1998–99 St. Louis Blues season

1998–99 St. Louis Blues
Division2nd Central
Conference5th Western
1998–99 record37–32–13
Home record18–17–6
Road record19–15–7
Goals for237
Goals against209
Team information
General managerLarry Pleau
CoachJoel Quenneville
CaptainChris Pronger
ArenaKiel Center
Average attendance18,276
Minor league affiliate(s)Worcester IceCats
Peoria Rivermen
Team leaders
GoalsPavol Demitra (37)
AssistsPavol Demitra (52)
PointsPavol Demitra (89)
Penalty minutesTony Twist (149)
Plus/minusAl MacInnis (+33)
WinsGrant Fuhr (16)
Goals against averageJamie McLennan (2.38)

The 1998–99 St. Louis Blues season was the team's 32nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). Despite the loss of Brett Hull during the preceding off-season, the Blues made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 20th-straight season after finishing in second place with a record of 37–32–13.

Off-season

Realignment came, as the NHL went from four to six divisions. Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay and Washington were grouped in the Eastern Conference's new Southeast Division and Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton and Vancouver moved into the new Northwest Division in the Western Conference.

Regular season

The Blues made the playoffs for the 20th straight season by finishing in 2nd place with a record of 37–32–13. Al MacInnis won the Norris trophy as the best defenceman in the NHL, while Pavol Demitra scored 37 goals. In the playoffs, the Blues initially trailed the Phoenix Coyotes 3 games to 1. The Blues rallied and took the series in 7 games. However, in the second round, the Blues were knocked off again by the Dallas Stars led by Brett Hull in 6 games. Hull would go on to score the Stanley Cup clinching goal for the Stars.

The Blues tied the Washington Capitals for the fewest power-play opportunities during the regular season, with just 301. They also tied the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks for the fewest short-handed goals allowed, with 4.[1]

Season standings

Central Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
1 3 Detroit Red Wings 82 43 32 7 245 202 1202 93
2 5 St. Louis Blues 82 37 32 13 237 209 1308 87
3 10 Chicago Blackhawks 82 29 41 12 202 248 1807 70
4 12 Nashville Predators 82 28 47 7 190 261 1420 63

[2]

Western Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Dallas Stars PAC 82 51 19 12 236 168 114
2 y – Colorado Avalanche NW 82 44 28 10 239 205 98
3 y – Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 43 32 7 245 202 93
4 Phoenix Coyotes PAC 82 39 31 12 205 197 90
5 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 37 32 13 237 209 87
6 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 35 34 13 215 206 83
7 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 31 33 18 196 191 80
8 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 33 37 12 230 226 78
9 Calgary Flames NW 82 30 40 12 211 234 72
10 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 29 41 12 202 248 70
11 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 32 45 5 189 222 69
12 Nashville Predators CEN 82 28 47 7 190 261 63
13 Vancouver Canucks NW 82 23 47 12 192 258 58

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific, NW – Northwest

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy; y – Won division


Schedule and results

Regular season

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

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

Playoffs

1999 Stanley Cup playoffs[4]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (4) Phoenix Coyotes: Blues win 4–3
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 W April 22, 1999 3–1 @ Phoenix Coyotes Blues lead 1–0 Recap
2 L April 24, 1999 3–4 OT @ Phoenix Coyotes Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 L April 25, 1999 4–5 Phoenix Coyotes Coyotes lead 2–1 Recap
4 L April 27, 1999 1–2 Phoenix Coyotes Coyotes lead 3–1 Recap
5 W April 30, 1999 2–1 OT @ Phoenix Coyotes Coyotes lead 3–2 Recap
6 W May 2, 1999 5–3 Phoenix Coyotes Series tied 3–3 Recap
7 W May 4, 1999 1–0 OT @ Phoenix Coyotes Blues win 4–3 Recap
Western Conference Semifinals vs. (1) Dallas Stars: Stars win 4–2
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L May 6, 1999 0–3 @ Dallas Stars Stars lead 1–0 Recap
2 L May 8, 1999 4–5 OT @ Dallas Stars Stars lead 2–0 Recap
3 W May 10, 1999 3–2 OT Dallas Stars Stars lead 2–1 Recap
4 W May 12, 1999 3–2 OT Dallas Stars Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 L May 15, 1999 1–3 @ Dallas Stars Stars lead 3–2 Recap
6 L May 17, 1999 1–2 OT Dallas Stars Stars win 4–2 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

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 Blues only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blues only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
38 Pavol Demitra LW 82 37 52 89 13 16 13 5 4 9 −5 4
77 Pierre Turgeon C 67 31 34 65 4 36 13 4 9 13 3 6
2 Al MacInnis D 82 20 42 62 33 70 13 4 8 12 −2 20
48 Scott Young RW 75 24 28 52 8 27 13 4 7 11 2 10
44 Chris Pronger D 67 13 33 46 3 113 13 1 4 5 −2 28
33 Scott Pellerin LW 80 20 21 41 1 42 8 1 0 1 −2 4
22 Craig Conroy C 69 14 25 39 14 38 13 2 1 3 −3 6
32 Mike Eastwood C 82 9 21 30 6 36 13 1 1 2 2 6
25 Pascal Rheaume C 60 9 18 27 10 24 5 1 0 1 1 4
27 Terry Yake C 60 9 18 27 −9 34 13 1 2 3 −3 14
10 Jim Campbell RW 55 4 21 25 −8 41 — — — — — —
34 Michel Picard LW 45 11 11 22 5 16 5 0 0 0 −3 2
56 Lubos Bartecko LW 32 5 11 16 4 6 5 0 0 0 −3 2
26 Michal Handzus C 66 4 12 16 −9 30 11 0 2 2 0 8
7 Ricard Persson D 54 1 12 13 4 94 13 0 3 3 −1 17
14 Geoff Courtnall LW 24 5 7 12 2 28 13 2 4 6 −4 10
39 Kelly Chase RW 45 3 7 10 2 143 — — — — — —
15 Marty Reasoner C 22 3 7 10 2 8 — — — — — —
21 Jamal Mayers RW 34 4 5 9 −3 40 11 0 1 1 −2 8
18 Tony Twist LW 63 2 6 8 0 149 1 0 0 0 −1 0
6 Jamie Rivers D 76 2 5 7 −3 47 9 1 1 2 −2 2
5 Todd Gill‡ D 28 2 3 5 −6 16 — — — — — —
23 Blair Atcheynum† RW 12 2 2 4 2 2 13 1 3 4 2 6
36 Bryan Helmer† D 29 0 4 4 3 19 — — — — — —
37 Jeff Finley† D 30 1 2 3 12 20 13 1 2 3 −4 8
4 Marc Bergevin D 52 1 1 2 −14 99 — — — — — —
19 Chris McAlpine D 51 1 1 2 −10 50 13 0 0 0 0 2
35 Jim Carey† G 4 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
42 Rory Fitzpatrick D 1 0 0 0 −3 2 — — — — — —
31 Grant Fuhr G 39 0 0 0 12 13 0 1 1 2
55 Jochen Hecht LW 3 0 0 0 −2 0 5 2 0 2 4 0
1 Brent Johnson G 6 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
29 Jamie McLennan G 33 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6
9 Tyson Nash LW 2 0 0 0 −1 5 1 0 0 0 −3 2
30 Rich Parent G 10 0 0 0 2 — — — — — —
20 Rudy Poeschek D 16 0 0 0 0 33 — — — — — —
28 Brad Shaw† D 12 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 2 0

Goaltending

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blues only.
No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
31 Grant Fuhr 39 16 11 8 827 89 2.44 .892 2 2193 13 6 6 305 31 2.35 .898 1 790
29 Jamie McLennan 33 13 14 4 640 70 2.38 .891 3 1763 1 0 1 7 0 0.00 1.000 0 37
30 Rich Parent 10 4 3 1 193 22 2.54 .886 1 519 — — — — — — — — —
1 Brent Johnson 6 3 2 0 127 10 2.10 .921 0 286 — — — — — — — — —
35 Jim Carey† 4 1 2 0 76 13 3.86 .829 0 202 — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		James Norris Memorial Trophy Al MacInnis [5]
NHL First All-Star Team Al MacInnis (Defense) [6]
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Pavol Demitra [7]
Al MacInnis[a]
Chris Pronger

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Michal Handzus October 10, 1998 [9]
Marty Reasoner
Lubos Bartecko November 28, 1998
Jochen Hecht January 13, 1999
Brent Johnson February 15, 1999
Tyson Nash April 3, 1999
25th shutout Grant Fuhr April 1, 1999 [10]
600th assist Pierre Turgeon April 14, 1999

Transactions

Draft picks

St. Louis's draft picks at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft held at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York.[11]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 24 Christian Backman  Sweden Västra Frölunda HC (Sweden)
2 41 Maxym Linnik  Ukraine St. Thomas Stars (GOJHL)
3 83 Matt Walker  Canada Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
6 157 Brad Voth  Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
6 170 Andrei Troschinsky  Kazakhstan Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan)
7 197 Brad Twordik  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
8 225 Yevgeni Pastukh  Ukraine Khimik Voskresensk (Russia)
9 255 John Pohl  United States University of Minnesota (CCHA)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ MacInnis was voted to the starting lineup.[8]

References

  • "St. Louis Blues 1998-99 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  • "1998-99 St. Louis Blues Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 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. ^ "1998-99 NHL Summary".
  2. ^ Dinger 2011, p. 155.
  3. ^ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  4. ^ a b "1998-99 St. Louis Blues Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "James Norris Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  7. ^ "1999 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)". NHL.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "1998-99 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "N.H.L. : LAST NIGHT; Boston Tightens Hold On Eighth Playoff Spot". The New York Times. April 2, 1999. Retrieved June 27, 2023. Grant Fuhr got his 25th career shutout as St. Louis defeated visiting Tampa
  11. ^ "1998 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.