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 |
TV partner(s) |
CBC,
CTV Sportsnet,
SRC (Canada) ESPN, Fox (United States) |
Draft | |
Top draft pick | Vincent Lecavalier |
Picked by | Tampa Bay Lightning |
Regular season | |
Presidents' Trophy | Dallas Stars |
Season MVP | Jaromir Jagr ( Penguins) |
Top scorer | Jaromir Jagr (Penguins) |
Playoffs | |
Playoffs MVP | Joe Nieuwendyk ( Stars) |
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 league expanded to 27 teams with the addition of the Nashville Predators. 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.
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 Adams/ Patrick/ Norris/ Smythe four-division structure abandoned in 1993–94. Other than the reassignment of Colorado to the Western Conference in 1995 due to its move 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). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
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.
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. [6]
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 and marked Toronto's first post-season appearance since the 1995–96 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 subsequently moving to the Staples Center for the next season.
In an effort to reduce the number of disallowed goals due to the skate-in-the-crease violation, regulatory reforms were implemented resulting the goal crease shape and size being significantly reduced. [7] In spite of this regulatory change, goaltenders and defensive systems continued to dominate the league, as only two teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils, [8] averaged more than three goals scored per game. In addition, no player reached the 50-goal plateau. [9] A total of 160 shutouts were recorded for the second-straight regular season. [10] [11]
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 |
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 |
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 |
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
R | CR | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PIM | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Detroit Red Wings | 82 | 43 | 32 | 7 | 245 | 202 | 1202 | 93 |
2 | 5 | St. Louis Blues | 82 | 37 | 32 | 13 | 237 | 209 | 1308 | 87 |
3 | 10 | Chicago Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 41 | 12 | 202 | 248 | 1807 | 70 |
4 | 12 | Nashville Predators | 82 | 28 | 47 | 7 | 190 | 261 | 1420 | 63 |
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 |
R | CR | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Dallas Stars | 82 | 51 | 19 | 12 | 236 | 168 | 114 |
2 | 4 | Phoenix Coyotes | 82 | 39 | 31 | 12 | 205 | 197 | 90 |
3 | 6 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | 82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 215 | 206 | 83 |
4 | 7 | San Jose Sharks | 82 | 31 | 33 | 18 | 196 | 191 | 80 |
5 | 11 | Los Angeles Kings | 82 | 32 | 45 | 5 | 189 | 222 | 69 |
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
Conference quarterfinals | Conference semifinals | Conference finals | Stanley Cup Finals | ||||||||||||||||
1 | New Jersey | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Pittsburgh | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Toronto | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Pittsburgh | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Ottawa | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Buffalo | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Toronto | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | Buffalo | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Carolina | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Boston | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Boston | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Buffalo | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Toronto | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Philadelphia | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
E7 | Buffalo | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
W1 | Dallas | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Dallas | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Edmonton | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Dallas | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | St. Louis | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Colorado | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | San Jose | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Dallas | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | Colorado | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Detroit | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Anaheim | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Colorado | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Detroit | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Phoenix | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | St. Louis | 4 |
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. [12]
Regular season
Player | Team | GP | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ron Tugnutt | Ottawa | 43 | 2508 | 75 | 3 | 1.79 | .925 |
Dominik Hasek | Buffalo | 64 | 3817 | 119 | 9 | 1.87 | .937 |
Ed Belfour | Dallas | 61 | 3536 | 117 | 5 | 1.99 | .915 |
Byron Dafoe | Boston | 68 | 4001 | 133 | 10 | 1.99 | .926 |
Roman Turek | Dallas | 26 | 1382 | 48 | 1 | 2.08 | .915 |
Nikolai Khabibulin | Phoenix | 63 | 3657 | 130 | 8 | 2.13 | .920 |
John Vanbiesbrouck | Philadelphia | 62 | 3712 | 135 | 6 | 2.18 | .902 |
Steve Shields | San Jose | 37 | 2162 | 80 | 4 | 2.22 | .921 |
Arturs Irbe | Carolina | 62 | 3643 | 135 | 6 | 2.22 | .923 |
Mike Vernon | San Jose | 49 | 2831 | 107 | 4 | 2.27 | .911 |
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1998–99 (listed with their first team, an asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):
The following is a list of players of note who played their last game in the NHL in 1998–99 (listed with their last team):
This was the first season of the league's Canadian national broadcast rights deals with CBC and CTV Sportsnet. CBC continued to air Saturday night Hockey Night in Canada regular season games. The fledgling CTV Sportsnet replaced TSN as the league's cable broadcaster. Tuesday Night Hockey became CTV Sportsnet's signature weekly regular season telecasts. Coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs continued to primarily be on CBC, while CTV Sportsnet aired first round all-U.S. series.
This was the fifth and final season of the league's U.S. national broadcast rights deals with Fox and ESPN. Both ESPN and ESPN2 aired weeknight games throughout the regular season, and Fox had the All-Star Game and weekly regional telecasts on 11 weekend afternoons between February and April. During the first two rounds of the playoffs, ESPN and ESPN2 aired selected games, while Fox had Sunday regional telecasts. Each U.S. team's regional broadcaster produced local coverage of first and second round games (except for those games on Fox). Fox's Sunday telecasts continued into the Conference Finals, while ESPN had the rest of the third round games. The Stanley Cup Finals were also split between Fox and ESPN.
The league then signed a new five-year deal with ESPN that also called for sister network ABC to become the new broadcast network partner.