The 1996–97 New Jersey Devils season was the team's 15th in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. The Devils captured the Atlantic Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference, but fell in the second round of the playoffs to their arch-rivals, the New York Rangers. During the regular season, the Devils allowed the fewest power-play goals (28), took the fewest penalties (232) and had the best penalty killing % (87.93%) in the league. Coincidentally, they also had the fewest power-plays (288) scored the fewest power-play goals (40) in the league.