2007–08 NHL season
League National Hockey League
Sport Ice hockey
Duration September 29, 2007 – June 4, 2008
Regular season
Season MVP Flag of Russia Alexander Ovechkin (Washington)
Top scorer Flag of Russia Alexander Ovechkin (Washington)
Playoffs
Eastern champions Pittsburgh Penguins
  Eastern runners-up Philadelphia Flyers
Western champions Detroit Red Wings
  Western runners-up Dallas Stars
Playoffs MVP Flag of Sweden Henrik Zetterberg
Finals
Finals champions Detroit Red Wings
  Runners-up Pittsburgh Penguins

The 2007–08 NHL season was the 90th season of the National Hockey League. It began on September 29, 2007, with the regular season ending April 6, 2008. The Stanley Cup playoffs ended on June 4, with the Detroit Red Wings taking the championship .The 56th NHL All-Star Game was held in Atlanta, Georgia as the Atlanta Thrashers hosted the event at Philips Arena on January 27, 2008. The hosting by Atlanta was rescheduled from 2005, when a lockout cancelled the entire 2004–05 season.

Contents

League business

The season featured the debut of Reebok's new Rbk EDGE hockey jerseys. This was the first league-wide uniform innovation in the history of any major North American professional sports league.1 Six teams (Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Washington, Ottawa, San Jose and Columbus) unveiled new logos prior to the season's beginning.

On March 1, 2007, the NHL announced the regular season would open on September 29, 2007, with the first of back-to-back games in London at The O2. They were the first NHL regular season games ever played in Europe. Both games featured the defending Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks, and the Los Angeles Kings (who are owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group, the same company that owns The O2).2

The official average attendance per game was 17,625 per game. However, if the two games played at the O2 Arena are counted, the number is 17,309 per game.

On September 17, 2007, the NHL announced the first outdoor game in over four years would be played between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills football team, on January 1, 2008. The event—known as the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic—was the first time an NHL regular-season game had been played outdoors in the United States, and it set an NHL attendance record of 71,217 people. The only previous outdoor NHL game was the Heritage Classic played between the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers at Commonwealth Stadium on November 22, 2003.3

During board of governors meetings held on September 18, 2007 in Chicago, cities including Las Vegas, Kansas City, Houston, Milwaukee, Quebec City, Seattle, and Winnipeg were discussed as possible expansion destinations. The NHL also discussed the current "unbalanced" schedule and voted on a new schedule format at a board meeting in November, so that all teams will play each other at least once and reduce intradivisional play in the 2008–09 season, in essence returning to the scheduling structure that existed in 2003–04, and would have existed in 2004–05. The sale of the Lightning and Predators teams were not completed for board approval.4

Rule changes

A number of minor rule changes were introduced for the start of the 2007-08 season. Penalty shots can now be awarded when a player with the puck is hauled down from the centre line on in rather than from the opposition's blue-line as previously was the case. Also, the interference rule was altered to allow for a major penalty and a game misconduct when an injury results. Another change affected faceoff placement: All faceoffs must be conducted at one of the nine dots painted on the rink.

Regular season

The New Jersey Devils began playing in their new arena, the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. However, since the arena was not ready by the beginning of the season, they began their season with a nine-game road trip.

Inter-conference division play had the Northeast visit the Pacific, the Pacific visit the Atlantic, the Atlantic visit the Northwest, the Northwest visit the Southeast, the Southeast visit the Central, and the Central visit the Northeast.

Mike Cammalleri of the Los Angeles Kings scored the first goal of the season against the Anaheim Ducks on September 29 in the opening game played in London, England.

Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers was severely injured after having his external carotid artery in his neck accidentally cut by the skate of teammate Olli Jokinen in a game against the Buffalo Sabres on February 10. Zednik is expected to fully recover from the injury.

The Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators matched up for the first time since the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals on March 3, 2008 at Anaheim.

The Washington Capitals improved from 14th place in the previous season to third place in 2007-08 and winners of the Southeast Division.

The San Jose Sharks went the entire month of March without a regulation loss and were the media's favorite to win the cup going into the play-offs.

The Detroit Red Wings won the Presidents' Trophy for finishing the regular season with the most points (115).

Final standings

GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime/Shootout Losses, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
y-Pittsburgh Penguins 82 47 27 8 247 216 102
x-New Jersey Devils 82 46 29 7 206 197 99
x-New York Rangers 82 42 27 13 213 199 97
x-Philadelphia Flyers 82 42 29 11 248 233 95
e-New York Islanders 82 35 38 9 194 243 79
Northeast Division GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
z-Montreal Canadiens 82 47 25 10 262 222 104
x-Ottawa Senators 82 43 31 8 261 247 94
x-Boston Bruins 82 41 29 12 212 222 94
e-Buffalo Sabres 82 39 31 12 255 242 90
e-Toronto Maple Leafs 82 36 35 11 231 260 83
Southeast Division GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
y-Washington Capitals 82 43 31 8 242 231 94
e-Carolina Hurricanes 82 43 33 6 252 249 92
e-Florida Panthers 82 38 35 9 216 226 85
e-Atlanta Thrashers 82 34 40 8 216 272 76
e-Tampa Bay Lightning 82 31 42 9 223 267 71

Western Conference

Central Division GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
p-Detroit Red Wings 82 54 21 7 257 184 115
x-Nashville Predators 82 41 32 9 230 229 91
e-Chicago Blackhawks 82 40 34 8 239 235 88
e-Columbus Blue Jackets 82 34 36 12 193 218 80
e-St. Louis Blues 82 33 36 13 205 237 79
Northwest Division GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
y-Minnesota Wild 82 44 28 10 223 218 98
x-Colorado Avalanche 82 44 31 7 231 219 95
x-Calgary Flames 82 42 30 10 229 227 94
e-Edmonton Oilers 82 41 35 6 235 251 88
e-Vancouver Canucks 82 39 33 10 213 215 88
Pacific Division GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
y-San Jose Sharks 82 49 23 10 222 193 108
x-Anaheim Ducks 82 47 27 8 205 191 102
x-Dallas Stars 82 45 30 7 242 207 97
e-Phoenix Coyotes 82 38 37 7 214 231 83
e-Los Angeles Kings 82 32 43 7 231 266 71

Conference standings

*-Denotes Division Leader

Eastern Conference GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
z-Montreal Canadiens * 82 47 25 10 262 222 104
y-Pittsburgh Penguins * 82 47 27 8 247 216 102
y-Washington Capitals * 82 43 31 8 242 231 94
x-New Jersey Devils 82 46 29 7 206 197 99
x-New York Rangers 82 42 27 13 213 199 97
x-Philadelphia Flyers 82 42 29 11 248 233 95
x-Ottawa Senators 82 43 31 8 261 247 94
x-Boston Bruins 82 41 29 12 212 222 94
e-Carolina Hurricanes 82 43 33 6 252 249 92
e-Buffalo Sabres 82 39 31 12 255 242 90
e-Florida Panthers 82 38 35 9 216 226 85
e-Toronto Maple Leafs 82 36 35 11 231 260 83
e-New York Islanders 82 35 38 9 194 243 79
e-Atlanta Thrashers 82 34 40 8 216 272 76
e-Tampa Bay Lightning 82 31 42 9 223 267 71

x - clinched playoff spot, y - clinched division title, z - clinched best conference record, e - eliminated from playoff contention, * - division leader

Western Conference GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
p-Detroit Red Wings * 82 54 21 7 257 184 115
y-San Jose Sharks * 82 49 23 10 222 193 108
y-Minnesota Wild * 82 44 28 10 223 218 98
x-Anaheim Ducks 82 47 27 8 205 191 102
x-Dallas Stars 82 45 30 7 242 207 97
x-Colorado Avalanche 82 44 31 7 231 219 95
x-Calgary Flames 82 42 30 10 229 227 94
x-Nashville Predators 82 41 32 9 230 229 91
e-Edmonton Oilers 82 41 35 6 235 251 88
e-Chicago Blackhawks 82 40 34 8 239 235 88
e-Vancouver Canucks 82 39 33 10 213 215 88
e-Phoenix Coyotes 82 38 37 7 214 231 83
e-Columbus Blue Jackets 82 34 36 12 193 218 80
e-St. Louis Blues 82 33 36 13 205 237 79
e-Los Angeles Kings 82 32 43 7 231 266 71

x - clinched playoff spot, y - clinched division title, p - clinched Presidents' Trophy and best record in conference, e - eliminated from playoff contention, * - division leader

Tiebreaking procedures

Where two or more clubs are tied in points at the end of the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

  1. The greater number of games won.
  2. The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs.
  3. The greater differential between goals for and against.

Scoring leaders

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Alexander Ovechkin Washington Capitals 82 65 47 112 +28 40
Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins 82 47 59 106 +16 78
Jarome Iginla Calgary Flames 82 50 48 98 +27 83
Pavel Datsyuk Detroit Red Wings 82 31 66 97 +41 20
Joe Thornton San Jose Sharks 82 29 67 96 +18 59
Henrik Zetterberg Detroit Red Wings 75 43 49 92 +30 34
Vincent Lecavalier Tampa Bay Lightning 81 40 52 92 -17 89
Jason Spezza Ottawa Senators 76 34 58 92 +26 66
Daniel Alfredsson Ottawa Senators 70 40 49 89 +15 34
Ilya Kovalchuk Atlanta Thrashers 79 52 35 87 -12 52

Leading goaltenders

GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average

Player Team GP TOI W L OT GA SO Sv% GAA
Chris Osgood Detroit Red Wings 43 2,409 43 9 4 84 4 .914 2.09
Dominik Hasek Detroit Red Wings 41 2,350 27 10 3 84 5 .902 2.14
Jean-Sebastien Giguere Anaheim Ducks 58 3,310 35 17 6 117 4 .922 2.12
Martin Brodeur New Jersey Devils 77 4,635 44 27 6 168 4 .920 2.17
Evgeni Nabokov San Jose Sharks 77 4,560 46 21 8 163 6 .910 2.14

Playoffs

Playoff seeds

After the 2007–08 NHL regular season, the standard of 16 teams qualified for the playoffs.

Eastern Conference

  1. Montreal Canadiens - Northeast Division and Eastern Conference regular season champion; 104 points
  2. Pittsburgh Penguins - Atlantic Division champion, 102 points
  3. Washington Capitals - Southeast Division champion, 94 points
  4. New Jersey Devils - 99 points
  5. New York Rangers - 97 points
  6. Philadelphia Flyers - 95 points
  7. Ottawa Senators - 94 points (43 wins)
  8. Boston Bruins - 94 points (41 wins)

Western Conference

  1. Detroit Red Wings - Central Division and Western Conference regular season champion; Presidents' Trophy winner, 115 points
  2. San Jose Sharks - Pacific Division champion, 108 points
  3. Minnesota Wild - Northwest Division champion, 98 points
  4. Anaheim Ducks - 102 points
  5. Dallas Stars - 97 points
  6. Colorado Avalanche - 95 points
  7. Calgary Flames - 94 points
  8. Nashville Predators - 91 points

Playoff bracket

  Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals
(reseeded)
Conference Finals Stanley Cup Finals
                                     
1  Montreal Canadiens 4     1  Montreal Canadiens 1  
8  Boston Bruins 3     6  Philadelphia Flyers 4  
2  Pittsburgh Penguins 4
7  Ottawa Senators 0  
  6  Philadelphia Flyers 1  
Eastern Conference
  2  Pittsburgh Penguins 4  
3  Washington Capitals 3  
6  Philadelphia Flyers 4  
4  New Jersey Devils 1   2  Pittsburgh Penguins 4
5  New York Rangers 4     5  New York Rangers 1  


  E2  Pittsburgh Penguins 2
  W1  Detroit Red Wings 4
1  Detroit Red Wings 4     1  Detroit Red Wings 4
8  Nashville Predators 2     6  Colorado Avalanche 0  
2  San Jose Sharks 4
7  Calgary Flames 3  
  1  Detroit Red Wings 4
Western Conference
  5  Dallas Stars 2  
3  Minnesota Wild 2  
6  Colorado Avalanche 4  
4  Anaheim Ducks 2   2  San Jose Sharks 2
5  Dallas Stars 4     5  Dallas Stars 4  
Stanley Cup
2007–08 Winners
Detroit Red Wings
Eleventh Title

In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. The higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage, which gives them a maximum possible four games on their home ice, with the other team getting a maximum possible three. In the Stanley Cup Finals, home ice is determined based on regular season points; thus, the Detroit Red Wings will have home ice advantage. Each best-of-seven series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 format. This means that the higher-seeded team will have Games 1 and 2, plus 5 and 7 if necessary, played on their home ice, while the lower-seeded team will be at home for the other games. The format ensures that the team with home ice advantage will always have home ice for the "extra" game if there are an odd number of games in a series.

Milestones

NHL awards

Presidents' Trophy: Detroit Red Wings
Prince of Wales Trophy: Pittsburgh Penguins
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Detroit Red Wings
Art Ross Trophy: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Jason Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs
Calder Memorial Trophy: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Conn Smythe Trophy: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Hart Memorial Trophy: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Jack Adams Award: Bruce Boudreau, Washington Capitals
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Lester B. Pearson Award: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award: Dan Ellis, Nashville Predators
Vezina Trophy: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
William M. Jennings Trophy: Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings
Lester Patrick Trophy:
NHL Lifetime Achievement Award: Gordie Howe

NHL All Star Team

First All-Star Team
Alexander Ovechkin • Evgeni Malkin • Jarome Iginla
Nicklas Lidstrom • Dion Phaneuf
Evgeni Nabokov
Second All-Star Team
Henrik Zetterberg • Joe Thornton • Alexei Kovalev
Brian Campbell • Zdeno Chara
Martin Brodeur

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 2007–08:

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 2007–08:

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Reebok And NHL To Unveil New Technologically-advanced Uniform System. Press release. 2007-01-22. http://en.rbkhockey.com/news/read.php?pr_id=254. Retrieved on 2007-01-22. 
  2. ^ "On your mark, get set ... open datebooks!". NHL.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  3. ^ "Happy New Year! Pens, Sabres to play outside in Buffalo". NHL.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-17.
  4. ^ ESPN report, retrieved on September 19, 2007
  5. ^ Hawkins, Stephen (2008-05-05). "Stars beat Sharks in 4 OTs to clinch series", Associated Press. Retrieved on 5 May 2008. 
  6. ^ Dallas Stars (2008-08-28). Barnes Joins Coaching Staff. Press release. http://stars.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=380599. Retrieved on 2008-08-29. 
  7. ^ Vancouver Canucks Statement on the Passing of Luc Bourdon. Press release. 2008-05-29. http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=364711&page=NewsPage&service=page. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
  8. ^ After winning the Cup, Dallas Drake goes out on top. Press release. 2008-07-18. http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/SPORTS05/807160413/1053. Retrieved on 2008-07-16. 
  9. ^ "Report: Hasek will hang up skates after winning Stanley Cup" (2008-09-09). Retrieved on 9 June 2008. 
  10. ^ Transactions. Press release. 2008-07-04. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/transactions/. Retrieved on 2008-07-14. 
  11. ^ Sami Kapanen Announces His Retirement. Press release. 2008-06-03. http://flyers.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=365121&page=NewsPage&service=page. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
  12. ^ Linden Announces Retirement after 19 Seasons. Press release. 2008-06-11. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/story/?id=240290&hubname=nhl-canucks. Retrieved on 2008-07-14. 
  13. ^ Stars' defenceman Norstrom announces retirement. Press release. 2008-06-10. http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240285&lid=sublink011&lpos=headlines_nhl. Retrieved on 2008-06-11. 
  14. ^ Glen Wesley Announces Retirement from Hockey. Press release. 2008-06-05. http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=365328. Retrieved on 2008-06-18. 

External links