1997–98 Ottawa Senators season
| 1997–98 Ottawa Senators | |
|---|---|
| Division | 5th Northeast |
| Conference | 8th Eastern |
| 1997–98 record | 34–33–15 |
| Home record | 18–16–7 |
| Road record | 16–17–8 |
| Goals for | 193 |
| Goals against | 200 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Pierre Gauthier |
| Coach | Jacques Martin |
| Captain | Randy Cunneyworth |
| Alternate captains |
Daniel Alfredsson Alexei Yashin |
| Arena | Corel Centre |
| Average attendance | 16,686 per game (667,454 total) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Alexei Yashin (33) |
| Assists | Alexei Yashin (39) |
| Points | Alexei Yashin (72) |
| Penalties in minutes | Denny Lambert (250) |
| Plus/minus | Wade Redden (+17) |
| Wins | Damian Rhodes (19) |
| Goals against average | Ron Tugnutt (2.25) |
The 1997–98 Ottawa Senators season would see 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 would be 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 before falling to the Washington Capitals in five games in the second round.
Alexei Yashin would lead the club offensively, with 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) in 82 games. Damian Rhodes and Ron Tugnutt would once again perform solidly in the Senators' net, helping set a club record for fewest goals allowed (200).
The Alexandre Daigle era came to an end midway through the season, as the Senators traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Vaclav Prospal and Pat Falloon.
Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast
bold – Qualified for playoffs
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, would lead 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
On paper, the series was a big mismatch, as the Devils had finished 24 points ahead in the standings. One American newspaper covering the playoffs did not even preview the series, expecting an easy win for the Devils. The Devils were characterized as arrogant, although the Devils and the Senators had split their season series. Devil Randy McKay, when asked which player on the Senators he respected, said, "To be honest, I'd have to see their (roster) list."
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