1998–99 Montreal Canadiens season

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1998–99 Montreal Canadiens
Division5th Northeast
Conference11th Eastern
1998–99 record32–39–11
Home record21–15–5
Road record11–24–6
Goals for184
Goals against209
Team information
General managerRejean Houle
CoachAlain Vigneault
CaptainVincent Damphousse (Oct–Mar)
Vacant (Mar–Apr)
ArenaMolson Centre
Average attendance20,740
Minor league affiliate(s)Quebec Citadelles
New Orleans Brass
Team leaders
GoalsMartin Rucinsky (17)
AssistsMark Recchi (35)
PointsMark Recchi (47)
Penalty minutesShayne Corson (147)
Plus/minusPatrick Poulin
Turner Stevenson (+6)
WinsJeff Hackett (24)
Goals against averageFrederic Chabot (2.23)

The 1998–99 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 90th season of play. The club finished 5th in the Northeast Division and did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. It had been the worst season in over 48 years for the club. The Canadiens finished last in their division. Martin Rucinsky led the club with 17 goals. It was the first time since the 1940–41 season that the Canadiens did not have at least one 20-goal scorer.[1] On March 31, 1999, ownership announced it has lost $3.8 million in its last fiscal year.[2] Following the season, team president Ronald Corey resigned in May 1999.

Regular season[edit]

In March 1999, Captain Vincent Damphousse was traded to the San Jose Sharks.[3]

Final standings[edit]

Northeast Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
1 2 Ottawa Senators 82 44 23 15 239 179 892 103
2 4 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 45 30 7 268 231 1095 97
3 6 Boston Bruins 82 39 30 13 214 181 1182 91
4 7 Buffalo Sabres 82 37 28 17 207 175 1561 91
5 11 Montreal Canadiens 82 32 39 11 184 209 1299 75

[4]

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.

Eastern Conference[5]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 y – New Jersey Devils ATL 82 47 24 11 248 196 105
2 y – Ottawa Senators NE 82 44 23 15 239 179 103
3 y – Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 34 30 18 210 202 86
4 Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 45 30 7 268 231 97
5 Philadelphia Flyers ATL 82 37 26 19 231 196 93
6 Boston Bruins NE 82 39 30 13 214 181 91
7 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 37 28 17 207 175 91
8 Pittsburgh Penguins ATL 82 38 30 14 242 225 90
9 Florida Panthers SE 82 30 34 18 210 228 78
10 New York Rangers ATL 82 33 38 11 217 227 77
11 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 32 39 11 184 209 75
12 Washington Capitals SE 82 31 45 6 200 218 68
13 New York Islanders ATL 82 24 48 10 194 244 58
14 Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 19 54 9 179 292 47

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division


Schedule and results[edit]

1998–99 regular season[6]
October: 3–5–2 (home: 3–4–0; road: 0–1–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 W October 10, 1998 7–1 New York Rangers (1998–99) 1–0–0 Recap
2 W October 13, 1998 1–0 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 2–0–0 Recap
3 T October 16, 1998 2–2 OT @ Washington Capitals (1998–99) 2–0–1 Recap
4 L October 17, 1998 3–4 Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 2–1–1 Recap
5 L October 19, 1998 1–2 Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 2–2–1 Recap
6 W October 21, 1998 3–2 Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 3–2–1 Recap
7 L October 24, 1998 0–3 Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 3–3–1 Recap
8 L October 28, 1998 2–9 Boston Bruins (1998–99) 3–4–1 Recap
9 T October 29, 1998 1–1 OT @ Boston Bruins (1998–99) 3–4–2 Recap
10 L October 31, 1998 1–5 @ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 3–5–2 Recap
November: 5–7–0 (home: 4–3–0; road: 1–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
11 W November 4, 1998 4–1 @ New York Rangers (1998–99) 4–5–2 Recap
12 W November 7, 1998 4–2 New York Islanders (1998–99) 5–5–2 Recap
13 W November 9, 1998 5–1 Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 6–5–2 Recap
14 L November 11, 1998 0–3 @ New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 6–6–2 Recap
15 L November 12, 1998 0–4 @ New York Islanders (1998–99) 6–7–2 Recap
16 L November 14, 1998 1–4 Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 6–8–2 Recap
17 L November 17, 1998 4–5 @ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 6–9–2 Recap
18 W November 19, 1998 4–3 Calgary Flames (1998–99) 7–9–2 Recap
19 L November 21, 1998 2–3 Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 7–10–2 Recap
20 L November 27, 1998 1–5 @ Boston Bruins (1998–99) 7–11–2 Recap
21 L November 28, 1998 3–4 Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 7–12–2 Recap
22 W November 30, 1998 3–1 Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 8–12–2 Recap
December: 3–6–5 (home: 0–1–3; road: 3–5–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
23 L December 2, 1998 1–4 @ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 8–13–2 Recap
24 T December 4, 1998 1–1 OT @ New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 8–13–3 Recap
25 L December 5, 1998 3–4 OT Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 8–14–3 Recap
26 L December 9, 1998 2–4 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 8–15–3 Recap
27 L December 11, 1998 2–3 @ Dallas Stars (1998–99) 8–16–3 Recap
28 T December 12, 1998 2–2 OT @ Nashville Predators (1998–99) 8–16–4 Recap
29 T December 14, 1998 2–2 OT Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 8–16–5 Recap
30 L December 18, 1998 2–4 @ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 8–17–5 Recap
31 T December 19, 1998 1–1 OT New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 8–17–6 Recap
32 T December 21, 1998 2–2 OT Dallas Stars (1998–99) 8–17–7 Recap
33 L December 23, 1998 1–3 @ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 8–18–7 Recap
34 W December 26, 1998 2–1 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 9–18–7 Recap
35 W December 29, 1998 5–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 10–18–7 Recap
36 W December 31, 1998 2–1 @ Calgary Flames (1998–99) 11–18–7 Recap
January: 7–6–1 (home: 4–2–1; road: 3–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
37 W January 2, 1999 2–1 @ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 12–18–7 Recap
38 L January 4, 1999 3–4 @ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 12–19–7 Recap
39 W January 7, 1999 4–1 Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 13–19–7 Recap
40 W January 9, 1999 3–2 New York Islanders (1998–99) 14–19–7 Recap
41 W January 11, 1999 3–1 St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 15–19–7 Recap
42 L January 12, 1999 1–5 @ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 15–20–7 Recap
43 W January 15, 1999 3–0 @ Washington Capitals (1998–99) 16–20–7 Recap
44 W January 16, 1999 3–0 New York Rangers (1998–99) 17–20–7 Recap
45 T January 18, 1999 4–4 OT Washington Capitals (1998–99) 17–20–8 Recap
46 L January 21, 1999 0–3 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 17–21–8 Recap
47 W January 26, 1999 2–1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 18–21–8 Recap
48 L January 27, 1999 1–2 @ Florida Panthers (1998–99) 18–22–8 Recap
49 L January 30, 1999 1–3 Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 18–23–8 Recap
50 L January 31, 1999 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 18–24–8 Recap
February: 6–5–0 (home: 4–0–0; road: 2–5–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
51 W February 3, 1999 2–1 Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 19–24–8 Recap
52 L February 4, 1999 2–5 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 19–25–8 Recap
53 W February 6, 1999 3–2 Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 20–25–8 Recap
54 L February 9, 1999 2–3 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 20–26–8 Recap
55 L February 11, 1999 2–5 @ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 20–27–8 Recap
56 W February 13, 1999 4–0 Florida Panthers (1998–99) 21–27–8 Recap
57 W February 17, 1999 6–3 @ New York Rangers (1998–99) 22–27–8 Recap
58 W February 18, 1999 3–1 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 23–27–8 Recap
59 L February 20, 1999 2–3 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 23–28–8 Recap
60 L February 25, 1999 1–3 @ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 23–29–8 Recap
61 W February 27, 1999 4–1 Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 24–29–8 Recap
March: 5–5–2 (home: 3–3–1; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
62 W March 2, 1999 4–1 Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 25–29–8 Recap
63 T March 3, 1999 4–4 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 25–29–9 Recap
64 L March 6, 1999 1–6 Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 25–30–9 Recap
65 L March 8, 1999 2–5 Florida Panthers (1998–99) 25–31–9 Recap
66 W March 11, 1999 3–0 @ St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 26–31–9 Recap
67 W March 13, 1999 2–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 27–31–9 Recap
68 W March 18, 1999 3–2 Nashville Predators (1998–99) 28–31–9 Recap
69 L March 20, 1999 0–1 Washington Capitals (1998–99) 28–32–9 Recap
70 T March 22, 1999 1–1 OT San Jose Sharks (1998–99) 28–32–10 Recap
71 W March 24, 1999 2–0 @ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 29–32–10 Recap
72 L March 25, 1999 1–2 @ Calgary Flames (1998–99) 29–33–10 Recap
73 L March 27, 1999 1–5 @ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 29–34–10 Recap
April: 3–5–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 0–3–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
74 L April 1, 1999 2–3 Boston Bruins (1998–99) 29–35–10 Recap
75 W April 3, 1999 2–1 Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 30–35–10 Recap
76 L April 5, 1999 0–3 @ Boston Bruins (1998–99) 30–36–10 Recap
77 W April 7, 1999 2–0 Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 31–36–10 Recap
78 L April 8, 1999 1–3 @ New York Islanders (1998–99) 31–37–10 Recap
79 L April 10, 1999 2–6 New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 31–38–10 Recap
80 T April 13, 1999 2–2 OT @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 31–38–11 Recap
81 L April 14, 1999 2–3 OT @ Florida Panthers (1998–99) 31–39–11 Recap
82 W April 17, 1999 3–2 Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 32–39–11 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Player statistics[edit]

Scoring[edit]

  • 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 Canadiens only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
Regular season
No. Player Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM
8 Mark Recchi RW 61 12 35 47 −4 28
11 Saku Koivu C 65 14 30 44 −7 38
25 Vincent Damphousse C 65 12 24 36 −7 46
26 Martin Rucinsky LW 73 17 17 34 −25 50
38 Vladimir Malakhov D 62 13 21 34 −7 77
27 Shayne Corson LW 63 12 20 32 −10 147
17 Benoit Brunet LW 60 14 17 31 −1 31
23 Turner Stevenson RW 69 10 17 27 6 88
5 Stephane Quintal D 82 8 19 27 −23 84
49 Brian Savage LW 54 16 10 26 −14 20
37 Patrick Poulin C 81 8 17 25 6 21
34 Sergei Zholtok C 70 7 15 22 −12 6
44 Jonas Hoglund LW 74 8 10 18 −5 16
22[a] Eric Weinrich D 66 6 12 18 −12 77
43 Patrice Brisebois D 54 3 9 12 −8 28
55 Igor Ulanov D 76 3 9 12 −3 109
24 Scott Thornton LW 47 7 4 11 −2 87
52 Craig Rivet D 66 2 8 10 −3 66
21 Jason Dawe RW 37 4 5 9 0 14
28[b] Dainius Zubrus C 17 3 5 8 −3 4
29 Brett Clark D 61 2 2 4 −3 16
15 Eric Houde C 8 1 1 2 −2 2
20 Scott Lachance D 17 1 1 2 −2 11
22 Dave Manson D 11 0 2 2 −3 48
46 Matt Higgins C 25 1 0 1 −2 0
48 Miloslav Guren D 12 0 1 1 −1 4
31 Jeff Hackett G 53 0 1 1 6
45 Arron Asham RW 7 0 0 0 −4 0
35 Andrei Bashkirov LW 10 0 0 0 −3 0
53 Sylvain Blouin LW 5 0 0 0 0 19
3 Brad Brown D 5 0 0 0 0 21
39 Frederic Chabot G 11 0 0 0 2
42 Jonathan Delisle RW 1 0 0 0 0 0
30 Jean-Francois Jomphe C 6 0 0 0 0 0
6 Trent McCleary RW 46 0 0 0 −1 29
36 Dave Morissette LW 10 0 0 0 1 52
56 Alain Nasreddine D 8 0 0 0 1 33
14 Terry Ryan LW 1 0 0 0 0 5
60 Jose Theodore G 18 0 0 0 0
41 Jocelyn Thibault G 10 0 0 0 0

Goaltending[edit]

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
Regular season
No. Player GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
31 Jeff Hackett 53 24 20 9 1360 117 2.27 .914 5 3091
60 Jose Theodore 18 4 12 0 406 50 3.29 .877 1 913
41 Jocelyn Thibault 10 3 4 2 250 23 2.61 .908 1 529
39 Frederic Chabot 11 1 3 0 188 16 2.23 .915 0 430

Awards and records[edit]

Awards[edit]

Type Award/honour Recipient Ref
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selection Mark Recchi [7]
Team Jacques Beauchamp Molson Trophy Benoit Brunet [8]
Molson Cup Jeff Hackett [9]

Transactions[edit]

Draft picks[edit]

Montreal's draft picks at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft held at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York.[10]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 16 Eric Chouinard  Canada Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
2 45 Mike Ribeiro  Canada Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
3 75 Francois Beauchemin  Canada Laval Titan Collège Français (QMJHL)
5 132 Andrei Bashkirov  Russia Fort Wayne Komets (IHL)
6 152 Gordie Dwyer  Canada Beauport Harfangs (QMJHL)
6 162 Andrei Markov  Russia Khimik Voskresensk (Russia)
7 189 Andrei Kruchinin  Russia Lada Togliatti (Russia)
8 201 Craig Murray  Canada University of Michigan (CCHA)
8 216 Michael Ryder  Canada Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)
9 247 Darcy Harris  Canada Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Weinrich wore number 3 in his first game.
  2. ^ Zubrus wore number 57 in his first game.

References[edit]

  • "Montreal Canadiens 1998-99 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  • "1998-99 Montreal Canadiens Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  • Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Toronto: Dan Diamond & Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-22-5.
  1. ^ The Montreal Canadiens:100 Years of Glory, D'Arcy Jenish, p.291, Published in Canada by Doubleday, 2009, ISBN 978-0-385-66325-0
  2. ^ The Montreal Canadiens:100 Years of Glory, D'Arcy Jenish, p.292, Published in Canada by Doubleday, 2009, ISBN 978-0-385-66325-0
  3. ^ The Montreal Canadiens:100 Years of Glory, D'Arcy Jenish, p.299, Published in Canada by Doubleday, 2009, ISBN 978-0-385-66325-0
  4. ^ Dinger 2011, p. 155.
  5. ^ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  6. ^ "1998-99 Montreal Canadiens Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1999". NHL.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Montreal Canadiens 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.553
  9. ^ Montreal Canadiens 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.552
  10. ^ "1998 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.