The 1996–97 Ottawa Senators season was the fifth season of 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 ...

of 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 ...

(NHL). This season saw great improvement by the club, as the team finished out of last place in the

(NHL) for the first time in team history, and went on to qualify for the

1997 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 16, 1997, following the completion of the 1996–97 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best- ...

as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Senators lost in the first round (Conference Quarterfinals) to the

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

. This was the first of eleven consecutive playoff appearances for the Senators.

Regular season

Ottawa got off to a slow start, with a 7–12–6 record in their first 25 games, but as the season would go on, the team got better, finishing with a .500 record in their remaining 57 games and earned 45 points in the last 41 games of the regular season. The Senators went 10–4–2 in their final 16 games of the season, including a 1–0 victory over the

in the final game of the season to earn a playoff berth.

Alexei Yashin Alexei Valeryevich Yashin (; born 5 November 1973) is a Russian former professional ice hockey centre who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders, serving as captain of both teams. He ...

and

Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson (; born 11 December 1972), nicknamed "Alfie", is a Swedish-Canadian former professional ice hockey player and assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators. He spent 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), primarily with the ...

led the club offensively, while

Ron Tugnutt Ronald Frederick Bradley Tugnutt (born October 22, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Tugnutt played several seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, Mighty Ducks of Anah ...

and Damian Rhodes provided very solid goaltending for the team throughout the season.

Final standings

Playoffs

The Ottawa Senators ended the 1996–97 regular season as the Eastern Conference's seventh seed. The Senators faced the Buffalo Sabres, and nearly pulled off the upset against their heavily favoured opponent, losing to the Sabres in overtime in the seventh game of the series, a game which included an own-goal by Alexei Yashin when the puck went past Tugnutt after the Sens won a faceoff in their zone.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1, , October 5, 1996, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 0–0–1, , 20,639 , , , - , 2, , October 9, 1996, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 0–0–2, , 15,352 , , , - , 3, , October 11, 1996, , 3–2 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–0–2, , 12,337 , , , - , 4, , October 12, 1996, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 1–1–2, , 15,472 , , , - , 5, , October 18, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–1–3, , 14,710 , , , - , 6, , October 19, 1996, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 2–1–3, , 18,201 , , , - , 7, , October 23, 1996, , 2–5 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 2–2–3, , 14,703 , , , - , 8, , October 24, 1996, , 5–2 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–2–3, , 16,286 , , , - , 9, , October 26, 1996, , 1–5 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–3–3, , 15,118 , , , - , 10, , October 30, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , 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. ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–3–4, , 13,053 , , , - , - , 11, , November 1, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–3–5, , 14,158 , , , - , 12, , November 2, 1996, , 3–7 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 3–4–5, , 15,441 , , , - , 13, , November 7, 1996, , 6–2 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–4–5, , 18,500 , , , - , 14, , November 9, 1996, , 3–4 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–5–5, , 14,411 , , , - , 15, , November 10, 1996, , 0–2 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–6–5, , 17,326 , , , - , 16, , November 13, 1996, , 0–4 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–7–5, , 15,312 , , , - , 17, , November 15, 1996, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 5–7–5, , 12,468 , , , - , 18, , November 16, 1996, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 6–7–5, , 12,288 , , , - , 19, , November 19, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 6–8–5, , 15,232 , , , - , 20, , November 23, 1996, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 6–8–6, , 14,648 , , , - , 21, , November 27, 1996, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–8–6, , 12,911 , , , - , 22, , November 29, 1996, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 7–9–6, , 18,595 , , , - , 23, , November 30, 1996, , 3–4 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–10–6, , 14,920 , , , - , - , 24, , December 4, 1996, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 7–11–6, , 11,679 , , , - , 25, , December 6, 1996, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 7–12–6, , 15,060 , , , - , 26, , December 7, 1996, , 3–2 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 8–12–6, , 16,605 , , , - , 27, , December 10, 1996, , 5–5 OT, , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 8–12–7, , 16,103 , , , - , 28, , December 13, 1996, , 2–4 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 8–13–7, , 11,441 , , , - , 29, , December 15, 1996, , 0–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 8–14–7, , 14,249 , , , - , 30, , December 19, 1996, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 9–14–7, , 13,264 , , , - , 31, , December 21, 1996, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 9–15–7, , 11,597 , , , - , 32, , December 23, 1996, , 6–0 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 10–15–7, , 21,273 , , , - , 33, , December 26, 1996, , 5–2 , , align="left",

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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 11–15–7, , 18,280 , , , - , 34, , December 28, 1996, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 11–16–7, , 14,092 , , , - , 35, , December 30, 1996, , 3–4 OT, , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 11–17–7, , 17,605 , , , - , - , 36, , January 1, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 12–17–7, , 15,381 , , , - , 37, , January 3, 1997, , 0–1 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 12–18–7, , 12,082 , , , - , 38, , January 4, 1997, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 12–19–7, , 18,200 , , , - , 39, , January 6, 1997, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 12–20–7, , 11,329 , , , - , 40, , January 9, 1997, , 0–2 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 12–21–7, , 17,126 , , , - , 41, , January 11, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 12–21–8, , 18,223 , , , - , 42, , January 13, 1997, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 13–21–8, , 16,135 , , , - , 43, , January 15, 1997, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 14–21–8, , 12,152 , , , - , 44, , January 22, 1997, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 14–22–8, , 14,249 , , , - , 45, , January 24, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 14–22–9, , 13,306 , , , - , 46, , January 27, 1997, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 15–22–9, , 13,283 , , , - , 47, , January 29, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 15–22–10, , 12,366 , , , - , 48, , January 30, 1997, , 2–5 , , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 15–23–10, , 11,830 , , , - , - , 49, , February 1, 1997, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 16–23–10, , 15,726 , , , - , 50, , February 3, 1997, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 17–23–10, , 14,455 , , , - , 51, , February 4, 1997, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–23–10, , 15,550 , , , - , 52, , February 8, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 1996–97) , , 18–23–11, , 18,500 , , , - , 53, , February 9, 1997, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–24–11, , 14,841 , , , - , 54, , February 11, 1997, , 5–5 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–24–12, , 8,380 , , , - , 55, , February 13, 1997, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–25–12, , 19,425 , , , - , 56, , February 15, 1997, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–26–12, , 13,767 , , , - , 57, , February 16, 1997, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 19–26–12, , 18,338 , , , - , 58, , February 18, 1997, , 6–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 20–26–12, , 9,784 , , , - , 59, , February 20, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 20–26–13, , 14,305 , , , - , 60, , February 23, 1997, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 20–27–13, , 16,061 , , , - , 61, , February 26, 1997, , 5–8 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 20–28–13, , 18,245 , , , - , 62, , February 28, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 21–28–13, , 17,413 , , , - , - , 63, , March 1, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 21–29–13, , 17,231 , , , - , 64, , March 5, 1997, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–30–13, , 17,174 , , , - , 65, , March 6, 1997, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–31–13, , 17,442 , , , - , 66, , March 8, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–32–13, , 12,086 , , , - , 67, , March 10, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 22–32–13, , 16,210 , , , - , 68, , March 14, 1997, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 22–33–13, , 18,500 , , , - , 69, , March 15, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 22–33–14, , 21,273 , , , - , 70, , March 17, 1997, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 23–33–14, , 18,200 , , , - , 71, , March 20, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 23–33–15, , 18,219 , , , - , 72, , March 22, 1997, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 24–33–15, , 15,188 , , , - , 73, , March 25, 1997, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 24–34–15, , 17,873 , , , - , 74, , March 27, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 25–34–15, , 14,703 , , , - , 75, , March 29, 1997, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 26–34–15, , 18,500 , , , - , - , 76, , April 2, 1997, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–34–15, , 18,595 , , , - , 77, , April 3, 1997, , 4–0 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 28–34–15, , 18,500 , , , - , 78, , April 5, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–35–15, , 17,238 , , , - , 79, , April 6, 1997, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–36–15, , 19,608 , , , - , 80, , April 9, 1997, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 29–36–15, , 18,500 , , , - , 81, , April 11, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 30–36–15, , 19,983 , , , - , 82, , April 12, 1997, , 1–0 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 31–36–15, , 18,500 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 17, 1997 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @

, , Sabres lead 1–0 , , 18,595 , , , - , 2 , , April 19, 1997 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres , , Series tied 1–1 , , 18,595 , , , - , 3 , , April 21, 1997 , , 2–3 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres , , Sabres lead 2–1 , , 18,500 , , , - , 4 , , April 23, 1997 , , 1–0 OT, , align="left", Buffalo Sabres , , Series tied 2–2 , , 18,500 , , , - , 5 , , April 25, 1997 , , 4–1 , , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres , , Senators lead 3–2 , , 18,595 , , , - , 6 , , April 27, 1997 , , 0–3 , , align="left", Buffalo Sabres , , Series tied 3–3 , , 18,500 , , , - , 7 , , April 29, 1997 , , 2–3 OT, , align="left", @ Buffalo Sabres , , Sabres win 4–3 , , 18,595 , , , - , - , ''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 Senators only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Senators only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

May 1996

Source

June 1996

Source

July 1996

Source

August 1996

Source

September 1996

Source

October 1996

Source

November 1996

Source

March 1997

Source

April 1997

Source

Draft picks

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

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

Farm teams

Worcester IceCats The Worcester IceCats were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Worcester, Massachusetts, at the Worcester Centrum (Renamed to the DCU Center in 2004). In 2005 the team was renamed the Peoria Rivermen and ...

(

American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...

) *

Raleigh IceCaps The Raleigh IceCaps were a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1991 and playing at Dorton Arena, located at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, the IceCaps were members of the ECHL. The club was forced ...

(

East Coast Hockey League The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The ...

)

References

* * * * *National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Ottawa Senators Season Ottawa Senators seasons Ottawa Senators season, 1996-97

Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

1990s in Ottawa 1996 in sports in Ontario 1997 in sports in Ontario

Regular season

Final standings

Playoffs

Schedule and results

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Scoring

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

May 1996

June 1996

July 1996

August 1996

September 1996

October 1996

November 1996

March 1997

April 1997

Draft picks

Farm teams

See also

References