1998 Stanley Cup playoffs

The playoffs concluded on June 16 with the Detroit Red Wings defeating the Washington Capitals in a four-game sweep to win their second Stanley Cup championship in a row.

Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman was named playoff MVP, and awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The two conference winners then advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, where home ice advantage was awarded to the team that had the better regular season record.

This was the second consecutive and fifth overall playoff meeting between these two teams; with Philadelphia winning all four previous series.

Their only previous meeting was in the 1990 Wales Conference Final, where Boston won in a four-game sweep.

Their only previous meeting was in the 1996 Western Conference Quarterfinals where Detroit defeated the Winnipeg Jets in six games.

Their only previous meeting was in the 1969 Stanley Cup Semifinals, where St. Louis won in a four-game sweep.

This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams; with Montreal winning four of the six previous series.

They last made it to the Conference Finals in 1991, where the Minnesota North Stars defeated the Edmonton Oilers in five games.

Detroit made their fourth consecutive and sixth overall appearance in the Conference Finals; they defeated the Colorado Avalanche in the previous year in six games.

Detroit won this year's five-game regular season series earning eight of ten points.