1998–99 New Jersey Devils season

The 1998–99 New Jersey Devils season was the 25th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 17th season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season. Despite winning the Atlantic Division and being the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Devils were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Regular season The Devils' 28 regular-season road wins were the most in the NHL.

Season standings

Playoffs The Devils opened the 1999 playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins having only reached the second round of the playoffs once in the three years following its 1995 Cup win. They appeared to be on their way to a series victory against the Penguins when they led Game 6 late; but Pittsburgh's Jaromir Jagr, silent all series to that point, scored with two minutes to go in the third to send the game to overtime and later scored the overtime winner to ensure a seventh game. The Devils never recovered, never once leading in Game 7 before eventually losing 4–2.

Schedule and results

Regular season

|1||October 10, 1998||1–2 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) ||0–1–0 ||

|2||October 14, 1998||1–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) ||0–2–0 ||

|3||October 16, 1998||2–1 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1998–99) ||1–2–0 ||

|4||October 17, 1998||2–4 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) ||1–3–0 ||

|5||October 22, 1998||3–2 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) ||2–3–0 ||

|6||October 24, 1998||3–1 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1998–99) ||3–3–0 ||

|7||October 28, 1998||0–4 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) ||3–4–0 ||

|8||October 29, 1998||2–1 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1998–99) ||4–4–0 ||

|9||October 31, 1998||3–1 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (1998–99) ||5–4–0 ||

|10||November 3, 1998||3–1 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1998–99) ||6–4–0 ||

|11||November 7, 1998||4–3 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1998–99) ||7–4–0 ||

|12||November 8, 1998||1–3 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) ||7–5–0 ||

|13||November 11, 1998||3–0 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) ||8–5–0 ||

|14||November 13, 1998||4–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) ||9–5–0 ||

|15||November 14, 1998||1–6 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) ||9–6–0 ||

|16||November 19, 1998||3–2 OT|| align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) ||10–6–0 ||

|17||November 21, 1998||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Florida Panthers (1998–99) ||10–6–1 ||

|18||November 22, 1998||5–2 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) ||11–6–1 ||

|19||November 25, 1998||5–2 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1998–99) ||12–6–1 ||

|20||November 26, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) ||12–7–1 ||

|21||November 28, 1998||3–2 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) ||13–7–1 ||

|22||December 1, 1998||4–0 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1998–99) ||14–7–1 ||

|23||December 4, 1998||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) ||14–7–2 ||

|24||December 5, 1998||7–5 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1998–99) ||15–7–2 ||

|25||December 8, 1998||5–5 OT|| align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) ||15–7–3 ||

|26||December 10, 1998||5–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) ||16–7–3 ||

|27||December 12, 1998||5–3 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) ||17–7–3 ||

|28||December 16, 1998||6–3 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1998–99) ||18–7–3 ||

|29||December 18, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1998–99) ||18–8–3 ||

|30||December 19, 1998||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) ||18–8–4 ||

|31||December 23, 1998||4–2 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1998–99) ||19–8–4 ||

|32||December 26, 1998||0–2 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) ||19–9–4 ||

|33||December 28, 1998||7–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) ||20–9–4 ||

|34||December 30, 1998||3–2 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1998–99) ||21–9–4 ||

|35||January 2, 1999||0–6 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) ||21–10–4 ||

|36||January 5, 1999||3–3 OT|| align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1998–99) ||21–10–5 ||

|37||January 6, 1999||5–2 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1998–99) ||22–10–5 ||

|38||January 9, 1999||2–3 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1998–99) ||22–11–5 ||

|39||January 11, 1999||2–4 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1998–99) ||22–12–5 ||

|40||January 14, 1999||2–3 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) ||22–13–5 ||

|41||January 15, 1999||3–1 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) ||23–13–5 ||

|42||January 18, 1999||1–3 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1998–99) ||23–14–5 ||

|43||January 20, 1999||4–3 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) ||24–14–5 ||

|44||January 21, 1999||3–2 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) ||25–14–5 ||

|45||January 26, 1999||4–1 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1998–99) ||26–14–5 ||

|46||January 28, 1999||2–0 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1998–99) ||27–14–5 ||

|47||January 30, 1999||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Nashville Predators (1998–99) ||27–15–5 ||

|48||February 1, 1999||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) ||27–15–6 ||

|49||February 3, 1999||4–1 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) ||28–15–6 ||

|50||February 4, 1999||2–0 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1998–99) ||29–15–6 ||

|51||February 6, 1999||2–3 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) ||29–16–6 ||

|52||February 9, 1999||3–4 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) ||29–17–6 ||

|53||February 12, 1999||2–3 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1998–99) ||29–18–6 ||

|54||February 13, 1999||6–4 || align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) ||30–18–6 ||

|55||February 15, 1999||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) ||30–18–7 ||

|56||February 17, 1999||7–1 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) ||31–18–7 ||

|57||February 19, 1999||1–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) ||31–19–7 ||

|58||February 20, 1999||2–3 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1998–99) ||31–20–7 ||

|59||February 22, 1999||3–2 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) ||32–20–7 ||

|60||February 25, 1999||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1998–99) ||32–20–8 ||

|61||February 28, 1999||4–1 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) ||33–20–8 ||

|62||March 3, 1999||5–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) ||34–20–8 ||

|63||March 5, 1999||1–4 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1998–99) ||34–21–8 ||

|64||March 7, 1999||4–2 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1998–99) ||35–21–8 ||

|65||March 9, 1999||3–2 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) ||36–21–8 ||

|66||March 15, 1999||2–1 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) ||37–21–8 ||

|67||March 17, 1999||4–1 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) ||38–21–8 ||

|68||March 20, 1999||1–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) ||38–22–8 ||

|69||March 23, 1999||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) ||38–22–9 ||

|70||March 25, 1999||5–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) ||39–22–9 ||

|71||March 27, 1999||4–4 OT|| align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) ||39–22–10 ||

|72||March 28, 1999||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1998–99) ||39–22–11 ||

|73||March 31, 1999||7–1 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) ||40–22–11 ||

|74||April 3, 1999||4–2 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) ||41–22–11 ||

|75||April 4, 1999||4–1 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1998–99) ||42–22–11 ||

|76||April 6, 1999||2–4 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) ||42–23–11 ||

|77||April 8, 1999||1–0 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1998–99) ||43–23–11 ||

|78||April 10, 1999||6–2 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) ||44–23–11 ||

|79||April 12, 1999||2–4 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1998–99) ||44–24–11 ||

|80||April 14, 1999||2–1 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) ||45–24–11 ||

|81||April 16, 1999||3–2 OT|| align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) ||46–24–11 ||

|82||April 17, 1999||4–1 || align="left"| @ Nashville Predators (1998–99) ||47–24–11 ||

Legend:

Playoffs

| 1 || April 22, 1999 || 3–1 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || Devils lead 1–0 ||

| 2 || April 24, 1999 || 1–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || Series tied 1–1 ||

| 3 || April 25, 1999 || 2–4 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || Penguins lead 2–1 ||

| 4 || April 27, 1999 || 4–2 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || Series tied 2–2 ||

| 5 || April 30, 1999 || 4–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || Devils lead 3–2 ||

| 6 || May 2, 1999 || 2–3 OT || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || Series tied 3–3 ||

| 7 || May 4, 1999 || 2–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || Penguins win 4–3 ||

Legend:

Player statistics

Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; 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 Devils only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only. Player Regular season Playoffs 17 RW 80 29 43 72 16 22 7 3 3 6 −3 4 16 C 78 27 37 64 16 119 7 0 7 7 −1 6 14 C 82 24 33 57 11 14 7 1 0 1 −1 2 25 C 74 27 27 54 10 79 7 2 2 4 −3 4 26 LW 74 17 33 50 19 34 7 0 5 5 0 6 9 C 76 13 33 46 −4 18 7 0 2 2 −1 0 27 D 72 11 35 46 16 26 7 1 3 4 −5 18 21 RW 70 17 20 37 10 143 7 3 2 5 1 2 24 D 70 5 26 31 6 114 7 0 3 3 −1 10 23 LW 52 15 13 28 1 20 4 2 0 2 0 4 20 LW 70 14 13 27 3 10 7 1 0 1 −5 0 8 LW 53 11 16 27 11 28 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 D 75 5 22 27 29 64 7 2 1 3 −2 10 10 C 76 11 12 23 −10 66 3 0 1 1 0 0 18 LW 47 5 10 15 8 28 5 3 1 4 2 4 29 LW 64 5 7 12 4 240 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 D 82 2 9 11 27 63 7 0 0 0 3 8 28 D 62 1 10 11 4 22 7 0 0 0 −4 0 19 C 56 2 8 10 −3 36 7 0 0 0 −1 2 6 D 56 1 7 8 −4 16 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 D 70 1 7 8 5 110 2 0 1 1 1 0 12 LW 10 4 0 4 4 6 4 0 0 0 −2 0 30 G 70 0 4 4 4 7 0 2 2 2 32 RW 16 0 3 3 0 59 7 D 5 1 0 1 1 0 11 C 4 0 1 1 −2 0 31 G 12 0 1 1 0 22 LW 1 0 0 0 0 0 34 D 1 0 0 0 0 0

Goaltending Player Regular season Playoffs 30 Martin Brodeur 70 39 21 10 1728 162 2.29 .906 4 4239 7 3 4 139 20 2.82 .856 0 425 31 Chris Terreri 12 8 3 1 294 30 2.48 .898 1 726 — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records

Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Martin Brodeur Robbie Ftorek (coach) Bobby Holík Scott Stevens NHL Rookie of the Month Vadim Sharifijanov (December) Team Devils' Players' Player Sergei Brylin Hugh Delano Unsung Hero Jay Pandolfo Most Valuable Devil Martin Brodeur Three-Star Award Petr Sykora

Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef 600th assist Dave Andreychuk November 3, 1998 First game John Madden January 6, 1999

Draft picks The Devils' draft picks at the 1998 NHL entry draft at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York.

Rd # Pick # Player Nat Pos Team (League) Notes126Mike Van RynDUniversity of Michigan (CCHA)127Scott GomezCTri-City Americans (WHL)237Christian BerglundCFärjestad BK (Elitserien)382Brian GiontaRWBoston College (Hockey East)496Mikko JokelaDHIFK (SM-liiga)4105Pierre DagenaisLWRouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)5119Anton ButLWTorpedo-2 Yaroslavl (Russian Superleague)5143Ryan FlinnLWLaval Titan Collège Français (QMJHL)6172Jacques LariviereLWMoncton Wildcats (QMJHL)7199Erik JensenWDes Moines Buccaneers (USHL)8227Marko AhosiltaFKalPa (SM-liiga)9257Ryan HeldWKitchener Rangers (OHL)

See also 1998–99 NHL season

Notes

References