1998 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 22, 1998 following the 1997–98 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Stanley Cup.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 22–June 16, 1998 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Defending champions | Detroit Red Wings |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Detroit Red Wings |
| Runner-up | Washington Capitals |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Scoring leader(s) | Steve Yzerman (Red Wings) (24 points) |
| MVP | Steve Yzerman (Red Wings) |
The playoffs concluded on June 16 with the Detroit Red Wings defeating the Washington Capitals in a four-game sweep to win their second Stanley Cup championship in a row. Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman was named playoff MVP, and awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. The 1997–98 Detroit Red Wings were the last team to defend their Stanley Cup title until the Pittsburgh Penguins successfully defended their Stanley Cup title in 2017.
In the Eastern Semis, the Buffalo Sabres made history as they became the first team in NHL history to complete a four-game sweep of the Montreal Canadiens on Montreal ice.
For the first time since 1969, the Chicago Blackhawks missed the playoffs. Also, both the Islanders and Rangers missed the playoffs in the same season for the first time.