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1997–98 San Jose Sharks season

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The 1997–98 San Jose Sharks season was the Sharks' seventh season of operation in the National Hockey League (NHL). Following their second last-place finish in as many years, the Sharks unceremoniously fired first-year head coach Al Sims; he was replaced by Darryl Sutter, who had previously coached the Chicago Blackhawks. At the time of his hiring, Sutter was the first head coach in franchise history to have previously coached another NHL team.

Division4th Pacific
Conference8th Western
1997–98 record34–38–10
Home record17–19–5
Quick facts San Jose Sharks, Division ...
1997–98 San Jose Sharks
Division4th Pacific
Conference8th Western
1997–98 record34–38–10
Home record17–19–5
Road record17–19–5
Goals for210
Goals against216
Team information
General managerDean Lombardi
CoachDarryl Sutter
CaptainTodd Gill (Oct.–Mar.)
Vacant (Mar.–Apr.)
ArenaSan Jose Arena
Average attendance17,111
Minor league affiliatesKentucky Thoroughblades
Louisville RiverFrogs
Team leaders
GoalsJeff Friesen (31)
AssistsJeff Friesen (32)
PointsJeff Friesen (63)
Penalty minutesOwen Nolan (144)
Plus/minusBill Houlder (+13)
WinsMike Vernon (30)
Goals against averageMike Vernon (2.46)
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The Sharks' coaching switch was accompanied by a handful of player acquisitions and debuts. Of these, the addition of five-time NHL All-Star goaltender Mike Vernon proved most important. On August 18, 1997, the Sharks acquired Vernon from the Detroit Red Wings for a pair of second-round picks; at the time of the trade, Vernon was only two months removed from backstopping the Red Wings to victory in the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. Additionally, the Sharks drafted highly-touted forward Patrick Marleau with the second overall pick in the 1997 NHL entry draft. Despite a lackluster rookie season, Marleau would enjoy considerable success with the Sharks over the following two decades. Lastly, 1996 first-found pick Marco Sturm was added to the roster early in the season. Sturm and Marleau, in particular, supplemented a burgeoning collection of young forwards that already included mainstays Jeff Friesen and Owen Nolan.

In Sutter's first season at the helm, the Sharks' play improved substantially. While they once again failed to post a winning record, the team managed to clinch the Western Conference's eighth (and final) playoff berth. In the first round of the 1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Sharks faced the top-seeded Dallas Stars. The Sharks quickly dropped their first two games in Dallas; upon returning to San Jose, however, the Sharks rallied to tie the series at two games apiece. An upset was not to be, however, as the Stars responded with a pair of one-goal victories to win the series in six games. Despite a quick exit from the playoffs, the 1997-98 season would prove to be a turning point for the franchise. After finishing with the Western Conference's worst record in four of their first six seasons of play, the Sharks would miss the postseason just twice between 1998 and 2019.

Regular season

Captain Todd Gill was traded to the St. Louis Blues, in March.

Final standings

More information No., CR ...
Pacific Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
12Colorado Avalanche8239261723120595
25Los Angeles Kings8238331122722587
37Edmonton Oilers8235371021522480
48San Jose Sharks8234381021021678
511Calgary Flames8226411521725267
612Mighty Ducks of Anaheim8226431320526165
713Vancouver Canucks8225431422427364
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Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

More information R, Div ...
Western Conference[1]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1p – Dallas StarsCEN82492211242167109
2x – Colorado AvalanchePAC8239261723120595
3Detroit Red WingsCEN82442315250196103
4St. Louis BluesCEN824529825620498
5Los Angeles KingsPAC8238331122722587
6Phoenix CoyotesCEN8235351222422782
7Edmonton OilersPAC8235371021522480
8San Jose SharksPAC8234381021021678
9Chicago BlackhawksCEN8230391319219973
10Toronto Maple LeafsCEN823043919423769
11Calgary FlamesPAC8226411521725267
12Mighty Ducks of AnaheimPAC8226431320526165
13Vancouver CanucksPAC8225431422427364
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Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won Division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy

Playoffs

In a Conference Quarterfinals series, the Sharks met the #1 seeded and Presidents' Trophy-winning Dallas Stars. The Sharks were eliminated by the Stars in six games.

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
1997–98 regular season[2]
October: 4–9–0 (home: 2–5–0; road: 2–4–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1October 1, 19973–5Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)0–1–0L
2October 4, 19973–2Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)1–1–0W
3October 7, 19970–1Ottawa Senators (1997–98)1–2–0L
4October 9, 19972–3@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)1–3–0L
5October 11, 19975–2Boston Bruins (1997–98)2–3–0W
6October 13, 19972–3 OTPhiladelphia Flyers (1997–98)2–4–0L
7October 16, 19972–5New York Islanders (1997–98)2–5–0L
8October 19, 19973–5@ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)2–6–0L
9October 22, 19972–5Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)2–7–0L
10October 25, 19974–3@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98)3–7–0W
11October 27, 19972–1@ New York Islanders (1997–98)4–7–0W
12October 29, 19973–4@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)4–8–0L
13October 31, 19973–5@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)4–9–0L
November: 5–8–2 (home: 2–4–1; road: 3–4–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
14November 1, 19970–2@ St. Louis Blues (1997–98)4–10–0L
15November 4, 19970–0 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)4–10–1T
16November 7, 19973–4Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)4–11–1L
17November 8, 19973–1Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)5–11–1W
18November 10, 19976–4@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)6–11–1W
19November 12, 19972–5Vancouver Canucks (1997–98)6–12–1L
20November 13, 19973–6@ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)6–13–1L
21November 15, 19972–3Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)6–14–1L
22November 18, 19974–2Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)7–14–1W
23November 20, 19973–0@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)8–14–1W
24November 22, 19975–2@ Washington Capitals (1997–98)9–14–1W
25November 24, 19972–2 OT@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)9–14–2T
26November 25, 19971–3@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)9–15–2L
27November 28, 19972–4New Jersey Devils (1997–98)9–16–2L
28November 30, 19971–6@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)9–17–2L
December: 5–3–3 (home: 1–1–2; road: 4–2–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
29December 1, 19972–3 OT@ Calgary Flames (1997–98)9–18–2L
30December 4, 19973–2@ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98)10–18–2W
31December 10, 19973–3 OTWashington Capitals (1997–98)10–18–3T
32December 12, 19971–0@ Dallas Stars (1997–98)11–18–3W
33December 14, 19972–1@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)12–18–3W
34December 16, 19975–1Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)13–18–3W
35December 18, 19970–0 OTVancouver Canucks (1997–98)13–18–4T
36December 21, 19974–2@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)14–18–4W
37December 26, 19970–4Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)14–19–4L
38December 29, 19971–2@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98)14–20–4L
39December 30, 19972–2 OT@ Florida Panthers (1997–98)14–20–5T
January: 6–5–2 (home: 5–4–1; road: 1–1–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
40January 2, 19984–1@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)15–20–5W
41January 3, 19980–3@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)15–21–5L
42January 6, 19981–5St. Louis Blues (1997–98)15–22–5L
43January 10, 19985–2Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)16–22–5W
44January 12, 19981–3Dallas Stars (1997–98)16–23–5L
45January 14, 19982–4Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)16–24–5L
46January 15, 19982–2 OT@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)16–24–6T
47January 21, 19987–1Calgary Flames (1997–98)17–24–6W
48January 23, 19983–2Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)18–24–6W
49January 24, 19981–1 OTFlorida Panthers (1997–98)18–24–7T
50January 27, 19984–2Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)19–24–7W
51January 29, 19980–3Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)19–25–7L
52January 31, 19985–2Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)20–25–7W
February: 2–4–0 (home: 1–1–0; road: 1–3–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
53February 2, 19982–3New York Rangers (1997–98)20–26–7L
54February 4, 19983–0@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)21–26–7W
55February 5, 19982–4@ Calgary Flames (1997–98)21–27–7L
56February 7, 19983–6@ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98)21–28–7L
57February 26, 19983–1St. Louis Blues (1997–98)22–28–7W
58February 28, 19981–4@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)22–29–7L
March: 7–8–0 (home: 3–4–0; road: 4–4–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
59March 2, 19981–3Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)22–30–7L
60March 5, 19985–4Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)23–30–7W
61March 6, 19983–0@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)24–30–7W
62March 9, 19983–2Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)25–30–7W
63March 11, 19983–5@ New York Rangers (1997–98)25–31–7L
64March 12, 19981–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)25–32–7L
65March 14, 19982–1@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)26–32–7W
66March 16, 19982–1Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)27–32–7W
67March 18, 19981–3Dallas Stars (1997–98)27–33–7L
68March 21, 19980–2Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)27–34–7L
69March 22, 19981–3@ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)27–35–7L
70March 24, 19983–4Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)27–36–7L
71March 26, 19985–2@ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)28–36–7W
72March 28, 19984–1@ Dallas Stars (1997–98)29–36–7W
73March 30, 19982–6@ St. Louis Blues (1997–98)29–37–7L
April: 5–1–3 (home: 3–0–1; road: 2–1–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
74April 1, 19983–2@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)30–37–7W
75April 2, 19983–3 OT@ Ottawa Senators (1997–98)30–37–8T
76April 4, 19985–3@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)31–37–8W
77April 7, 19986–0Calgary Flames (1997–98)32–37–8W
78April 9, 19985–2Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)33–37–8W
79April 11, 19981–1 OTVancouver Canucks (1997–98)33–37–9T
80April 15, 19983–3 OT@ Calgary Flames (1997–98)33–37–10T
81April 16, 19981–4@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)33–38–10L
82April 18, 19984–1Calgary Flames (1997–98)34–38–10W

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point)

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Playoffs

More information 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
1998 Stanley Cup playoffs[2]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (1) Dallas Stars – Stars win 4–2
GameDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1April 22, 19981–4@ Dallas StarsStars lead 1–0L
2April 24, 19982–5@ Dallas StarsStars lead 2–0L
3April 26, 19984–1Dallas StarsStars lead 2–1W
4April 28, 19981–0 OTDallas StarsSeries tied 2–2W
5April 30, 19982–3@ Dallas StarsStars lead 3–2L
6May 2, 19982–3 OTDallas StarsStars win 4–2L

Legend: W Win L Loss

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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 Sharks only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
39Jeff FriesenLW793132638406011−12
11Owen NolanRW75142741−21446224−126
15John MacLean†RW51131932028623514
14Patrick MarleauC741319325145011−10
2Bill HoulderD82725321348612302
19Marco SturmLW74102030−2402000−20
37Stephane MatteauLW73151429460401110
22Murray CravenLW671217294256112−20
9Bernie NichollsC6062228−4266055−28
21Tony GranatoRW5916925370100000
10Marcus RagnarssonD7952025−1165600024
18Mike Ricci†C5991423−430613406
23Todd Gill‡D6481321−1331——————
40Mike RathjeD8131215−4596101−36
20Andrei ZyuzinD5667138666101−214
28Shawn BurrLW4266122506000−18
33Marty McSorleyD562101210140——————
3Doug Bodger‡D284610032——————
8Jarrod Skalde‡†‡†C224610−214——————
17Joe Murphy†RW105491146112−120
43Al IafrateD21279−1286101−410
12Ron SutterC57279−2226101−114
26[a]Dave Lowry†LW504480516000018
25Viktor Kozlov‡C18527−22——————
42Shean Donovan‡RW20336322——————
27Alexander KorolyukLW19235−56——————
7Rich Brennan‡D11123−42——————
27Bryan Marchment†D120332436000110
17Steve GuollaC7112−20——————
62Andrei Nazarov‡LW40112−4112——————
29Mike VernonG620222460000
24Barry PotomskiLW9011130——————
34Niklas AnderssonLW5000−12——————
32Kelly HrudeyG28000210000
30Jason Muzzatti†G10000——————
5Ken Sutton†D8000−415——————
16Dody Wood‡C8000−340——————
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Goaltending

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
29Mike Vernon623022814011462.46.89653564624138142.41.8991348
32Kelly Hrudey284162600622.73.89711360100613.00.833020
30Jason Muzzatti†10001324.49.846027—————————
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season)		 NHL Rookie of the Month Marco Sturm (November) [3]
Team Sharks Player of the Year Mike Vernon [4]
Sharks Rookie of the Year Patrick Marleau [4]
Marco Sturm
Andrei Zyuzin
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Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Patrick Marleau October 1, 1997 [5]
Alexander Korolyuk October 4, 1997
Marco Sturm
Andrei Zyuzin October 7, 1997
1,000th game played Murray Craven March 30, 1998 [6]
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Draft picks

San Jose's picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[7]

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team
1 2 Patrick Marleau Center  Canada Seattle Thunderbirds
1 23 Scott Hannan Defense  Canada Kelowna Rockets
4 82 Adam Colagiacomo Right wing  Canada Oshawa Generals
5 107 Adam Spylo Right wing  Canada Erie Otters
7 163 Joe Dusbabek Right wing  United States Notre Dame
8 192 Cam Severson Left wing  Canada Prince Albert Raiders
9 219 Mark Smith Center  Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes
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See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Lowry wore number 15 until MacLean was acquired.

References

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