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. The Sabres would add centers Stu Barnes from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Joe Juneau from the Washington Capitals. Michal Grosek had the best season of his career, and the team finally returned to the Stanley Cup final, this time in a losing effort against the Dallas Stars.
==Offseason==
In the Entry Draft, the Sabres picked Dmitri Kalinin with their first-round pick, 18th overall.
==Regular season==
===Season standings===
===Game log===
No.	R	Date 	Score 	Opponent 	Record
1 	L	October 10, 1998 	1–4 	@ Dallas Stars (1998–99) 	0–1–0
2 	W	October 12, 1998 	3–0 	@ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 	1–1–0
3 	T	October 16, 1998 	2–2 OT	Florida Panthers (1998–99) 	1–1–1
4 	W	October 17, 1998 	4–3 	@ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) 	2–1–1
5 	L	October 23, 1998 	0–1 	Washington Capitals (1998–99) 	2–2–1
6 	L	October 24, 1998 	4–5 	@ New York Islanders (1998–99) 	2–3–1
7 	T	October 27, 1998 	0–0 OT	@ New York Rangers (1998–99) 	2–3–2
8 	W	October 30, 1998 	4–1 	Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 	3–3–2
9 	W	October 31, 1998 	6–3 	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 	4–3–2
10 	W	November 3, 1998 	4–2 	Boston Bruins (1998–99) 	5–3–2
11 	T	November 7, 1998 	2–2 OT	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 	5–3–3
12 	T	November 10, 1998	2–2 OT	Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 	5–3–4
13 	W	November 12, 1998	2–0 	@ Washington Capitals (1998–99) 	6–3–4
14 	W	November 14, 1998	6–1 	Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 	7–3–4
15 	W	November 20, 1998	4–1 	Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 	8–3–4
16 	L	November 21, 1998	1–2 	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 	8–4–4
17 	W	November 25, 1998	4–2 	New York Rangers (1998–99) 	9–4–4
18 	L	November 28, 1998	2–6 	@ Florida Panthers (1998–99) 	9–5–4
19 	W	November 29, 1998	6–3 	@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 	10–5–4
20 	W	December 2, 1998 	2–1 	Florida Panthers (1998–99) 	11–5–4
21 	W	December 4, 1998 	3–0 	Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 	12–5–4
22 	W	December 5, 1998 	3–1 	@ Nashville Predators (1998–99) 	13–5–4
23 	T	December 8, 1998 	2–2 OT	@ St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 	13–5–5
24 	W	December 11, 1998	2–0 	New York Rangers (1998–99) 	14–5–5
25 	W	December 12, 1998	4–1 	@ Boston Bruins (1998–99) 	15–5–5
26 	W	December 18, 1998	4–2 	Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) 	16–5–5
27 	L	December 19, 1998	2–3 	Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 	16–6–5
28 	W	December 21, 1998	4–1 	@ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 	17–6–5
29 	W	December 23, 1998	2–0 	Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 	18–6–5
30 	W	December 26, 1998	2–0 	@ New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 	19–6–5
31 	L	December 28, 1998	4–7 	New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 	19–7–5
32 	L	December 30, 1998	2–3 OT	Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 	19–8–5
33 	L	January 1, 1999 	2–7 	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 	19–9–5
34 	W	January 2, 1999 	7–1 	Calgary Flames (1998–99) 	20–9–5
35 	W	January 6, 1999 	3–2 OT	@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99)	21–9–5
36 	L	January 7, 1999 	2–4 	@ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 	21–10–5
37 	T	January 9, 1999 	2–2 OT	@ San Jose Sharks (1998–99) 	21–10–6
38 	L	January 11, 1999 	0–1 	@ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 	21–11–6
39 	L	January 13, 1999 	2–4 	St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 	21–12–6
40 	W	January 15, 1999 	2–1 	Boston Bruins (1998–99) 	22–12–6
41 	T	January 16, 1999 	1–1 OT	@ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 	22–12–7
42 	W	January 18, 1999 	4–0 	@ Florida Panthers (1998–99) 	23–12–7
43 	L	January 19, 1999 	1–2 	@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 	23–13–7
44 	T	January 26, 1999 	1–1 OT	Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 	23–13–8
45 	L	January 28, 1999 	2–4 	Nashville Predators (1998–99) 	23–14–8
46 	W	January 30, 1999 	4–1 	Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 	24–14–8
47 	L	February 2, 1999 	3–5 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 	24–15–8
48 	L	February 3, 1999 	3–5 	Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 	24–16–8
49 	L	February 6, 1999 	2–3 	@ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) 	24–17–8
50 	L	February 7, 1999 	1–3 	@ Washington Capitals (1998–99) 	24–18–8
51 	T	February 9, 1999 	1–1 OT	@ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 	24–18–9
52 	W	February 11, 1999	5–2 	Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) 	25–18–9
53 	T	February 13, 1999	2–2 OT	New York Islanders (1998–99) 	25–18–10
54 	W	February 15, 1999	3–2 	Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 	26–18–10
55 	L	February 17, 1999	2–3 OT	Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 	26–19–10
56 	W	February 19, 1999	4–2 	San Jose Sharks (1998–99) 	27–19–10
57 	T	February 21, 1999	4–4 OT	Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 	27–19–11
58 	T	February 24, 1999	2–2 OT	@ Calgary Flames (1998–99) 	27–19–12
59 	L	February 26, 1999	3–6 	@ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 	27–20–12
60 	W	February 28, 1999	2–0 	@ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 	28–20–12
61 	L	March 3, 1999 	3–5 	Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 	28–21–12
62 	W	March 5, 1999 	2–1 	Dallas Stars (1998–99) 	29–21–12
63 	T	March 7, 1999 	1–1 OT	Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 	29–21–13
64 	L	March 8, 1999 	1–4 	@ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 	29–22–13
65 	L	March 11, 1999 	2–5 	Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 	29–23–13
66 	W	March 13, 1999 	3–1 	Boston Bruins (1998–99) 	30–23–13
67 	W	March 15, 1999 	2–1 	New York Islanders (1998–99) 	31–23–13
68 	W	March 19, 1999 	3–2 OT	@ New York Rangers (1998–99) 	32–23–13
69 	T	March 23, 1999 	1–1 OT	@ New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 	32–23–14
70 	L	March 24, 1999 	1–2 	@ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 	32–24–14
71 	T	March 27, 1999 	1–1 OT	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 	32–24–15
72 	W	March 28, 1999 	4–3 OT	Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 	33–24–15
73 	L	March 31, 1999 	1–2 	@ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 	33–25–15
74 	L	April 3, 1999 	1–2 	@ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) 	33–26–15
75 	W	April 5, 1999 	3–1 	Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 	34–26–15
76 	W	April 6, 1999 	4–3 	@ New York Islanders (1998–99) 	35–26–15
77 	W	April 9, 1999 	3–1 	Florida Panthers (1998–99) 	36–26–15
78 	T	April 10, 1999 	1–1 OT	@ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 	36–26–16
79 	T	April 13, 1999 	2–2 OT	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 	36–26–17
80 	L	April 14, 1999 	1–2 	New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 	36–27–17
81 	L	April 17, 1999 	1–2 OT	@ Boston Bruins (1998–99) 	36–28–17
82 	W	April 18, 1999 	3–0 	Washington Capitals (1998–99) 	37–28–17
==Playoffs==
===Eastern Conference quarter-finals===
Ottawa (2) vs. Buffalo (7)	Ottawa (2) vs. Buffalo (7)	Ottawa (2) vs. Buffalo (7)	Ottawa (2) vs. Buffalo (7)	Ottawa (2) vs. Buffalo (7)
Date 	Away 	Home 	OT 	Score
April 21 	Buffalo 	Ottawa 	 	2 – 1
April 23 	Buffalo 	Ottawa 	2OT 	3 – 2
April 25 	Ottawa 	Buffalo 	 	3 – 0
April 27 	Ottawa 	Buffalo 	 	4 – 3
Buffalo wins series 4–0 	Buffalo wins series 4–0 	Buffalo wins series 4–0 	Buffalo wins series 4–0 	Buffalo wins series 4–0
===Eastern Conference semi-finals===
Boston (6) vs. Buffalo (7)	Boston (6) vs. Buffalo (7)	Boston (6) vs. Buffalo (7)	Boston (6) vs. Buffalo (7)
Date 	Away 	Home 	Score
May 6 	Buffalo 2 	Boston 4 	4 – 2
May 9 	Buffalo 3 	1 Boston 	3 – 1
May 12 	Boston 2 	3 Buffalo 	3 – 2
May 14 	Boston 0 	3 Buffalo 	3 – 0
May 16 	Buffalo 3 	Boston 5 	5 – 3
May 18 	Boston 2 	3 Buffalo 	3 – 2
Buffalo wins series 4–2 	Buffalo wins series 4–2 	Buffalo wins series 4–2 	Buffalo wins series 4–2
===Eastern Conference finals===
Toronto (4) vs. Buffalo (7) 	Toronto (4) vs. Buffalo (7) 	Toronto (4) vs. Buffalo (7) 	Toronto (4) vs. Buffalo (7)
Date 	Away 	Home 	Score
May 23 	Buffalo 	Toronto 	5 – 4
May 25 	Buffalo 	Toronto 	6 – 3
May 27 	Toronto 	Buffalo 	4 – 2
May 29 	Toronto 	Buffalo 	5 – 2
May 31 	Buffalo 	Toronto 	4 – 2
Buffalo wins series 4–1 and Prince of Wales Trophy	Buffalo wins series 4–1 and Prince of Wales Trophy	Buffalo wins series 4–1 and Prince of Wales Trophy	Buffalo wins series 4–1 and Prince of Wales Trophy
===Stanley Cup Final===
{| cellpadding="3" border="1" 	Dallas (1) vs. Buffalo (7) 	Dallas (1) vs. Buffalo (7) 	Dallas (1) vs. Buffalo (7) 	Dallas (1) vs. Buffalo (7)
Date 	Away 	Home 	 	
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 	
Dallas wins series 4—2 and the Stanley Cup	Dallas wins series 4—2 and the Stanley Cup	Dallas wins series 4—2 and the Stanley Cup	Dallas wins series 4—2 and the Stanley Cup	
Joe Nieuwendyk (Dallas) wins Conn Smythe Trophy 	Joe Nieuwendyk (Dallas) wins Conn Smythe Trophy 	Joe Nieuwendyk (Dallas) wins Conn Smythe Trophy 	Joe Nieuwendyk (Dallas) wins Conn Smythe Trophy 	
==="No Goal!"===
In the sixth game, Dallas Stars winger Brett Hull's triple-overtime goal — as Hull's skate was visibly in 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 Mr. Bettman's desires to see a team 'South Of the Mason Dixon line' hoist the Stanley Cup. ESPN's "Page2" staff has ranked the call as the fifth worst officiating call in sports history.ESPN.com - Page2, Worst Calls In Sports History 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."About.com "No Goal" Explanation 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.
==Player stats==
===Forwards===
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Miroslav Satan 	81	40	26	66 	44
Michael Peca 	82	27	29	56 	81
Michal Grosek 	76	20	30	50 	102
Curtis Brown 	78	16	31	47 	56
Dixon Ward 	78	20	24	44 	44
Brian Holzinger 	81	17	17	34 	45
Vaclav Varada 	72	7 	24	31 	61
Geoff Sanderson 	75	12	18	30 	22
Matthew Barnaby* 	44	4 	14	18 	143
Derek Plante* 	41	4 	11	15 	12
Wayne Primeau 	67	5 	8 	13 	38
Erik Rasmussen 	42	3 	7 	10 	37
Rob Ray 	76	0 	4 	4 	261
Stu Barnes* 	17	0 	4 	4 	10
Randy Cunneyworth	14	2 	2 	4 	0
Paul Kruse 	43	3 	0 	3 	114
Joe Juneau* 	9 	1 	1 	2 	2
Dean Sylvester 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
Domenic Pittis 	3 	0 	0 	0 	2
* - player was traded during season; stats only include games played with Buffalo
===Defencemen===
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Jason Woolley 	80	10	33	43 	62
Alexei Zhitnik 	81	7 	26	33 	96
Darryl Shannon 	71	3 	12	15 	52
Richard Smehlik 	72	3 	11	14 	44
James Patrick 	45	1 	7 	8 	16
Jay McKee 	72	0 	6 	6 	75
Mike Wilson* 	30	1 	2 	3 	47
Rhett Warrener* 	13	1 	0 	1 	20
Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre	16	0 	1 	1 	17
Mike Hurlbut 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
Jason Holland 	3 	0 	0 	0 	8
Cory Sarich 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0
Rumun Ndur* 	8 	0 	0 	0 	16
* - player was traded during season; stats only include games played with Buffalo
===Goaltending===
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
Player 	GP	W 	L 	T 	SO	GAA
Dominik Hasek 	64	30	18	14	9 	1.87
Dwayne Roloson	18	6 	8 	2 	1 	2.77
Martin Biron 	6 	1 	2 	1 	0 	2.14
==Awards and records==
* Prince of Wales Trophy
* Dominik Hasek, Nominee, Hart Trophy
* Dominik Hasek, Nominee, Lester B. Pearson Trophy
* Dominik Hasek, Vezina Trophy
*Dominik Hasek, NHL First Team All-StarNational Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p. 237, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-920445-98-5
NHL All-Star Game
*Dominik Hasek, World Team
==Transactions==
==Draft picks==
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team
1 	18 	Dmitri Kalinin (D) 	 	Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia)
2 	34 	Andrew Peters (LW) 	 	Oshawa Generals (OHL)
2 	50 	Jaroslav Kristek (RW)	 	HC Zlin (Extraliga)
3 	77 	Mike Pandolfo (RW) 	 	St. Sebastian's (USHS)
5 	137	Aaron Goldade (LW) 	 	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
6 	164	Ales Kotalik (RW) 	 	HC Ceske Budejovice
7 	191	Brad Moran (LW) 	 	Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
8 	218	David Moravec (LW) 	 	-
9 	249	Edo Terglav (RW) 	 	Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
==References==
* Sabres on Hockey Database
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Buffalo Sabres season, 1998–99
Buffalo Sabres season, 1998–99
Category:Buffalo Sabres seasons