1997 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 16, 1997, following the completion of the 1996–97 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for conference quarter-finals, semi-finals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 16–June 7, 1997 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Defending champions | Colorado Avalanche |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Detroit Red Wings |
| Runner-up | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Scoring leader(s) | Eric Lindros (Flyers) (26 points) |
| MVP | Mike Vernon (Red Wings) |
The playoffs ended on June 7, with the Detroit Red Wings defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in a four-game sweep to win their eighth Stanley Cup championship in their history, and their first in 42 years. Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff's Most Valuable Player. This was the only time Ray Bourque missed the playoffs in his career. His team, the Boston Bruins, missed the playoffs for the first time since 1967, ending their 29-year consecutive playoffs appearances record.