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National Hockey League season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2000–01 NHL season was the 84th regular season of the National Hockey League. With the addition of the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild, 30 teams each played 82 games. The Stanley Cup winners were the Colorado Avalanche, who won the best of seven series 4–3 against the New Jersey Devils. The focus of Colorado's Stanley Cup run was on star defenceman Ray Bourque, who was on a quest to win his first Stanley Cup championship in his illustrious 22-year career.
2000–01 NHL season | |
---|---|
League | National Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Duration | October 4, 2000 – June 9, 2001 |
Number of games | 82 |
Number of teams | 30 |
TV partner(s) | CBC, Sportsnet, SRC (Canada) ESPN, ABC (United States) |
Draft | |
Top draft pick | Rick DiPietro |
Picked by | New York Islanders |
Regular season | |
Presidents' Trophy | Colorado Avalanche |
Season MVP | Joe Sakic (Avalanche) |
Top scorer | Jaromir Jagr (Penguins) |
Playoffs | |
Playoffs MVP | Patrick Roy (Avalanche) |
Stanley Cup | |
Champions | Colorado Avalanche |
Runners-up | New Jersey Devils |
Two expansion teams, the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets, joined the league at the beginning of the season, increasing the number of NHL teams to 30. The Blue Jackets would join the Central Division, while the Wild would join the Northwest Division. This divisional alignment would remain static until the 2012–13 season, while the league did not expand again until the 2017–18 season when the Vegas Golden Knights entered the league. This was the first time the NHL would have a team in Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas, Texas in 1993, and the first time for Ohio since the Cleveland Barons merged with the North Stars in 1978.
The 2000 NHL expansion draft was held on June 23, 2000 to fill the rosters of the new expansion teams.
The 2000 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 24 and 25, 2000, at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. Rick DiPietro was selected first overall by the New York Islanders.
The four-official system (two referees and two linesmen) become mandatory for all games. It was previously used for selected regular season games in 1998–99 and 1999–2000, but all playoff games in both of those seasons.[1][2][3][4]
This was the first preseason of the NHL Challenge, where selected NHL teams traveled to Europe to play exhibition games against European teams. The Vancouver Canucks traveled to Stockholm Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, to play against Swedish teams MoDo Örnsköldsvik on September 13, 2000, and Djurgården Stockholm on September 15.
The NHL opened the season in Japan with two games between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 9 and 10, at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama.[5]
The All-Star Game was played on February 4, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, the home of the Colorado Avalanche.
On December 27, 2000, Mario Lemieux returned from his three-and-a-half-year retirement and, in a game nationally televised on Hockey Night in Canada and ESPN National Hockey Night, registered his first assist 33 seconds into the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He went on to add a goal and finish with three points, solidifying his return and bringing a struggling Jaromir Jagr back to his elite status, who went on to win his fourth straight Art Ross Trophy, narrowly surpassing Joe Sakic. Despite playing in only 43 games in 2000–01, Lemieux scored 76 points to finish 26th in scoring, finishing the season with the highest points-per-game average that season among NHL players. Lemieux was one of the three finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award.
The record for most shutouts in a season (set at 160 in 1997–98 and equalled in 1998–99)[6][7] was eclipsed, as 186 shutouts were recorded.[8]
No. | CR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | New Jersey Devils | 82 | 48 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 295 | 195 | 111 |
2 | 4 | Philadelphia Flyers | 82 | 43 | 25 | 11 | 3 | 240 | 207 | 100 |
3 | 6 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 42 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 281 | 256 | 96 |
4 | 10 | New York Rangers | 82 | 33 | 43 | 5 | 1 | 250 | 290 | 72 |
5 | 15 | New York Islanders | 82 | 21 | 51 | 7 | 3 | 185 | 268 | 52 |
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
No. | CR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 48 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 274 | 205 | 109 |
2 | 5 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 46 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 218 | 184 | 98 |
3 | 7 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 37 | 29 | 11 | 5 | 232 | 207 | 90 |
4 | 9 | Boston Bruins | 82 | 36 | 30 | 8 | 8 | 227 | 249 | 88 |
5 | 11 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 28 | 40 | 8 | 6 | 206 | 232 | 70 |
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL=Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
No. | CR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Washington Capitals | 82 | 41 | 27 | 10 | 4 | 233 | 211 | 96 |
2 | 8 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 38 | 32 | 9 | 3 | 212 | 225 | 88 |
3 | 12 | Florida Panthers | 82 | 22 | 38 | 13 | 9 | 200 | 246 | 66 |
4 | 13 | Atlanta Thrashers | 82 | 23 | 45 | 12 | 2 | 211 | 289 | 60 |
5 | 14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 24 | 47 | 6 | 5 | 201 | 280 | 59 |
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
R | Div | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Z- New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 48 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 295 | 195 | 111 |
2 | Y- Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 48 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 274 | 205 | 109 |
3 | Y- Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 41 | 27 | 10 | 4 | 233 | 211 | 96 |
4 | X- Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 43 | 25 | 11 | 3 | 240 | 207 | 100 |
5 | X- Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 46 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 218 | 184 | 98 |
6 | X- Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 42 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 281 | 256 | 96 |
7 | X- Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 37 | 29 | 11 | 5 | 232 | 207 | 90 |
8 | X- Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 38 | 32 | 9 | 3 | 212 | 225 | 88 |
8.5 | ||||||||||
9 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 36 | 30 | 8 | 8 | 227 | 249 | 88 |
10 | New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 33 | 43 | 5 | 1 | 250 | 290 | 72 |
11 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 28 | 40 | 8 | 6 | 206 | 232 | 70 |
12 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 22 | 38 | 13 | 9 | 200 | 246 | 66 |
13 | Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 23 | 45 | 12 | 2 | 211 | 289 | 60 |
14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 24 | 47 | 6 | 5 | 201 | 280 | 59 |
15 | New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 21 | 51 | 7 | 3 | 185 | 268 | 52 |
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast
Z – Clinched Conference; Y – Clinched Division; X – Clinched Playoff spot
No. | CR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Detroit Red Wings | 82 | 49 | 20 | 9 | 4 | 253 | 202 | 111 |
2 | 4 | St. Louis Blues | 82 | 43 | 22 | 12 | 5 | 249 | 195 | 103 |
3 | 10 | Nashville Predators | 82 | 34 | 36 | 9 | 3 | 186 | 200 | 80 |
4 | 12 | Chicago Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 40 | 8 | 5 | 210 | 246 | 71 |
5 | 13 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 82 | 28 | 39 | 9 | 6 | 190 | 233 | 71 |
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
No. | CR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 52 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 270 | 192 | 118 |
2 | 6 | Edmonton Oilers | 82 | 39 | 28 | 12 | 3 | 243 | 222 | 93 |
3 | 8 | Vancouver Canucks | 82 | 36 | 28 | 11 | 7 | 239 | 238 | 90 |
4 | 11 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 27 | 36 | 15 | 4 | 197 | 236 | 73 |
5 | 14 | Minnesota Wild | 82 | 25 | 39 | 13 | 5 | 168 | 210 | 68 |
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
No. | CR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Dallas Stars | 82 | 48 | 24 | 8 | 2 | 241 | 187 | 106 |
2 | 5 | San Jose Sharks | 82 | 40 | 27 | 12 | 3 | 217 | 192 | 95 |
3 | 7 | Los Angeles Kings | 82 | 38 | 28 | 13 | 3 | 252 | 228 | 92 |
4 | 9 | Phoenix Coyotes | 82 | 35 | 27 | 17 | 3 | 214 | 212 | 90 |
5 | 15 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | 82 | 25 | 41 | 11 | 5 | 188 | 245 | 66 |
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
R | Div | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | p – Colorado Avalanche | NW | 82 | 52 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 270 | 192 | 118 |
2 | y – Detroit Red Wings | CEN | 82 | 49 | 20 | 9 | 4 | 253 | 202 | 111 |
3 | y – Dallas Stars | PAC | 82 | 48 | 24 | 8 | 2 | 241 | 187 | 106 |
4 | St. Louis Blues | CEN | 82 | 43 | 22 | 12 | 5 | 249 | 195 | 103 |
5 | San Jose Sharks | PAC | 82 | 40 | 27 | 12 | 3 | 217 | 192 | 95 |
6 | Edmonton Oilers | NW | 82 | 39 | 28 | 12 | 3 | 243 | 222 | 93 |
7 | Los Angeles Kings | PAC | 82 | 38 | 28 | 13 | 3 | 252 | 228 | 92 |
8 | Vancouver Canucks | NW | 82 | 36 | 28 | 11 | 7 | 239 | 238 | 90 |
8.5 | ||||||||||
9 | Phoenix Coyotes | PAC | 82 | 35 | 27 | 17 | 3 | 214 | 212 | 90 |
10 | Nashville Predators | CEN | 82 | 34 | 36 | 9 | 3 | 186 | 200 | 80 |
11 | Calgary Flames | NW | 82 | 27 | 36 | 15 | 4 | 197 | 236 | 73 |
12 | Chicago Blackhawks | CEN | 82 | 29 | 40 | 8 | 5 | 210 | 246 | 71 |
13 | Columbus Blue Jackets | CEN | 82 | 28 | 39 | 9 | 6 | 190 | 233 | 71 |
14 | Minnesota Wild | NW | 82 | 25 | 39 | 13 | 5 | 168 | 210 | 68 |
15 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | PAC | 82 | 25 | 41 | 11 | 5 | 188 | 245 | 66 |
Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific, NW – Northwest
bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy; y – Won division
In each round, teams competed in a best-of-seven series following a 2–2–1–1–1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team with home ice advantage played at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team played at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). The top eight teams in each conference made the playoffs, with the three division winners seeded 1–3 based on regular season record, and the five remaining teams seeded 4–8.
The NHL used "re-seeding" instead of a fixed bracket playoff system. During the first three rounds, the highest remaining seed in each conference was matched against the lowest remaining seed, the second-highest remaining seed played the second-lowest remaining seed, and so forth. The higher-seeded team was awarded home ice advantage. The two conference winners then advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, where home ice advantage was awarded to the team that had the better regular season record.
Conference quarterfinals | Conference semifinals | Conference finals | Stanley Cup Finals | ||||||||||||||||
1 | New Jersey | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Carolina | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | New Jersey | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Toronto | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Ottawa | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Toronto | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | New Jersey | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
6 | Pittsburgh | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Washington | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Pittsburgh | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Buffalo | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Pittsburgh | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Philadelphia | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Buffalo | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
E1 | New Jersey | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
W1 | Colorado | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Colorado | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Vancouver | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Colorado | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Los Angeles | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Detroit | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Los Angeles | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Colorado | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | St. Louis | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Dallas | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Edmonton | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Dallas | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | St. Louis | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | St. Louis | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | San Jose | 2 |
The presentation ceremonies were held in Toronto.
Award | Recipient(s) | Runner(s)-up/Finalists |
---|---|---|
Stanley Cup | Colorado Avalanche | New Jersey Devils |
Presidents' Trophy (Best regular season record) | Colorado Avalanche | Detroit Red Wings |
Prince of Wales Trophy (Eastern Conference playoff champion) | New Jersey Devils | Pittsburgh Penguins |
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (Western Conference playoff champion) | Colorado Avalanche | St. Louis Blues |
Art Ross Trophy (Player with most points) | Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh Penguins) | Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) |
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Perseverance, Sportsmanship, and Dedication) | Adam Graves (New York Rangers) | N/A |
Calder Memorial Trophy (Best first-year player) | Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose Sharks) | Martin Havlat (Ottawa Senators) Brad Richards (Tampa Bay Lightning) |
Conn Smythe Trophy (Most valuable player, playoffs) | Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche) | N/A |
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Defensive forward) | John Madden (New Jersey Devils) | Mike Modano (Dallas Stars) Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) |
Hart Memorial Trophy (Most valuable player, regular season) | Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) | Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh Penguins) Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) |
Jack Adams Award (Best coach) | Bill Barber (Philadelphia Flyers) | Scotty Bowman (Detroit Red Wings) Jacques Martin (Ottawa Senators) |
James Norris Memorial Trophy (Best defenceman) | Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) | Ray Bourque (Colorado Avalanche) Scott Stevens (New Jersey Devils) |
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership and humanitarian contribution) | Shjon Podein (Colorado Avalanche) | N/A |
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship and excellence) | Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) | Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) Adam Oates (Washington Capitals) |
Lester B. Pearson Award (Outstanding player) | Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) | N/A |
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (Top goal-scorer) | Pavel Bure (Florida Panthers) | Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) |
NHL Foundation Player Award (Community enrichment and involvement) | Olaf Kolzig (Washington Capitals) | |
NHL Plus-Minus Award (Player with the best plus-minus) | Patrik Elias (New Jersey Devils) Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) | Scott Stevens (New Jersey Devils) |
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award (Goaltender with the best save percentage) | Marty Turco (Marty Turco) | Mike Dunham (Nashville Predators) |
Vezina Trophy (Best goaltender) | Dominik Hasek (Buffalo Sabres) | Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils) Roman Cechmanek (Philadelphia Flyers) |
William M. Jennings Trophy (Goaltender(s) of team with fewest goals against) | Dominik Hasek (Buffalo Sabres) | N/A |
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points
Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaromir Jagr | Pittsburgh | 81 | 52 | 69 | 121 |
Joe Sakic | Colorado | 82 | 54 | 64 | 118 |
Patrik Elias | New Jersey | 82 | 40 | 56 | 96 |
Alexei Kovalev | Pittsburgh | 79 | 44 | 51 | 95 |
Jason Allison | Boston | 82 | 36 | 59 | 95 |
Martin Straka | Pittsburgh | 82 | 27 | 68 | 95 |
Pavel Bure | Florida | 82 | 59 | 33 | 92 |
Doug Weight | Edmonton | 82 | 25 | 65 | 90 |
Zigmund Palffy | Los Angeles | 73 | 38 | 51 | 89 |
Peter Forsberg | Colorado | 73 | 27 | 62 | 89 |
Wins: Martin Brodeur (42); Patrick Roy (40); Dominic Hasek (37); Olaf Kolzig (37); Arturs Irbe (37);
Shutouts: Dominik Hasek (11); Roman Cechmanek (10); Martin Brodeur (9); Tommy Salo (8); Ed Belfour (8);
GAA: Roman Cechmanek (2.01); Manny Legace (2.05); Dominik Hasek (2.11); Evgeni Nabokov (2.19); Patrick Roy (2.21)
SV%: Marty Turco (.925); Mike Dunham (.923); Sean Burke (.922); Dominik Hasek (.921); Roman Cechmanek (.921)
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points
Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Sakic | Colorado Avalanche | 21 | 13 | 13 | 26 |
Patrik Elias | New Jersey Devils | 25 | 9 | 14 | 23 |
Milan Hejduk | Colorado Avalanche | 23 | 7 | 16 | 23 |
Petr Sykora | New Jersey Devils | 25 | 10 | 12 | 22 |
Alex Tanguay | Colorado Avalanche | 23 | 6 | 15 | 21 |
Rob Blake | Colorado Avalanche | 23 | 6 | 13 | 19 |
Brian Rafalski | New Jersey Devils | 25 | 7 | 11 | 18 |
Mario Lemieux | Pittsburgh Penguins | 18 | 6 | 11 | 17 |
Chris Drury | Colorado Avalanche | 23 | 11 | 5 | 16 |
Bobby Holik | New Jersey Devils | 25 | 6 | 10 | 16 |
Alexander Mogilny | New Jersey Devils | 25 | 5 | 11 | 16 |
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 2000–01:
The following is a list of players of note who played their last NHL game in 2000–01, listed with their team:
Player | Team | Notability |
---|---|---|
Jesse Belanger[19] | New York Islanders | 1-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens. |
Ray Bourque[20] | Colorado Avalanche | 1-time Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, 16-time NHL All-Star, 4-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, Calder Memorial Trophy winner, King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner, Lester Patrick Trophy winner, over 1600 games played. |
Paul Coffey[21] | Boston Bruins | 4-time Stanley Cup champion with the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins, 14-time NHL All-Star, 3-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, over 1400 games played. |
Rene Corbet[22] | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1-time Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche. |
J. J. Daigneault[23] | Minnesota Wild | 1-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens. |
Garry Galley[24] | New York Islanders | 2-time NHL All-Star, over 1100 games played. |
Tony Granato[25] | San Jose Sharks | Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner, 1-time NHL All-Star. |
Kevin Hatcher[26] | Carolina Hurricanes | 5-time NHL All-Star, over 1100 games played. |
Guy Hebert | New York Rangers | 1-time NHL All-Star, 1996 World Cup Winner, 1998 Team USA member, holding almost every Mighty Duck of Anaheim Goalie record |
Kris King[27] | Chicago Blackhawks | King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner. |
Kirk McLean[28] | New York Rangers | 2-time NHL All-Star. |
Joe Murphy[29] | Washington Capitals | 1-time Stanley Cup champion with the Edmonton Oilers. |
Larry Murphy[30] | Detroit Red Wings | 4-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Red Wings, 3-time NHL All-Star, over 1600 games played. |
Ron Sutter[31] | Calgary Flames | Over 1000 games played, the last active Sutter brother to play in NHL. |
Petr Svoboda[32] | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens, Olympic gold medalist, over 1000 games played. |
This was the third season of the league's Canadian national broadcast rights deals with CBC and the renamed Sportsnet (the latter was sold by CTV after acquiring rival TSN). CBC aired Saturday night Hockey Night in Canada regular season games, while Sportsnet's telecasts included Tuesday Night Hockey and other weeknight games. Coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs continued to primarily be on CBC, while Sportsnet aired first round all-U.S. series.
This was the second year of the league's five-year U.S. national broadcast rights deal with ESPN and ABC. ESPN and ESPN2 aired weeknight games throughout the regular season. ABC's coverage included the All-Star Game and then five weeks worth of regional games on Saturday afternoons between March and April. During the first two rounds of the playoffs, ESPN and ESPN2 aired selected games, while ABC had Saturday regional telecasts. Each U.S. team's regional broadcaster produced local coverage of first and second round games (except for those games on ABC). ABC's weekend telecasts continued into the Conference Finals, while ESPN had the rest of the third round games. ESPN then aired the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals before the rest of the series shifted to ABC.
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