The 1998–99 Washington Capitals season was the

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

25th season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL). The Capitals missed the playoffs, despite their amazing run to the

1998 Stanley Cup Finals The 1998 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1997–98 season, and the culmination of the 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Western Conference champion and defending Stanley Cu ...

the previous year.

Off-season

Regular season

The Caps opened the 1998–99 season by raising their "Eastern Conference Champions 1997–1998" banner to the rafters of the MCI Center then shutting out the

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

1–0 with Olaf Kolzig making 29 saves. On January 16, 1999, Kelly Miller scored just nine seconds into the overtime period to give the Caps a 3–2 road win over the

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

. It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1998–99 regular season. On February 3, 1999, the Caps defeated the

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

at home by a score of 10–1. Peter Bondra scored four goals in the game. It was the first time that Washington had scored ten goals in a regular-season game since December 17, 1993, when they defeated the

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

at home by a score of 11–2. On March 23, 1999, the Caps traded captain Dale Hunter, Joe Juneau (who had scored the OT goal that led the Caps to the

), and Craig Berube. A month after the season finale owner

Abe Pollin Abraham J. Pollin (December 3, 1923 – November 24, 2009) was a real estate developer, professional sports team owner, and philanthropist in the Washington metropolitan area. He owned the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (N ...

announced he had sold the team to

Ted Leonsis Theodore John Leonsis (born January 8, 1957) is an American businessman. He is a former senior executive with America Online (AOL) and the founder, chairman, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NHL's Washington Capitals, ...

The Caps were shut out an NHL-high 11 times. They also tied the

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

for the fewest power-play opportunities, with just 301. The Caps failed to make the playoffs after playing in the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals. They led the NHL in man-games lost to injury with 511.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 10, 1998, , 1–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 1–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 13, 1998, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1998–99) , , 1–1–0 , , , - , 3, , October 16, 1998, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1998–99) , , 1–1–1 , , , - , 4, , October 18, 1998, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 2–1–1 , , , - , 5, , October 21, 1998, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1998–99) , , 2–2–1 , , , - , 6, , October 23, 1998, , 1–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1998–99) , , 3–2–1 , , , - , 7, , October 24, 1998, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 1998–99) , , 3–2–2 , , , - , 8, , October 28, 1998, , 2–8 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1998–99) , , 3–3–2 , , , - , 9, , October 30, 1998, , 0–0 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1998–99) , , 3–3–3 , , , - , - , 10, , November 1, 1998, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 3–4–3 , , , - , 11, , November 4, 1998, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 3–5–3 , , , - , 12, , November 6, 1998, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 3–6–3 , , , - , 13, , November 7, 1998, , 8–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 4–6–3 , , , - , 14, , November 12, 1998, , 0–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 4–7–3 , , , - , 15, , November 14, 1998, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1998–99) , , 5–7–3 , , , - , 16, , November 18, 1998, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1998–99) , , 6–7–3 , , , - , 17, , November 20, 1998, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 6–8–3 , , , - , 18, , November 21, 1998, , 4–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1998–99) , , 6–9–3 , , , - , 19, , November 25, 1998, , 5–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1998–99) , , 7–9–3 , , , - , 20, , November 27, 1998, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 1998–99) , , 7–10–3 , , , - , 21, , November 28, 1998, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 7–11–3 , , , - , - , 22, , December 1, 1998, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1998–99) , , 7–12–3 , , , - , 23, , December 4, 1998, , 5–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 8–12–3 , , , - , 24, , December 5, 1998, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1998–99) , , 8–13–3 , , , - , 25, , December 9, 1998, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1998–99) , , 8–14–3 , , , - , 26, , December 11, 1998, , 0–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 8–15–3 , , , - , 27, , December 12, 1998, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 1998–99) , , 8–16–3 , , , - , 28, , December 17, 1998, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 1998–99) , , 9–16–3 , , , - , 29, , December 19, 1998, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 9–17–3 , , , - , 30, , December 23, 1998, , 4–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 10–17–3 , , , - , 31, , December 26, 1998, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...

( 1998–99) , , 10–18–3 , , , - , 32, , December 28, 1998, , 5–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 11–18–3 , , , - , 33, , December 30, 1998, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 11–19–3 , , , - , - , 34, , January 1, 1999, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 11–20–3 , , , - , 35, , January 2, 1999, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 12–20–3 , , , - , 36, , January 7, 1999, , 5–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1998–99) , , 13–20–3 , , , - , 37, , January 9, 1999, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 14–20–3 , , , - , 38, , January 11, 1999, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 15–20–3 , , , - , 39, , January 13, 1999, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 15–21–3 , , , - , 40, , January 15, 1999, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 15–22–3 , , , - , 41, , January 16, 1999, , 3–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 16–22–3 , , , - , 42, , January 18, 1999, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 16–22–4 , , , - , 43, , January 21, 1999, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 16–23–4 , , , - , 44, , January 26, 1999, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 16–24–4 , , , - , 45, , January 29, 1999, , 3–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 16–25–4 , , , - , 46, , January 30, 1999, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 16–26–4 , , , - , - , 47, , February 1, 1999, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 17–26–4 , , , - , 48, , February 3, 1999, , 10–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 18–26–4 , , , - , 49, , February 5, 1999, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 19–26–4 , , , - , 50, , February 7, 1999, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 20–26–4 , , , - , 51, , February 9, 1999, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 21–26–4 , , , - , 52, , February 12, 1999, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 22–26–4 , , , - , 53, , February 13, 1999, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 22–27–4 , , , - , 54, , February 15, 1999, , 3–7 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 22–28–4 , , , - , 55, , February 18, 1999, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 22–28–5 , , , - , 56, , February 20, 1999, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 23–28–5 , , , - , 57, , February 22, 1999, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 24–28–5 , , , - , 58, , February 24, 1999, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 1998–99) , , 24–29–5 , , , - , 59, , February 27, 1999, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 24–30–5 , , , - , 60, , February 28, 1999, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 25–30–5 , , , - , - , 61, , March 2, 1999, , 8–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 26–30–5 , , , - , 62, , March 4, 1999, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 26–31–5 , , , - , 63, , March 6, 1999, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 27–31–5 , , , - , 64, , March 9, 1999, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

( 1998–99) , , 27–32–5 , , , - , 65, , March 11, 1999, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 27–33–5 , , , - , 66, , March 13, 1999, , 4–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 27–34–5 , , , - , 67, , March 15, 1999, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 27–34–6 , , , - , 68, , March 17, 1999, , 2–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 28–34–6 , , , - , 69, , March 20, 1999, , 1–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 29–34–6 , , , - , 70, , March 21, 1999, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 29–35–6 , , , - , 71, , March 25, 1999, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 29–36–6 , , , - , 72, , March 26, 1999, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 29–37–6 , , , - , 73, , March 30, 1999, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 29–38–6 , , , - , - , 74, , April 1, 1999, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 30–38–6 , , , - , 75, , April 3, 1999, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 30–39–6 , , , - , 76, , April 5, 1999, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 31–39–6 , , , - , 77, , April 7, 1999, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 31–40–6 , , , - , 78, , April 8, 1999, , 0–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 31–41–6 , , , - , 79, , April 10, 1999, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 31–42–6 , , , - , 80, , April 12, 1999, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1998–99) , , 31–43–6 , , , - , 81, , April 14, 1999, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 31–44–6 , , , - , 82, , April 18, 1999, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1998–99) , , 31–45–6 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

Draft picks

Washington's draft picks at the 1998 NHL entry draft held at the

Marine Midland Arena KeyBank Center is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Buffalo, New York, United States. Originally known as Marine Midland Arena, the venue has since been named HSBC Arena and First Niagara Center. Home to the Buffalo Sabres of the Nation ...

Buffalo, New York Buffalo is a Administrative divisions of New York (state), city in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York and county seat of Erie County, New York, Erie County. It lies in Western New York at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of ...

Notes

References

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:1998-99 Washington Capitals Season W Washington Capitals seasons

Cap A cap is a flat headgear, usually with a visor. Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. The origin of the word "cap" comes from the Old French word "chapeau" which means "head co ...