The1998 Stanley Cup playoffs, theplayoff tournament of theNational Hockey League (NHL), began on April 22, 1998 following the1997–98 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, playedbest-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-7 series for theStanley Cup.

The playoffs concluded onJune 16 with theDetroit Red Wings defeating theWashington Capitals in a four-game sweep to win their secondStanley Cup championship in a row. Red Wings captainSteve Yzerman was named playoff MVP, and awarded theConn 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 in2017.

In the Eastern Semis, theBuffalo Sabres made history as they became the first team in NHL history to complete a four-game sweep of theMontreal Canadiens on Montreal ice.^[1]

For the first time since 1969, theChicago Blackhawks missed the playoffs. Also, both theIslanders and Rangers missed the playoffs in the same season for the first time.

The top eight teams in each conference qualified for the playoffs. The top two seeds in each conference were awarded to the division winners; while the six remaining spots were awarded to the highest finishers in their respective conferences.

The following teams qualified for the playoffs:

1. New Jersey Devils, Atlantic Division champions, Eastern Conference regular season champions – 107 points
2. Pittsburgh Penguins, Northeast Division champions – 98 points
3. Philadelphia Flyers – 95 points
4. Washington Capitals – 92 points
5. Boston Bruins – 91 points
6. Buffalo Sabres – 89 points
7. Montreal Canadiens – 87 points
8. Ottawa Senators – 83 points

1. Dallas Stars, Central Division champions, Western Conference regular season champions,Presidents' Trophy winners – 109 points
2. Colorado Avalanche, Pacific Division champions – 95 points
3. Detroit Red Wings – 103 points
4. St. Louis Blues – 98 points
5. Los Angeles Kings – 87 points
6. Phoenix Coyotes – 82 points
7. Edmonton Oilers – 80 points
8. San Jose Sharks – 78 points

In each round, teams competed in a best-of-seven series, following a 2–2–1–1–1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team withhome ice advantage played at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team played at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). For any series played between Central and Pacific Division teams, the team with home ice advantage had the option of using a 2–3–2 format to reduce travel, with the sites for games five and six switched; if the 2–3–2 format was chosen, the team with home ice advantage then had the additional option to start the series on the road instead of at home. The top eight teams in each conference made the playoffs, with the two division winnersseeded 1–2 based on regular season record, and the five remaining teams seeded 3–8.

The NHL used "re-seeding" instead of a fixed bracket playoff system. During the first three rounds, the highest remaining seed in each conference was matched against the lowest remaining seed, the second-highest remaining seed played the second-lowest remaining seed, and so forth. The higher-seeded team was awarded home ice advantage. The two conference winners then advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, where home ice advantage was awarded to the team that had the better regular season record.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

This was the second consecutive and fifth overall playoff meeting between these two teams; with Philadelphia winning all four previous series. Philadelphia wonlast year's Eastern Conference Semifinals in five games.

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the1990 Wales Conference Final, where Boston won in a four-game sweep.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

This was the second consecutive playoff meeting and second postseason match-up between these two teams. Colorado wonlast year's Western Conference Semifinals in five games.

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the1996 Western Conference Quarterfinals where Detroit defeated theWinnipeg Jets in six games.

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the1969 Stanley Cup Semifinals, where St. Louis won in a four-game sweep.

Game four was the last playoff game at theGreat Western Forum.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams; with Montreal winning four of the six previous series. They last met in the1993 Adams Division Finals, where Montreal won in a four-game sweep.

This was the second consecutive playoff meeting and the fourth overall playoff match-up between these two teams; with Edmonton winning two of the three previous series. Edmonton wonlast year's Western Conference Quarterfinals in seven games.

This was the third consecutive playoff meeting and the sixth overall playoff match-up between these two teams; with Detroit winning three of the five previous series. Detroit wonlast year's Western Conference Quarterfinals in six games.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Washington made their second Conference Finals appearance; they last made it to the Conference Finals in1990 where they lost to theBoston Bruins in a four-game sweep. This was the first conference final for Buffalo since the playoffs went to a conference format starting in 1982. Buffalo last played a semifinal series in1980 where they lost to theNew York Islanders in six games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams; with Detroit winning both previous series. They last met in the1995 Western Conference Quarterfinals, where Detroit won in five games. Dallas made their third appearance in the Conference Finals. They last made it to the Conference Finals in1991, where theMinnesota North Stars defeated theEdmonton Oilers in five games. Detroit made their fourth consecutive and sixth overall appearance in the Conference Finals; they defeated theColorado Avalanche in theprevious year in six games. Detroit won this year's five-game regular season series earning eight of ten points.

This was the first and to date only playoff meeting between these two teams. Detroit made their twenty-first and second consecutive Finals appearance, while Washington made their first Finals appearance in their twenty-fourth season. Until 2017 this was the last time that the Stanley Cup was successfully defended by the previous year's champion. This remains the last time there was a sweep in the Finals.

These are the top ten skaters based on points.^[2]

This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based ongoals against average and the top five goaltenders based onsave percentage, with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.^[3]

• 1997–98 NHL season

• Stanley Cup playoffs
• 1998 Stanley Cup

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