standingschart.com
points above pace · final standings
1996-97 NHL Central standings
The Dallas Stars won the 1996-97 NHL Central division race on 104 points, 10 points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings.
Loading season data…
Central standings, 1996-97
| Team | W | L | T | PTS | L10 | Streak |
|---|
| Dallas Stars (DAL) | 48 | 26 | 8 | 104 | 5-3-2 | L2 |
| Detroit Red Wings (DET) | 38 | 26 | 18 | 94 | 4-3-3 | L2 |
| Phoenix Coyotes (PHX) | 38 | 37 | 7 | 83 | 5-3-2 | W1 |
| St. Louis Blues (STL) | 36 | 35 | 11 | 83 | 5-3-2 | W3 |
| Chicago Blackhawks (CHI) | 34 | 35 | 13 | 81 | 6-3-1 | W2 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs (TOR) | 30 | 44 | 8 | 68 | 4-4-2 | W1 |
Final standings.
Turning points
- The lead changed hands 8 times.
- The Dallas Stars trailed by as many as 2 points on October 4, 1996.
- The Dallas Stars took first place for good on December 17, 1996.
- The Dallas Stars won 7 games in a row from March 16, 1997 to April 2, 1997, the longest run of the race.
- The St. Louis Blues led by 2 points as late as October 4, 1996.
- The Dallas Stars went 11-7-1 from December 17, 1996 to January 29, 1997, turning a level race into a lead of 9 points.
- The top two ended the day within two points of each other on 68 of the 173 days played.
- Five teams held first place.
- The Dallas Stars spent 180 of the season's 192 charted days in first place.