The 1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 18th season in the NHL. They were coming off a 30–44–8 record, earning 68 points in the 1995–96 season, which led them to failing to qualify for the post-season for the 4th time in a row.
The Oilers had their best season since 1991–92 as they won 36 games and earn 81 points, finishing 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, only allowing 247 goals, 57 fewer than the previous season.
Regular 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 led the club once again this season in points, earning 82, and achieved a club high 61 assists. Ryan Smyth had a breakout season, scoring a team high 39 goals and led the team in power play goals with 20. Andrei Kovalenko, acquired in the off-season, scored 32 goals and 59 points, while Jason Arnott earned 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 anchored the defense, earning 32 points in only 55 games. Todd Marchant led the team in short-handed goals with 4. Team captain Kelly Buchberger provided the team toughness, earning a club high 159 penalty minutes.
In goal, Curtis Joseph got the majority of playing time, winning 32 games while posting a 2.93 GAA and a .907 save percentage. He set a team record with 6 shutouts. Bob Essensa, despite a strong GAA of 2.83, won only 4 games.
The Oilers had the most power-play opportunities during the regular season, with 406 opportunities in total.
Season standings
Playoffs The Oilers faced the Central Division winning Dallas Stars in the opening round of the playoffs. After splitting the first 2 games in Dallas, the Oilers returned home for game 3 for their first home playoff game since 1992 and found themselves losing 3–0 with about 4 minutes left in the 3rd period. Edmonton then struck for 3 goals to tie the game, and Kelly Buchberger provided the overtime heroics, as the Oilers won the game 4–3 and take a 2–1 series lead. Dallas tied the series up again in game 4, however, the Oilers shocked the Stars, winning 1–0 in double overtime in the 5th game in Dallas, and returning to Edmonton in a position to clinch the series. The Stars spoiled the Oilers' party, winning the 6th game 3–2, setting up a game 7 at Reunion Arena in Dallas. The game was a memorable one, as the score was tied up at 3 as the teams headed into overtime. Todd Marchant turned out to be the hero, scoring for the Oilers in the 1st overtime, as Edmonton completed the upset, defeating the Stars in 7 games.
In the 2nd round, Edmonton faced the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, who won the Pacific Division and had 26 more points than the Oilers during the season. The Avalanche won the opening 2 games easily in Denver, and while the Oilers rebounded to win the 3rd game, the Avs proved to be too much for Edmonton to handle, as they won the series in 5 games, ending the Oilers' season.
Schedule and results
Regular season
| 1 || October 4 || Buffalo Sabres || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,236 || 1–0–0 || 2 ||
| 2 || October 6 || Vancouver Canucks || 0 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,144 || 2–0–0 || 4 ||
| 3 || October 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Joseph || 15,424 || 3–0–0 || 6 ||
| 4 || October 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 2 || Detroit Red Wings || || Essensa || 19,983 || 3–1–0 || 6 ||
| 5 || October 11 || St. Louis Blues || 3 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,145 || 3–2–0 || 6 ||
| 6 || October 14 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 3 || Phoenix Coyotes || || Joseph || 13,916 || 4–2–0 || 8 ||
| 7 || October 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 7 || Colorado Avalanche || || Joseph || 16,061 || 4–3–0 || 8 ||
| 8 || October 20 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 6 || Calgary Flames || || Joseph || 16,295 || 4–4–0 || 8 ||
| 9 || October 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,536 || 5–4–0 || 10 ||
| 10 || October 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 8 – 2 || Los Angeles Kings || || Essensa || 10,195 || 6–4–0 || 12 ||
| 11 || October 26 || Colorado Avalanche || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 6–5–0 || 12 ||
| 12 || October 30 || Phoenix Coyotes || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,678 || 7–5–0 || 14 ||
| 13 || November 1 || Vancouver Canucks || 5 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 16,177 || 7–6–0 || 14 ||
| 14 || November 3 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Chicago Blackhawks || || Joseph || 16,875 || 7–7–0 || 14 ||
| 15 || November 6 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || || Essensa || 15,159 || 7–8–0 || 14 ||
| 16 || November 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 0 || Boston Bruins || || Joseph || 13,643 || 8–8–0 || 16 ||
| 17 || November 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 7 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Joseph || 15,726 || 8–9–0 || 16 ||
| 18 || November 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Montreal Canadiens || OT || Joseph || 20,452 || 8–10–0 || 16 ||
| 19 || November 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 0 || Ottawa Senators || || Joseph || 15,312 || 9–10–0 || 18 ||
| 20 || November 17 || Dallas Stars || 7 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,574 || 9–11–0 || 18 ||
| 21 || November 19 || Chicago Blackhawks || 4 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 14,792 || 9–11–1 || 19 ||
| 22 || November 21 || New York Rangers || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 10–11–1 || 21 ||
| 23 || November 23 || Calgary Flames || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,829 || 11–11–1 || 23 ||
| 24 || November 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 10 – 1 || Calgary Flames || || Joseph || 17,146 || 12–11–1 || 25 ||
| 25 || November 27 || Los Angeles Kings || 5 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Essensa || 14,039 || 12–12–1 || 25 ||
| 26 || November 29 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || San Jose Sharks || || Joseph || 17,442 || 13–12–1 || 27 ||
| 27 || December 1 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || || Joseph || 16,735 || 13–13–1 || 27 ||
| 28 || December 4 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 2 || Colorado Avalanche || || Joseph || 16,061 || 13–14–1 || 27 ||
| 29 || December 6 || Ottawa Senators || 2 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,060 || 14–14–1 || 29 ||
| 30 || December 8 || St. Louis Blues || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,922 || 14–15–1 || 29 ||
| 31 || December 10 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 0 || Detroit Red Wings || OT || Joseph || 19,983 || 14–15–2 || 30 ||
| 32 || December 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 2 || Tampa Bay Lightning || OT || Joseph || 13,925 || 14–15–3 || 31 ||
| 33 || December 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 6 || Florida Panthers || || Essensa || 14,703 || 14–16–3 || 31 ||
| 34 || December 18 || Colorado Avalanche || 4 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 16,053 || 14–16–4 || 32 ||
| 35 || December 20 || New Jersey Devils || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,692 || 14–17–4 || 32 ||
| 36 || December 22 || Detroit Red Wings || 6 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,724 || 14–18–4 || 32 ||
| 37 || December 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 7 – 0 || Vancouver Canucks || || Essensa || 17,854 || 15–18–4 || 34 ||
| 38 || December 27 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 15–19–4 || 34 ||
| 39 || December 28 || San Jose Sharks || 3 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Essensa || 16,670 || 16–19–4 || 36 ||
| 40 || December 30 || Los Angeles Kings || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,954 || 17–19–4 || 38 ||
| 41 || January 3 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 18–19–4 || 40 ||
| 42 || January 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 2 || St. Louis Blues || || Joseph || 15,760 || 19–19–4 || 42 ||
| 43 || January 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 4 || Chicago Blackhawks || || Essensa || 17,500 || 19–20–4 || 42 ||
| 44 || January 11 || San Jose Sharks || 2 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,451 || 19–21–4 || 42 ||
| 45 || January 12 || Hartford Whalers || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 14,301 || 20–21–4 || 44 ||
| 46 || January 15 || Florida Panthers || 0 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,673 || 21–21–4 || 46 ||
| 47 || January 21 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 4 || New York Rangers || OT || Joseph || 18,200 || 21–21–5 || 47 ||
| 48 || January 22 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 8 || New York Islanders || || Joseph || 10,438 || 21–22–5 || 47 ||
| 49 || January 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 1 || Buffalo Sabres || || Joseph || 16,775 || 22–22–5 || 49 ||
| 50 || January 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 1 || Washington Capitals || || Joseph || 14,623 || 23–22–5 || 51 ||
| 51 || January 29 || San Jose Sharks || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,378 || 24–22–5 || 53 ||
| 52 || January 31 || New York Islanders || 0 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,211 || 25–22–5 || 55 ||
| 53 || February 5 || Calgary Flames || 2 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,770 || 26–22–5 || 57 ||
| 54 || February 8 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 2 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 16,743 || 26–23–5 || 57 ||
| 55 || February 9 || Washington Capitals || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Essensa || 15,361 || 27–23–5 || 59 ||
| 56 || February 12 || Boston Bruins || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,238 || 28–23–5 || 61 ||
| 57 || February 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Calgary Flames || OT || Essensa || 18,882 || 28–24–5 || 61 ||
| 58 || February 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 2 || Los Angeles Kings || OT || Joseph || 12,027 || 28–24–6 || 62 ||
| 59 || February 17 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 5 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || || Joseph || 17,174 || 28–25–6 || 62 ||
| 60 || February 19 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 5 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,487 || 29–25–6 || 64 ||
| 61 || February 21 || Colorado Avalanche || 4 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 17,099 || 29–26–6 || 64 ||
| 62 || February 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 6 || Dallas Stars || || Joseph || 15,786 || 29–27–6 || 64 ||
| 63 || February 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 3 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || OT || Joseph || 17,174 || 29–27–7 || 65 ||
| 64 || February 27 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 6 || Los Angeles Kings || || Essensa || 12,115 || 29–28–7 || 65 ||
| 65 || March 1 || Montreal Canadiens || 5 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 29–29–7 || 65 ||
| 66 || March 4 || Los Angeles Kings || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,671 || 30–29–7 || 67 ||
| 67 || March 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 2 || Dallas Stars || || Joseph || 16,723 || 30–30–7 || 67 ||
| 68 || March 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 1 || St. Louis Blues || || Joseph || 17,982 || 31–30–7 || 69 ||
| 69 || March 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 6 || New Jersey Devils || || Joseph || 14,671 || 31–31–7 || 69 ||
| 70 || March 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 5 || Philadelphia Flyers || OT || Joseph || 19,635 || 31–32–7 || 69 ||
| 71 || March 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || Hartford Whalers || || Joseph || 14,437 || 32–32–7 || 71 ||
| 72 || March 19 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,089 || 33–32–7 || 73 ||
| 73 || March 23 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 4 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 33–33–7 || 73 ||
| 74 || March 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 1 || San Jose Sharks || || Joseph || 17,159 || 34–33–7 || 75 ||
| 75 || March 28 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || San Jose Sharks || || Joseph || 17,442 || 34–34–7 || 75 ||