1995–96 NHL season

The 1995–96 NHL season was the 79th regular season of the National Hockey League. Twenty-six teams each played 82 games. The Stanley Cup winners were the Colorado Avalanche. They swept the Florida Panthers in four games. This was the first year the team was named Avalanche.

1995–96 NHL season
League National Hockey League
Sport Ice hockey
Duration October 5, 1995 – June 10, 1996
Regular season
Presidents' Trophy Detroit Red Wings
Season MVP Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh)
Top scorer Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh)
Playoffs
Eastern champions Florida Panthers
  Eastern runners-up Pittsburgh Penguins
Western champions Colorado Avalanche
  Western runners-up Detroit Red Wings
Playoffs MVP Joe Sakic (Colorado)
Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup champions Colorado Avalanche
  Runners-up Florida Panthers
NHL seasons

← 1994–95

1996–97 →

League Business

1995–96 was the first season in Denver for the Avalanche, who had relocated from Quebec City where they were previously known as the Quebec Nordiques.

It was also the last season of existence for the Winnipeg Jets, as they announced that they would be moving from Manitoba to Arizona and become the Phoenix Coyotes at the season's end.

1995–96 would mark the last season the Buffalo Sabres would play in the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, the Flyers at the Spectrum, and Canadiens at the Montreal Forum.

Regular season

The Detroit Red Wings had a great season, finishing with the second-highest regular-season point total in NHL history (131 points), yet they fell to the Avalanche in the Western Conference final, the sixth game of which marked the beginning of the heated Detroit-Colorado rivalry.

Final standings

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points

Eastern Conference
Northeast Division
Team W L T GF GA Pts
Pittsburgh Penguins 49 29 4 362 284 102
Boston Bruins 40 31 11 282 269 91
Montreal Canadiens 40 32 10 265 248 90
Hartford Whalers 34 39 9 237 259 77
Buffalo Sabres 33 42 7 247 262 73
Ottawa Senators 18 59 5 191 291 41
Atlantic Division
Team W L T GF GA Pts
Philadelphia Flyers 45 24 13 282 208 103
New York Rangers 41 27 14 272 237 96
Florida Panthers 41 31 10 254 234 92
Washington Capitals 39 32 11 234 204 89
Tampa Bay Lightning 38 32 12 238 248 88
New Jersey Devils 37 33 12 215 202 86
New York Islanders 22 50 10 229 315 54
Western Conference
Central Division
Team W L T GF GA Pts
Detroit Red Wings 62 13 7 325 181 131
Chicago Blackhawks 40 28 14 273 220 94
Toronto Maple Leafs 34 36 12 247 252 80
St. Louis Blues 32 34 16 219 248 80
Winnipeg Jets 36 40 6 275 291 78
Dallas Stars 26 42 14 227 280 66
Pacific Division
Team W L T GF GA Pts
Colorado Avalanche 47 25 10 326 240 104
Calgary Flames 34 37 11 241 240 79
Vancouver Canucks 32 35 15 278 278 79
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 35 39 8 234 247 78
Edmonton Oilers 30 44 8 240 304 68
Los Angeles Kings 24 40 18 256 302 66
San Jose Sharks 20 55 7 252 357 47

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts
Joe Sakic Colorado 22 18 16 34
Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh 18 11 16 27
Jaromir Jagr Pittsburgh 18 11 12 23
Valeri Kamensky Colorado 22 10 12 22
Peter Forsberg Colorado 22 10 11 21
Petr Nedved Pittsburgh 18 10 10 20
Steve Yzerman Detroit 18 8 12 20
Sergei Fedorov Detroit 19 2 18 20
Sandis Ozolinsh Colorado 22 5 14 19
Dave Lowry Florida 22 10 7 17
Mike Ricci Colorado 22 6 11 17
Adam Deadmarsh Colorado 22 5 12 17

Stanley Cup playoffs

Playoff bracket

  Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Finals Stanley Cup Finals
                                     
1  Philadelphia 4  
8  Tampa Bay 2  
  2  Pittsburgh 4  
  3  NY Rangers 1  
3  NY Rangers 4
6  Montreal 2  
  2  Pittsburgh 3  
Eastern Conference
  4  Florida 4  
2  Pittsburgh 4  
7  Washington 2  
  1  Philadelphia 2
  4  Florida 4  
4  Florida 4
5  Boston 1  
  E4  Florida 0
  W2  Colorado 4
1  Detroit 4  
8  Winnipeg 2  
  1  Detroit 4
  5  St. Louis 3  
4  Toronto 2
5  St. Louis 4  
  1  Detroit 2
Western Conference
  2  Colorado 4  
2  Colorado 4  
7  Vancouver 2  
  2  Colorado 4
  3  Chicago 2  
3  Chicago 4
6  Calgary 0  

Conference quarterfinals

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay
Date Away Home
April 16 Tampa Bay 3 7 Philadelphia
April 18 Tampa Bay 2 1 Philadelphia OT
April 21 Philadelphia 4 5 Tampa Bay OT
April 23 Philadelphia 4 1 Tampa Bay
April 25 Tampa Bay 1 4 Philadelphia
April 27 Philadelphia 6 1 Tampa Bay
Philadelphia wins series 4–2
Pittsburgh vs. Washington
Date Away Home
April 17 Washington 6 4 Pittsburgh
April 19 Washington 5 3 Pittsburgh
April 22 Pittsburgh 4 1 Washington
April 24 Pittsburgh 3 2 Washington 4 OT
April 26 Washington 1 4 Pittsburgh
April 28 Pittsburgh 3 2 Washington
Pittsburgh wins series 4–2
NY Rangers vs. Montreal
Date Away Home
April 16 Montreal 3 2 NY Rangers OT
April 18 Montreal 5 3 NY Rangers
April 21 NY Rangers 2 1 Montreal
April 23 NY Rangers 4 3 Montreal
April 26 Montreal 2 3 NY Rangers
April 28 NY Rangers 5 3 Montreal
NY Rangers wins series 4–2
Florida vs. Boston
Date Away Home
April 17 Boston 3 6 Florida
April 22 Boston 2 6 Florida
April 24 Florida 4 2 Boston
April 25 Florida 2 6 Boston
April 27 Boston 3 4 Florida
Florida wins series 4–1

Western Conference

Detroit vs. Winnipeg
Date Away Home
April 17 Winnipeg 1 4 Detroit
April 19 Winnipeg 0 4 Detroit
April 21 Detroit 1 4 Winnipeg
April 23 Detroit 6 1 Winnipeg
April 26 Winnipeg 3 1 Detroit
April 28 Detroit 4 1 Winnipeg
Detroit wins series 4–2
Colorado vs. Vancouver
Date Away Home
April 16 Vancouver 2 5 Colorado
April 18 Vancouver 5 4 Colorado
April 20 Colorado 4 0 Vancouver
April 22 Colorado 3 4 Vancouver
April 25 Vancouver 4 5 Colorado OT
April 27 Colorado 3 2 Vancouver
Colorado wins series 4–2
Chicago vs. Calgary
Date Away Home
April 17 Calgary 1 4 Chicago
April 19 Calgary 0 3 Chicago
April 21 Chicago 7 5 Calgary
April 23 Chicago 2 1 Calgary
Chicago wins series 4–0
Toronto vs. St. Louis
Date Away Home
April 16 St. Louis 3 1 Toronto
April 18 St. Louis 4 5 Toronto OT
April 21 Toronto 2 3 St. Louis OT
April 23 Toronto 1 5 St. Louis
April 25 St. Louis 4 5 Toronto OT
April 27 Toronto 1 2 St. Louis
St. Louis wins series 4–2

Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference
Florida vs. Philadelphia
Date Away Home
May 2 Florida 2 0 Philadelphia
May 4 Florida 2 3 Philadelphia
May 7 Philadelphia 3 1 Florida
May 9 Philadelphia 3 4 Florida OT
May 12 Florida 2 1 Philadelphia 2OT
May 14 Philadelphia 1 4 Florida
Florida win series 4–2
NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh
Date Away Home
May 3 NY Rangers 1 4 Pittsburgh
May 5 NY Rangers 6 3 Pittsburgh
May 7 Pittsburgh 3 2 NY Rangers
May 9 Pittsburgh 4 1 NY Rangers
May 11 NY Rangers 3 7 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh wins series 4–1
Western Conference
St. Louis vs. Detroit
Date Away Home
May 3 St. Louis 2 3 Detroit
May 5 St. Louis 3 8 Detroit
May 8 Detroit 4 5 St. Louis OT
May 10 Detroit 0 1 St. Louis
May 12 St. Louis 3 2 Detroit
May 14 Detroit 4 2 St. Louis
May 16 St. Louis 0 1 Detroit 2OT
Detroit wins series 4–3
Chicago vs. Colorado
Date Away Home
May 2 Chicago 3 2 Colorado OT
May 4 Chicago 1 5 Colorado
May 6 Colorado 3 4 Chicago OT
May 8 Colorado 3 2 Chicago 3OT
May 11 Chicago 1 4 Colorado
May 13 Colorado 4 3 Chicago 2OT
Colorado wins series 4–2

Conference finals

Eastern Conference
Florida vs. Pittsburgh
Date Away Home
May 18 Florida 5 1 Pittsburgh
May 20 Florida 2 3 Pittsburgh
May 24 Pittsburgh 2 5 Florida
May 26 Pittsburgh 2 1 Florida
May 28 Florida 0 3 Pittsburgh
May 30 Pittsburgh 3 4 Florida
June 1 Florida 3 1 Pittsburgh
Florida wins series 4–3
and Prince of Wales Trophy
Western Conference
Colorado vs. Detroit
Date Away Home
May 19 Colorado 3 2 Detroit OT
May 21 Colorado 3 0 Detroit
May 23 Detroit 6 4 Colorado
May 25 Detroit 2 4 Colorado
May 27 Colorado 2 5 Detroit
May 29 Detroit 1 4 Colorado
Colorado wins series 4–2 and
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

Finals

Colorado vs. Florida
Date Away Score Home Score Notes
June 4 Florida 1 Colorado 3
June 6 Florida 1 Colorado 8
June 8 Colorado 3 Florida 2
June 10 Colorado 1 Florida 0 3OT
Colorado wins series 4–0
and Stanley Cup
Joe Sakic (Colorado)
wins Conn Smythe Trophy

NHL Awards

Presidents' Trophy: Detroit Red Wings
Prince of Wales Trophy: Florida Panthers
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Colorado Avalanche
Art Ross Memorial Trophy: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Gary Roberts, Calgary Flames
Calder Memorial Trophy: Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators
Conn Smythe Trophy: Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Sergei Fedorov, Detroit Red Wings
Hart Memorial Trophy: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jack Adams Award: Scotty Bowman, Detroit Red Wings
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Chris Chelios, Chicago Blackhawks
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: Kris King, Winnipeg Jets
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Paul Kariya, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Lester B. Pearson Award: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Vladimir Konstantinov, Detroit Red Wings
Vezina Trophy: Jim Carey, Washington Capitals
William M. Jennings Trophy: Chris Osgood/Mike Vernon, Detroit Red Wings
Lester Patrick Trophy: George Gund, Ken Morrow, Milt Schmidt

All-Star teams

First Team   Position   Second Team
Jim Carey, Washington Capitals G Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings
Chris Chelios, Chicago Blackhawks D Vladimir Konstantinov, Detroit Red Wings
Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins D Brian Leetch, New York Rangers
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins C Eric Lindros, Philadelphia Flyers
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins RW Alexander Mogilny, Vancouver Canucks
Paul Kariya, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim LW John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers

First games

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1995–96 (listed with their first team, stars(*) mark start in playoffs):

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1995–96 (listed with their last team):

1996 Trading Deadline

  • Trading Deadline: MARCH 20, 1996 [1]
  • March 20, 1996: C Jesse Belanger traded from Florida to Vancouver for Vancouver's 3rd round pick in 1996 Entry Draft and future considerations.
  • March 20, 1996: LW Ken Baumgartner traded from Toronto to Anaheim for Winnipeg's 4th round pick in 1996 Entry Draft (previously acquired).
  • March 20, 1996: D J-J Daigneault traded from St. Louis to Pittsburgh for Pittsburgh's 6th round pick in 1996 Entry Draft.
  • March 20, 1996: LW Kevin Miller traded from San Jose to Pittsburgh for Pittsburgh's 5th round choice in 1996 Entry Draft and future considerations.
  • March 20, 1996: LW Pat Conacher and Calgary's 6th round pick in 1997 Entry Draft traded from Calgary to NY Islanders for C Bob Sweeney.
  • March 20, 1996: RW Kirk Maltby traded from Edmonton to Detroit for D Dan McGillis.
  • March 20, 1996: D Jaroslav Modry and Ottawa's 8th round pick in 1996 Entry Draft traded from Ottawa to Los Angeles for RW Kevin Brown.
  • March 20, 1996: LW Patrick Poulin, D Igor Ulanov and Chicago's 2nd round pick in 1996 Entry Draft traded from Chicago to Tampa Bay for D Enrico Ciccone and Tampa Bay's 2nd round pick in 1996 Entry Draft.
  • March 20, 1996: LW Yuri Khmylev and Buffalo's 8th round pick in 1996 Entry Draft traded from Buffalo to St. Louis for D Jean-Luc Grand Pierre, Ottawa's 2nd round pick in 1996 Entry Draft (previously acquired) and St. Louis' 3rd round pick in 1997 Entry Draft.
  • March 20, 1996: C Dave Hannan traded from Buffalo to Colorado for Colorado's 6th round pick in 1996 Entry Draft.
  • March 20, 1996: RW Alek Stojanov traded from Vancouver to Pittsburgh for RW Markus Naslund.
  • March 20, 1996: RW Ravil Gusmanov traded from Winnipeg to Chicago for Chicago's 4th round pick in 1996 Entry Draft.
  • March 20, 1996: RW Joe Kocur traded from NY Rangers to Vancouver for G Kay Whitmore.

References

Other websites