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2007–08 Washington Capitals season

NHL hockey team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2007–08 Washington Capitals season began on October 5, 2007. It was the Capitals' 34th season in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Division1st Southeast
Conference3rd Eastern
2007–08 record43–31–8
Home record23–15–3
Quick facts Washington Capitals, Division ...
2007–08 Washington Capitals
Southeast Division champions
Division1st Southeast
Conference3rd Eastern
2007–08 record43–31–8
Home record23–15–3
Road record20–16–5
Goals for242
Goals against231
Team information
General managerGeorge McPhee
CoachGlen Hanlon (Oct.–Nov.)
Bruce Boudreau (Nov.–Apr.)
CaptainChris Clark
Alternate captainsDonald Brashear (Nov.–Apr.)
Alexander Ovechkin
Brian Sutherby (Oct.–Nov.)
ArenaVerizon Center
Average attendance15,473 (84.7%)
Team leaders
GoalsAlexander Ovechkin (65)
AssistsNicklas Backstrom (55)
PointsAlexander Ovechkin (112)
Penalty minutesDonald Brashear (119)
Plus/minusViktor Kozlov
Alexander Ovechkin (+28)
WinsOlaf Kolzig (25)
Goals against averageCristobal Huet (1.63)
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On November 22, Head coach Glen Hanlon was fired[1] after starting the Capitals with a 6–14–1 record, the team's worst start since the 1981–82 season. He was replaced by Bruce Boudreau on an interim basis until December 26, when Boudreau's position was made permanent.[2]

On March 21, Alexander Ovechkin scored his 60th goal of the season in a game against the Atlanta Thrashers, becoming the first NHL player to accomplish the feat in 12 years, and tying Dennis Maruk's single-season franchise record. He would go on to break the record in the Capitals' next game, a 3–2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes, on March 25. Ovechkin also became the first NHL player to score 60 goals in a season since Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in 1995–96.[3]

On April 3, Ovechkin scored twice to break Luc Robitaille's single-season left-winger goal-scoring record of 63 goals.

Leading the league in scoring with 65 goals, 47 assists and 112 points in all 82 games played, Ovechkin simultaneously captured the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's Most Valuable Player. It was also the first time in 41 seasons that a left-winger led the NHL in points since Bobby Hull led the league with 97 points in 1965–66.[4] Moreover, Ovechkin also holds the distinction of being the only NHL player to have scored over 60 goals in a single NHL season during the 2000s. He also belongs to a select group of NHL players to have accomplished this rare feat in the salary cap era following the 2004–05 NHL lockout.[4]

On April 5, the Capitals defeated the Florida Panthers 3–1 at home to clinch the franchise's third Southeast Division title and fourth Division title overall. The Capitals became the first team in NHL history to make the playoffs after being ranked 14th or lower in the standings at the season's midpoint.[5]

In the playoffs, the Capitals won their first game against the Philadelphia Flyers, but then lost three consecutive games to fall behind three games to one. They managed to win their next two games to force a Game 7, but lost in overtime on a power play goal by Joffrey Lupul.

Regular season

On March 3, 2008, the Capitals defeated the Boston Bruins at home by a score of 10–2.[6] Alexander Ovechkin scored three goals in the game. It was the first time that the Capitals had scored 10 goals in a regular season game since January 11, 2003, when they defeated the Florida Panthers at home by a score of 12–2.[7]

Season standings

Division standings

More information GP, W ...
Southeast Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1y – Washington Capitals824331824223194
2Carolina Hurricanes824333625224992
3Florida Panthers823835921622685
4Atlanta Thrashers823440821627276
5Tampa Bay Lightning823142922326771
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Conference standings

More information R, Div ...
Eastern Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 z – Montreal CanadiensNE82472510262222104
2 y – Pittsburgh PenguinsAT8247278247216102
3 y – Washington CapitalsSE824331824223194
4 New Jersey DevilsAT824629720619799
5 New York RangersAT8242271321319997
6 Philadelphia FlyersAT8242291124823395
7 Ottawa SenatorsNE824331826124794
8 Boston BruinsNE8241291221222294
8.5
9 Carolina HurricanesSE824333625224992
10 Buffalo SabresNE8239311225524290
11 Florida PanthersSE823835921622685
12 Toronto Maple LeafsNE8236351123126083
13 New York IslandersAT823538919424379
14 Atlanta ThrashersSE823440821627276
15 Tampa Bay LightningSE823142922326771
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Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast

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

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
2007–08 regular season[8]
October: 5–6–0 (home: 2–3–0; road: 3–3–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
1October 5Washington3 – 1AtlantaJohnson18,7071–0–02W
2October 6Carolina0 – 2WashingtonKolzig16,7412–0–04W
3October 8Washington2 – 1NY IslandersKolzig16,2343–0–06W
4October 12Washington1 – 3NY RangersKolzig18,2003–1–06L
5October 13Washington3 – 7BuffaloJohnson18,6903–2–06L
6October 18NY Islanders5 – 2WashingtonKolzig11,0363–3–06L
7October 20Pittsburgh2 – 1WashingtonJohnson18,2773–4–06L
8October 24Tampa Bay3 – 5WashingtonKolzig10,2264–4–08W
9October 26Vancouver3 – 2WashingtonKolzig12,7054–5–08L
10October 27Washington3 – 4St. LouisJohnson16,8634–6–08L
11October 29Washington7 – 1TorontoKolzig19,3165–6–010W
November: 3–10–2 (home: 1–5–1; road: 2–5–1)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
12November 1Washington0 – 2NY RangersKolzig18,2005–7–010L
13November 2Philadelphia3 – 2WashingtonKolzig16,0555–8–010L
14November 5Washington0 – 5CarolinaKolzig12,1715–9–010L
15November 6Washington1 – 2AtlantaOTJohnson15,5305–9–111OTL
16November 8Washington4 – 1OttawaKolzig19,6666–9–113W
17November 10Tampa Bay5 – 2WashingtonKolzig14,6176–10–113L
18November 15Washington1 – 2FloridaKolzig12,1016–11–113L
19November 16Washington2 – 5Tampa BayKolzig19,5266–12–113L
20November 19Florida4 – 3WashingtonKolzig13,4116–13–113L
21November 21Atlanta5 – 1WashingtonKolzig11,6696–14–113L
22November 23Washington4 – 3PhiladelphiaOTKolzig19,7277–14–115W
23November 24Carolina2 – 5WashingtonKolzig13,6508–14–117W
24November 26Buffalo3 – 1WashingtonKolzig11,2048–15–117L
25November 28Florida2 – 1WashingtonSOKolzig10,5268–15–218OTL
26November 30Washington3 – 4CarolinaKolzig16,3868–16–218L
December: 7–3–3 (home: 4–2–0; road: 3–1–3)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
27December 1Washington2 – 1FloridaJohnson14,3339–16–220W
28December 7Washington2 – 3New JerseyKolzig16,2659–17–220L
29December 8Atlanta3 – 6WashingtonKolzig14,01410–17–222W
30December 10New Jersey2 – 3WashingtonKolzig10,71911–17–224W
31December 12NY Rangers4 – 5WashingtonOTKolzig12,55312–17–226W
32December 14Buffalo5 – 3WashingtonKolzig17,03512–18–226L
33December 15Washington3 – 2Tampa BayJohnson18,36713–18–228W
34December 17Washington3 – 4DetroitSOKolzig19,48313–18–329OTL
35December 20Montreal5 – 2WashingtonKolzig12,67013–19–329L
36December 22Washington2 – 3NY IslandersOTKolzig14,30513–19–430OTL
37December 26Tampa Bay2 – 3WashingtonKolzig15,03514–19–432W
38December 27Washington3 – 4PittsburghOTJohnson17,13214–19–533OTL
39December 29Washington8 – 6OttawaKolzig20,29615–19–535W
January: 9–4–0 (home: 7–1–0; road: 2–3–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
40January 1Ottawa3 – 6WashingtonKolzig14,54716–19–537W
41January 3Washington0 – 2BostonKolzig12,24016–20–537L
42January 5Washington5 – 4MontrealOTKolzig21,27317–20–539W
43January 9Colorado1 – 2WashingtonKolzig16,16818–20–541W
44January 13Philadelphia6 – 4WashingtonKolzig17,71318–21–541L
45January 15Ottawa2 – 4WashingtonJohnson15,26119–21–543W
46January 17Edmonton4 – 5WashingtonSOKolzig13,39920–21–545W
47January 19Florida3 – 5WashingtonJohnson16,97321–21–547W
48January 21Washington6 – 5PittsburghSOKolzig17,05022–21–549W
49January 23Washington2 – 3TorontoKolzig19,47922–22–549L
50January 24Toronto1 – 2WashingtonJohnson14,09423–22–551W
51January 29Washington0 – 4MontrealJohnson21,27323–23–551L
52January 31Montreal4 – 5WashingtonOTKolzig14,93024–23–553W
February: 6–4–3 (home: 2–2–2; road: 4–2–1)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
53February 2Atlanta2 – 0WashingtonKolzig17,20524–24–553L
54February 5Washington4 – 3ColumbusOTJohnson14,45025–24–555W
55February 6Washington4 – 3PhiladelphiaKolzig19,77826–24–557W
56February 8Carolina2 – 1WashingtonJohnson18,20426–25–557L
57February 10NY Rangers2 – 3WashingtonOTKolzig17,87327–25–559W
58February 13Washington2 – 3AtlantaSOKolzig15,28527–25–660OTL
59February 15Washington2 – 4FloridaJohnson16,20227–26–660L
60February 16Washington3 – 2Tampa BayKolzig20,45428–26–662W
61February 20NY Islanders3 – 2WashingtonSOKolzig17,58428–26–763OTL
62February 23Washington3 – 6CarolinaKolzig18,68028–27–763L
63February 24New Jersey2 – 1WashingtonOTJohnson18,27728–27–864OTL
64February 26Minnesota1 – 4WashingtonKolzig17,39129–27–866W
65February 29Washington4 – 0New JerseyHuet16,58030–27–868W
March: 10–4–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 6–2–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
66March 1Toronto3 – 2WashingtonKolzig18,27730–28–868L
67March 3Boston2 – 10WashingtonHuet17,18931–28–870W
68March 5Washington3 – 1BuffaloKolzig18,69032–28–872W
69March 8Washington1 – 2BostonHuet17,56532–29–872L
70March 9Pittsburgh4 – 2WashingtonHuet18,27732–30–872L
71March 12Calgary2 – 3WashingtonKolzig17,56033–30–874W
72March 14Atlanta1 – 4WashingtonKolzig18,20834–30–876W
73March 16Boston1 – 2WashingtonSOHuet18,27735–30–878W
74March 18Washington4 – 2NashvilleHuet17,13336–30–880W
75March 19Washington0 – 5ChicagoKolzig20,94236–31–880L
76March 21Washington5 – 3AtlantaHuet18,56237–31–882W
77March 25Washington3 – 2CarolinaSOHuet18,68038–31–884W
78March 27Washington4 – 3Tampa BayOTHuet17,77739–31–886W
79March 29Washington3 – 0FloridaHuet17,83240–31–888W
April: 3–0–0 (home: 3–0–0; road: 0–0–0)
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
80April 1Carolina1 – 4WashingtonHuet18,27741–31–890W
81April 3Tampa Bay1 – 4WashingtonHuet16,31142–31–892W
82April 5Florida1 – 3WashingtonHuet18,27743–31–894W

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) OTL Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

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Playoffs

More information 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
2008 Stanley Cup playoffs[8]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers win 4–3
GameDateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 11Philadelphia4 – 5WashingtonHuet18,277Capitals lead 1–0W
2April 13Philadelphia2 – 0WashingtonHuet18,277Series tied 1–1L
3April 15Washington3 – 6PhiladelphiaHuet19,822Flyers lead 2–1L
4April 17Washington3 – 4Philadelphia2OTHuet19,913Flyers lead 3–1L
5April 19Philadelphia2 – 3WashingtonHuet18,277Flyers lead 3–2W
6April 21Washington4 – 2PhiladelphiaHuet19,297Series tied 3–3W
7April 22Philadelphia3 – 2WashingtonOTHuet18,277Flyers win 4–3L

Legend: W Win L Loss

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Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Regular Season
Top 10 PlayersGPGAPts+/-PIM
Alexander Ovechkin8265471122840
Nicklas Backstrom821455691324
Mike Green82183856662
Viktor Kozlov811638542818
Alexander Semin63261642-1854
Michael Nylander40112637-1924
Brooks Laich82211637-335
Tomas Fleischmann75102030-718
Tom Poti7122729946
Jeff Schultz72513181228
Playoffs
Top 10 PlayersGPGAPts+/-PIM
Alexander Ovechkin7459-10
Alexander Semin735828
Mike Green7347-215
Brooks Laich715624
Nicklas Backstrom732522
Sergei Fedorov7134-12
Viktor Kozlov7033-42
Donald Brashear711210
Dave Steckel7112-24
Matt Bradley7022-32

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses;
GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Regular Season
PlayerGPTOIWLOTGASOSv%GAA
Olaf Kolzig543154252161531.8922.91
Brent Johnson191032782460.9082.67
Cristobal Huet137711120212.9361.63
Playoffs
PlayerGPTOIWLOTGASOSv%GAA
Cristobal Huet7451322220.9092.93

Awards and records

Records

Milestones

Regular Season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Nicklas Backstrom1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		October 5, 2007
Alexander Ovechkin200th NHL PointOctober 6, 2007
Milan Jurcina100th NHL PIMOctober 8, 2007
Alexander Ovechkin100th NHL GoalOctober 12, 2007
Joe Motzko1st NHL AssistOctober 18, 2007
Tom Poti600th NHL GameOctober 18, 2007
Mike Green100th NHL GameOctober 24, 2007
Dave Steckel1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point		October 24, 2007
Jeff Schultz1st NHL GoalOctober 29, 2007
Chris Bourque1st NHL GameNovember 6, 2007
Nicklas Backstrom1st NHL GoalNovember 8, 2007
Matt Pettinger300th NHL GameNovember 23, 2007
Tom Poti200th NHL AssistNovember 23, 2007
Alexander Semin100th NHL PointDecember 8, 2007
Quintin Laing1st NHL GoalDecember 10, 2007
Alexander Ovechkin200th NHL GameDecember 26, 2007
Brian Pothier100th NHL PointDecember 27, 2007
Alexander Ovechkin1st NHL 4-Goal GameDecember 29, 2007
Michael Nylander200th NHL GoalJanuary 13, 2008
Brooks Laich200th NHL GameJanuary 23, 2008
Steve Eminger200th NHL GameJanuary 24, 2008
John Erskine200th NHL GameJanuary 29, 2008
Viktor Kozlov800th NHL GameJanuary 29, 2008
Donald Brashear900th NHL GameFebruary 5, 2008
Olaf Kolzig700th NHL GameFebruary 10, 2008
Viktor Kozlov300th NHL AssistFebruary 16, 2008
Sami Lepisto1st NHL GameFebruary 16, 2008
Tomas Fleischmann100th NHL GameFebruary 20, 2008
Donald Brashear200th NHL PointMarch 3, 2008
Olaf Kolzig300th NHL WinMarch 12, 2008
Sami Lepisto1st NHL PointMarch 14, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin300th NHL PointMarch 18, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin61st Goal (Franchise single season record)March 25, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin64th Goal (NHL single season record - goals by LW)April 3, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin65th Goal (Franchise single season record)April 3, 2008
Nicklas Backstrom55th Assist (Franchise single season record - rookie assists)April 5, 2008

Awards

PlayerAward
Alexander OvechkinAll-Star forward
Nicklas BackstromNHL YoungStar
Alexander OvechkinFirst Star of the Month (January)[9]
Nicklas BackstromRookie of the Month (January)[10]
Alexander OvechkinFirst Star of the Month (March)
Alexander OvechkinArt Ross Trophy
Alexander OvechkinMaurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
Alexander OvechkinHart Memorial Trophy
Alexander OvechkinLester B. Pearson Award
Bruce BoudreauJack Adams Award

Transactions

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

Trades

November 19, 2007 To Washington Capitals
2nd-round pick in 2009 – Jeremy Morin		 To Anaheim Ducks
Brian Sutherby
February 26, 2008 To Washington Capitals
Cristobal Huet		 To Montreal Canadiens
2nd-round pick in 2009 – Jeremy Morin
February 26, 2008 To Washington Capitals
Sergei Fedorov		 To Columbus Blue Jackets
Ted Ruth
February 26, 2008 To Washington Capitals
Matt Cooke		 To Vancouver Canucks
Matt Pettinger
February 26, 2008 To Washington Capitals
Alexandre Giroux		 To Atlanta Thrashers
Joe Motzko

Free agents

PlayerFormer teamContract Terms
Tom Poti[11]New York Islanders4 years, $14 million[12][13]
Viktor Kozlov[14]New York Islanders2 years, $5 million[12][13]
Michael Nylander[15]New York Rangers4 years, $19.5 million[12][13]
Joe Motzko[16]Anaheim Ducks2 years, $1.025 million[13]
Jason Morgan[17]Minnesota Wild1 year, $500,000[13]
PlayerNew team
Jiri NovotnyColumbus Blue Jackets
Joey TenutePhoenix Coyotes
Alexandre GirouxAtlanta Thrashers
Kris BeechPittsburgh Penguins

Draft picks

Washington's picks at the 2007 NHL entry draft in Columbus, Ohio.[18] The Capitals had the 5th overall pick .

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 5 Karl Alzner D  Canada Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
2 34 Josh Godfrey D  Canada Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
2 46 Ted Ruth D  United States U.S. National Team Development Program (USHL)
3 84 Phil Desimone C  United States Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
4 108 Brett Bruneteau C  United States Omaha Lancers (USHL)
5 125 Brett Leffler RW  Canada Regina Pats (WHL)
6 154 Dan Dunn G  Canada Wellington Dukes (OPRJA)
6 180 Justin Taylor C  Canada London Knights (OHL)
7 185 Nick Larson C  United States Omaha Lancers (USHL)
7 199 Andrew Glass RW  United States
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Farm teams

American Hockey League

The Hershey Bears are the Capitals American Hockey League affiliate in 2007–08.

ECHL

The South Carolina Stingrays are the Capitals ECHL affiliate in 2007–08.

See also

References

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Timelines

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