23–5 , , 59 , , , - , 56 , , February 12 , , Boston Bruins , , 3 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,238 , , 28–23–5 , , 61 , , , - , 57 , , February 13 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 3 , , Calgary Flames , , OT , , Essensa , , 18,882 , , 28–24–5 , , 61 , , , - , 58 , , February 15 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 2 – 2 , , Los Angeles Kings , , OT , , Joseph , , 12,027 , , 28–24–6 , , 62 , , , - , 59 , , February 17 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 5 , , Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , , , Joseph , , 17,174 , , 28–25–6 , , 62 , , , - , 60 , , February 19 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 5 – 6 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,487 , , 29–25–6 , , 64 , , , - , 61 , , February 21 , , Colorado Avalanche , , 4 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 29–26–6 , , 64 , , , - , 62 , , February 23 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 6 , , Dallas Stars , , , , Joseph , , 15,786 , , 29–27–6 , , 64 , , , - , 63 , , February 26 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 3 , , Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , OT , , Joseph , , 17,174 , , 29–27–7 , , 65 , , , - , 64 , , February 27 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 6 , , Los Angeles Kings , , , , Essensa , , 12,115 , , 29–28–7 , , 65 , , , - , - , 65 , , March 1 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 5 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 29–29–7 , , 65 , , , - , 66 , , March 4 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 1 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 14,671 , , 30–29–7 , , 67 , , , - , 67 , , March 7 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 2 , , Dallas Stars , , , , Joseph , , 16,723 , , 30–30–7 , , 67 , , , - , 68 , , March 9 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 1 , , St. Louis Blues , , , , Joseph , , 17,982 , , 31–30–7 , , 69 , , , - , 69 , , March 11 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 6 , , New Jersey Devils , , , , Joseph , , 14,671 , , 31–31–7 , , 69 , , , - , 70 , , March 13 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 5 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , OT , , Joseph , , 19,635 , , 31–32–7 , , 69 , , , - , 71 , , March 15 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 2 , , Hartford Whalers , , , , Joseph , , 14,437 , , 32–32–7 , , 71 , , , - , 72 , , March 19 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 1 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 16,089 , , 33–32–7 , , 73 , , , - , 73 , , March 23 , , Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , 4 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 33–33–7 , , 73 , , , - , 74 , , March 24 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 5 – 1 , , San Jose Sharks , , , , Joseph , , 17,159 , , 34–33–7 , , 75 , , , - , 75 , , March 28 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 4 , , San Jose Sharks , , , , Joseph , , 17,442 , , 34–34–7 , , 75 , , , - , 76 , , March 29 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 1 , , Phoenix Coyotes , , , , Joseph , , 16,210 , , 35–34–7 , , 77 , , , - , 77 , , March 31 , , Dallas Stars , , 3 – 1 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 35–35–7 , , 77 , , , - , - , 78 , , April 3 , , Chicago Blackhawks , , 2 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 36–35–7 , , 79 , , , - , 79 , , April 5 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 2 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 36–35–8 , , 80 , , , - , 80 , , April 9 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 3 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 36–35–9 , , 81 , , , - , 81 , , April 11 , , Phoenix Coyotes , , 6 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 36–36–9 , , 81 , , , - , 82 , , April 12 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 5 , , Vancouver Canucks , , , , Essensa , , 18,422 , , 36–37–9 , , 81 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 16 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 5 , ,

, , , ,

, , 16,418 , , 0–1 , , , - , 2 , , April 18 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 0 , , Dallas Stars , , , , Joseph , , 16,924 , , 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , April 20 , , Dallas Stars , , 3 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , April 22 , , Dallas Stars , , 4 – 3 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , April 25 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 0 , , Dallas Stars , , 2OT , , Joseph , , 16,924 , , 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , April 27 , , Dallas Stars , , 3 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 3–3 , , , - , 7 , , April 29 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 4 – 3 , , Dallas Stars , , OT , , Joseph , , 16,924 , , 4–3 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 5 , ,

, , , , Joseph , , 16,061 , , 0–1 , , , - , 2 , , May 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 1 – 4 , , Colorado Avalanche , , , , Joseph , , 16,061 , , 0–2 , , , - , 3 , , May 7 , , Colorado Avalanche , , 3 – 4 , , Edmonton Oilers , , , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 1–2 , , , - , 4 , , May 9 , , Colorado Avalanche , , 3 – 2 , , Edmonton Oilers , , OT , , Joseph , , 17,099 , , 1–3 , , , - , 5 , , May 11 , , Edmonton Oilers , , 3 – 4 , , Colorado Avalanche , , , , Joseph , , 16,061 , , 1–4 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Centre 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 =

Defence 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 indust ...

; 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 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 either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

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

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Records

* 3: Tied NHL record for most short-handed goals in a playoffs by Todd Marchant on May 11, 1997.

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Waivers

Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft.

Notes

References

* * * National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Edmonton Oilers season Edmonton Oilers season, 1996-97 Edmon Edmonton Oilers seasons

1990s in Edmonton