The Buffalo Sabres had to go through three current Atlantic Division rivals to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in 1999. After sweeping Ottawa and eliminating Boston in six games, the Sabres took on the surprising Toronto Maple Leafs, but in spite of not having Dominik Hasek at the start of the series, Buffalo was able to get through their QEW rival in their first playoff matchup in five games.

On this day in 1999, the Sabres beat Toronto 5-2 at the current KeyBank Center, with enforcer Rob Ray scoring the third and final playoff goal of his career. Buffalo would lose to the Dallas Stars in six games in the Cup Final.