The 1996–97 New Jersey Devils season was the 23rd season for 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 ...

franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 15th season since the franchise relocated from

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

prior to the

1982–83 NHL season The 1982–83 NHL season was the 66th season of the National Hockey League. The Colorado Rockies relocated to East Rutherford, New Jersey, becoming the New Jersey Devils. The New York Islanders won their fourth Stanley Cup in a row with their s ...

. The Devils captured the Atlantic Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference, but fell in the second round of the playoffs to their arch-rivals, 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 ...

. The

New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) is an independent authority established by the State of New Jersey in 1971 to oversee the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Originally consisting of Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack in ...

was contractually obligated to install a new US$600,000 sound system in

Continental Airlines Arena Meadowlands Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena, Continental Airlines Arena and Izod Center) is a closed indoor sports and concert venue located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. Since closing, ...

prior to the start of the season.

Offseason

The Devils' head coach Jacques Lemaire expressed his disappointment following the team's loss to the

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 ...

in the final game of the 1995–96 season, the first time since

1970 Events January * January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC. * January 5 – The 7.1 1970 Tonghai earthquake, Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli ...

that the defending Stanley Cup champion missed the playoffs in the following season. Lemare was quoted as saying that the team lacked confidence. He also felt that the media, the fans, and some players, misread his commitment to defensive hockey as a detriment to offensive creativity, stating that he never stopped his players from being creative in the offensive zone. He ended up needing to repair his relationship with Devils team captain

Scott Stevens Ronald Scott Stevens (born April 1, 1964) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. As a defenseman, Stevens played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey ...

due to his comment following the Ottawa game that the team suffered from a "lack of leadership". Stevens reportedly saw the remark as a personal attack, and so himself and Lemare ended up sitting down together in order to discuss the comment. Lemare later stated to the media that the remark was intended to be an indictment of the entire team, himself included. The 1996 NHL free agent market officially opened on July 1, 1996, following the passing of the June 30 deadline for teams to file contracts with the league. The largest name to become a free agent on July 1 was

Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...

, who was released from the

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 ...

after the team failed to reach an agreement with Gretzky's agent. The

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 ...

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 ...

and

(who eventually signed him) were reported to have expressed interest in signing Gretzky, but New Jersey Devils general manager

Lou Lamoriello Louis A. Lamoriello (; born October 21, 1942) is an Americans, American professional ice hockey executive who most recently served as the President of Hockey Operations and General Manager for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League ...

told reporters Gretzky did not fit with the team's financial plan. Lamoriello did express a desire to retain

Phil Housley Phillip Francis Housley (born March 9, 1964) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously served as assistant coach for the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL from 2019 to 2022, a ...

, an offensive-minded defenseman who was acquired by the Devils late in the 1995–96 season but who had been released by the team after failing to be signed prior to the deadline. The Devils were unable to sign Housley though, who signed a US$7.7 million three-year deal that included a no-trade clause with 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 ...

on July 22, 1996. Lamoriello stated that the team didn't want to make a long term offer, and would not consider a no-trade clause. He reportedly felt that Housley's previous $2.2 million salary was "astronomical". Speculation the Devils would trade for all-star center

Jeremy Roenick Jeremy Shaffer Roenick ( ; born January 17, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 8th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Chica ...

, 26 years old at the time, began following the Ranger's signing of Gretzky. In late August, Lou Lamoriello confirmed to the media he was attempting to bring Roenick, a restricted free agent, to the Devils via a trade. Any team signing Roenick out from the

would be required to give the Coyotes five first-round draft picks in compensation, and Lamoriello was quoted as saying, "I have no intentions right now of giving up draft picks." Rumors were reported in the media that Lamoriello considered dealing forwards

Bill Guerin William Robert Guerin (born November 9, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player and the current general manager of the Minnesota Wild. He previously was the assistant general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins and general manag ...

Brian Rolston Brian Lee Rolston (born February 21, 1973) is an American former professional ice hockey player who most recently played for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the ...

, Mike Peluso and defenseman

Scott Niedermayer Scott Niedermayer (born August 31, 1973) is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman and current special assignment coach of the Anaheim Ducks. He played 18 seasons and over 1,000 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New Jersey Dev ...

for Roenick. Reports the next day reiterated Lamoriello's interest in Roenick, both for the Devils and as a player for

Team USA The United States national team or Team USA may refer to any of a number of sports team representing the United States in international competitions. Olympic teams Additionally, these teams may compete in other international competitions such as ...

, also included the possibility of including Stephane Richer in a potential trade. However, Richer was traded back to the

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 ...

the following day in exchange for 28-year-old Lyle Odelein, whom the Devils immediately signed to a three-year contract at approximately $1.5 million per season. Roenick eventually signed with the Coyotes, despite interest from the Devils and Capitals, among others. Amid rumors that the Devils were interested in dealing with 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 ...

for hold-out center

Keith Primeau Keith David Primeau (born November 24, 1971) is a Canadian businessman and ice hockey coach. He is a former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, C ...

, Devils center Bobby Holik did not show up to training camp in what was described as a surprising decision on his part to not report to the team. Speculation among teammates and the media was that he wanted a trade.

Neal Broten Neal LaMoy Broten (born November 29, 1959) is an American former professional ice hockey player. A member of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal at Lake Placid in 1980, Broten was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in ...

, who was considering retirement at the time, and Mike Peluso, who had been benched by Lemaire during the 1995–96 season and thought that he would be traded over the summer, did report to training camp along with 60 other players. Several regular players who were involved with the

1996 World Cup of Hockey The first World Cup of Hockey ( WCH), or the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, was the inaugural edition of the event, replacing the Canada Cup as one of the world championships of ice hockey. Inaugural ''World Cup of Hockey'' The first edition of the ...

tournament were scheduled to report to camp late.

Regular season

During the regular season, the Devils allowed the fewest goals (182), the fewest power-play goals (28), took the fewest penalties (235) and had the best penalty killing percentage (88.09%) in the league. Coincidentally, they also had the fewest power-play goals (40) and the fewest short-handed goals (4) in the league. Devils goaltenders combined to record 12 shutouts, the most in the NHL and 5 of those shutouts came in the final 10 games of the season.

Final standings

Playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

(E1) New Jersey Devils vs. (E8) Montreal Canadiens

In the first game of the series against Montreal, on April 17, 1997, with the Devils up by two goals late in the game, Martin Brodeur fired the puck the length of the ice and into the Canadiens' empty net to ensure a 5–2 victory. It was only the second time in NHL history that a goaltender had scored in the playoffs, and the fifth time overall. In the game 2, the Devils were victorious by a score of 4–1. Games three and four were played at

Molson Centre Bell Centre (French: ''Centre Bell)'', formerly known as Molson Centre, is a multi-purpose arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Opened on March 16, 1996, it is the home arena of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL), ...

. The Devils won game 3 6–4. However, in game 4, Montreal was victorious by a score of 4–3 in the third overtime. Game 5 shifted back to New Jersey where the Devils shut out Montreal 4-0 and won the series 4–1.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(E1) New Jersey Devils vs. (E5) New York Rangers

The series opened at the Meadowlands. The Devils won 2–0 in Game 1, but New York evened the series in Game 2 by winning 2–0. Games 3 and 4 were played at

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...

. The Rangers won Game 3, 3–2, and Game 4, 3–0. Game 5 was back at the Meadowlands. New York won 2–1 in overtime and the series four games to one on a wraparound goal by

Adam Graves Adam Scott Graves (born April 12, 1968) is a Canadian former professional hockey player. He played 10 seasons with the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sh ...

to eliminate the Devils and advance.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1, , October 5, 1996, , 3–1 , , align="left",

, , 1–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 7, 1996, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

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 ...

, , 1–1–0 , , , - , 3, , October 12, 1996, , 2–4 , , 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 ...

, , 1–2–0 , , , - , 4, , October 15, 1996, , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , 2–2–0 , , , - , 5, , October 18, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

, , 2–2–1 , , , - , 6, , October 19, 1996, , 2–6 , , 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 ...

, , 2–3–1 , , , - , 7, , October 24, 1996, , 3–1 , , 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 ...

, , 3–3–1 , , , - , 8, , October 26, 1996, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

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 ...

, , 4–3–1 , , , - , 9, , October 29, 1996, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

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 ...

, , 4–4–1 , , , - , 10, , October 30, 1996, , 1–6 , , align="left",

, , 4–5–1 , , , - , - , 11, , November 2, 1996, , 2–1 , , align="left",

, , 5–5–1 , , , - , 12, , November 6, 1996, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

, , 6–5–1 , , , - , 13, , November 7, 1996, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

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 ...

, , 7–5–1 , , , - , 14, , November 9, 1996, , 4–0 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , 8–5–1 , , , - , 15, , November 12, 1996, , 3–2 OT, , align="left",

, , 9–5–1 , , , - , 16, , November 14, 1996, , 0–3 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , 9–6–1 , , , - , 17, , November 16, 1996, , 6–3 , , align="left",

, , 10–6–1 , , , - , 18, , November 19, 1996, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

, , 11–6–1 , , , - , 19, , November 22, 1996, , 1–5 , , align="left",

, , 11–7–1 , , , - , 20, , November 23, 1996, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

, , 11–8–1 , , , - , 21, , November 27, 1996, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

, , 12–8–1 , , , - , 22, , November 28, 1996, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

, , 12–9–1 , , , - , 23, , November 30, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

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 ...

, , 12–10–1 , , , - , - , 24, , December 3, 1996, , 2–0 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , 13–10–1 , , , - , 25, , December 5, 1996, , 2–1 , , 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 ...

, , 14–10–1 , , , - , 26, , December 7, 1996, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

, , 14–11–1 , , , - , 27, , December 10, 1996, , 5–2 , , 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 ...

, , 15–11–1 , , , - , 28, , December 12, 1996, , 7–4 , , align="left", @

, , 16–11–1 , , , - , 29, , December 14, 1996, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

, , 16–11–2 , , , - , 30, , December 16, 1996, , 5–0 , , align="left", @

, , 17–11–2 , , , - , 31, , December 18, 1996, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

, , 18–11–2 , , , - , 32, , December 20, 1996, , 3–2 , , 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 ...

, , 19–11–2 , , , - , 33, , December 23, 1996, , 0–0 OT, , 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 ...

, , 19–11–3 , , , - , 34, , December 26, 1996, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

, , 19–12–3 , , , - , 35, , December 28, 1996, , 5–3 , , align="left",

, , 20–12–3 , , , - , 36, , December 31, 1996, , 5–6 , , align="left", @

, , 20–13–3 , , , - , - , 37, , January 2, 1997, , 1–6 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , 20–14–3 , , , - , 38, , January 3, 1997, , 1–0 , , align="left", @

, , 21–14–3 , , , - , 39, , January 5, 1997, , 3–5 , , align="left",

, , 21–15–3 , , , - , 40, , January 8, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

, , 21–15–4 , , , - , 41, , January 10, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

, , 21–15–5 , , , - , 42, , January 12, 1997, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

, , 21–16–5 , , , - , 43, , January 14, 1997, , 4–2 , , align="left",

, , 22–16–5 , , , - , 44, , January 21, 1997, , 4–1 , , 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. ...

, , 23–16–5 , , , - , 45, , January 22, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

, , 23–17–5 , , , - , 46, , January 24, 1997, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , 24–17–5 , , , - , 47, , January 29, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

, , 24–17–6 , , , - , 48, , January 31, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

, , 24–17–7 , , , - , - , 49, , February 1, 1997, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @

, , 24–17–8 , , , - , 50, , February 5, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left",

, , 25–17–8 , , , - , 51, , February 7, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

, , 25–17–9 , , , - , 52, , February 8, 1997, , 4–2 , , align="left",

, , 26–17–9 , , , - , 53, , February 12, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

, , 27–17–9 , , , - , 54, , February 13, 1997, , 4–0 , , align="left",

, , 28–17–9 , , , - , 55, , February 15, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

, , 29–17–9 , , , - , 56, , February 17, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

, , 29–17–10 , , , - , 57, , February 19, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

, , 29–17–11 , , , - , 58, , February 20, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

, , 29–17–12 , , , - , 59, , February 22, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

, , 29–18–12 , , , - , 60, , February 26, 1997, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

, , 30–18–12 , , , - , 61, , February 27, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left",

, , 31–18–12 , , , - , - , 62, , March 1, 1997, , 6–3 , , align="left",

, , 32–18–12 , , , - , 63, , March 4, 1997, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , 33–18–12 , , , - , 64, , March 5, 1997, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , 34–18–12 , , , - , 65, , March 8, 1997, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

, , 34–19–12 , , , - , 66, , March 9, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

, , 35–19–12 , , , - , 67, , March 11, 1997, , 6–1 , , align="left",

, , 36–19–12 , , , - , 68, , March 13, 1997, , 6–0 , , align="left",

, , 37–19–12 , , , - , 69, , March 15, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , 38–19–12 , , , - , 70, , March 17, 1997, , 1–4 , , align="left",

, , 38–20–12 , , , - , 71, , March 19, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

, , 38–20–13 , , , - , 72, , March 22, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

, , 39–20–13 , , , - , 73, , March 25, 1997, , 3–4 , , align="left",

, , 39–21–13 , , , - , 74, , March 27, 1997, , 4–0 , , align="left",

, , 40–21–13 , , , - , 75, , March 30, 1997, , 5–2 , , align="left",

, , 41–21–13 , , , - , - , 76, , April 1, 1997, , 1–0 , , align="left", @

, , 42–21–13 , , , - , 77, , April 4, 1997, , 3–0 , , align="left",

, , 43–21–13 , , , - , 78, , April 6, 1997, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

, , 44–21–13 , , , - , 79, , April 8, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

, , 44–21–14 , , , - , 80, , April 9, 1997, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

, , 44–22–14 , , , - , 81, , April 11, 1997, , 2–0 , , align="left",

, , 45–22–14 , , , - , 82, , April 13, 1997, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

, , 45–23–14 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 17, 1997 , , 5–2 , , align="left",

, , Devils lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 19, 1997 , , 4–1 , , align="left", Montreal Canadiens , , Devils lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , April 22, 1997 , , 6–4 , , align="left", @ Montreal Canadiens , , Devils lead 3–0 , , , - , 4 , , April 24, 1997 , , 3–4 3OT, , align="left", @ Montreal Canadiens , , Devils lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , April 26, 1997 , , 4–0 , , align="left", Montreal Canadiens , , Devils win 4–1 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 2, 1997 , , 2–0 , , align="left",

, , Devils lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , May 4, 1997 , , 0–2 , , align="left", New York Rangers , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , May 6, 1997 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @ New York Rangers , , Rangers lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 8, 1997 , , 0–3 , , align="left", @ New York Rangers , , Rangers lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , May 11, 1997 , , 1–2 OT, , align="left", New York Rangers , , Rangers win 4–1 , , , - , - , ''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 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 Devils only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Martin Brodeur Martin Pierre Brodeur (; born May 6, 1972) is a Canadian–American former professional ice hockey goaltender and current team executive. He played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), 21 of them for the New Jersey Devils, with whom ...

was also a runner-up for the

Vezina Trophy The Vezina Trophy ( ) is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the thirty-two List of NHL general managers, NHL general managers vote to dete ...

Milestones

Draft picks

The New Jersey Devils were 10th in order of selection at the 1996 NHL entry draft, held June 22, 1996, in

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

. In a move interpreted to be an affirmation of their commitment to a defense-first philosophy, the Devils chose 6–3, 195-pound Lance Ward of the

Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hocke ...

Red Deer Rebels The Red Deer Rebels are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Red Deer, Alberta. The Rebels are members of the Western Hockey League and play home games at the Marchant Crane Centrium. The Rebels won the President's Cup and the Mem ...

, who had not been ranked anywhere near the tenth seed to observers, with their first pick. "I was a bit surprised to go early because there are a lot of great players

ere Ere or ERE may refer to: * ''Environmental and Resource Economics'', a peer-reviewed academic journal * ERE Informatique, one of the first French video game companies * Ere language, an Austronesian language * Ebi Ere (born 1981), American-Nigeria ...

but I'm a pretty happy kid right now", Ward said. "I was hoping to go in the first round but you never know what's going to happen. It was a pretty open field and I guess he Devilsliked me. They flew me to Toronto for a physical test and an interview ast monthand I guess I did well." Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello was impressed with Ward's potential to be yet another hard-hitting New Jersey defenseman, stating, "We liked ard'spotential as far as his upside is concerned", Lamoriello said. "We have guys like Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko on our team and this young man s like them He's strong now, he's mean, and he's got skills." During the draft, the Devils traded backup goaltender Corey Schwab to the

in exchange for their backup goalie Jeff Reese along with their second-round (47th overall) and eighth-round (198th overall) picks in the draft. The Devils then traded their original second round pick (28th overall) to the

in exchange for the Penguins' two second-round picks (41st and 47th overall). Notes

Media

This was the final season of television broadcast coverage on SportsChannel New York as the channel would rebrand itself to Fox Sports Net New York the following season.

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:New Jersey Devils, 1996-97 1996-97 1996–97 NHL season by team 1996 in sports in New Jersey 1997 in sports in New Jersey 1996-97 New Jersey Devils season 1996-97 New Jersey Devils season