Remember When: Adam Graves OT winner wraps it up against Devils in ’97 Playoffs

In the dynamic realm of hockey, the sport offers a plethora of highlights that linger in our memories. The New York Rangers, a team with a rich history, have contributed numerous moments that resonate with many fans. In this feature titled “Remember When,” we delve into some of these moments—some noteworthy, others less so.

In this installment of “Remember When,” we revisit the intense Game Five of the 1997 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, where the New York Rangers clashed with their perennial rivals, the New Jersey Devils. Just three years earlier, both teams engaged in an epic battle, delivering one of the most memorable playoff series in hockey history. The Rangers emerged victorious in a grueling seven-game series, riding that momentum to ultimately secure the Stanley Cup.

Fast-forward to 1997, the Rangers boasted a slightly older roster, while the Devils had evolved into a tougher and more strategically adept team, boasting a title from their 1995 Cup final win against Detroit. Each game in the series was tightly contested, with the Rangers relying on the magic of their aging superstars to thwart their rivals and prevent a repeat of New Jersey’s comeback attempt from 1994.

Game 5 echoed the familiar sentiments of the series – another overtime, another wraparound, and another New York Rangers playoff triumph over the New Jersey Devils. At 14:08 of overtime, Adam Graves executed a wraparound goal, propelling the Rangers to a 2-1 victory and eliminating the Devils for the third time in six seasons. This win propelled the Rangers to the Eastern Conference finals.

The conclusion of this series bore a striking resemblance to their previous playoff encounter in 1994, albeit with a different hero. While Stephane Matteau secured the game-winner in 1994, this time it was Adam Graves who clinched victory by maneuvering around the net with Scott Stevens in close pursuit. Brodeur’s attempted poke-check missed, and the puck deflected off his leg. The narrative of Brodeur struggling with wraparounds persisted.

Although the Rangers fell short of clinching the Stanley Cup in 1997, Adam Graves’ overtime heroics in Game 5 remain etched as one of the standout moments in Rangers playoff history.