Buffalo Sabres: Reliving the 1999 Stanley Cup Final

31 May 1999: The Buffalo Sabres celebrate after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs during the Stanley Cup playoffs at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
31 May 1999: The Buffalo Sabres celebrate after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs during the Stanley Cup playoffs at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
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Buffalo Sabres
6 Nov 1999: Goalkeeper Martin Biron #43 of the Buffalo Sabres in action during the game against the New York Islanders at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres defeated the Islanders 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

Once upon a time, the Buffalo Sabres were the class of the Eastern Conference. And in 1999, they nearly ended the season with their first Stanley Cup.

The Buffalo Sabres square off with the Dallas Stars this afternoon in what will be a memorable affair. Coming off of a strong showing against one of the NHL’s best teams, the Sabres face a lesser opponent in the Stars. A team they have a bit of a history with.

Let’s flashback and party like it’s 1999. Times were good in Buffalo. The Sabres made a deep playoff run and of course, the Bills geared up for a playoff appearance over in Orchard Park.

Early in the series, the Sabres took an advantage, before unfortunately falling to the Stars in six games. But that sixth game was and still is among the most memorable in NHL history. And perhaps the most memorable in Stanley Cup Final history. No, the Sabres didn’t win, but they gave the Stars all they could handle. Here’s how things played out.