Ottawa Senators vs Calgary Flames
The 1997–98 Ottawa Senators won their first playoff series in modern club history.
The 1997–98 Ottawa Senators season was the sixth season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). The season saw the Senators face the challenge of improving on their very successful 1996–97 season, when they made the playoffs for the first time in team history. The 1997–98 season was even more successful, as Ottawa finished over .500 for the first time in club history, qualified for the playoffs for the second straight year, and won their first playoff series in modern club history. The Senators defeated the top-seeded New Jersey Devils in six games in the first round before falling to the Washington Capitals in five games in the second round.
Quick Facts
- Senators conference
- Eastern — Atlantic Division
- Flames conference
- Western — Pacific Division
- Modern senators founded
- 1992 (expansion franchise)
- Flames nhl entry
- 1979
- Regular season meetings
- Limited — inter-conference rotation only
- Playoff meeting possibility
- Conference Finals or Stanley Cup Final only
Lore & Background
The Ottawa Senators ended the 1997–98 regular season as the Eastern Conference's eighth seed. Daniel Alfredsson, who missed 27 games in the regular season due to injuries, led the team with nine points (seven goals, two assists) in the playoffs and the club won its first round matchup, an upset win over the New Jersey Devils. The series was a big mismatch on paper, as the Devils had finished 24 points ahead in the standings. The Senators won Game 1 in overtime on a goal by Bruce Gardiner. Game 2 went to the Devils. In Game 3, Damian Rhodes played outstanding and Alexei Yashin scored the winner in overtime. The Senators won Game 4 on a hat-trick by Daniel Alfredsson. The Devils won Game 5, but the Senators won Game 6 on a goal by Janne Laukkanen and an empty-netter by Igor Kravchuk.
Reader's Guide
The Senators' regular season included 82 games. Alexei Yashin led the club offensively, with 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) in 82 games. Damian Rhodes and Ron Tugnutt performed solidly in net, helping set a club record for fewest goals allowed (200). The Alexandre Daigle era ended midway through the season, as the Senators traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Václav Prospal and Pat Falloon.
Did You Know?
- The Senators set a club record for fewest goals allowed (200) in the 1997–98 season.
- Alexei Yashin led the Senators in scoring with 72 points in 1997–98.
- Daniel Alfredsson led the playoffs with nine points (seven goals, two assists) in 1998.
- The Senators upset the top-seeded New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 1998 playoffs.
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