1995–96 New York Rangers season

The 1995–96 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 70th season.[1] During the regular season, the Rangers posted a 41–27–14 record, which placed them second in the Atlantic Division and gave them a berth in the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs.[2] In the first round of the playoffs, New York defeated the Montreal Canadiens in six games to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where the team lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games.[2]

1995–96 New York Rangers
Division2nd Atlantic
Conference3rd Eastern
1995–96 record41–27–14
Home record22–10–9
Road record19–17–5
Goals for272
Goals against237
Team information
General managerNeil Smith
CoachColin Campbell
CaptainMark Messier
Alternate captainsAdam Graves
Brian Leetch
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Average attendance18,200
Minor league affiliate(s)Binghamton Rangers
Team leaders
GoalsMark Messier (47)
AssistsBrian Leetch (70)
PointsMark Messier (99)
Penalty minutesJeff Beukeboom (220)
Plus/minusMark Messier (+29)
Pat Verbeek (+29)
WinsMike Richter (24)
Goals against averageMike Richter (2.68)

Regular season

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The Rangers were shorthanded a league-high 495 times during the regular season, and tied the Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning for fewest short-handed goals scored (6).[2]

Final standings

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Atlantic Division
No. GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Philadelphia Flyers 82 45 24 13 282 208 103
2 New York Rangers 82 41 27 14 272 237 96
3 Florida Panthers 82 41 31 10 254 234 92
4 Washington Capitals 82 39 32 11 234 204 89
5 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 38 32 12 238 248 88
6 New Jersey Devils 82 37 33 12 215 202 86
7 New York Islanders 82 22 50 10 229 315 54
Eastern Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Philadelphia Flyers ATL 82 45 24 13 282 208 103
2 Pittsburgh Penguins NE 82 49 29 4 362 284 102
3 New York Rangers ATL 82 41 27 14 272 237 96
4 Florida Panthers ATL 82 41 31 10 254 234 92
5 Boston Bruins NE 82 40 31 11 282 269 91
6 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 40 32 10 265 248 90
7 Washington Capitals ATL 82 39 32 11 234 204 89
8 Tampa Bay Lightning ATL 82 38 32 12 238 248 88
9 New Jersey Devils ATL 82 37 33 12 215 202 86
10 Hartford Whalers NE 82 34 39 9 237 259 77
11 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 33 42 7 247 262 73
12 New York Islanders ATL 82 22 50 10 229 315 54
13 Ottawa Senators NE 82 18 59 5 191 291 41

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs


Schedule and results

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Regular season

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1995–96 regular season[4]
October: 7–3–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 4–1–1)
Game Date Opponent Score Record Recap
1 October 7, 1995 @ Hartford Whalers 2–0 0–1–0 Recap
2 October 11, 1995 Winnipeg Jets 6–4 1–1–0 Recap
3 October 14, 1995 @ Toronto Maple Leafs 2–0 2–1–0 Recap
4 October 16, 1995 Hartford Whalers 7–5 2–2–0 Recap
5 October 17, 1995 @ New York Islanders 5–1 3–2–0 Recap
6 October 20, 1995 @ Buffalo Sabres 3–1 4–2–0 Recap
7 October 22, 1995 Ottawa Senators 4–2 4–3–0 Recap
8 October 24, 1995 Vancouver Canucks 5–2 5–3–0 Recap
9 October 26, 1995 @ Tampa Bay Lightning 4–4 OT 5–3–1 Recap
10 October 29, 1995 Toronto Maple Leafs 3–2 6–3–1 Recap
11 October 31, 1995 @ San Jose Sharks 5–3 7–3–1 Recap
November: 7–5–2 (home: 5–0–1; road: 2–5–1)
Game Date Opponent Score Record Recap
12 November 2, 1995 @ Los Angeles Kings 5–3 7–4–1 Recap
13 November 3, 1995 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 7–4 7–5–1 Recap
14 November 6, 1995 Calgary Flames 4–2 8–5–1 Recap
15 November 8, 1995 Tampa Bay Lightning 5–4 9–5–1 Recap
16 November 10, 1995 New York Islanders 4–1 10–5–1 Recap
17 November 11, 1995 @ Hartford Whalers 4–1 11–5–1 Recap
18 November 14, 1995 @ St. Louis Blues 1–1 OT 11–5–2 Recap
19 November 16, 1995 @ Chicago Blackhawks 3–1 11–6–2 Recap
20 November 17, 1995 @ Winnipeg Jets 6–3 11–7–2 Recap
21 November 21, 1995 Pittsburgh Penguins 9–4 12–7–2 Recap
22 November 22, 1995 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 4–3 13–7–2 Recap
23 November 25, 1995 @ Detroit Red Wings 2–0 13–8–2 Recap
24 November 27, 1995 New Jersey Devils 1–1 OT 13–8–3 Recap
25 November 29, 1995 Buffalo Sabres 5–3 14–8–3 Recap
December: 11–3–3 (home: 7–0–2; road: 4–3–1)
Game Date Opponent Score Record Recap
26 December 1, 1995 Colorado Avalanche 5–3 15–8–3 Recap
27 December 2, 1995 @ Ottawa Senators 4–2 16–8–3 Recap
28 December 4, 1995 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 5–1 17–8–3 Recap
29 December 6, 1995 Chicago Blackhawks 5–5 OT 17–8–4 Recap
30 December 8, 1995 Detroit Red Wings 2–1 OT 18–8–4 Recap
31 December 9, 1995 @ Montreal Canadiens 2–2 OT 18–8–5 Recap
32 December 11, 1995 Dallas Stars 3–2 19–8–5 Recap
33 December 13, 1995 Boston Bruins 4–2 20–8–5 Recap
34 December 15, 1995 @ Buffalo Sabres 5–4 20–9–5 Recap
35 December 16, 1995 @ Washington Capitals 3–2 20–10–5 Recap
36 December 18, 1995 Washington Capitals 3–0 21–10–5 Recap
37 December 21, 1995 @ Philadelphia Flyers 2–1 22–10–5 Recap
38 December 22, 1995 Hartford Whalers 3–3 OT 22–10–6 Recap
39 December 26, 1995 Ottawa Senators 6–4 23–10–6 Recap
40 December 28, 1995 @ Vancouver Canucks 3–2 24–10–6 Recap
41 December 30, 1995 @ Edmonton Oilers 8–3 25–10–6 Recap
42 December 31, 1995 @ Calgary Flames 3–1 25–11–6 Recap
January: 5–0–4 (home: 3–0–2; road: 2–0–2)
Game Date Opponent Score Record Recap
43 January 3, 1996 Montreal Canadiens 7–4 26–11–6 Recap
44 January 5, 1996 @ Washington Capitals 4–4 OT 26–11–7 Recap
45 January 10, 1996 San Jose Sharks 7–4 27–11–7 Recap
46 January 13, 1996 @ Philadelphia Flyers 4–0 28–11–7 Recap
47 January 14, 1996 St. Louis Blues 3–3 OT 28–11–8 Recap
48 January 22, 1996 Los Angeles Kings 3–1 29–11–8 Recap
49 January 24, 1996 Philadelphia Flyers 4–4 OT 29–11–9 Recap
50 January 27, 1996 @ Boston Bruins 5–3 30–11–9 Recap
51 January 31, 1996 @ Dallas Stars 1–1 OT 30–11–10 Recap
February: 5–6–1 (home: 1–3–1; road: 4–3–0)
Game Date Opponent Score Record Recap
52 February 3, 1996 @ Colorado Avalanche 7–1 30–12–10 Recap
53 February 6, 1996 @ New York Islanders 4–2 31–12–10 Recap
54 February 8, 1996 New York Islanders 6–2 32–12–10 Recap
55 February 10, 1996 @ New Jersey Devils 3–0 32–13–10 Recap
56 February 11, 1996 @ Tampa Bay Lightning 6–2 33–13–10 Recap
57 February 15, 1996 Montreal Canadiens 2–2 OT 33–13–11 Recap
58 February 17, 1996 @ Ottawa Senators 2–1 OT 34–13–11 Recap
59 February 18, 1996 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 4–3 OT 34–14–11 Recap
60 February 22, 1996 New York Islanders 5–3 34–15–11 Recap
61 February 24, 1996 @ Florida Panthers 4–0 35–15–11 Recap
62 February 27, 1996 Washington Capitals 5–3 35–16–11 Recap
63 February 28, 1996 Boston Bruins 3–1 35–17–11 Recap
March: 4–4–3 (home: 1–2–3; road: 3–2–0)
Game Date Opponent Score Record Recap
64 March 1, 1996 Buffalo Sabres 3–3 OT 35–17–12 Recap
65 March 4, 1996 New Jersey Devils 2–2 OT 35–17–13 Recap
66 March 7, 1996 @ Tampa Bay Lightning 5–2 35–18–13 Recap
67 March 9, 1996 @ Washington Capitals 6–1 36–18–13 Recap
68 March 13, 1996 Florida Panthers 3–3 OT 36–18–14 Recap
69 March 16, 1996 @ Montreal Canadiens 4–2 36–19–14 Recap
70 March 19, 1996 Edmonton Oilers 4–1 36–20–14 Recap
71 March 23, 1996 @ Boston Bruins 5–4 37–20–14 Recap
72 March 24, 1996 Pittsburgh Penguins 8–2 37–21–14 Recap
73 March 27, 1996 Florida Panthers 3–0 38–21–14 Recap
74 March 31, 1996 @ New York Islanders 4–1 39–21–14 Recap
April: 2–6–0 (home: 2–3–0; road: 0–3–0)
Game Date Opponent Score Record Recap
75 April 2, 1996 New Jersey Devils 3–1 40–21–14 Recap
76 April 4, 1996 @ Philadelphia Flyers 4–1 40–22–14 Recap
77 April 5, 1996 Philadelphia Flyers 3–1 41–22–14 Recap
78 April 7, 1996 @ New Jersey Devils 4–2 41–23–14 Recap
79 April 8, 1996 Florida Panthers 5–3 41–24–14 Recap
80 April 10, 1996 Washington Capitals 4–1 41–25–14 Recap
81 April 12, 1996 Tampa Bay Lightning 3–2 41–26–14 Recap
82 April 14, 1996 @ Florida Panthers 5–1 41–27–14 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

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1996 Stanley Cup playoffs[4]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (6) Montreal Canadiens – Rangers win 4–2
Game Date Opponent Score Series Recap
1 April 16, 1996 Montreal Canadiens 3–2 OT Canadiens lead 1–0 Recap
2 April 18, 1996 Montreal Canadiens 5–3 Canadiens lead 2–0 Recap
3 April 21, 1996 @ Montreal Canadiens 2–1 Canadiens lead 2–1 Recap
4 April 23, 1996 @ Montreal Canadiens 4–3 Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 April 26, 1996 Montreal Canadiens 3–2 Rangers lead 3–2 Recap
6 April 28, 1996 @ Montreal Canadiens 5–3 Rangers win 4–2 Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins – Penguins win 4–1
Game Date Opponent Score Series Recap
1 May 3, 1996 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 4–1 Penguins lead 1–0 Recap
2 May 5, 1996 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 6–3 Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 May 7, 1996 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–2 Penguins lead 2–1 Recap
4 May 9, 1996 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–1 Penguins lead 3–1 Recap
5 May 11, 1996 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 7–3 Penguins win 4–1 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

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Scoring

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  • 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 Rangers only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Rangers only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
11 Mark Messier C 74 47 52 99 29 122 11 4 7 11 −10 16
2 Brian Leetch D 82 15 70 85 12 30 11 1 6 7 −11 4
16 Pat Verbeek RW 69 41 41 82 29 129 11 3 6 9 −8 12
20 Luc Robitaille LW 77 23 46 69 13 80 11 1 5 6 1 8
27 Alexei Kovalev RW 81 24 34 58 5 98 11 3 4 7 0 14
9 Adam Graves LW 82 22 36 58 18 100 10 7 1 8 −9 4
21 Ray Ferraro C 65 25 29 54 13 82
33 Bruce Driver D 66 3 34 37 2 42 11 0 7 7 1 4
13 Sergei Nemchinov C 78 17 15 32 9 38 6 0 1 1 2 2
24 Niklas Sundstrom C 82 9 12 21 2 14 11 4 3 7 1 4
5 Ulf Samuelsson D 74 1 18 19 9 122 11 1 5 6 −1 16
25 Alexander Karpovtsev D 40 2 16 18 12 26 6 0 1 1 −2 4
6 Doug Lidster D 59 5 9 14 11 50 7 1 0 1 −4 6
23 Jeff Beukeboom D 82 3 11 14 19 220 11 0 3 3 −1 6
15 Darren Langdon LW 64 7 4 11 2 175 2 0 0 0 0 0
18 Wayne Presley RW 61 4 6 10 7 71
32 Sergio Momesso LW 19 4 4 8 −2 30 11 3 1 4 0 14
19 Nick Kypreos LW 42 3 4 7 1 77
32 Stephane Matteau LW 32 4 2 6 −4 22
4 Kevin Lowe D 53 1 5 6 20 76 10 0 4 4 5 4
12 Ken Gernander RW 10 2 3 5 −3 4 6 0 0 0 0 0
17 Jari Kurri RW 14 1 4 5 −4 2 11 3 5 8 −2 2
37 Daniel Lacroix LW 25 2 2 4 −1 30
18 Bill Berg LW 18 2 1 3 0 8 10 1 0 1 −1 0
14 Mattias Norstrom D 25 2 1 3 5 22
26 Joe Kocur RW 38 1 2 3 −4 49
22 Ian Laperriere†‡ C 28 1 2 3 −5 53
55[a] Marty McSorley D 9 0 2 2 −6 21 4 0 0 0 −1 0
14 Chris Ferraro RW 2 1 0 1 −3 0
21[b] Peter Ferraro C 5 0 1 1 −5 0
30 Glenn Healy G 44 0 1 1 8
29 Barry Richter D 4 0 1 1 2 0
35 Mike Richter G 41 0 1 1 4 11 0 0 0 0
22 Shane Churla RW 10 0 0 0 −3 26 11 2 2 4 −2 14
22 Nathan LaFayette C 5 0 0 0 −1 2
39 Steve Larouche C 1 0 0 0 0 0
34 Jamie Ram G 1 0 0 0 0

Goaltending

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No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
35 Mike Richter 41 24 13 3 1221 107 2.68 .912 3 2396 11 5 6 308 36 3.27 .883 0 661
30 Glenn Healy 44 17 14 11 1237 124 2.90 .900 2 2564
34 Jamie Ram 1 0 0 0 9 0 0.00 1.000 0 27

Sources:[5][6]

Awards and records

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Awards

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Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)
NHL Second All-Star team Brian Leetch (Defense) [7]
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selection Brian Leetch [8]
Mark Messier
Pat Verbeek
Team Ceil Saidel Memorial Award Adam Graves [9]
Glenn Healy
"Crumb Bum" Award Jeff Beukeboom [9]
Frank Boucher Trophy Mark Messier [9]
Good Guy Award Glenn Healy [9]
Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award Niklas Sundstrom [9]
Players' Player Award Mark Messier [9]
Rangers MVP Mark Messier [9]
Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award Mark Messier [9]

Milestones

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Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Niklas Sundstrom October 7, 1995 [10]
Peter Ferraro October 16, 1995
Jamie Ram February 3, 1996
Ken Gernander March 9, 1996
Barry Richter April 5, 1996
Chris Ferraro April 8, 1996
400th goal Pat Verbeek January 10, 1996 [11]

Transactions

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Draft picks

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New York's picks at the 1995 NHL entry draft in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Edmonton Coliseum.[13][14]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
2 39 Christian Dube RW   Canada Sherbrooke Faucons (QMJHL)
3 65 Mike Martin D   Canada Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
4 91 Marc Savard C   Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
5 110 Alexei Vasiliev D   Russia Yaroslavl Torpedo (Russia)
5 117 Dale Purinton D   United States Tacoma Rockets (WHL)
6 143 Peter Slamiar RW   Slovakia Zvolen Jrs. (Slovak Extraliga)
7 169 Jeff Heil G   United States University of Wisconsin–River Falls (NCAA)
8 195 Ilya Gorokhov D   Russia Yaroslavl Torpedo (Russia)
9 221 Bob Maudie C   Canada Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ McSorley wore number 36 in his first game.
  2. ^ Ferraro wore number 17 in his first three games.

References

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  1. ^ "New York Rangers". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "1995–96 NHL Summary". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "1995–1996 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "1995–96 New York Rangers Schedule and Results". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "New York Rangers 1995–96 roster and statistics". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "1995–96 New York Rangers Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  7. ^ "Postseason All-Star Teams". NHL.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  8. ^ "1996 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h 2014–15 New York Rangers Media Guide. New York Rangers. 2014. pp. 349–352.
  10. ^ "1995–96 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Rangers 7, Sharks 4". United Press International. January 10, 1996. Retrieved August 27, 2023. New York's Pat Verbeek scored his 400th and 401st career goals, both on the power play.
  12. ^ Yannis, Alex (August 1, 1995). "Hockey; Rangers Regain Lidster by Dealing Wells". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  13. ^ "1995 NHL Entry Draft". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  14. ^ "NHL Draft History". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on January 28, 2001. Retrieved June 16, 2017.