1998-99 90 Point Season
The 1998–99 Sabres returned to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1975, but fell to the Dallas Stars in a controversial six-game series.
The 1998–99 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' 29th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). 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 Final, which was a losing effort against the Dallas Stars.
Quick Facts
- Playoff result
- Stanley Cup Final
Lore & Background
In the 1998 NHL entry draft, the Sabres picked Dmitri Kalinin with their first-round pick, 18th overall. The Sabres defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference Finals four games to two, then lost to the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Final.
Reader's Guide
The Sabres' playoff run included a six-game series win over the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, followed by a five-game series win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the Stanley Cup Final, the series ended in Game 6 when Brett Hull scored a triple-overtime goal that was controversial due to his skate being in the crease.
Did You Know?
- Dwayne Roloson filled in for injured goaltender Dominik Hasek in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, stopping 28 of 32 shots in a 5–4 win.
- Dominik Hasek returned for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals and made 24 saves in a 4–2 victory.
- Brett Hull's triple-overtime goal in Game 6 of the Final was controversial because his skate was in the crease, which was illegal at the time.
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