The 1997–98 New Jersey Devils season was the 24th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 16th season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season. The Devils won the Atlantic Division title, but were eliminated in the first round of the 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs by the Ottawa Senators.
Regular season
The Devils once again led the NHL in defense, allowing a League-low 166 goals in the 82-game regular season. Although the Devils had the fewest power play opportunities in the League, with just 333, they finished second in power play percentage, with 18.92% (63 for 333).
Final standings
Playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
The first two games were played at the Meadowlands. In Game 1, Ottawa won 2–1 in overtime, but in Game 2, the Devils were victorious by a score of 3–1. Games 3 and 4 were played in Ottawa. The Senators won Game 3, 2–1, in overtime and Game 4, 4–3. Game 5 was back in New Jersey, where the Devils won 3–1. Game 6 went back to Ottawa, where the Senators won 3–1 and the series 4–2.
Schedule and results
Regular season
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |1||W||October 3, 1997||4–3 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) ||1–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |2||L||October 4, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||1–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |3||W||October 8, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||2–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |4||L||October 10, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||2–2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |5||W||October 11, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||3–2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |6||L||October 17, 1997||2–4 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||3–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |7||W||October 18, 1997||5–0 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) ||4–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |8||W||October 23, 1997||2–1 OT|| align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||5–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |9||L||October 25, 1997||3–4 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||5–4–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |10||W||October 27, 1997||5–0 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||6–4–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |11||W||October 30, 1997||8–1 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) ||7–4–0 || |-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |12||W||November 1, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||8–4–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |13||L||November 4, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||8–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |14||W||November 5, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||9–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |15||W||November 8, 1997||2–0 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||10–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |16||W||November 10, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1997–98) ||11–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |17||W||November 12, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1997–98) ||12–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |18||W||November 14, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||13–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |19||W||November 15, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||14–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |20||W||November 18, 1997||2–1 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||15–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |21||W||November 20, 1997||5–1 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1997–98) ||16–5–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |22||L||November 22, 1997||1–2 OT|| align="left"| Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||16–6–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |23||L||November 26, 1997||0–2 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||16–7–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |24||W||November 28, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||17–7–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |25||L||November 29, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||17–8–0 || |-