{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="5%" | Game
! width="5%" | April
! width="10%" | Opponent
! width="5%" | Score
! width="5%" | Record
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 75 || 1 || Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

 || 4 - 2 || 22-35-18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 76 || 4 || @ New York Islanders

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 || 3 - 0 || 22-36-18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 77 || 5 || @ Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...

 || 2 - 1 OT || 23-36-18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 78 || 7 || Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

 || 3 - 2 || 23-37-18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 79 || 11 || @ Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...

 || 5 - 2 || 23-38-18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 80 || 14 || @ Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

 || 3 - 1 || 23-39-18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 81 || 15 || New York Islanders

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 || 4 - 2 || 24-39-18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 82 || 18 || @ Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

 || 2 - 1 || 25-39-18
|}
|}

Playoffs

The Rangers failed to qualify for the 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs

1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1998 following the 1997–98 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...

, missing the playoffs for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 1994.

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="border: 0;" | Regular season
|-
| style="background: #f2f2f2; border: 0; text-align: center;" |
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
|- align=center
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff; width:40%;"| Player
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff; width:10%;"| GP
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff; width:10%;"| G
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff; width:10%;"| A
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff; width:10%;"| Pts
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff; width:10%;"| +/−
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff; width:10%;"| PIM
|- align=center
| || 82 || 23 || 67 || 90 || -11 || 28
|- align=center
| || 67 || 23 || 39 || 62 || -16 || 36
|- align=center
| || 73 || 23 || 30 || 53 || -22 || 44
|- align=center
| || 76 || 17 || 33 || 50 || -36 || 32
|- align=center
| || 70 || 19 || 28 || 47 || 0 || 24
|- align=center
| || 80 || 14 || 27 || 41 || -7 || 130
|- align=center
| || 72 || 23 || 12 || 35 || -30 || 41
|- align=center
| || 56 || 11 || 18 || 29 || 7 || 26
|- align=center
| || 75 || 5 || 15 || 20 || -3 || 46
|- align=center
| ^‡ || 70 || 8 || 10 || 18 || -12 || 47
|- align=center
| || 73 || 3 || 9 || 12 || 1 || 122
|- align=center
| ^‡ || 59 || 5 || 6 || 11 || -4 || 39
|- align=center
| ^‡ || 48 || 5 || 5 || 10 || -2 || 16
|- align=center
| || 47 || 3 || 7 || 10 || -1 || 38
|- align=center
| || 67 || 1 || 9 || 10 || -15 || 55
|- align=center
| || 63 || 1 || 6 || 7 || -3 || 55
|- align=center
| || 70 || 3 || 3 || 6 || 0 || 197
|- align=center
| || 28 || 1 || 5 || 6 || -4 || 4
|- align=center
| || 38 || 2 || 3 || 5 || 4 || 114
|- align=center
| || 63 || 0 || 5 || 5 || -25 || 195
|- align=center
| || 15 || 2 || 2 || 4 || -10 || 6
|- align=center
| || 38 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 4 || 28
|- align=center
| || 36 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 2 || 24
|- align=center
| || 39 || 0 || 3 || 3 || -3 || 92
|- align=center
| || 11 || 2 || 0 || 2 || -4 || 4
|- align=center
| || 15 || 1 || 1 || 2 || -4 || 6
|- align=center
| ^‡ || 16 || 1 || 0 || 1 || -2 || 38
|- align=center
| || 6 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 2
|- align=center
| || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 5
|- align=center
| ^† || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || -2 || 2
|- align=center
| ^† || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|- align=center
| || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|- align=center
| ^† || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || -1 || 0
|- align=center
| || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2
|- align=center
| ^† || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0 || -5 || 7
|}
|}

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SA = Shots against; SV% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts; G= Goals; A= Assists; PIM= Penalties in Minutes
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! style="border: 0;" | Regular season
|-
| style="background: #f2f2f2; border: 0; text-align: center;" |
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| Player
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| GP
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| Min
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| W
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| L
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| T
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| GA
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| GAA
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| SA
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| Sv%
! style="background:#0060a9; color:#fff;"| SO
|- align=center
| || 72 || 4143 || 21 || 31 || 15 || 184 || 2.66 || 2072 || .903 || 0
|- align=center
| || 12 || 551 || 4 || 5 || 1 || 23 || 2.50 || 271 || .907 || 0
|- align=center
| ^‡ || 6 || 313 || 0 || 3 || 2 || 17 || 3.26 || 173 || .891 || 0
|}
|}

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.

^‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.

Draft picks

New York's picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft

1997 NHL Entry Draft

The 1997 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1997.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...

 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

 at the Civic Arena.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#ddf; width:2.00%;"| Round
! style="background:#ddf; width:2.75%;"| #
! style="background:#ddf; width:16.0%;"| Player
! style="background:#ddf; width:12.25%;"| Position
! style="background:#ddf; width:17.0%;"| Nationality
! style="background:#ddf; width:100.0%;"| College/Junior/Club Team (League)
|-
| 1
| 19
| Stefan Cherneski

Stefan Cherneski

Stefan Cherneski is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the first round, 19th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He suffered a fractured right patella on November 13, 1998, and was forced to retire due to the injury on January 2, 2001...

| RW
|  Canada
| Brandon Wheat Kings

Brandon Wheat Kings

The Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the...

 (WHL

Western Hockey League

The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...

)
|-
| 2
| 46
| Wes Jarvis
| D

Defenceman (ice hockey)

Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...

|  Canada
| Kitchener Rangers

Kitchener Rangers

The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted...

 (OHL

Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....

)
|-
| 3
| 73
| Burke Henry
| D
|  Canada
| Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
|-
| 4
| 93
| Tomi Kallarsson
| D
|  Finland
| HPK Junior (Finland)
|-
| 5
| 126
| Jason McLean
| G

Goaltender

In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...

|  Canada
| Moose Jaw Warriors

Moose Jaw Warriors

The Moose Jaw Warriors are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League which are based out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The team plays its home games at Mosaic Place. The franchise moved to Moose Jaw from Winnipeg after the 1983–84 season, where they had previously been named the...

 (WHL)
|-
| 5
| 134
| Johan Lindbom

Johan Lindbom

Johan Lindbom was a professional ice hockey player who played 38 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the New York Rangers.- External links :...

| RW
|  Sweden
| HV71 Jonkoping (SEL

Elitserien

Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...

)
|-
| 6
| 136
| Mike York

Mike York

Michael York is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga .-Playing career:...

| C

Centre (ice hockey)

The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...

|  United States
| Michigan State University

Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey

The Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents Michigan State University . The team plays at the Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Michigan, on the MSU campus. The current head coach is Tom Anastos, who took over coaching duties on March 23, 2011,...

 (NCAA)
|-
| 6
| 154
| Shawn Degagne
| G
|  Canada
| Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
|-
| 7
| 175
| Johan Holmqvist

Johan Holmqvist

Johan Erik Daniel Holmqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for Brynäs IF in Elitserien.-Career:...

| G
|  Sweden
| Brynas IF

Brynäs IF

Brynäs IF is a professional Swedish ice hockey team from Gävle. The club plays in the highest Swedish league , and has done so since 1960.-History:...

 (SEL)
|-
| 7
| 182
| Mike Mottau

Mike Mottau

Michael Joseph Mottau is an German-American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League...

| D
|  United States
| Boston College (NCAA)
|-
| 8
| 210
| Andrew Proskurnicki
| LW
|  Canada
| Sarnia Sting

Sarnia Sting

The Sarnia Sting are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of the RBC Centre, formerly the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.-History:...

 (OHL)
|-
| 9
| 236
| Richard Miller
| D
|  United States
| Providence College

Providence Friars men's ice hockey

The Providence Friars men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the Providence College. The Friars are a member of Hockey East. They play at the 3,030-seat Schneider Arena in Providence, Rhode Island.-External links:*...

(NCAA)
|}