1998–99 Toronto Maple Leafs season NHL hockey team season
The 1998–99 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the franchise's 82nd season. Two moves occurred this season. First, the club moved from the Western to the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). Secondly, the club moved from Maple Leaf Gardens to the new Air Canada Centre . Toronto qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Buffalo Sabres .
Off-season
The Toronto Maple Leafs moved from the Central Division of the Western Conference to the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.
Regular season
The 1998–99 season was a tremendous improvement for the Maple Leafs over the 1997–98 season and the team got plenty of help from its new members, including Bryan Berard , Sylvain Cote , Curtis Joseph , Alexander Karpovtsev (who led the NHL in plus-minus with +39, but was not eligible for the NHL Plus-Minus Award because he played just 58 games), Yanic Perreault and Steve Thomas (who finished second on the team in points, with 73). Former Vancouver Canucks head coach Pat Quinn replaced Mike Murphy as Toronto's head coach. Six Maple Leafs scored 20 or more goals. Toronto set a club record for most regular season wins (45) and earned 97 points to finish second in the Northeast Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. They led the NHL in most goals for, with 268, and were the only team to score 200 or more even-strength goals.[ 1]
On November 12, 1998, the Maple Leafs defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 10–3 away.[ 2] Mats Sundin recorded a hat trick in the game, which was the first regular season game in which the Leafs had scored ten goals since February 17, 1989, when they defeated the New York Rangers 10–6 away.[ 3]
Maple Leaf Gardens
On February 13, 1999, the Maple Leafs ended a 67-year tradition when they played their last game at Maple Leaf Gardens. The team lost 6–2 to the Chicago Blackhawks. Former Maple Leaf Doug Gilmour scored a fluke goal in that game and notorious tough guy Bob Probert scored the final NHL goal in Gardens history in the game's third period. During the emotional post-game ceremony, legendary Canadian singer Anne Murray performed "The Maple Leaf Forever " while wearing a Toronto jersey. The Leafs were the last of the Original Six teams to leave their Original Six-era arena, three years after the Canadiens did so.
Air Canada Centre
Season standings
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.
Divisions: ATL – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division
bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division
Playoffs
Eastern Conference Finals
The Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres met in the 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, meanwhile, was in the third round for the second consecutive year. With the series victory, the Sabres advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 24 years.
Schedule and results
Regular season
1998–99 regular season[ 6]
October: 5–4–1 (home: 1–2–1; road: 4–2–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
1
W
October 10, 1998
2–1
Detroit Red Wings (1998–99 )
1–0–0
Recap
2
W
October 13, 1998
3–2
@ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99 )
2–0–0
Recap
3
W
October 16, 1998
7–3
@ Calgary Flames (1998–99 )
3–0–0
Recap
4
L
October 17, 1998
1–4
@ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99 )
3–1–0
Recap
5
T
October 19, 1998
2–2 OT
Nashville Predators (1998–99 )
3–1–1
Recap
6
W
October 23, 1998
5–3
@ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99 )
4–1–1
Recap
7
W
October 24, 1998
6–4
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99 )
5–1–1
Recap
8
L
October 26, 1998
0–2
Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99 )
5–2–1
Recap
9
L
October 30, 1998
1–4
@ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99 )
5–3–1
Recap
10
L
October 31, 1998
3–6
Buffalo Sabres (1998–99 )
5–4–1
Recap
November: 8–5–1 (home: 7–1–1; road: 1–4–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
11
W
November 4, 1998
3–0
Colorado Avalanche (1998–99 )
6–4–1
Recap
12
L
November 5, 1998
1–4
@ Boston Bruins (1998–99 )
6–5–1
Recap
13
T
November 7, 1998
6–6 OT
New York Rangers (1998–99 )
6–5–2
Recap
14
L
November 9, 1998
1–3
New York Islanders (1998–99 )
6–6–2
Recap
15
W
November 11, 1998
3–2
Edmonton Oilers (1998–99 )
7–6–2
Recap
16
W
November 12, 1998
10–3
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99 )
8–6–2
Recap
17
W
November 14, 1998
2–1
Ottawa Senators (1998–99 )
9–6–2
Recap
18
L
November 18, 1998
1–4
@ Washington Capitals (1998–99 )
9–7–2
Recap
19
L
November 20, 1998
1–4
@ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99 )
9–8–2
Recap
20
W
November 21, 1998
2–1
Buffalo Sabres (1998–99 )
10–8–2
Recap
21
W
November 23, 1998
3–2
Calgary Flames (1998–99 )
11–8–2
Recap
22
W
November 25, 1998
5–1
Vancouver Canucks (1998–99 )
12–8–2
Recap
23
L
November 27, 1998
3–4
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99 )
12–9–2
Recap
24
W
November 28, 1998
3–2 OT
Ottawa Senators (1998–99 )
13–9–2
Recap
December: 8–4–0 (home: 5–3–0; road: 3–1–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
25
W
December 2, 1998
3–1
Los Angeles Kings (1998–99 )
14–9–2
Recap
26
W
December 5, 1998
4–3 OT
@ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99 )
15–9–2
Recap
27
L
December 7, 1998
2–6
@ New York Rangers (1998–99 )
15–10–2
Recap
28
W
December 11, 1998
3–2
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99 )
16–10–2
Recap
29
L
December 12, 1998
0–3
Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99 )
16–11–2
Recap
30
W
December 16, 1998
5–2
Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99 )
17–11–2
Recap
31
W
December 19, 1998
7–4
New York Rangers (1998–99 )
18–11–2
Recap
32
W
December 21, 1998
7–1
Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99 )
19–11–2
Recap
33
L
December 23, 1998
1–5
Dallas Stars (1998–99 )
19–12–2
Recap
34
L
December 26, 1998
1–2
Montreal Canadiens (1998–99 )
19–13–2
Recap
35
W
December 30, 1998
4–1
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99 )
20–13–2
Recap
36
W
December 31, 1998
4–2
@ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99 )
21–13–2
Recap
January: 7–4–1 (home: 3–1–0; road: 4–3–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
37
L
January 2, 1999
2–5
Washington Capitals (1998–99 )
21–14–2
Recap
38
W
January 4, 1999
5–4 OT
Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99 )
22–14–2
Recap
39
L
January 7, 1999
1–2
@ Boston Bruins (1998–99 )
22–15–2
Recap
40
W
January 9, 1999
6–3
Boston Bruins (1998–99 )
23–15–2
Recap
41
W
January 12, 1999
4–3
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99 )
24–15–2
Recap
42
T
January 13, 1999
3–3 OT
@ Florida Panthers (1998–99 )
24–15–3
Recap
43
W
January 16, 1999
4–3
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99 )
25–15–3
Recap
44
L
January 18, 1999
2–4
@ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99 )
25–16–3
Recap
45
W
January 20, 1999
6–4
@ Dallas Stars (1998–99 )
26–16–3
Recap
46
W
January 21, 1999
4–2
@ St. Louis Blues (1998–99 )
27–16–3
Recap
47
L
January 28, 1999
0–6
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99 )
27–17–3
Recap
48
W
January 30, 1999
5–3
Washington Capitals (1998–99 )
28–17–3
Recap
February: 6–4–2 (home: 2–2–1; road: 4–2–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
49
W
February 2, 1999
3–0
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99 )
29–17–3
Recap
50
L
February 3, 1999
2–5
@ Florida Panthers (1998–99 )
29–18–3
Recap
51
W
February 6, 1999
3–2
@ New Jersey Devils (1998–99 )
30–18–3
Recap
52
L
February 10, 1999
5–6
Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99 )
30–19–3
Recap
53
L
February 13, 1999
2–6
Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99 )
30–20–3
Recap
54
T
February 15, 1999
3–3 OT
@ New Jersey Devils (1998–99 )
30–20–4
Recap
55
W
February 17, 1999
3–2 OT
@ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99 )
31–20–4
Recap
56
W
February 20, 1999
3–2 OT
Montreal Canadiens (1998–99 )
32–20–4
Recap
57
L
February 22, 1999
3–4
@ Washington Capitals (1998–99 )
32–21–4
Recap
58
T
February 24, 1999
2–2 OT
Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99 )
32–21–5
Recap
59
W
February 25, 1999
4–1
@ New York Islanders (1998–99 )
33–21–5
Recap
60
W
February 27, 1999
4–1
Florida Panthers (1998–99 )
34–21–5
Recap
March: 6–7–1 (home: 2–4–1; road: 4–3–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
61
L
March 3, 1999
2–5
New Jersey Devils (1998–99 )
34–22–5
Recap
62
W
March 4, 1999
4–0
@ St. Louis Blues (1998–99 )
35–22–5
Recap
63
L
March 6, 1999
1–3
@ Ottawa Senators (1998–99 )
35–23–5
Recap
64
L
March 8, 1999
2–3 OT
@ New York Rangers (1998–99 )
35–24–5
Recap
65
W
March 9, 1999
6–1
Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99 )
36–24–5
Recap
66
W
March 11, 1999
2–1
@ New York Islanders (1998–99 )
37–24–5
Recap
67
L
March 13, 1999
1–2
@ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99 )
37–25–5
Recap
68
L
March 17, 1999
1–4
Boston Bruins (1998–99 )
37–26–5
Recap
69
W
March 20, 1999
3–1
New Jersey Devils (1998–99 )
38–26–5
Recap
70
L
March 22, 1999
1–3
Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99 )
38–27–5
Recap
71
L
March 24, 1999
5–8
San Jose Sharks (1998–99 )
38–28–5
Recap
72
W
March 26, 1999
7–2
@ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99 )
39–28–5
Recap
73
T
March 27, 1999
2–2 OT
Boston Bruins (1998–99 )
39–28–6
Recap
74
W
March 31, 1999
6–5
@ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99 )
40–28–6
Recap
April: 5–2–1 (home: 3–0–1; road: 2–2–0)
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Playoffs
1999 Stanley Cup playoffs[ 6]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers – Maple Leafs win 4–2
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Series
Recap
1
L
April 22, 1999
0–3
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers lead 1–0
Recap
2
W
April 24, 1999
2–1
Philadelphia Flyers
Series tied 1–1
Recap
3
W
April 26, 1999
2–1
@ Philadelphia Flyers
Maple Leafs lead 2–1
Recap
4
L
April 28, 1999
2–5
@ Philadelphia Flyers
Series tied 2–2
Recap
5
W
April 30, 1999
2–1 OT
Philadelphia Flyers
Maple Leafs lead 3–2
Recap
6
W
May 2, 1999
1–0
@ Philadelphia Flyers
Maple Leafs win 4–2
Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (8) Pittsburgh Penguins – Maple Leafs win 4–2
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Series
Recap
1
L
May 7, 1999
0–2
Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins lead 1–0
Recap
2
W
May 9, 1999
4–2
Pittsburgh Penguins
Series tied 1–1
Recap
3
L
May 11, 1999
3–4
@ Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins lead 2–1
Recap
4
W
May 13, 1999
3–2 OT
@ Pittsburgh Penguins
Series tied 2–2
Recap
5
W
May 15, 1999
4–1
Pittsburgh Penguins
Maple Leafs lead 3–2
Recap
6
W
May 17, 1999
4–3 OT
@ Pittsburgh Penguins
Maple Leafs win 4–2
Recap
Eastern Conference Finals vs. (7) Buffalo Sabres – Sabres win 4–1
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Series
Recap
1
L
May 23, 1999
4–5
Buffalo Sabres
Sabres lead 1–0
Recap
2
W
May 25, 1999
6–3
Buffalo Sabres
Series tied 1–1
Recap
3
L
May 27, 1999
2–4
@ Buffalo Sabres
Sabres lead 2–1
Recap
4
L
May 29, 1999
2–5
@ Buffalo Sabres
Sabres lead 3–1
Recap
5
L
May 31, 1999
2–4
Buffalo Sabres
Sabres win 4–1
Recap
Legend :
Win
Loss
Player statistics
Scoring
Position abbreviations: C = Centre ; D = Defence ; 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 Maple Leafs only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only.
Goaltending
† = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only.
Awards and records
Awards
Curtis Joseph was a runner-up for the Lester B. Pearson Award and Vezina Trophy and Pat Quinn was a runner-up for the Jack Adams Award .[ 7]
Milestones
Transactions
The Maple Leafs have been involved in the following transactions during the 1998-99 season.
Trades
Waivers
Expansion Draft
Free agents
Draft picks
Toronto's draft picks at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft held at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York .[ 15]
Notes
References
^ "1998-99 NHL Summary | Hockey-Reference.com" .
^ "Toronto Maple Leafs at Chicago Blackhawks Box Score — November 12, 1998 | Hockey-Reference.com" .
^ "Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers Box Score — February 17, 1989 | Hockey-Reference.com" .
^ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings" . NHL.
^ a b "1998-99 Toronto Maple Leafs Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved June 16, 2023 .
^ National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p. 222, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-920445-98-5 .
^ "Lindros Gets All-Star Start - CBS News" . www.cbsnews.com . January 22, 1999. Retrieved June 27, 2023 .
^ "1999 NHL All-Star Game Rosters" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved August 29, 2024 .
^ "Sundin Named Player of the Week" . NHL.com . October 26, 1998. Archived from the original on October 11, 1999. Retrieved July 26, 2024 .
^ "Berezin Named Player of the Week" . NHL.com . April 5, 1999. Archived from the original on October 18, 1999. Retrieved July 26, 2024 .
^ Toronto Maple Leafs 2015–16 Media Guide, p.373
^ "1998-99 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 9, 2024 .
^ "Pens Rally Past Leafs In OT" . CBS News . May 11, 1999. Retrieved October 10, 2024 . Mair is the only the 12th rookie in Maple Leafs history to debut in a playoff game.
^ "1998 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . www.hockeydb.com . Retrieved June 28, 2023 .
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