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2007–08 New Jersey Devils
Division2nd Atlantic
Conference4th Eastern
2007–08 record46–29–7
Home record25–14–2
Road record21–15–5
Goals for206
Goals against197
Team information
General manager Lou Lamoriello
Coach Brent Sutter
CaptainVacant (Oct.–Dec.)
Jamie Langenbrunner (Dec.–Apr.)
Alternate captains Patrik Elias (Oct.–Feb., Mar.–Apr.)
Brian Gionta (Oct.–Dec.)
Jamie Langenbrunner (Oct.–Dec.)
Dainius Zubrus (Oct.–Dec.)
John Madden (Dec.–Apr.)
Paul Martin (Dec.)
Colin White (Jan., Mar.)
Arena Prudential Center
Average attendance15,564 [1] (88.3%)
Team leaders
Goals Zach Parise (32)
AssistsPatrik Elias (35)
PointsZach Parise (65)
Penalty minutes David Clarkson (183)
Plus/minus Johnny Oduya (+27)
Wins Martin Brodeur (44)
Goals against averageMartin Brodeur (2.17)
←  2006–07
2008–09 →

The 2007–08 New Jersey Devils season was the 34th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 26th season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season. [2] It was the first season the team had played home games anywhere other than Continental Airlines Arena, as the Devils relocated to the newly built Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The season was Brent Sutter's first as head coach.

Pre-season

Date Score Opponent Location
September 17 3–2 Philadelphia Flyers Sovereign Bank Arena
September 20 3–0 Boston Bruins Verizon Wireless Arena
September 21 4–3 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden
September 24 3–1 Philadelphia Flyers Wachovia Center
September 26 6–1 New York Islanders Tsongas Arena
September 29 2–1 New York Islanders Arena at Harbor Yard

Regular season

Under new coach Brent Sutter and many roster changes, including the departures of Brian Rafalski and Scott Gomez, the Devils began the first nine games of the season on the road while construction was being finished up at the Prudential Center. The team struggled in the first 19 games, going 7–10–2. The Devils were shut out a league-high 11 times during the regular season. [3] Despite this, they still qualified for the playoffs with 99 points, placing second in the Atlantic Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Divisional standings

Atlantic Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 Pittsburgh Penguins 82 47 27 8 247 216 102
2 New Jersey Devils 82 46 29 7 206 197 99
3 New York Rangers 82 42 27 13 213 199 97
4 Philadelphia Flyers 82 42 29 11 248 233 95
5 New York Islanders 82 35 38 9 194 243 79

Conference standings

Eastern Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 z – Montreal Canadiens NE 82 47 25 10 262 222 104
2 y – Pittsburgh Penguins AT 82 47 27 8 247 216 102
3 y – Washington Capitals SE 82 43 31 8 242 231 94
4 New Jersey Devils AT 82 46 29 7 206 197 99
5 New York Rangers AT 82 42 27 13 213 199 97
6 Philadelphia Flyers AT 82 42 29 11 248 233 95
7 Ottawa Senators NE 82 43 31 8 261 247 94
8 Boston Bruins NE 82 41 29 12 212 222 94
8.5
9 Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 43 33 6 252 249 92
10 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 39 31 12 255 242 90
11 Florida Panthers SE 82 38 35 9 216 226 85
12 Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 36 35 11 231 260 83
13 New York Islanders AT 82 35 38 9 194 243 79
14 Atlanta Thrashers SE 82 34 40 8 216 272 76
15 Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 31 42 9 223 267 71

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast

bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)


Schedule and results

October

Record: 4–6–1; Home: 1–1–0; Road: 3–5–1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
1 October 4 New Jersey 1 – 3 Tampa Bay Brodeur 19,454 0–1–0 0
2 October 6 New Jersey 4 – 1 Florida Weekes 19,250 1–1–0 2
3 October 8 New Jersey 2 – 4 Ottawa Brodeur 18,260 1–2–0 2
4 October 11 New Jersey 0 – 3 Florida Brodeur 10,847 1–3–0 2
5 October 13 New Jersey 6 – 5 Atlanta Brodeur 15,606 2–3–0 4
6 October 17 New Jersey 5 – 4 Pittsburgh Brodeur 16,990 3–3–0 6
7 October 18 New Jersey 0 – 4 Philadelphia Brodeur 19,113 3–4–0 6
8 October 20 New Jersey 3 – 4 NY Islanders OT Weekes 14,092 3–4–1 7
9 October 25 New Jersey 0 – 2 NY Rangers Brodeur 18,200 3–5–1 7
10 October 27 Ottawa 4 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 17,625 3–6–1 7
11 October 31 Tampa Bay 1 – 6 New Jersey Brodeur 13,218 4–6–1 9

November

Record: 9–4–1; Home: 4–3–0; Road: 5–1–1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
12 November 2 Toronto 2 – 3 New Jersey Brodeur 14,523 5–6–1 11
13 November 3 New Jersey 1 – 2 NY Rangers SO Brodeur 18,200 5–6–2 12
14 November 5 Pittsburgh 5 – 0 New Jersey Brodeur 14,032 5–7–2 12
15 November 8 Philadelphia 1 – 4 New Jersey Brodeur 14,948 6–7–2 14
16 November 10 New Jersey 1 – 2 NY Islanders Brodeur 15,361 6–8–2 14
17 November 12 New Jersey 3 – 2 Pittsburgh Weekes 17,096 7–8–2 16
18 November 14 NY Rangers 4 – 2 New Jersey Brodeur 17,625 7–9–2 16
19 November 16 NY Islanders 1 – 0 New Jersey Brodeur 15,076 7–10–2 16
20 November 17 New Jersey 6 – 2 Philadelphia Brodeur 19,621 8–10–2 18
21 November 21 New Jersey 2 – 1 Pittsburgh Brodeur 17,132 9–10–2 20
22 November 23 New Jersey 3 – 0 Atlanta Brodeur 18,545 10–10–2 22
23 November 24 New Jersey 3 – 2 Tampa Bay Brodeur 19,077 11–10–2 24
24 November 28 Dallas 2 – 4 New Jersey Brodeur 13,665 12–10–2 26
25 November 30 Montreal 0 – 4 New Jersey Brodeur 15,081 13–10–2 28

December

Record: 7–4–1 ; Home: 4–1–0 ; Road: 3–3–1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
26 December 2 Atlanta 2 – 3 New Jersey SO Brodeur 14,978 14–10–2 30
27 December 5 Boston 3 – 4 New Jersey OT Brodeur 14,012 15–10–2 32
28 December 7 Washington 2 – 3 New Jersey Brodeur 16,265 16–10–2 34
29 December 9 New Jersey 0 – 1 NY Rangers OT Brodeur 18,200 16–10–3 35
30 December 10 New Jersey 2 – 3 Washington Weekes 10,719 16–11–3 35
31 December 13 New Jersey 3 – 1 Boston Brodeur 12,064 17–11–3 37
32 December 15 Phoenix 4 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 16,636 17–12–3 37
33 December 16 Philadelphia 2 – 4 New Jersey Brodeur 16,687 18–12–3 39
34 December 18 New Jersey 0 – 5 Vancouver Brodeur 18,630 18–13–3 39
35 December 21 New Jersey 3 – 1 Edmonton Brodeur 16,839 19–13–3 41
36 December 23 New Jersey 1 – 0 Calgary OT Brodeur 19,289 20–13–3 43
37 December 28 Buffalo 1 – 2 New Jersey SO Brodeur 17,625 21–13–3 45
38 December 29 New Jersey 2 – 5 NY Islanders Brodeur 16,234 21–14–3 45

January

Record: 7–5–0 ; Home: 4–4–0 ; Road: 3–1–0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
39 January 2 Florida 2 – 3 New Jersey Brodeur 14,124 22–14–3 47
40 January 4 Philadelphia 0 – 3 New Jersey Brodeur 17,625 23–14–3 49
41 January 5 New Jersey 3 – 4 Boston Weekes 17,565 23–15–3 49
42 January 8 Buffalo 1 – 2 New Jersey SO Brodeur 14,030 24–15–3 51
43 January 10 New Jersey 4 – 1 Carolina Brodeur 17,173 25–15–3 53
44 January 12 New Jersey 3 – 2 Buffalo SO Brodeur 18,690 26–15–3 55
45 January 16 NY Islanders 3 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 15,975 26–16–3 55
46 January 18 Florida 2 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 15,203 26–17–3 55
47 January 20 Toronto 2 – 3 New Jersey Brodeur 15,291 27–17–3 57
48 January 22 New Jersey 7 – 3 Philadelphia Brodeur 19,677 28–17–3 59
49 January 24 Montreal 4 – 3 New Jersey Brodeur 14,257 28–18–3 59
50 January 29 Pittsburgh 4 – 2 New Jersey Brodeur 13,595 28–19–3 59

February

Record: 9–3–3 ; Home: 7–3–1 ; Road: 2–0–2

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
51 February 1 NY Rangers 3 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 17,625 28–20–3 59
52 February 2 Los Angeles 3 – 6 New Jersey Brodeur 15,279 29–20–3 61
53 February 4 Pittsburgh 3 – 4 New Jersey OT Brodeur 13,012 30–20–3 63
54 February 6 New Jersey 2 – 3 Buffalo SO Brodeur 18,690 30–20–4 64
55 February 8 Anaheim 2 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 15,332 30–21–4 64
56 February 9 Carolina 1 – 6 New Jersey Brodeur 16,257 31–21–4 66
57 February 13 Ottawa 2 – 3 New Jersey OT Brodeur 12,339 32–21–4 68
58 February 15 Atlanta 4 – 3 New Jersey SO Brodeur 14,475 32–21–5 69
59 February 16 New Jersey 3 – 2 Ottawa Brodeur 20,201 33–21–5 71
60 February 18 Carolina 1 – 5 New Jersey Brodeur 16,182 34–21–5 73
61 February 20 San Jose 2 – 3 New Jersey Brodeur 13,855 35–21–5 75
62 February 23 NY Islanders 2 – 4 New Jersey Brodeur 17,625 36–21–5 77
63 February 24 New Jersey 2 – 1 Washington OT Brodeur 18,277 37–21–5 79
64 February 26 New Jersey 1 – 2 Carolina OT Brodeur 15,466 37–21–6 80
65 February 29 Washington 4 – 0 New Jersey Brodeur 16,580 37–22–6 80

March

Record: 6–6–1 ; Home: 2–2–1 ; Road: 4–4–0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
66 March 1 New Jersey 1 – 2 Montreal Brodeur 21,273 37–23–6 80
67 March 4 New Jersey 4 – 1 Toronto Brodeur 19,507 38–23–6 82
68 March 7 Tampa Bay 1 – 2 New Jersey OT Brodeur 15,670 39–23–6 84
69 March 8 New Jersey 2 – 1 Toronto Brodeur 19,469 40–23–6 86
70 March 11 New Jersey 0 – 4 Montreal Brodeur 21,273 40–24–6 86
71 March 13 New Jersey 4 – 3 Minnesota SO Brodeur 18,568 41–24–6 88
72 March 15 New Jersey 4 – 2 Colorado Brodeur 18,007 42–24–6 90
73 March 19 NY Rangers 2 – 1 New Jersey SO Brodeur 17,625 42–24–7 91
74 March 21 NY Islanders 3 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 17,075 42–25–7 91
75 March 22 New Jersey 1 – 7 Pittsburgh Brodeur 17,132 42–26–7 91
76 March 25 Pittsburgh 2 – 0 New Jersey Brodeur 16,292 42–27–7 91
77 March 27 New Jersey 2 – 3 NY Rangers Brodeur 18,200 42–28–7 91
78 March 28 Philadelphia 4 – 5 New Jersey SO Brodeur 17,056 43–28–7 93

April

Record: 3–1–0 ; Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 1–1–0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
79 April 1 New Jersey 2 – 1 NY Islanders OT Brodeur 12,357 44–28–7 95
80 April 2 Boston 3 – 4 New Jersey SO Brodeur 16,144 45–28–7 97
81 April 4 New Jersey 0 – 3 Philadelphia Brodeur 19,957 45–29–7 97
82 April 6 NY Rangers 2 – 3 New Jersey SO Brodeur 17,625 46–29–7 99

Playoffs

The New Jersey Devils clinched a playoff spot following a 2–1 overtime victory against the New York Islanders on April 1, 2008, their 79th game of the season. They were the third team in the East to clinch a spot in the playoffs, and finished fourth in the Eastern Conference with 99 points. This was their 11th consecutive trip to the playoffs, and their 18th overall since making the playoffs for the first time during the 1987–88 season.

The New Jersey Devils played the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals, losing the series 4–1, including three losses at their home arena in Newark. This was the fifth meeting between the two clubs. The Rangers took the first three series, winning 4 games to 3 in the 1992 Patrick Division Semi-finals, 4–3 again in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, and 4–1 in the 1997 Eastern Conference Semi-finals. Most recently, the Devils swept the Rangers in the 2006 Eastern Conference Quarter-finals.

2008 Stanley Cup playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarter-final vs. New York Rangers (5)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 April 9 NY Rangers 4 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 17,625 0 – 1
2 April 11 NY Rangers 2 – 1 New Jersey Brodeur 17,625 0 – 2
3 April 13 New Jersey 4 – 3 NY Rangers OT Brodeur 18,200 1 – 2
4 April 16 New Jersey 3 – 5 NY Rangers Brodeur 18,200 1 – 3
5 April 18 NY Rangers 5 – 3 New Jersey Brodeur 17,625 1 – 4

* If necessary

Media

Television coverage was on FSN New York (formerly SportsChannel New York and FOX Sports Net New York) with Mike Emrick and Chico Resch providing play-by-play with Steve Cangialosi and former Devil Ken Daneyko as color commentators. FSN New York, which was owned by Cablevision which at the time also owned MSG Network, was re-branded MSG Plus the following season. Radio coverage was still on WFAN 660 with Matt Loughlin and Sherry Ross.

Player statistics

Regular season

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
Zach Parise LW 81 32 33 65 25 13 10 1 8
Patrik Elias LW 74 20 35 55 38 10 7 0 8
Brian Gionta RW 82 22 31 53 46 1 8 1 4
John Madden C 80 20 23 43 26 1 3 3 3
Jamie Langenbrunner RW 64 13 28 41 30 -1 5 1 2
Dainius Zubrus C 82 13 25 38 38 2 4 0 2
Travis Zajac C 82 14 20 34 31 -11 5 0 1
Paul Martin D 73 5 27 32 22 20 2 0 2
Johnny Oduya D 75 6 20 26 46 27 2 0 0
Jay Pandolfo LW 54 12 12 24 22 10 0 0 1
David Clarkson RW 81 9 13 22 183 1 0 0 1
Mike Mottau D 76 4 13 17 48 -11 1 0 1
Sergei Brylin LW 82 6 10 16 20 -5 0 0 1
Karel Rachunek D 47 4 9 13 40 3 0 0 0
Arron Asham RW 77 6 4 10 84 -6 0 0 2
Andy Greene D 59 2 8 10 22 0 2 0 0
Colin White D 57 2 8 10 26 -5 0 0 1
Mike Rupp C 64 3 6 9 58 -8 1 0 0
Sheldon Brookbank D 44 0 8 8 63 0 0 0 0
Vitaly Vishnevski D 69 2 5 7 50 -12 0 0 0
Rod Pelley C 58 2 4 6 19 -3 0 0 1
Martin Brodeur G 77 0 4 4 6 0 0 0 0
Noah Clarke LW 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Nicklas Bergfors RW 1 0 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0
Olli Malmivaara D 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Bryce Salvador D 8 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0
Barry Tallackson RW 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kevin Weekes G 9 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T/OT GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
Martin Brodeur 4635 77 44 27 6 168 2.17 4 2089 1921 .920
Kevin Weekes 343 9 2 2 1 17 2.97 0 160 143 .894
Team: 4978 82 46 29 7 185 2.23 4 2249 2064 .918

Playoffs

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG
Patrik Elias LW 5 4 2 6 4 3 0 0
Zach Parise LW 5 1 4 5 2 1 0 0
Jamie Langenbrunner RW 5 0 4 4 4 0 0 0
John Madden C 5 2 1 3 2 0 0 1
Paul Martin D 5 1 2 3 2 1 0 0
Sergei Brylin LW 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Brian Gionta RW 5 1 0 1 2 0 0 0
Mike Mottau D 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Bryce Salvador D 5 1 0 1 2 0 0 0
Arron Asham RW 5 0 1 1 2 0 0 0
Johnny Oduya D 5 0 1 1 6 0 0 0
Mike Rupp C 5 0 1 1 2 0 0 0
Travis Zajac C 5 0 1 1 4 0 0 0
Dainius Zubrus C 5 0 1 1 8 0 0 0
Martin Brodeur G 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
David Clarkson RW 5 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
Andy Greene D 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jay Pandolfo LW 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Vitaly Vishnevski D 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Colin White D 5 0 0 0 6 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
Martin Brodeur 301 5 1 4 16 3.19 0 147 131 .891
Team: 301 5 1 4 16 3.19 0 147 131 .891

[4]

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T/OT = Ties/overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

Awards

Regular Season
Player Award Awarded
Martin Brodeur Vezina Trophy End of regular season
Martin Brodeur NHL Second All-Star Team – Goaltender End of regular season
Martin Brodeur NHL Second Star of the Week December 2, 2007
Martin Brodeur NHL Third Star of the Week February 24, 2008
Martin Brodeur NHL Second Star of the Week March 9, 2008

Nominations

Regular Season
Player Award Place
John Madden Frank J. Selke Trophy Runner-Up

Records

Milestones

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
Nicklas Bergfors 1st NHL Game October 4, 2007
Brian Gionta 200th NHL Point October 4, 2007
Mike Rupp 200th NHL Game October 6, 2007
Mike Mottau 1st NHL Goal October 6, 2007
Zach Parise 100th NHL Point [5] October 13, 2007
Rod Pelley 1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
October 20, 2007
Martin Brodeur 900th NHL Game October 31, 2007
Dainius Zubrus 700th NHL Game October 31, 2007
Olli Malmivaara 1st NHL Game October 31, 2007
Jay Pandolfo 1st NHL Hat-trick October 31, 2007
Rod Pelley 1st NHL Goal November 8, 2007
Vitaly Vishnevski 500th NHL Game November 12, 2007
Sergei Brylin 700th NHL Game November 12, 2007
Travis Zajac 100th NHL Game November 17, 2007
Karel Rachunek 200th NHL PIM November 17, 2007
Martin Brodeur 500th NHL Win November 17, 2007
Zach Parise 1st NHL Hat-trick November 30, 2007
Johnny Oduya 100th NHL Game November 30, 2007
Brian Gionta 100th NHL Assist December 5, 2007
Patrik Elias 700th NHL Game December 13, 2007
Sergei Brylin 300th NHL Point December 28, 2007
Zach Parise 200th NHL Game December 29, 2007
Paul Martin 100th NHL Point January 4, 2008
Aaron Asham 500th NHL PIM January 4, 2008
David Clarkson 100th NHL PIM January 10, 2008
John Madden 600th NHL Game [6] January 12, 2008
Patrik Elias 600th NHL Point [7] January 22, 2008
Colin White 500th NHL Game February 8, 2008
Jay Pandolfo 200th NHL Point February 20, 2008
Johnny Oduya 100th NHL PIM February 24, 2008
Colin White 700th NHL PIM March 22, 2008
Jay Pandolfo 700th NHL Game March 25, 2008
Paul Martin 300th NHL Game March 27, 2008
Jamie Langenbrunner 800th NHL Game April 1, 2008
Paul Martin 100th NHL Assist April 6, 2008

Transactions

The Devils have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.

Trades

February 26, 2008
To New Jersey Devils
Bryce Salvador
To St. Louis Blues
Cam Janssen

Free agents

Player Former team Contract Terms
Dainius Zubrus Buffalo Sabres 6 year, $20.4 million
Karel Rachunek New York Rangers 1 year, $1.4 million
Kevin Weekes New York Rangers 2 years, $1.375 million
Vitaly Vishnevski Nashville Predators 3 years, $5.4 million
Noah Clarke Los Angeles Kings 1 year, $475,000
Arron Asham New York Islanders 1 year, $700,000
Player New team
Brian Rafalski Detroit Red Wings
Scott Gomez New York Rangers
Brad Lukowich Tampa Bay Lightning
Scott Clemmensen Toronto Maple Leafs
Richard Matvichuk Columbus Blue Jackets
Jim Fahey Chicago Blackhawks
Jim Dowd Philadelphia Flyers
Alex Brooks St. Louis Blues

Draft picks

New Jersey's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio. [8]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
2 57 Mike Hoeffel Wing  United States U.S. National Team Development Program ( NAHL)
3 79 Nick Palmieri Wing  United States Erie Otters ( OHL)
3 87 Corbin McPherson Defenceman  United States Cowichan Valley Capitals ( BCHL)
4 117 Matt Halischuk Right Wing  Canada Kitchener Rangers ( OHL)
6 177 Vili Sopanen Wing   Finland Lahti Pelicans
7 207 Ryan Molle Defenceman  Canada Swift Current Broncos ( WHL)

See also

References

  1. ^ ESPN – NHL Attendance Leaders – National Hockey League
  2. ^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 83. ISBN  978-1-60078-422-4.
  3. ^ "2007-08 NHL Schedule and Results".
  4. ^ "2007-08 New Jersey Devils Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
  5. ^ New Jersey Devils - Recap: New Jersey @ Atlanta - 10/13/2007
  6. ^ Shootout loss extends Sabres' winless streak 9 games
  7. ^ New Jersey Devils - Recap: New Jersey @ Philadelphia - 01/22/2008
  8. ^ 2007 NHL Entry Draft Results nhl.com [ dead link]