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1997–98 Washington Capitals season

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NHL hockey team season

1997–98 Washington Capitals
Eastern Conference champions
Division3rd Atlantic
Conference4th Eastern
1997–98 record40–30–12
Home record23–12–6
Road record17–18–6
Goals for219
Goals against202
Team information
General managerGeorge McPhee
CoachRon Wilson
CaptainDale Hunter
ArenaUS Airways Arena (Oct.–Nov.)
MCI Center (Dec.–Jun.)
Average attendance15,275
Minor league affiliate(s)Portland Pirates
Hampton Roads Admirals
Team leaders
GoalsPeter Bondra (52)
AssistsAdam Oates (58)
PointsPeter Bondra (78)
Penalty minutesCraig Berube (189)
Plus/minusJoe Reekie (+15)
WinsOlaf Kolzig (33)
Goals against averageOlaf Kolzig (2.20)
← 1996–971998–99 →

The 1997–98 Washington Capitals season saw the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in club history. Peter Bondra's 52 goals led the team; veterans Dale Hunter, Joe Juneau, and Adam Oates returned to old form; and Olaf Kolzig had a solid .920 save percentage as the Caps got past the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres (the latter on a dramatic overtime win in Game 6 on a goal by Juneau) en route to the team's first Stanley Cup Finals appearance. The Capitals won five overtime games, two against the Bruins and three against Sabres. However, they were no match for the defending cup champs, the Detroit Red Wings, who won in a four-game sweep. It was also the team’s first year at the MCI Center.

Offseason

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (October 2019)

Regular season

  • Adam Oates, Phil Housley and Dale Hunter, all scored their 1,000th career point, the only time in NHL history that one team had three different players reach that same milestone in a single season.

The Capitals had a very effective penalty kill during the regular season, allowing the fewest power-play goals (39) and finishing with the highest penalty-kill percentage (89.23%).

Season standings

Atlantic Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 New Jersey Devils 82 48 23 11 225 166 107
2 3 Philadelphia Flyers 82 42 29 11 242 193 95
3 4 Washington Capitals 82 40 30 12 219 202 92
4 10 New York Islanders 82 30 41 11 212 225 71
5 11 New York Rangers 82 25 39 18 197 231 68
6 12 Florida Panthers 82 24 43 15 203 256 63
7 13 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 17 55 10 151 269 44
Eastern Conference
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 New Jersey Devils ATL 82 48 23 11 225 166 107
2 Pittsburgh Penguins NE 82 40 24 18 228 188 98
3 Philadelphia Flyers ATL 82 42 29 11 242 193 95
4 Washington Capitals ATL 82 40 30 12 219 202 92
5 Boston Bruins NE 82 39 30 13 221 194 91
6 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 36 29 17 211 187 89
7 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 37 32 13 235 208 87
8 Ottawa Senators NE 82 34 33 15 193 200 83
9 Carolina Hurricanes NE 82 33 41 8 200 219 74
10 New York Islanders ATL 82 30 41 11 212 225 71
11 New York Rangers ATL 82 25 39 18 197 231 68
12 Florida Panthers ATL 82 24 43 15 203 256 63
13 Tampa Bay Lightning ATL 82 17 55 10 151 269 44

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs


Playoffs

In the playoffs, the Capitals reached the Conference Finals for the first time since 1990, defeating the Buffalo Sabres in six games before reaching the Stanley Cup Finals where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in four games.

Schedule and results

Regular season

1997–98 regular season
October: 7–4–2 (home: 3–1–1; road: 4–3–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 W October 1, 1997 4–1 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) 1–0–0 Recap
2 W October 3, 1997 6–2 Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) 2–0–0 Recap
3 W October 4, 1997 4–1 New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 3–0–0 Recap
4 W October 8, 1997 6–3 @ New York Islanders (1997–98) 4–0–0 Recap
5 L October 9, 1997 2–5 @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) 4–1–0 Recap
6 W October 11, 1997 3–1 New York Islanders (1997–98) 5–1–0 Recap
7 W October 15, 1997 2–0 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 6–1–0 Recap
8 W October 24, 1997 3–2 @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) 7–1–0 Recap
9 L October 22, 1997 3–4 @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 7–2–0 Recap
10 T October 23, 1997 3–3 OT @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 7–2–1 Recap
11 L October 25, 1997 2–5 @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 7–3–1 Recap
12 L October 29, 1997 3–4 Dallas Stars (1997–98) 7–4–1 Recap
13 T October 31, 1997 2–2 OT Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 7–4–2 Recap
November: 6–6–2 (home: 2–2–1; road: 4–4–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
14 L November 1, 1997 1–3 @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 7–5–2 Recap
15 W November 4, 1997 2–1 Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 8–5–2 Recap
16 L November 6, 1997 0–2 @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) 8–6–2 Recap
17 W November 8, 1997 2–1 Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 9–6–2 Recap
18 L November 9, 1997 2–3 @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) 9–7–2 Recap
19 W November 12, 1997 4–1 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) 10–7–2 Recap
20 W November 13, 1997 3–2 @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) 11–7–2 Recap
21 W November 15, 1997 3–2 @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) 12–7–2 Recap
22 T November 18, 1997 6–6 OT Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 12–7–3 Recap
23 L November 22, 1997 2–5 San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 12–8–3 Recap
24 W November 23, 1997 5–2 @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) 13–8–3 Recap
25 L November 26, 1997 5–6 Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) 13–9–3 Recap
26 L November 27, 1997 1–3 @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) 13–10–3 Recap
27 T November 29, 1997 1–1 OT @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) 13–10–4 Recap
December: 4–5–4 (home: 2–3–2; road: 2–2–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
28 W December 2, 1997 3–2 OT @ New York Rangers (1997–98) 14–10–4 Recap
29 W December 5, 1997 3–2 OT Florida Panthers (1997–98) 15–10–4 Recap
30 L December 7, 1997 4–5 @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) 15–11–4 Recap
31 T December 10, 1997 3–3 OT @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 15–11–5 Recap
32 L December 12, 1997 4–6 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 15–12–5 Recap
33 T December 13, 1997 2–2 OT @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) 15–12–6 Recap
34 T December 16, 1997 2–2 OT New York Islanders (1997–98) 15–12–7 Recap
35 L December 18, 1997 0–4 Florida Panthers (1997–98) 15–13–7 Recap
36 W December 20, 1997 2–1 @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) 16–13–7 Recap
37 T December 23, 1997 1–1 OT New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 16–13–8 Recap
38 L December 26, 1997 1–4 Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) 16–14–8 Recap
39 L December 27, 1997 0–3 Ottawa Senators (1997–98) 16–15–8 Recap
40 W December 29, 1997 4–2 St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 17–15–8 Recap
January: 9–2–2 (home: 6–1–1; road: 3–1–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
41 W January 1, 1998 3–2 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 18–15–8 Recap
42 L January 3, 1998 2–3 New York Rangers (1997–98) 18–16–8 Recap
43 W January 6, 1998 5–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) 19–16–8 Recap
44 W January 8, 1998 5–3 @ New York Rangers (1997–98) 20–16–8 Recap
45 W January 9, 1998 4–1 Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 21–16–8 Recap
46 L January 11, 1998 0–2 @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 21–17–8 Recap
47 W January 13, 1998 4–0 Ottawa Senators (1997–98) 22–17–8 Recap
48 W January 15, 1998 3–2 Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 23–17–8 Recap
49 W January 21, 1998 3–2 OT @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 24–17–8 Recap
50 W January 25, 1998 4–1 Boston Bruins (1997–98) 25–17–8 Recap
51 T January 26, 1998 2–2 OT @ New York Rangers (1997–98) 25–17–9 Recap
52 T January 28, 1998 2–2 OT Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) 25–17–10 Recap
53 W January 31, 1998 3–2 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 26–17–10 Recap
February: 0–4–1 (home: 0–3–0; road: 0–1–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
54 L February 1, 1998 2–4 Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 26–18–10 Recap
55 T February 4, 1998 2–2 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) 26–18–11 Recap
56 L February 7, 1998 3–4 Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 26–19–11 Recap
57 L February 25, 1998 3–4 Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 26–20–11 Recap
58 L February 28, 1998 2–5 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 26–21–11 Recap
March: 8–7–0 (home: 6–2–0; road: 2–5–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
59 L March 1, 1998 0–3 Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) 26–22–11 Recap
60 L March 3, 1998 0–3 Boston Bruins (1997–98) 26–23–11 Recap
61 L March 5, 1998 2–3 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 26–24–11 Recap
62 W March 7, 1998 6–3 Florida Panthers (1997–98) 27–24–11 Recap
63 W March 9, 1998 5–2 Calgary Flames (1997–98) 28–24–11 Recap
64 W March 12, 1998 2–1 @ New York Islanders (1997–98) 29–24–11 Recap
65 L March 14, 1998 0–4 @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) 29–25–11 Recap
66 W March 16, 1998 2–1 Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 30–25–11 Recap
67 W March 18, 1998 1–0 Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) 31–25–11 Recap
68 W March 20, 1998 2–0 New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 32–25–11 Recap
69 L March 21, 1998 2–3 @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 32–26–11 Recap
70 L March 25, 1998 2–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 32–27–11 Recap
71 L March 26, 1998 2–3 @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) 32–28–11 Recap
72 W March 28, 1998 3–2 @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 33–28–11 Recap
73 W March 31, 1998 5–2 New York Islanders (1997–98) 34–28–11 Recap
April: 6–2–1 (home: 4–0–1; road: 2–2–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
74 W April 2, 1998 4–1 Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 35–28–11 Recap
75 W April 4, 1998 3–2 Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) 36–28–11 Recap
76 T April 6, 1998 2–2 OT Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) 36–28–12 Recap
77 L April 8, 1998 1–2 OT @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) 36–29–12 Recap
78 L April 11, 1998 3–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 36–30–12 Recap
79 W April 13, 1998 2–0 @ New York Islanders (1997–98) 37–30–12 Recap
80 W April 14, 1998 3–1 New York Rangers (1997–98) 38–30–12 Recap
81 W April 18, 1998 4–3 @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) 39–30–12 Recap
82 W April 19, 1998 2–1 Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) 40–30–12 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

1998 Stanley Cup playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (5) Boston Bruins – Capitals win 4–2
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 W April 22, 1998 3–1 Boston Bruins Capitals lead 1–0 Recap
2 L April 24, 1998 3–4 2OT Boston Bruins Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 W April 26, 1998 3–2 2OT @ Boston Bruins Capitals lead 2–1 Recap
4 W April 28, 1998 3–0 @ Boston Bruins Capitals lead 3–1 Recap
5 L May 1, 1998 0–4 Boston Bruins Capitals lead 3–2 Recap
6 W May 3, 1998 3–2 OT @ Boston Bruins Capitals win 4–2 Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Capitals win 4–1
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 W May 7, 1998 4–2 Ottawa Senators Capitals lead 1–0 Recap
2 W May 9, 1998 6–1 Ottawa Senators Capitals lead 2–0 Recap
3 L May 11, 1998 3–4 @ Ottawa Senators Capitals lead 2–1 Recap
4 W May 13, 1998 2–0 @ Ottawa Senators Capitals lead 3–1 Recap
5 W May 15, 1998 3–0 Ottawa Senators Capitals win 4–1 Recap
Eastern Conference Finals vs. (6) Buffalo Sabres – Capitals win 4–2
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L May 23, 1998 0–2 Buffalo Sabres Sabres lead 1–0 Recap
2 W May 25, 1998 3–2 OT Buffalo Sabres Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 W May 28, 1998 4–3 OT @ Buffalo Sabres Capitals lead 2–1 Recap
4 W May 30, 1998 2–0 @ Buffalo Sabres Capitals lead 3–1 Recap
5 L June 2, 1998 1–2 Buffalo Sabres Capitals lead 3–2 Recap
6 W June 4, 1998 3–2 OT @ Buffalo Sabres Capitals win 4–2 Recap
Stanley Cup Finals vs. (W3) Detroit Red Wings – Red Wings win 4–0
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L June 9, 1998 1–2 @ Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 1–0 Recap
2 L June 11, 1998 4–5 OT @ Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 2–0 Recap
3 L June 13, 1998 1–2 Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 3–0 Recap
4 L June 16, 1998 1–4 Detroit Red Wings Red Wings win 4–0 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
12 Peter Bondra RW 76 52 26 78 14 44 17 7 5 12 4 12
77 Adam Oates C 82 18 58 76 6 36 21 6 11 17 8 8
6 Calle Johansson D 73 15 20 35 −11 30 21 2 8 10 9 16
22 Steve Konowalchuk LW 80 10 24 34 9 80 — — — — — —
90 Joe Juneau C 56 9 22 31 −8 26 21 7 10 17 6 8
96 Phil Housley D 64 6 25 31 −10 24 18 0 4 4 −2 4
44 Richard Zednik RW 65 17 9 26 −2 28 17 7 3 10 0 16
32 Dale Hunter C 82 8 18 26 1 103 21 0 4 4 −1 30
18 Andrew Brunette LW 28 11 12 23 2 12 — — — — — —
55 Sergei Gonchar D 72 5 16 21 2 66 21 7 4 11 2 30
24 Mark Tinordi D 47 8 9 17 9 39 21 1 2 3 6 42
17 Chris Simon LW 28 7 10 17 −1 38 18 1 0 1 −3 26
13 Andrei Nikolishin C 38 6 10 16 1 14 21 1 13 14 4 12
8 Jan Bulis C 48 5 11 16 −5 18 — — — — — —
3 Sylvain Cote‡ D 59 1 15 16 −5 36 — — — — — —
27 Craig Berube LW 74 6 9 15 −3 189 21 1 0 1 0 21
10 Kelly Miller LW 76 7 7 14 −2 41 10 0 1 1 2 4
9 Todd Krygier LW 45 2 12 14 −3 30 13 1 2 3 −2 6
11 Esa Tikkanen† LW 20 2 10 12 −4 2 21 3 3 6 −2 20
29 Joe Reekie D 68 2 8 10 15 70 21 1 2 3 4 20
23 Brian Bellows† LW 11 6 3 9 −3 6 21 6 7 13 6 6
20 Michal Pivonka C 33 3 6 9 5 20 13 0 3 3 5 0
19 Brendan Witt D 64 1 7 8 −11 112 16 1 0 1 −1 14
21 Jeff Toms† C 33 3 4 7 −11 8 1 0 0 0 −1 0
2 Ken Klee D 51 4 2 6 −3 46 9 1 0 1 2 10
28 Jeff Brown† D 9 0 6 6 4 6 2 0 2 2 1 0
34 Jaroslav Svejkovsky RW 17 4 1 5 −5 10 1 0 0 0 0 2
36 Mike Eagles LW 36 1 3 4 −2 16 12 0 2 2 1 2
28 Jan Benda C 9 0 3 3 1 6 — — — — — —
38 Nolan Baumgartner D 4 0 1 1 0 0 — — — — — —
48 Benoit Gratton C 6 0 1 1 1 6 — — — — — —
37 Olaf Kolzig G 64 0 1 1 12 21 0 0 0 4
30 Bill Ranford G 22 0 1 1 0 — — — — — —
25 Brad Church LW 2 0 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
43 David Harlock D 6 0 0 0 2 4 — — — — — —
42 Dwayne Hay‡ LW 2 0 0 0 0 2 — — — — — —
4 Stewart Malgunas D 8 0 0 0 1 12 — — — — — —
26 Ryan Mulhern C 3 0 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
14 Pat Peake C 1 0 0 0 0 4 — — — — — —

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
37 Olaf Kolzig 64 33 18 10 1729 139 2.20 .920 5 3788 21 12 9 740 44 1.95 .941 4 1351
30 Bill Ranford 22 7 12 2 555 55 2.79 .901 0 1183 — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Peter Bondra
Olaf Kolzig

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Jan Benda October 1, 1997
Jan Bulis
Ryan Mulhern October 25, 1997
Dwayne Hay October 31, 1997
Benoit Gratton November 12, 1997
Brad Church December 16, 1997
1,000th point Adam Oates October 8, 1997
Phil Housley November 8, 1997
Dale Hunter January 9, 1998

Transactions

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2013)

Draft picks

See also: List of Washington Capitals draft picks

Below are the Washington Capitals' selections at the 1997 NHL entry draft, held on June 21, 1997 at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 9 Nick Boynton D  Canada Ottawa 67's (OHL)
2 35 Jean-Francois Fortin D  Canada Sherbrooke Faucons (QMJHL)
4 89 Curtis Cruickshank G  Canada Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
5 116 Kevin Caulfield RW  United States Boston College (NCAA)
6 143 Henrik Petre D  Sweden Djurgårdens IF-jr. (Allsvenskan)
8 200 Pierre-Luc Therrien G  Canada Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
9 226 Matt Oikawa RW  Canada St. Lawrence University (NCAA)

Farm teams

Portland Pirates

See also

References

  1. "1997-98 NHL Summary".
  2. "1997–1998 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  3. "Washington Capitals Historical Statistics and All-Time Top Leaders".
  4. ^ "1997-98 Washington Capitals Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  5. "1998 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  6. "1997-98 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  7. "Oates scores 1,000th point in Caps' win". New Bedford Standard-Times. October 9, 1997. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  8. "Avalanche buries Blues, 4-1". Deseret News. November 9, 1997. Retrieved July 9, 2023. At Landover, Md., Phil Housley became the second American-born player in NHL history to score 1,000 points, tallying an assist as the Washington Capitals beat the Edmonton Oilers.
  9. "Battle of Best Ends Up Even". Los Angeles Times. January 10, 1998. Retrieved July 9, 2023. Washington 4, Philadelphia 1--The Capitals' Dale Hunter assisted on the three second-period goals, giving the 18-year veteran 682 assists to go with 318 goals for 1,000 points, as Washington won at home.
  10. "1997 NHL Draft". NHL. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
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