The 1996–97 Chicago Blackhawks season was the 71st season of operation of the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League.

Offseason

Regular season

Final standings

Playoffs
April 24, 1997: Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche shut out Chicago by a score of 7–0. He earned his 89th postseason victory and became the goalie with the most postseason wins, surpassing the old record set by New York Islanders goalie Billy Smith.

Schedule and results

Regular season

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|1||W||October 5, 1996||5–2 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||1–0–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|2||W||October 6, 1996||4–1 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||2–0–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|3||L||October 9, 1996||0–2 || align="left"|  Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||2–1–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|4||L||October 11, 1996||0–2 || align="left"|  Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||2–2–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|5||L||October 13, 1996||3–5 || align="left"|  Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||2–3–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|6||W||October 15, 1996||3–1 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||3–3–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|7||W||October 17, 1996||2–1 || align="left"|  Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||4–3–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|8||W||October 20, 1996||2–1 || align="left"|  Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||5–3–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|9||W||October 24, 1996||6–4 || align="left"|  St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||6–3–0 || 
|- align="center" 
|10||T||October 25, 1996||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||6–3–1 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|11||L||October 27, 1996||2–6 || align="left"|  San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||6–4–1 || 
|- align="center" 
|12||T||October 29, 1996||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||6–4–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|13||L||October 30, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||6–5–2 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|14||W||November 1, 1996||3–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||7–5–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|15||W||November 3, 1996||4–2 || align="left"|  Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||8–5–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|16||L||November 7, 1996||2–4 || align="left"|  New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||8–6–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|17||W||November 9, 1996||4–1 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||9–6–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|18||W||November 10, 1996||2–0 || align="left"|  Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||10–6–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|19||L||November 14, 1996||1–2 OT|| align="left"|  Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||10–7–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|20||L||November 15, 1996||3–4 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||10–8–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|21||L||November 17, 1996||2–4 || align="left"|  Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||10–9–2 || 
|- align="center" 
|22||T||November 19, 1996||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||10–9–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|23||L||November 21, 1996||1–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||10–10–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|24||W||November 22, 1996||5–2 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||11–10–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|25||L||November 27, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||11–11–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|26||L||November 29, 1996||0–2 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||11–12–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|27||W||November 30, 1996||5–3 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||12–12–3 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|28||L||December 6, 1996||1–3 || align="left"|  Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||12–13–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|29||L||December 7, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||12–14–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|30||L||December 9, 1996||1–3 || align="left"|  Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||12–15–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|31||L||December 12, 1996||2–6 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||12–16–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|32||W||December 13, 1996||4–1 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||13–16–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|33||W||December 15, 1996||2–1 || align="left"|  Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||14–16–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|34||L||December 18, 1996||2–3 OT|| align="left"|  Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||14–17–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|35||L||December 20, 1996||1–3 || align="left"|  Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||14–18–3 || 
|- align="center" 
|36||T||December 22, 1996||2–2 OT|| align="left"|  Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||14–18–4 || 
|- align="center" 
|37||T||December 23, 1996||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||14–18–5 || 
|- align="center" 
|38||T||December 26, 1996||4–4 OT|| align="left"|  St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||14–18–6 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|39||L||December 28, 1996||4–5 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||14–19–6 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|40||W||December 29, 1996||4–3 || align="left"|  Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||15–19–6 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|41||L||December 31, 1996||1–4 || align="left"|  Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||15–20–6 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|42||L||January 2, 1997||2–4 || align="left"|  Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||15–21–6 || 
|- align="center" 
|43||T||January 5, 1997||5–5 OT|| align="left"|  Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||15–21–7 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|44||W||January 8, 1997||4–1 || align="left"|  Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||16–21–7 || 
|- align="center" 
|45||T||January 10, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||16–21–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|46||W||January 11, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||17–21–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|47||L||January 13, 1997||0–2 || align="left"|  Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||17–22–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|48||L||January 20, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||17–23–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|49||L||January 22, 1997||3–4 OT|| align="left"|  Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||17–24–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|50||L||January 24, 1997||1–2 OT|| align="left"|  Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||17–25–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|51||L||January 25, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1996–97) ||17–26–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|52||W||January 27, 1997||2–1 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1996–97) ||18–26–8 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|53||W||February 1, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||19–26–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|54||W||February 3, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||20–26–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|55||L||February 6, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||20–27–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|56||W||February 8, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||21–27–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|57||W||February 13, 1997||7–3 || align="left"|  San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||22–27–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|58||W||February 15, 1997||2–0 || align="left"|  New York Rangers (1996–97) ||23–27–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|59||L||February 17, 1997||2–4 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||23–28–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|60||W||February 20, 1997||5–3 || align="left"|  Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||24–28–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|61||W||February 22, 1997||5–2 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||25–28–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|62||L||February 25, 1997||0–1 || align="left"|  Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||25–29–8 || 
|- align="center" 
|63||T||February 26, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||25–29–9 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|64||L||March 1, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||25–30–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|65||W||March 2, 1997||4–0 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||26–30–9 || 
|- align="center" 
|66||T||March 5, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||26–30–10 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|67||L||March 8, 1997||0–2 || align="left"|  Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||26–31–10 || 
|- align="center" 
|68||T||March 10, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"|  Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||26–31–11 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|69||W||March 12, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||27–31–11 || 
|- align="center" 
|70||T||March 14, 1997||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||27–31–12 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|71||W||March 16, 1997||5–4 || align="left"|  New York Islanders (1996–97) ||28–31–12 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|72||L||March 20, 1997||2–4 || align="left"|  Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||28–32–12 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|73||W||March 23, 1997||5–3 || align="left"|  Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||29–32–12 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|74||W||March 26, 1997||5–3 || align="left"|  Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||30–32–12 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|75||L||March 28, 1997||3–4 || align="left"|  Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||30–33–12 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|76||W||March 30, 1997||3–2 || align="left"|  Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||31–33–12 || 
|-

|- align="center" 
|77||T||April 1, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||31–33–13 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|78||L||April 3, 1997||2–4 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||31–34–13 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|79||W||April 6, 1997||2–1 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||32–34–13 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|80||L||April 9, 1997||0–1 || align="left"|  St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||32–35–13 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|81||W||April 11, 1997||7–3 || align="left"|  Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||33–35–13 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|82||W||April 13, 1997||5–2 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||34–35–13 || 
|-

|-
| Legend:

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 1 ||L|| April 16, 1997 || 0–6 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche || Avalanche lead 1–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 2 ||L|| April 18, 1997 || 1–3 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche || Avalanche lead 2–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 3 ||W|| April 20, 1997 || 4–3 2OT|| align="left"| Colorado Avalanche || Avalanche lead 2–1 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 4 ||W|| April 22, 1997 || 6–3 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche || Series tied 2–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 5 ||L|| April 24, 1997 || 0–7 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche || Avalanche lead 3–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 6 ||L|| April 26, 1997 || 3–6 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche || Avalanche win 4–2 || 
|-

|-
| Legend:

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 Blackhawks only.
  = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blackhawks only.

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Transactions

Draft picks
Chicago's draft picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

See also
1996–97 NHL season

Notes

References

C
C
Chicago Blackhawks seasons
Chic
Chic