Top 5 Players of the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals

Originally published on Jan. 16, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Saturday, June 7th, 1997, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit to win the 84th Stanley Cup Finals four games to none. It was the eighth Stanley Cup championship for the Red Wings franchise, and the 11th that was won in Michigan. These are the top five players that I felt most stood out during the series.

5. #20 Martin Lapointe (Red Wings)- F

Lapointe picked up two goals in game three, for a total of two goals and an assist on the series as a whole.

4. #19 Steve Yzerman (Red Wings)- F

Yzerman claimed three goals and one assist over the course of the series, getting a goal each in games one through three.

3. #14 Brendan Shanahan (Red Wings)- F

Shanahan got player of the game honors in game two, adding two goals in the Red Wings’ 4-2 victory.

2. #29 Mike Vernon (Red Wings)- G

Vernon earned player of the game in game four, making 29 saves on 31 shots as the Red Wings claimed the 2-1 win to seal the series sweep.

1. #91 Sergei Fedorov (Red Wings)- F

Fedorov got player of the game honors in games one and three, as game one saw him score one goal as the Red Wings took it 4-2, followed in game three with two goals and two assists to help the Red Wings to a 6-1 victory.

Players of the Game Breakdown:

Link to stats database: https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1997-detroit-red-wings-vs-philadelphia-flyers-stanley-cup-final.html