Game-winning goals count goals that end up deciding wins. Higher means the player scored more goals that made the final difference. Below are the top 343 NHL playoff players ranked by Playoff Game Winning Goals for 1996-97.
| # | Player | Team | GWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | ||
| 2 | 4 | ||
| 3 | 3 | ||
| 4 | 3 | ||
| 5 | 2 | ||
| 6 | 2 | ||
| 7 | 2 | ||
| 8 | 2 | ||
| 9 | T. KlattTrent Klatt 25YRW | 2 | |
| 10 | 2 | ||
| 11 | A. GravesAdam Graves 28YLW | 2 | |
| 12 | 2 | ||
| 13 | 2 | ||
| 14 | R. SmythRyan Smyth 20YLW | 2 | |
| 15 | 2 | ||
| 16 | 2 | ||
| 17 | 2 | ||
| 18 | 1 | ||
| 19 | 1 | ||
| 20 | 1 | ||
| 21 | K. MaltbyKirk Maltby 23YLW | 1 | |
| 22 | 1 | ||
| 23 | 1 | ||
| 24 | 1 | ||
| 25 | 1 | ||
| 26 | 1 | ||
| 27 | 1 | ||
| 28 | 1 | ||
| 29 | M. KeaneMike Keane 29YRW | 1 | |
| 30 | 1 | ||
| 31 | 1 | ||
| 32 | 1 | ||
| 33 | 1 | ||
| 34 | 1 | ||
| 35 | 1 | ||
| 36 | D. WardDixon Ward 27YLW | 1 | |
| 37 | 1 | ||
| 38 | 1 | ||
| 39 | M. GrierMike Grier 21YRW | 1 | |
| 40 | 1 | ||
| 41 | 1 | ||
| 42 | P. KariyaPaul Kariya 21YLW | 1 | |
| 43 | 1 | ||
| 44 | 1 | ||
| 45 | B. GuerinBill Guerin 25YRW | 1 | |
| 46 | 1 | ||
| 47 | 1 | ||
| 48 | 1 | ||
| 49 | 1 | ||
| 50 | 1 |