The NHL Belt · reign 2,193
Pittsburgh Penguins
Took the belt from Hartford Whalers, 7–1, on November 22, 1996. Lost it to Chicago Blackhawks, 2–1, on December 15, 1996.
9Defenses
23Days
52ndReign for the franchise
+2Closest call · Dec 10, 1996
2.9Average winning margin
163rdLongest of 3,434 reigns, by days
36thMost defenses of 3,434 reigns
Defended against
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim ×2CanadiensBruinsHartford WhalersSenatorsCapitalsKingsSharks
The season
- 1996–97: Colorado Avalanche had the best record (49–24–9); Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup; 11 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 39 times that season.
Reign leaders
Most points for Pittsburgh Penguins across the 11 belt games of this reign with a box score.
| Player | PTS | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaromir Jagr | 20 | 11 |
| 2 | Mario Lemieux | 16 | 11 |
| 3 | Petr Nedved | 15 | 11 |
| 4 | Kevin Hatcher | 15 | 11 |
| 5 | Ron Francis | 11 | 11 |
Every game of the reign
margins from Pittsburgh Penguins’ side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,707 | Nov 22, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins beat Hartford Whalers 7–1 Game → | +6 | Title change |
| 5,708 | Nov 27, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins and Montréal Canadiens tied 2–2 (OT) | 0 OT | Tie · defense |
| 5,709 | Nov 30, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins beat Boston Bruins 6–2 | +4 | Defense |
| 5,710 | Dec 3, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins and Hartford Whalers tied 4–4 (OT) | 0 OT | Tie · defense |
| 5,711 | Dec 4, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins beat Ottawa Senators 4–2 | +2 | Defense |
| 5,712 | Dec 6, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins beat Washington Capitals 5–3 | +2 | Defense |
| 5,713 | Dec 7, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins beat Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 5–3 | +2 | Defense |
| 5,714 | Dec 10, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins beat Los Angeles Kings 5–3 | +2 | Defense |
| 5,715 | Dec 11, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins beat Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 7–3 | +4 | Defense |
| 5,716 | Dec 13, 1996 | Pittsburgh Penguins beat San Jose Sharks 4–0 | +4 | Defense |
| 5,717 | Dec 15, 1996 | Chicago Blackhawks beat Pittsburgh Penguins 2–1 Game → | −1 | Title change |