The 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 22, 1998 following the 1997–98 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Stanley Cup.
The playoffs concluded on June 16 with the Detroit Red Wings winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship, defeating the Washington Capitals, who were in their very first Finals, in a four game sweep. Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman was named playoff MVP, and awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. As of today, the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings are the last team to defend their Stanley Cup Championship.
In the Eastern Semis, the Buffalo Sabres made history as they became the first team in NHL history to complete a four game sweep of the Montreal Canadiens on Montreal ice.
For the first time since 1969 the Chicago Blackhawks missed the playoffs. Also, both the Islanders and Rangers missed the playoffs in the same season for the first time.
This was the first and to date only playoff series 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. Detroit entered this series as the defending Stanley Cup champions. As of 2015 this was the last time that the Stanley Cup was successfully defended by the previous year's champion.
