2000–01 NHL season

The 2000–01 NHL season was the 84th regular season of the National Hockey League. Thirty 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 Raymond Bourque who was on a quest to win his first Stanley Cup championship in his illustrious 22-year career.

On December 27, 2000, Mario Lemieux, returned from his 3 1/2 year retirement, and, to the joy of many, that night on "Hockey Night in Canada" Mario registered his first assist 33 seconds into the game versus 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, just passing Joe Sakic. Despite playing in only 43 games in 2000–2001, 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 NHLPA awards.

Two more expansion teams were added this season, both placed in the Western Conference, rounding the league to 30 teams: The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild.

The Dallas Stars were playing their final season at the Reunion Arena, before moving to their new home the following season.

The record for most shutouts in a season (set at 160 in 1997–98 and equalled in 1998–99) was eclipsed, as 186 shutouts were recorded.

Vancouver made their first post-season appearance since the 1995–96 season. Their berth was determined by a OT game winner scored by Harold Druken in their last regular season game against the Los Angeles Kings. The Phoenix Coyotes, without Keith Tkachuk who was traded to the St. Louis Blues on trade deadline day, ended up with a tie in their final game thereby eliminating them from playoff contention based on games won, despite ending up with 90 points as Vancouver did.

Regular season

Final standings

"Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points"

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

coring leaders

"Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points"
-
valign="top"

Western Conference

-
valign="top"

Conference semifinals

Conference finals

Finals

All-Star teams

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 2000–01:
*Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins
*Marty Turco, Dallas Stars
*Marian Gaborik, Minnesota Wild
*Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders
*Miikka Kiprusoff, San Jose Sharks
*Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 2000–01:
*Paul Coffey, Boston Bruins
*Ron Sutter, Calgary Flames
*Kevin Hatcher, Carolina Hurricanes
*Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
*Larry Murphy, Detroit Red Wings
*Gus Adams, Florida Panthers
*Garry Galley, New York Islanders
*Kirk McLean, New York Rangers
*Tony Granato, San Jose Sharks
*Petr Svoboda, Tampa Bay Lightning
*Joe Murphy, Washington Capitals

ee also

*List of Stanley Cup champions
*2000 NHL Entry Draft
*2000 NHL Expansion Draft
*51st National Hockey League All-Star Game
*NHL All-Star Game
*NHL All-Rookie Team
*2000 in sports
*2001 in sports

References

* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/nhl1927.html Hockey Database]
*http://nhl.com/