1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season
| 1996–97 Edmonton Oilers | |
|---|---|
| Division | 3rd Pacific |
| Conference | 7th Western |
| 1996–97 record | 36–37–9 |
| Home record | 21–16–4 |
| Road record | 15–21–5 |
| Goals for | 252 |
| Goals against | 247 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Glen Sather |
| Coach | Ron Low |
| Captain | Kelly Buchberger |
| Alternate captains |
Luke Richardson Doug Weight |
| Arena | Edmonton Coliseum |
| Average attendance | 16,043 (93.8%) |
| Minor league affiliate(s) |
Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Ryan Smyth (39) |
| Assists | Doug Weight (61) |
| Points | Doug Weight (82) |
| Penalties in minutes | Kelly Buchberger (159) |
| Plus/minus | Bryan Marchment (+13) |
| Wins | Curtis Joseph (32) |
| Goals against average | Bob Essensa (2.83) |
The 1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 18th season in the NHL, and they were coming off a 30–44–8 record, earning 68 points, in the 1995–96 season, failing to qualify for the post-season for the 4th straight season.
The Oilers would have their best season since 1991–92, as they would win 36 games, and earn 81 points, finishing in third place in the Pacific Division, and seventh in the Western Conference, earning their first playoff berth in five years. The main reason for the Oilers' turn-around was their solid goaltending and defensive hockey, allowing 247 goals, which was 57 fewer goals than the previous season.
On November 26, 1996, the Oilers defeated their provincial rival Calgary Flames on the road by a score of 10-1. Ten different Oilers scored in the game. It was the first time that the Oilers had scored 10 goals in a regular-season game since December 4, 1988, when they defeated the New York Rangers at home by a score of 10-6.
Offensively, Doug Weight who led the club once again in points, earning 82, and a club high 61 assists, while Ryan Smyth would have a breakout season, scoring a team high 39 goals and leading the team in power-play goals with 20. Andrei Kovalenko, acquired in the off-season, would score 32 goals and 59 points, while Jason Arnott would earn 57 points in 67 games. Rookie Mike Grier had 32 points in 79 games and Mariusz Czerkawski finished third on the team in goals with 26. Boris Mironov would anchor the defense, earning 32 points in only 55 games. Todd Marchant led the team in shorthanded goals with 4 and team captain Kelly Buchberger provided the team toughness, earning a club high 159 penalty minutes.
In goal, Curtis Joseph would get the majority of playing time, winning 32 games, while posting a 2.93 GAA and a .907 save percentage, and set a team record with 6 shutouts. Bob Essensa, and despite a strong GAA of 2.83, he would win only 4 games.
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