1998–99 NHL season

1998–99 NHL season
League National Hockey League
Sport Ice hockey
Duration October 9, 1998 – June 19, 1999
Number of games 82
Number of teams 27
Regular season
Presidents' Trophy Dallas Stars
Season MVP Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh)
Top scorer Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh)
Playoffs
Eastern champions Buffalo Sabres
  Eastern runners-up Toronto Maple Leafs
Western champions Dallas Stars
  Western runners-up Colorado Avalanche
Playoffs Playoffs MVP Joe Nieuwendyk (Dallas)
Stanley Cup
Champions Dallas Stars
  Runners-up Buffalo Sabres

The 1998–99 NHL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Hockey League. The Dallas Stars finished first in regular season play, and won the Stanley Cup championship over the Buffalo Sabres on a controversial triple overtime goal by Brett Hull.

League business

With the addition of the expansion Nashville Predators, the NHL realigned this year to a strictly geographic six-division structure (three per conference), erasing the last vestiges of the traditional four-division structure (Adams/Patrick/Norris/Smythe) abandoned in 1993–94. Other than the necessary reassignment of Colorado to the Western Conference in 1995 due to its two-thousand mile (over 3,200 km) move west from Quebec, the divisions' membership had remained static for five years although several franchises had relocated. As part of this realignment, the Toronto Maple Leafs moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference. This put three of the Original Six teams in the Northeast Division (Boston, Montreal and Toronto), and the three original cities of the NHL in the Northeast (Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto).

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for the most goals by a player in a season made its debut this year. The first winner was Teemu Selanne of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

Regular season

The 1998–99 season marked the retirement of Wayne Gretzky, the NHL's all-time leading scorer, who played his final three NHL seasons with the New York Rangers.[1]

This was the final season that Fox televised NHL games in the United States. It was also the final season for the Toronto Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens, before moving to the Air Canada Centre in February. Toronto also made its first post-season appearance since 1995–96 this season. 1998–99 was also the final year that the Carolina Hurricanes played at Greensboro Coliseum; they moved to the brand-new Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena in Raleigh for the next season. The Colorado Avalanche played their fourth and final season at McNichols Sports Arena and would move to Pepsi Center the following season. The Los Angeles Kings played their final season at the Great Western Forum after 32 seasons before moving to the Staples Center for the next season. Because Great Western Bank ceased to exist two seasons prior, the arena name was replaced by the team name on center ice, in anticipation of the move.

In an effort to reduce the number of disallowed goals due to the skate-in-the-crease violation, the goal crease size was significantly reduced. In spite of this, goaltenders and defensive systems continued to dominate the league, as only two teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils,[2] averaged more than three goals scored per game. In addition, no player reached the 50-goal plateau.[3] A total of 160 shutouts were recorded for the second-straight regular season.[4]

Final standings

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 New Jersey Devils 82 47 24 11 248 196 105
2 5 Philadelphia Flyers 82 37 26 19 231 196 93
3 8 Pittsburgh Penguins 82 38 30 14 242 225 90
4 10 New York Rangers 82 33 38 11 217 227 77
5 13 New York Islanders 82 24 48 10 194 244 58

[5]

Northeast Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
1 2 Ottawa Senators 82 44 23 15 239 179 892 103
2 4 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 45 30 7 268 231 1095 97
3 6 Boston Bruins 82 39 30 13 214 181 1182 91
4 7 Buffalo Sabres 82 37 28 17 207 175 1561 91
5 11 Montreal Canadiens 82 32 39 11 184 209 1299 75

[5]

Southeast Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
1 3 Carolina Hurricanes 82 34 30 18 210 202 1158 86
2 9 Florida Panthers 82 30 34 18 210 228 1522 78
3 12 Washington Capitals 82 31 45 6 200 218 1381 68
4 14 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 19 54 9 179 292 1316 47

[5]

Eastern Conference[6]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 y – New Jersey Devils ATL 82 47 24 11 248 196 105
2 y – Ottawa Senators NE 82 44 23 15 239 179 103
3 y – Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 34 30 18 210 202 86
4 Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 45 30 7 268 231 97
5 Philadelphia Flyers ATL 82 37 26 19 231 196 93
6 Boston Bruins NE 82 39 30 13 214 181 91
7 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 37 28 17 207 175 91
8 Pittsburgh Penguins ATL 82 38 30 14 242 225 90
9 Florida Panthers SE 82 30 34 18 210 228 78
10 New York Rangers ATL 82 33 38 11 217 227 77
11 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 32 39 11 184 209 75
12 Washington Capitals SE 82 31 45 6 200 218 68
13 New York Islanders ATL 82 24 48 10 194 244 58
14 Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 19 54 9 179 292 47

Divisions: ATL - Atlantic Division, NE - Northeast Division, SE - Southeast Division

bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division

Western Conference

Central Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
13 Detroit Red Wings 82 43 32 7 245 202 1202 93
25 St. Louis Blues 82 37 32 13 237 209 1308 87
310 Chicago Blackhawks 82 29 41 12 202 248 1807 70
412 Nashville Predators 82 28 47 7 190 261 1420 63

[5]

Northwest Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
1 2 Colorado Avalanche 82 44 28 10 239 205 1619 98
2 8 Edmonton Oilers 82 33 37 12 230 226 1373 78
3 9 Calgary Flames 82 30 40 12 211 234 1389 72
4 13 Vancouver Canucks 82 23 47 12 192 258 1764 58

[5]

Pacific Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
11 Dallas Stars 82 51 19 12 236 168 114
24 Phoenix Coyotes 82 39 31 12 205 197 90
36 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 82 35 34 13 215 206 83
47 San Jose Sharks 82 31 33 18 196 191 80
511 Los Angeles Kings 82 32 45 5 189 222 69

[5]

Western Conference[7]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Dallas Stars PAC 82 51 19 12 236 168 114
2 y – Colorado Avalanche NW 82 44 28 10 239 205 98
3 y – Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 43 32 7 245 202 93
4 Phoenix Coyotes PAC 82 39 31 12 205 197 90
5 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 37 32 13 237 209 87
6 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 35 34 13 215 206 83
7 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 31 33 18 196 191 80
8 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 33 37 12 230 226 78
9 Calgary Flames NW 82 30 40 12 211 234 72
10 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 29 41 12 202 248 70
11 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 32 45 5 189 222 69
12 Nashville Predators CEN 82 28 47 7 190 261 63
13 Vancouver Canucks NW 82 23 47 12 192 258 58

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific, NW – Northwest

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy; y – Won division

Playoffs

Stanley Cup Final

The teams split the first two games, held in Dallas, then split the following two games in Buffalo. In the fifth game, Dallas shut out Buffalo to put the Sabres on the brink of elimination. Game six was held in Buffalo and it went to triple-overtime before being decided on a controversial goal scored by Brett Hull while he was in the goal crease.[1] Joe Nieuwendyk of Dallas was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable player.

Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres
Date Away Score Home OT
June 8 Buffalo 3 – 2 Dallas OT
June 10 Buffalo 2 – 4 Dallas
June 12 Dallas 2 – 1 Buffalo
June 15 Dallas 1 – 2 Buffalo
June 17 Buffalo 0 – 2 Dallas
June 19 Dallas 2 – 1 Buffalo 3OT

Playoff bracket

  Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Finals Stanley Cup Final
                                     
1  New Jersey 3     4  Toronto 4  
8  Pittsburgh 4     8  Pittsburgh 2  
2  Ottawa 0 Eastern Conference
7  Buffalo 4  
    4  Toronto 1  
  7  Buffalo 4  
3  Carolina 2  
6  Boston 4  
4  Toronto 4   6  Boston 2
5  Philadelphia 2     7  Buffalo 4  
  E7  Buffalo 2
(Pairings are re-seeded after the first round.)
  W1  Dallas 4
1  Dallas 4     1  Dallas 4
8  Edmonton 0     5  St. Louis 2  
2  Colorado 4
7  San Jose 2  
  1  Dallas 4
  2  Colorado 3  
3  Detroit 4  
6  Anaheim 0   Western Conference
4  Phoenix 3   2  Colorado 4
5  St. Louis 4     3  Detroit 2  

Awards

Presidents' Trophy: Dallas Stars
Prince of Wales Trophy: Buffalo Sabres
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Dallas Stars
Art Ross Trophy: Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: John Cullen, Tampa Bay Lightning
Calder Memorial Trophy: Chris Drury, Colorado Avalanche
Conn Smythe Trophy: Joe Nieuwendyk, Dallas Stars
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars
Hart Memorial Trophy: Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jack Adams Award: Jacques Martin, Ottawa Senators
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Al MacInnis, St. Louis Blues
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: Rob Ray, Buffalo Sabres
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Wayne Gretzky, New York Rangers
Lester B. Pearson Award: Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
NHL Plus/Minus Award: John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers
Vezina Trophy: Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres
William M. Jennings Trophy: Ed Belfour and Roman Turek, Dallas Stars
Lester Patrick Trophy: Harry Sinden

All-Star teams

First team   Position   Second team
Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres G Byron Dafoe, Boston Bruins
Al MacInnis, St. Louis Blues D Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings D Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia Flyers
Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche C Alexei Yashin, Ottawa Senators
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins RW Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Paul Kariya, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim LW John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Jaromir Jagr Pittsburgh Penguins 81 44 83 127 66
Teemu Selanne Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 75 47 60 107 30
Paul Kariya Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 82 39 62 101 40
Peter Forsberg Colorado Avalanche 78 30 67 97 108
Joe Sakic Colorado Avalanche 73 41 55 96 29
Alexei Yashin Ottawa Senators 82 44 50 94 54
Eric Lindros Philadelphia Flyers 71 40 53 93 120
Theoren Fleury Calgary Flames /Colorado Avalanche 75 40 53 93 86
John LeClair Philadelphia Flyers 76 43 47 90 30
Pavol Demitra St. Louis Blues 82 37 52 89 16

Source: NHL.[5]

Leading goaltenders

Regular season

Player Team GP MIN GA SO GAA
Ron Tugnutt Ottawa 43 2508 75 3 1.79
Dominik Hasek Buffalo 64 3817 119 9 1.87
Ed Belfour Dallas 61 3536 117 5 1.99
Byron Dafoe Boston 68 4001 133 10 1.99
Roman Turek Dallas 26 1382 48 1 2.08
Nikolai Khabibulin Phoenix 63 3657 130 8 2.13
John Vanbiesbrouck Philadelphia 62 3712 135 6 2.18
Steve Shields San Jose 37 2162 80 4 2.22
Arturs Irbe Carolina 62 3643 135 6 2.22
Mike Vernon San Jose 49 2831 107 4 2.27

[8]

Milestones

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1998–99 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1998–99 (listed with their last team):

Trading deadline

See also

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 Dryden 2000, p. 101.
  2. ↑ 1998-99 NHL Season Summary | Hockey-Reference.com
  3. ↑ 1998-99 NHL Season Leaders | Hockey-Reference.com
  4. ↑ 1998-99 NHL Season Goalie Statistics | Hockey-Reference.com
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dinger 2011, p. 155.
  6. ↑ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  7. ↑ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  8. ↑ http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1999_leaders.html
  9. ↑ NHL trade deadline: Deals since 1980 | Habs Inside/Out

External links

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