1998–99 Buffalo Sabres season

The 1998–99 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 29th season in the National Hockey League. Miroslav Satan scored 40 goals and the Sabres would add influential centers Stu Barnes and Joe Juneau from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, respectively. Michal Grosek had the best season of his career, and the team finally returned to the Stanley Cup Finals, which was a losing effort against the Dallas Stars.

1998–99 Buffalo Sabres
Eastern Conference champions
Division4th Northeast
Conference7th Eastern
1998–99 record37–28–17
Home record23–12–6
Road record14–16–11
Goals for207
Goals against175
Team information
General managerDarcy Regier
CoachLindy Ruff
CaptainMichael Peca
Alternate captainsJay McKee
Darryl Shannon
ArenaMarine Midland Arena
Average attendance17,982
Minor league affiliate(s)Rochester Americans
South Carolina Stingrays
B.C. Icemen
Team leaders
GoalsMiroslav Satan (40)
AssistsJason Woolley (33)
PointsMiroslav Satan (66)
Penalty minutesRob Ray (261)
Plus/minusDarryl Shannon (+28)
WinsDominik Hasek (30)
Goals against averageDominik Hasek (1.87)

Off-season

In the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the Sabres picked Dmitri Kalinin with their first-round pick, 18th overall.

Regular season

Season standings
Northeast Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
12Ottawa Senators82442315239179892103
24Toronto Maple Leafs8245307268231109597
36Boston Bruins82393013214181118291
47Buffalo Sabres82372817207175156191
511Montreal Canadiens82323911184209129975

[1]

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Eastern Conference[2]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1y – New Jersey DevilsATL82472411248196105
2y – Ottawa SenatorsNE82442315239179103
3y – Carolina HurricanesSE8234301821020286
4Toronto Maple LeafsNE824530726823197
5Philadelphia FlyersATL8237261923119693
6Boston BruinsNE8239301321418191
7Buffalo SabresNE8237281720717591
8Pittsburgh PenguinsATL8238301424222590
9Florida PanthersSE8230341821022878
10New York RangersATL8233381121722777
11Montreal CanadiensNE8232391118420975
12Washington CapitalsSE823145620021868
13New York IslandersATL8224481019424458
14Tampa Bay LightningSE821954917929247

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

bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division

Playoffs
See also: 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs

Eastern Conference Finals

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres met in the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals. The Maple Leafs were coming off a six-game series win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Sabres were coming off a six-game series win themselves, over the Boston Bruins. Toronto was having its best playoff since 1994, when they last made a conference final series. Buffalo, on the other hand, was in the third round for the second consecutive year.

In Game 1, Dwayne Roloson filled in for injured Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Leading 3–2 midway through the game, Toronto appeared to be in control, but Stu Barnes tied the game for Buffalo at 14:37 of the second period. The Sabres went on to score twice in the third period, on goals by Curtis Brown at 5:21 and Geoff Sanderson at 11:02. Steve Thomas' goal with 6:01 remaining in the game brought Toronto to within one, but Buffalo held on to win 5–4. Roloson impressed the critics, stopping 28 of 32 shots.

In Game 2, the Maple Leafs scored two goals 18 seconds apart in the first period, as Steve Sullivan scored at 10:28 followed by Sylvain Cote at 10:46. With just over ten minutes to go in the game, Toronto held a 4–3 lead with Buffalo pressing. Steve Thomas' goal at with 7:43 to go gave the Maple Leafs a 5–3 lead and Garry Valk sealed the 6–3 win with an empty-net goal at 19:30.

With series tied at 1–1, the two teams traveled south to the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo for Games 3 and 4. Dominik Hasek returned for the Sabres in game three, but it was the away team that netted the first goal, as Maple Leafs forward Yanic Perreault scored at 16:08 of the first period. But Buffalo was not to be denied, and they scored three goals in the first 7:38 of the second period. Alexander Karpovtsev scored at 13:09 of the second to pull the Maple Leafs to within one, but they could not score the equalizer and Curtis Brown iced the game with an empty-net goal at 19:31 of the third period and the Sabres won, 4–2. Dominik Hasek made 24 saves in the victory.

Buffalo came out flying again in Game 4, holding a 5–0 lead after two periods. Hasek's shutout bid was erased when Mats Sundin scored on a penalty shot at 6:59. He scored again with 1:57 remaining in the game as Buffalo won, 5–2. This time, Hasek made 31 saves.

In Game 5 at the Air Canada Centre on May 31, the Sabres looked to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1975. After a scoreless first period, Steve Sullivan got Toronto on the board first just 33 seconds into the second. After goals by Curtis Brown, Kris King and Vaclav Varada, the game was tied 2–2 after two periods. Erik Rasmussen broke the tie with a goal at 11:35 of the third period. With less than two minutes remaining, the Maple Leafs got a power play and pulled Joseph to get a six-on-four situation, but could not score on Hasek. Dixon Ward added a shorthanded empty-net goal with 1:02 remaining as the Sabres went on to win 4–2 and take the series four games to one. With the victory, they advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1975.

Stanley Cup Finals
See also: 1999 Stanley Cup Finals

"No Goal!"

In Game 6, Dallas Stars winger Brett Hull's triple-overtime goal — as Hull's skate was visibly in Dominik Hasek's crease — ended the series, and the Stars were awarded the Cup. In 1999, it was illegal to score a goal if an offensive player's skate entered the crease before the puck did. At the time, even Dallas Morning News hockey writer Keith Gave questioned the legality of the goal. NHL officials, however, maintained that Hull's two shots in the goal mouth constituted a single possession of the puck since the puck deflected off Hasek, and their ruling stood, citing that they "were going to change the rule the following year anyway." It is widely speculated that, by the time the Sabres mentioned the foul, the red carpet had already been unrolled at center ice, and the officials refused to acknowledge the non-call, also due to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's desires to see a team "South of the Mason–Dixon line" hoist the Stanley Cup. ESPN has ranked the call as the fifth worst officiating call in sports history.[3] Conversely, Al Strachan of the Toronto Sun wrote, "There should have been no controversy whatsoever. When Hull first kicked the rebound on to his stick, he had neither foot in the crease. At the instant he kicked the puck, he became in control of it. It was only in the follow-through of that kick that his left foot moved into the crease."[4] Buffalo sports fans, who have suffered through some of the biggest misfortunes in sports history (such as "Wide Right" and "Music City Miracle"), refer to the game as "No Goal," a phrase still used in western New York to this day, even having bumper stickers saying the phrase. The rule was changed for the following season, allowing players to be inside the goaltender's crease as long as they do not interfere with the goalie.

Schedule and results

Regular season
1998–99 regular season[5]
October: 4–3–2 (home: 1–1–1; road: 3–2–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1LOctober 10, 19981–4@ Dallas Stars (1998–99)0–1–0Recap
2WOctober 12, 19983–0@ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99)1–1–0Recap
3TOctober 16, 19982–2 OTFlorida Panthers (1998–99)1–1–1Recap
4WOctober 17, 19984–3@ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99)2–1–1Recap
5LOctober 23, 19980–1Washington Capitals (1998–99)2–2–1Recap
6LOctober 24, 19984–5@ New York Islanders (1998–99)2–3–1Recap
7TOctober 27, 19980–0 OT@ New York Rangers (1998–99)2–3–2Recap
8WOctober 30, 19984–1Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99)3–3–2Recap
9WOctober 31, 19986–3@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99)4–3–2Recap
November: 6–2–2 (home: 4–0–1; road: 2–2–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
10WNovember 3, 19984–2Boston Bruins (1998–99)5–3–2Recap
11TNovember 7, 19982–2 OT@ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99)5–3–3Recap
12TNovember 10, 19982–2 OTOttawa Senators (1998–99)5–3–4Recap
13WNovember 12, 19982–0@ Washington Capitals (1998–99)6–3–4Recap
14WNovember 14, 19986–1Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99)7–3–4Recap
15WNovember 20, 19984–1Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99)8–3–4Recap
16LNovember 21, 19981–2@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99)8–4–4Recap
17WNovember 25, 19984–2New York Rangers (1998–99)9–4–4Recap
18LNovember 28, 19982–6@ Florida Panthers (1998–99)9–5–4Recap
19WNovember 29, 19986–3@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99)10–5–4Recap
December: 9–3–1 (home: 5–3–0; road: 4–0–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
20WDecember 2, 19982–1Florida Panthers (1998–99)11–5–4Recap
21WDecember 4, 19983–0Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99)12–5–4Recap
22WDecember 5, 19983–1@ Nashville Predators (1998–99)13–5–4Recap
23TDecember 8, 19982–2 OT@ St. Louis Blues (1998–99)13–5–5Recap
24WDecember 11, 19982–0New York Rangers (1998–99)14–5–5Recap
25WDecember 12, 19984–1@ Boston Bruins (1998–99)15–5–5Recap
26WDecember 18, 19984–2Montreal Canadiens (1998–99)16–5–5Recap
27LDecember 19, 19982–3Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99)16–6–5Recap
28WDecember 21, 19984–1@ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99)17–6–5Recap
29WDecember 23, 19982–0Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99)18–6–5Recap
30WDecember 26, 19982–0@ New Jersey Devils (1998–99)19–6–5Recap
31LDecember 28, 19984–7New Jersey Devils (1998–99)19–7–5Recap
32LDecember 30, 19982–3 OTOttawa Senators (1998–99)19–8–5Recap
January: 5–6–3 (home: 3–3–1; road: 2–3–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
33LJanuary 1, 19992–7Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99)19–9–5Recap
34WJanuary 2, 19997–1Calgary Flames (1998–99)20–9–5Recap
35WJanuary 6, 19993–2 OT@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99)21–9–5Recap
36LJanuary 7, 19992–4@ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99)21–10–5Recap
37TJanuary 9, 19992–2 OT@ San Jose Sharks (1998–99)21–10–6Recap
38LJanuary 11, 19990–1@ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99)21–11–6Recap
39LJanuary 13, 19992–4St. Louis Blues (1998–99)21–12–6Recap
40WJanuary 15, 19992–1Boston Bruins (1998–99)22–12–6Recap
41TJanuary 16, 19991–1 OT@ Ottawa Senators (1998–99)22–12–7Recap
42WJanuary 18, 19994–0@ Florida Panthers (1998–99)23–12–7Recap
43LJanuary 19, 19991–2@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99)23–13–7Recap
44TJanuary 26, 19991–1 OTPhoenix Coyotes (1998–99)23–13–8Recap
45LJanuary 28, 19992–4Nashville Predators (1998–99)23–14–8Recap
46WJanuary 30, 19994–1Los Angeles Kings (1998–99)24–14–8Recap
February: 4–6–4 (home: 3–2–2; road: 1–4–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
47LFebruary 2, 19993–5@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99)24–15–8Recap
48LFebruary 3, 19993–5Colorado Avalanche (1998–99)24–16–8Recap
49LFebruary 6, 19992–3@ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99)24–17–8Recap
50LFebruary 7, 19991–3@ Washington Capitals (1998–99)24–18–8Recap
51TFebruary 9, 19991–1 OT@ Ottawa Senators (1998–99)24–18–9Recap
52WFebruary 11, 19995–2Montreal Canadiens (1998–99)25–18–9Recap
53TFebruary 13, 19992–2 OTNew York Islanders (1998–99)25–18–10Recap
54WFebruary 15, 19993–2Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99)26–18–10Recap
55LFebruary 17, 19992–3 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1998–99)26–19–10Recap
56WFebruary 19, 19994–2San Jose Sharks (1998–99)27–19–10Recap
57TFebruary 21, 19994–4 OTDetroit Red Wings (1998–99)27–19–11Recap
58TFebruary 24, 19992–2 OT@ Calgary Flames (1998–99)27–19–12Recap
59LFebruary 26, 19993–6@ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99)27–20–12Recap
60WFebruary 28, 19992–0@ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99)28–20–12Recap
March: 5–5–3 (home: 4–2–1; road: 1–3–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
61LMarch 3, 19993–5Edmonton Oilers (1998–99)28–21–12Recap
62WMarch 5, 19992–1Dallas Stars (1998–99)29–21–12Recap
63TMarch 7, 19991–1 OTPhiladelphia Flyers (1998–99)29–21–13Recap
64LMarch 8, 19991–4@ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99)29–22–13Recap
65LMarch 11, 19992–5Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99)29–23–13Recap
66WMarch 13, 19993–1Boston Bruins (1998–99)30–23–13Recap
67WMarch 15, 19992–1New York Islanders (1998–99)31–23–13Recap
68WMarch 19, 19993–2 OT@ New York Rangers (1998–99)32–23–13Recap
69TMarch 23, 19991–1 OT@ New Jersey Devils (1998–99)32–23–14Recap
70LMarch 24, 19991–2@ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99)32–24–14Recap
71TMarch 27, 19991–1 OT@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99)32–24–15Recap
72WMarch 28, 19994–3 OTPittsburgh Penguins (1998–99)33–24–15Recap
73LMarch 31, 19991–2@ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99)33–25–15Recap
April: 4–3–2 (home: 3–1–0; road: 1–2–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
74LApril 3, 19991–2@ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99)33–26–15Recap
75WApril 5, 19993–1Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99)34–26–15Recap
76WApril 6, 19994–3@ New York Islanders (1998–99)35–26–15Recap
77WApril 9, 19993–1Florida Panthers (1998–99)36–26–15Recap
78TApril 10, 19991–1 OT@ Ottawa Senators (1998–99)36–26–16Recap
79TApril 13, 19992–2 OT@ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99)36–26–17Recap
80LApril 14, 19991–2New Jersey Devils (1998–99)36–27–17Recap
81LApril 17, 19991–2 OT@ Boston Bruins (1998–99)36–28–17Recap
82WApril 18, 19993–0Washington Capitals (1998–99)37–28–17Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs
1999 Stanley Cup playoffs[5]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (2) Ottawa Senators – Sabres win 4–0
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1WApril 21, 19992–1@ Ottawa SenatorsSabres lead 1–0Recap
2WApril 23, 19993–2 2OT@ Ottawa SenatorsSabres lead 2–0Recap
3WApril 25, 19993–0Ottawa SenatorsSabres lead 3–0Recap
4WApril 27, 19994–3Ottawa SenatorsSabres win 4–0Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (6) Boston Bruins – Sabres win 4–2
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1LMay 6, 19992–4@ Boston BruinsBruins lead 1–0Recap
2WMay 9, 19993–1@ Boston BruinsSeries tied 1–1Recap
3WMay 12, 19993–2Boston BruinsSabres lead 2–1Recap
4WMay 14, 19993–0Boston BruinsSabres lead 3–1Recap
5LMay 16, 19993–5@ Boston BruinsSabres lead 3–2Recap
6WMay 18, 19993–2Boston BruinsSabres win 4–2Recap
Eastern Conference Finals vs. (4) Toronto Maple Leafs – Sabres win 4–1
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1WMay 23, 19995–4@ Toronto Maple LeafsSabres lead 1–0Recap
2LMay 25, 19993–6@ Toronto Maple LeafsSeries tied 1–1Recap
3WMay 27, 19994–2Toronto Maple LeafsSabres lead 2–1Recap
4WMay 29, 19995–2Toronto Maple LeafsSabres lead 3–1Recap
5WMay 31, 19994–2@ Toronto Maple LeafsSabres win 4–1Recap
Stanley Cup Finals vs. (W1) Dallas Stars – Stars win 4–2
GameResultDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1WJune 8, 19993–2 OT@ Dallas StarsSabres lead 1–0Recap
2LJune 10, 19992–4@ Dallas StarsSeries tied 1–1Recap
3LJune 12, 19991–2Dallas StarsStars lead 2–1Recap
4WJune 15, 19992–1Dallas StarsSeries tied 2–2Recap
5LJune 17, 19990–2@ Dallas StarsStars lead 3–2Recap
6LJune 19, 19991–2 3OTDallas StarsStars win 4–2Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring
  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
81Miroslav SatanLW8140266624441235832
27Michael PecaC82272956781215813118
18Michal GrosekLW762030502110213044128
37Curtis BrownC781631472356217613310
15[lower-alpha 1]Dixon WardRW782024441044217512632
5Jason WoolleyD8010334316622141115010
19Brian HolzingerC8117173424521358133
44Alexei ZhitnikD8172633−6962141115−652
25Vaclav VaradaRW7272431116121549214
80Geoff SandersonLW75121830822194610514
36Matthew Barnaby‡RW4441418−2143——————
26Derek Plante‡C4141115312——————
8Darryl ShannonD713121528522000−10
42Richard SmehlikD7231114-94421033−410
22Wayne PrimeauC675813−6381934706
9Erik RasmussenC42371063721246218
3James PatrickD45178121620011612
74Jay McKeeD720662075210331324
17Randy CunneyworthLW14224103000−10
41Stu Barnes†C17044110217310−16
32Rob RayRW76044−2261510110
24Paul KruseLW4330301141000004
4Mike Wilson‡D301231047——————
90Joe Juneau†C9112−12203811−210
4Rhett Warrener†D13101320201341232
34Jean-Luc Grand-PierreD16011017——————
43Martin BironG60000——————
39Dominik HasekG6400014190118
29Jason HollandD3000−18——————
21Mike HurlbutD100020——————
40Rumun Ndur‡D8000116——————
83Domenic PittisC300002——————
30Dwayne RolosonG18000440000
6Cory SarichD400030——————
46Dean SylvesterRW1000−104000−12

Goaltending
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
39Dominik Hasek6430181418771191.87.9379381719136587361.77.93921217
30Dwayne Roloson18682460422.77.909191141167104.31.8510139
43Martin Biron6121120102.14.9170281—————————

Awards and records

Awards

Dominik Hasek was also a nominee for the Hart Memorial Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Trophy.

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)		 King Clancy Memorial Trophy Rob Ray [6]
NHL First All-Star Team Dominik Hasek (Goaltender) [7]
Vezina Trophy Dominik Hasek [8]
League
(in-season)		 NHL All-Star Game selection Dominik Hasek[lower-alpha 2] [10]
Lindy Ruff (coach)
Alexei Zhitnik

Transactions

Draft picks

Buffalo's draft picks at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft held at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York.[11]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team
1 18 Dmitri Kalinin (D)  Russia Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia)
2 34 Andrew Peters (LW)  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
2 47 Norm Milley (RW)  Canada Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
2 50 Jaroslav Kristek (RW)  Czech Republic HC Zlín (Extraliga)
3 77 Mike Pandolfo (RW)  United States Saint Sebastian's School (USHS-MA)
5 137 Aaron Goldade (LW)  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
6 164 Ales Kotalik (RW)  Czech Republic HC České Budějovice (Czech Republic)
7 191 Brad Moran (LW)  Canada Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
8 218 David Moravec (LW)  Czech Republic HC Vítkovice (Czech Republic)
9 249 Edo Terglav (RW)  Slovenia Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)

Notes
  1. Ward wore number 17 in his first game.
  2. Hasek was voted to the starting lineup, earning more votes than any other player.[9]

References
  • "Buffalo Sabres 1998-99 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  • "1998-99 Buffalo Sabres Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  • Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Toronto: Dan Diamond & Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-22-5.
  1. Dinger 2011, p. 155.
  2. "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  3. ESPN.com - Page2, Worst Calls In Sports History
  4. About.com "No Goal" Explanation Archived 2007-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "1998-99 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  6. "King Clancy Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  7. "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  8. "Vezina Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  9. "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)". NHL.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  10. "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1999". NHL.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  11. "1998 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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