1997–98 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 1997–98 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 31st in the National Hockey League (NHL). It was their first season under Head Coach Kevin Constantine and first after the initial retirement of Mario Lemieux.

1997–98 Pittsburgh Penguins
Northeast Division champions
Division1st Northeast
Conference2nd Eastern
1997–98 record40–24–18
Home record21–10–10
Road record19–14–8
Goals for228
Goals against188
Team information
General managerCraig Patrick
CoachKevin Constantine
CaptainRon Francis
Alternate captainsKevin Hatcher
Jaromir Jagr
ArenaPittsburgh Civic Arena
Average attendance15,070
Minor league affiliate(s)Syracuse Crunch
Johnstown Chiefs
Team leaders
GoalsJaromir Jagr (35)
AssistsJaromir Jagr (67)
PointsJaromir Jagr (102)
Penalty minutesChris Tamer (181)
Plus/minusJaromir Jagr (+17)
WinsTom Barrasso (31)
Goals against averagePeter Skudra (1.83)

Offseason

Following the 1996–97 season which saw their Hall of Fame star Mario Lemieux retire, the Penguins attempted to continue keeping their recent success. Over the previous nine seasons, no NHL team had been more successful than Pittsburgh in terms of regular season points, although the team had not won a Stanley Cup since 1992 (part of the reason why Head Coach Eddie Johnston was asked to resign down following the 1996–97 season). Former San Jose Sharks Head Coach Kevin Constantine was hired as Johnston's successor, promising to replace his predecessor's free-form style of play with a more disciplined approach. Additionally, Ron Francis was named captain in Lemieux's absence, and the team acquired center Martin Straka via free agency to add offense. The team also acquired the rights to defensive-defenseman Jiri Slegr, who had spent the 1996–97 season playing for Sodertalje SK in Sweden.

Regular season

The Penguins tied the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers and New York Islanders for most short-handed goals allowed, with 16.[1]

Final standings
Northeast Division
No. GP W L T GF GA Pts
1Pittsburgh Penguins8240241822818898
2Boston Bruins8239301322119491
3Buffalo Sabres8236291721118789
4Montreal Canadiens8237321323520887
5Ottawa Senators8234331519320083
6Carolina Hurricanes823341820021974
Eastern Conference[2]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1New Jersey DevilsATL82482311225166107
2Pittsburgh PenguinsNE8240241822818898
3Philadelphia FlyersATL8242291124219395
4Washington CapitalsATL8240301221920292
5Boston BruinsNE8239301322119491
6Buffalo SabresNE8236291721118789
7Montreal CanadiensNE8237321323520887
8Ottawa SenatorsNE8234331519320083
9Carolina HurricanesNE823341820021974
10New York IslandersATL8230411121222571
11New York RangersATL8225391819723168
12Florida PanthersATL8224431520325663
13Tampa Bay LightningATL8217551015126944

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs

Schedule and results

Regular season
1997–98 regular season[3]
October: 7–5–2 (home: 1–2–1 ; road: 6–3–1), 16 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
1October 1Los Angeles Kings3–3Pittsburgh Penguins0–0–11Recap
2October 3Pittsburgh Penguins4–3Carolina Hurricanes1–0–13Recap
3October 4Florida Panthers5–3Pittsburgh Penguins1–1–13Recap
4October 8Montreal Canadiens3–0Pittsburgh Penguins1–2–13Recap
5October 9Pittsburgh Penguins1–3Philadelphia Flyers1–3–13Recap
6October 11Carolina Hurricanes1–4Pittsburgh Penguins2–3–15Recap
7October 14Pittsburgh Penguins1–0New York Rangers3–3–17Recap
8October 15Pittsburgh Penguins1–1Montreal Canadiens3–3–28Recap
9October 17Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Tampa Bay Lightning4–3–210Recap
10October 19Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Florida Panthers5–3–212Recap
11October 22Pittsburgh Penguins5–2San Jose Sharks6–3–214Recap
12October 24Pittsburgh Penguins3–4Edmonton Oilers6–4–214Recap
13October 25Pittsburgh Penguins3–2 OTVancouver Canucks7–4–216Recap
14October 28Pittsburgh Penguins3–6Calgary Flames7–5–216Recap
November: 7–4–3 (home: 5–2–2 ; road: 2–2–1), 17 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
15November 1Vancouver Canucks6–7 OTPittsburgh Penguins8–5–218Recap
16November 2Pittsburgh Penguins1–3Chicago Blackhawks8–6–218Recap
17November 5Dallas Stars5–2Pittsburgh Penguins8–7–218Recap
18November 7Pittsburgh Penguins1–1Detroit Red Wings8–7–319Recap
19November 8Buffalo Sabres2–2Pittsburgh Penguins8–7–420Recap
20November 12Washington Capitals4–1Pittsburgh Penguins8–8–420Recap
21November 14Pittsburgh Penguins1–3New York Rangers8–9–420Recap
22November 15Pittsburgh Penguins5–0Toronto Maple Leafs9–9–422Recap
23November 19Boston Bruins3–3Pittsburgh Penguins9–9–523Recap
24November 20Pittsburgh Penguins2–0Ottawa Senators10–9–525Recap
25November 22New York Rangers3–4 OTPittsburgh Penguins11–9–527Recap
26November 24Buffalo Sabres1–5Pittsburgh Penguins12–9–529Recap
27November 26Carolina Hurricanes2–3Pittsburgh Penguins13–9–531Recap
28November 29Montreal Canadiens3–6Pittsburgh Penguins14–9–533Recap
December: 7–3–3 (home: 3–2–1 ; road: 4–1–2), 17 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
29December 1Pittsburgh Penguins1–0Montreal Canadiens15–9–535Recap
30December 4New Jersey Devils4–0Pittsburgh Penguins15–10–535Recap
31December 6Mighty Ducks of Anaheim2–5Pittsburgh Penguins16–10–537Recap
32December 9Pittsburgh Penguins2–1Los Angeles Kings17–10–539Recap
33December 10Pittsburgh Penguins3–0Mighty Ducks of Anaheim18–10–541Recap
34December 12Pittsburgh Penguins2–2Phoenix Coyotes18–10–642Recap
35December 16Tampa Bay Lightning1–1Pittsburgh Penguins18–10–743Recap
36December 19Pittsburgh Penguins3–3Colorado Avalanche18–10–844Recap
37December 20Pittsburgh Penguins1–4St. Louis Blues18–11–844Recap
38December 26Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Washington Capitals19–11–846Recap
39December 27Montreal Canadiens1–0Pittsburgh Penguins19–12–846Recap
40December 29New York Islanders1–5Pittsburgh Penguins20–12–848Recap
41December 31Carolina Hurricanes2–3Pittsburgh Penguins21–12–850Recap
January: 8–3–2 (home: 4–1–1 ; road: 4–2–1), 18 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
42January 3Colorado Avalanche5–4 OTPittsburgh Penguins21–13–850Recap
43January 6Pittsburgh Penguins4–2New York Islanders22–13–852Recap
44January 7Pittsburgh Penguins1–3New Jersey Devils22–14–852Recap
45January 10New Jersey Devils1–4Pittsburgh Penguins23–14–854Recap
46January 12Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Carolina Hurricanes24–14–856Recap
47January 14Pittsburgh Penguins2–5Boston Bruins24–15–856Recap
48January 20Ottawa Senators0–0Pittsburgh Penguins24–15–957Recap
49January 22Pittsburgh Penguins3–2New Jersey Devils25–15–959Recap
50January 24Boston Bruins2–4Pittsburgh Penguins26–15–961Recap
51January 26St. Louis Blues2–4Pittsburgh Penguins27–15–963Recap
52January 28Pittsburgh Penguins2–2Washington Capitals27–15–1064Recap
53January 29Pittsburgh Penguins4–2Boston Bruins28–15–1066Recap
54January 31Detroit Red Wings2–4Pittsburgh Penguins29–15–1068Recap
February: 1–2–3 (home: 0–1–1 ; road: 1–1–2), 5 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
55February 2New York Islanders4–2Pittsburgh Penguins29–16–1068Recap
56February 4Washington Capitals2–2Pittsburgh Penguins29–16–1169Recap
57February 6Pittsburgh Penguins2–2Buffalo Sabres29–16–1270Recap
58February 7Pittsburgh Penguins2–2Ottawa Senators29–16–1371Recap
59February 25Pittsburgh Penguins6–2Montreal Canadiens30–16–1373Recap
60February 28Pittsburgh Penguins2–6Boston Bruins30–17–1373Recap
March: 6–3–4 (home: 6–0–3 ; road: 0–3–1), 16 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
61March 2Toronto Maple Leafs1–3Pittsburgh Penguins31–17–1375Recap
62March 5Chicago Blackhawks2–2Pittsburgh Penguins31–17–1476Recap
63March 7Philadelphia Flyers4–6Pittsburgh Penguins32–17–1478Recap
64March 8Pittsburgh Penguins3–4 OTPhiladelphia Flyers32–18–1478Recap
65March 11Calgary Flames1–4Pittsburgh Penguins33–18–1480Recap
66March 14Buffalo Sabres1–2Pittsburgh Penguins34–18–1482Recap
67March 15Pittsburgh Penguins0–3Buffalo Sabres34–19–1482Recap
68March 18Edmonton Oilers2–4Pittsburgh Penguins35–19–1484Recap
69March 21Philadelphia Flyers3–4Pittsburgh Penguins36–19–1486Recap
70March 22Pittsburgh Penguins0–0Dallas Stars36–19–1587Recap
71March 26Pittsburgh Penguins3–4New York Islanders36–20–1587Recap
72March 28New York Rangers2–2Pittsburgh Penguins36–20–1688Recap
73March 29Ottawa Senators1–1Pittsburgh Penguins36–20–1789Recap
April: 4–4–1 (home: 2–2–1 ; road: 2–2–0), 9 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
74April 1San Jose Sharks3–2Pittsburgh Penguins36–21–1789Recap
75April 4Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Tampa Bay Lightning37–21–1791Recap
76April 5Pittsburgh Penguins1–3Florida Panthers37–22–1791Recap
77April 7Phoenix Coyotes2–1Pittsburgh Penguins37–23–1791Recap
78April 9Pittsburgh Penguins1–4Ottawa Senators37–24–1791Recap
79April 11Florida Panthers3–3Pittsburgh Penguins37–24–1892Recap
80April 15Tampa Bay Lightning1–5Pittsburgh Penguins38–24–1894Recap
81April 16Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Carolina Hurricanes39–24–1896Recap
82April 18Boston Bruins2–5Pittsburgh Penguins40–24–1898Recap
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie

Playoffs
1998 Stanley Cup playoffs[3]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (7) Montreal Canadiens – Canadiens win 4–2
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeSeriesRecap
1April 23Montreal Canadiens3–2 (OT)Pittsburgh Penguins0–1Recap
2April 25Montreal Canadiens1–4Pittsburgh Penguins1–1Recap
3April 27Pittsburgh Penguins1–3Montreal Canadiens1–2Recap
4April 29Pittsburgh Penguins6–3Montreal Canadiens2–2Recap
5May 1Montreal Canadiens5–2Pittsburgh Penguins2–3Recap
6May 3Pittsburgh Penguins0–3Montreal Canadiens2–4Recap
Legend:        = Win        = Loss

Player statistics
Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[6]
Player GP GS TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barrasso63613542:073114131222.0715560.92270214
Peter Skudra1712851:23643261.833410.9240012
Ken Wregget159611:26362282.752930.9040006
Total825004:564024181762.1121900.92070322
Playoffs[7]
Player GP GS TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barrasso66376:19240172.711710.9010002
Total6376:19240172.711710.9010002

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.

Awards and records

Awards
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)		 Art Ross Trophy Jaromir Jagr [8]
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Ron Francis [9]
NHL First All-Star Team Jaromir Jagr (Right Wing) [10]
League
(in-season)		 NHL All-Star Game selection Jaromir Jagr[lower-alpha 1] [12]
Team A. T. Caggiano Memorial Booster Club Award Jaromir Jagr [13]
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Good Guy Award Ron Francis [14]
Bob Johnson Memorial Badger Bob Award Ron Francis [14]
Leading Scorer Award Jaromir Jagr
Michel Briere Memorial Rookie of the Year Trophy Peter Skudra [15]
Most Valuable Player Award Ron Francis [16]
Jaromir Jagr
Players' Player Award Ron Francis [15]
The Edward J. DeBartolo Community Service Award Chris Tamer [13]
Tyler Wright

Milestones
Milestone Player Date Ref
25th shutout Tom Barrasso November 15, 1997

Transactions

The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 1997–98 season:[17]

Trades
August 12, 1997 To Edmonton Oilers

1998 3rd round pick

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Jiri Slegr

September 24, 1997 To Buffalo Sabres

Jason Woolley

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

1998 5th round pick

September 28, 1997 To Colorado Avalanche

Francois Leroux

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

1998 3rd round pick

October 27, 1997 To Chicago Blackhawks

Greg Johnson

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Tuomas Gronman

March 24, 1998 To Anaheim Ducks

rights to Patrick Lalime

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Sean Pronger

June 16, 1998 To Edmonton Oilers

rights to Josef Beranek

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Bobby Dollas
Tony Hrkac

June 17, 1998 To Calgary Flames

David Roche
Ken Wregget

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Todd Hlushko
German Titov

Free agents
Player Acquired from Lost to Date
Brad WerenkaChicago BlackhawksJuly 31, 1997
Jeff ChristianPhoenix CoyotesAugust 4, 1997
Martin StrakaFlorida PanthersAugust 6, 1997
Robert Lang[18]HC Sparta PrahaSeptember 2, 1997
Peter Skudra[19]Edmonton OilersSeptember 25, 1997
Drake BerehowskyEdmonton OilersSeptember 30, 1997
Rob Brown[20]Chicago WolvesOctober 1, 1997

Waivers
Player Acquired from Lost to Date
Robert Lang [21]Boston BruinsSeptember 28, 1997
Peter Ferraro [22]New York RangersOctober 1, 1997
Chris Ferraro [22]New York RangersOctober 1, 1997
Robert Lang [23]Boston BruinsOctober 25, 1997
Peter Ferraro [24]New York RangersJanuary 14, 1998
Tony HrkacNashville PredatorsJune 26, 1998

Retained
Player Details Date
Ian MoranResignedAugust 1, 1997
Joe Dziedzic[25]ResignedSeptember 10, 1997
Alexei Morozov[26]Signed rookie contractSeptember 24, 1997
Jaromir JagrResignedJanuary 27, 1998
Peter SkudraResignedJune 17, 1998

Draft picks
Main article: 1997 NHL Entry Draft

The Penguins drafted the following players at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh:[27]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
117Robert DomeLeft Wing SlovakiaLas Vegas Thunder (IHL)
244Brian GaffaneyDefense United StatesNorth Iowa Huskies (USHL)
371Josef MelicharDefense Czech RepublicHC Ceske Budejovice (Czech)
497Alexandre MathieuCenter CanadaHalifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
5124Harlan PrattDefense CanadaPrince Albert Raiders (WHL)
6152Petr HavelkaLeft Wing Czech RepublicSparta Prague (Czech)
7179Mark MooreDefense CanadaHarvard University (ECACHL)
8208Andrew FerenceDefense CanadaPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)
9234Eric LindDefense United StatesAvon Old Farms (USHS–CT)

Farm teams

The Johnstown Chiefs of the East Coast Hockey League finished last overall in the Northern Conference with a record of 23–41–6.

The American Hockey League (AHL)'s Syracuse Crunch finished in third place in the Empire State Division with a record of 35–32–11–2 record. They were eliminated by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the first round of the playoffs.

See also

Notes
  1. Jagr was voted to the starting lineup, earning more votes than any other player.[11]

References
  • "Pittsburgh Penguins 1997-98 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  • "1997-98 Pittsburgh Penguins Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  1. "1997-98 NHL Summary".
  2. "1997–1998 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  3. "1997-98 Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  4. "1997–1998 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  5. "1997–1998 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  6. "1997–1998 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  7. "1997–1998 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  8. "Art Ross Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  9. "Lady Byng Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  10. "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  11. "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)". NHL.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  12. "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1998". NHL.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  13. 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.313
  14. 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.312
  15. 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.311
  16. 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.314
  17. "Hockey Transactions Search Results". ProSportsTransactions. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  18. "PENGUINS SIGN ROBERT LANG". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 2, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  19. "PENGUINS SIGN GOALTENDER PETER SKUDRA". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 25, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  20. "PENGUINS SIGN ROB BROWN". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 1, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  21. "PENGUINS TRADE FRANCOIS LEROUX TO COLORADO; LOSE ROBERT LANG IN WAIVER DRAFT". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 28, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  22. "PENGUINS CLAIM PETER AND CHRIS FERRARO". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 1, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  23. "PENGUINS CLAIM ROBERT LANG OFF WAIVERS". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 25, 1997. Archived from the original on January 12, 1998. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  24. "PETER FERRARO CLAIMED ON WAIVERS BY NY RANGERS". Pittsburgh Penguins. January 14, 1998. Archived from the original on January 15, 1998. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  25. "PENGUINS SIGN JOE DZIEDZIC". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 10, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  26. "PENGUINS SIGN ALEXEI MOROZOV". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 24, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  27. "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.