1997–98 Pittsburgh Penguins season

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 affiliatesSyracuse 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)

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.

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. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
12Pittsburgh Penguins8240241822818898
25Boston Bruins8239301322119491
36Buffalo Sabres8236291721118789
47Montreal Canadiens8237321323520887
58Ottawa Senators8234331519320083
69Carolina 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 Penguins0–0–11T
2October 3Pittsburgh Penguins4–3Carolina Hurricanes1–0–13W
3October 4Florida Panthers5–3Pittsburgh Penguins1–1–13L
4October 8Montreal Canadiens3–0Pittsburgh Penguins1–2–13L
5October 9Pittsburgh Penguins1–3Philadelphia Flyers1–3–13L
6October 11Carolina Hurricanes1–4Pittsburgh Penguins2–3–15W
7October 14Pittsburgh Penguins1–0New York Rangers3–3–17W
8October 15Pittsburgh Penguins1–1Montreal Canadiens3–3–28T
9October 17Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Tampa Bay Lightning4–3–210W
10October 19Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Florida Panthers5–3–212W
11October 22Pittsburgh Penguins5–2San Jose Sharks6–3–214W
12October 24Pittsburgh Penguins3–4Edmonton Oilers6–4–214L
13October 25Pittsburgh Penguins3–2 OTVancouver Canucks7–4–216W
14October 28Pittsburgh Penguins3–6Calgary Flames7–5–216L
November: 7–4–3 (home: 5–2–2; road: 2–2–1), 17 points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
15November 1Vancouver Canucks6–7 OTPittsburgh Penguins8–5–218W
16November 2Pittsburgh Penguins1–3Chicago Blackhawks8–6–218L
17November 5Dallas Stars5–2Pittsburgh Penguins8–7–218L
18November 7Pittsburgh Penguins1–1Detroit Red Wings8–7–319T
19November 8Buffalo Sabres2–2Pittsburgh Penguins8–7–420T
20November 12Washington Capitals4–1Pittsburgh Penguins8–8–420L
21November 14Pittsburgh Penguins1–3New York Rangers8–9–420L
22November 15Pittsburgh Penguins5–0Toronto Maple Leafs9–9–422W
23November 19Boston Bruins3–3Pittsburgh Penguins9–9–523T
24November 20Pittsburgh Penguins2–0Ottawa Senators10–9–525W
25November 22New York Rangers3–4 OTPittsburgh Penguins11–9–527W
26November 24Buffalo Sabres1–5Pittsburgh Penguins12–9–529W
27November 26Carolina Hurricanes2–3Pittsburgh Penguins13–9–531W
28November 29Montreal Canadiens3–6Pittsburgh Penguins14–9–533W
December: 7–3–3 (home: 3–2–1; road: 4–1–2), 17 points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
29December 1Pittsburgh Penguins1–0Montreal Canadiens15–9–535W
30December 4New Jersey Devils4–0Pittsburgh Penguins15–10–535L
31December 6Mighty Ducks of Anaheim2–5Pittsburgh Penguins16–10–537W
32December 9Pittsburgh Penguins2–1Los Angeles Kings17–10–539W
33December 10Pittsburgh Penguins3–0Mighty Ducks of Anaheim18–10–541W
34December 12Pittsburgh Penguins2–2Phoenix Coyotes18–10–642T
35December 16Tampa Bay Lightning1–1Pittsburgh Penguins18–10–743T
36December 19Pittsburgh Penguins3–3Colorado Avalanche18–10–844T
37December 20Pittsburgh Penguins1–4St. Louis Blues18–11–844L
38December 26Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Washington Capitals19–11–846W
39December 27Montreal Canadiens1–0Pittsburgh Penguins19–12–846L
40December 29New York Islanders1–5Pittsburgh Penguins20–12–848W
41December 31Carolina Hurricanes2–3Pittsburgh Penguins21–12–850W
January: 8–3–2 (home: 4–1–1; road: 4–2–1), 18 points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
42January 3Colorado Avalanche5–4 OTPittsburgh Penguins21–13–850L
43January 6Pittsburgh Penguins4–2New York Islanders22–13–852W
44January 7Pittsburgh Penguins1–3New Jersey Devils22–14–852L
45January 10New Jersey Devils1–4Pittsburgh Penguins23–14–854W
46January 12Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Carolina Hurricanes24–14–856W
47January 14Pittsburgh Penguins2–5Boston Bruins24–15–856L
48January 20Ottawa Senators0–0Pittsburgh Penguins24–15–957T
49January 22Pittsburgh Penguins3–2New Jersey Devils25–15–959W
50January 24Boston Bruins2–4Pittsburgh Penguins26–15–961W
51January 26St. Louis Blues2–4Pittsburgh Penguins27–15–963W
52January 28Pittsburgh Penguins2–2Washington Capitals27–15–1064T
53January 29Pittsburgh Penguins4–2Boston Bruins28–15–1066W
54January 31Detroit Red Wings2–4Pittsburgh Penguins29–15–1068W
February: 1–2–3 (home: 0–1–1; road: 1–1–2), 5 points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
55February 2New York Islanders4–2Pittsburgh Penguins29–16–1068L
56February 4Washington Capitals2–2Pittsburgh Penguins29–16–1169T
57February 6Pittsburgh Penguins2–2Buffalo Sabres29–16–1270T
58February 7Pittsburgh Penguins2–2Ottawa Senators29–16–1371T
59February 25Pittsburgh Penguins6–2Montreal Canadiens30–16–1373W
60February 28Pittsburgh Penguins2–6Boston Bruins30–17–1373L
March: 6–3–4 (home: 6–0–3; road: 0–3–1), 16 points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
61March 2Toronto Maple Leafs1–3Pittsburgh Penguins31–17–1375W
62March 5Chicago Blackhawks2–2Pittsburgh Penguins31–17–1476T
63March 7Philadelphia Flyers4–6Pittsburgh Penguins32–17–1478W
64March 8Pittsburgh Penguins3–4 OTPhiladelphia Flyers32–18–1478L
65March 11Calgary Flames1–4Pittsburgh Penguins33–18–1480W
66March 14Buffalo Sabres1–2Pittsburgh Penguins34–18–1482W
67March 15Pittsburgh Penguins0–3Buffalo Sabres34–19–1482L
68March 18Edmonton Oilers2–4Pittsburgh Penguins35–19–1484W
69March 21Philadelphia Flyers3–4Pittsburgh Penguins36–19–1486W
70March 22Pittsburgh Penguins0–0Dallas Stars36–19–1587T
71March 26Pittsburgh Penguins3–4New York Islanders36–20–1587L
72March 28New York Rangers2–2Pittsburgh Penguins36–20–1688T
73March 29Ottawa Senators1–1Pittsburgh Penguins36–20–1789T
April: 4–4–1 (home: 2–2–1; road: 2–2–0), 9 points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPointsRecap
74April 1San Jose Sharks3–2Pittsburgh Penguins36–21–1789L
75April 4Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Tampa Bay Lightning37–21–1791W
76April 5Pittsburgh Penguins1–3Florida Panthers37–22–1791L
77April 7Phoenix Coyotes2–1Pittsburgh Penguins37–23–1791L
78April 9Pittsburgh Penguins1–4Ottawa Senators37–24–1791L
79April 11Florida Panthers3–3Pittsburgh Penguins37–24–1892T
80April 15Tampa Bay Lightning1–5Pittsburgh Penguins38–24–1894W
81April 16Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Carolina Hurricanes39–24–1896W
82April 18Boston Bruins2–5Pittsburgh Penguins40–24–1898W

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

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

Legend: W Win L 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[a] [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
First game Robert Dome October 1, 1997 [17]
Alexei Morozov
Sven Butenschon October 19, 1997
Peter Skudra November 5, 1997
25th shutout Tom Barrasso November 15, 1997

Transactions

The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 1997–98 season:[18]

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[19]HC Sparta PrahaSeptember 2, 1997
Peter Skudra[20]Edmonton OilersSeptember 25, 1997
Drake BerehowskyEdmonton OilersSeptember 30, 1997
Rob Brown[21]Chicago WolvesOctober 1, 1997

Waivers

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

Retained

Player Details Date
Ian MoranResignedAugust 1, 1997
Joe Dziedzic[26]ResignedSeptember 10, 1997
Alexei Morozov[27]Signed rookie contractSeptember 24, 1997
Jaromir Jagr[28]ResignedJanuary 27, 1998
Peter SkudraResignedJune 17, 1998

Draft picks

The Penguins drafted the following players at the 1997 NHL entry draft at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh:[29]

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. 1 2 "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. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  12. ↑ "1998 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  13. 1 2 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.313
  14. 1 2 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.312
  15. 1 2 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.311
  16. ↑ 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.314
  17. ↑ "1997-98 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Hockey Transactions Search Results". ProSportsTransactions. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  19. ↑ "PENGUINS SIGN ROBERT LANG". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 2, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  20. ↑ "PENGUINS SIGN GOALTENDER PETER SKUDRA". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 25, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  21. ↑ "PENGUINS SIGN ROB BROWN". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 1, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. 1 2 "PENGUINS CLAIM PETER AND CHRIS FERRARO". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 1, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  24. ↑ "PENGUINS CLAIM ROBERT LANG OFF WAIVERS". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 25, 1997. Archived from the original on January 12, 1998. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  25. ↑ "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.
  26. ↑ "PENGUINS SIGN JOE DZIEDZIC". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 10, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  27. ↑ "PENGUINS SIGN ALEXEI MOROZOV". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 24, 1997. Archived from the original on October 22, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Penguins make Jagr NHL's richest". Deseret News. January 28, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  29. ↑ "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
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