2008–09 Detroit Red Wings season

2008–09 Detroit Red Wings
Western Conference champions
Central Division champions
Division1st Central
Conference2nd Western
2008–09 record51–21–10
Home record27–9–5
Road record24–12–5
Goals for297
Goals against244
Team information
General managerKen Holland
CoachMike Babcock
CaptainNicklas Lidstrom
Alternate captainsPavel Datsyuk
Kris Draper
Henrik Zetterberg
ArenaJoe Louis Arena
Average attendance19,865
Capacity: 20,066 (99.0%)
Total: 814,474
Team leaders
GoalsMarian Hossa (40)
AssistsPavel Datsyuk (65)
PointsPavel Datsyuk (97)
Penalty minutesAndreas Lilja (66)
Plus/minusPavel Datsyuk (34)
WinsChris Osgood (26)
Goals against averageTy Conklin (2.51)

The 2008–09 Detroit Red Wings season was the 83rd season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on September 25, 1926. The Detroit Red Wings attempted to defend their Stanley Cup title, but they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games in the Stanley Cup Finals, the team they defeated in the finals the previous season. The Red Wings roster featured former Penguin Marian Hossa, who signed a one-year contract with Detroit during the summer of 2008, as well as former Penguins backup Ty Conklin. With the elimination of the MLB's New York Yankees from the playoffs for the first time since 1993, the Red Wings owned the longest active playoff streak in North American sports, qualifying every year since 1991.

They won 51 games during the regular season, their fourth consecutive season of 50 or more victories.

Off-season

June 9: Dominik Hasek announced his retirement from the NHL.[1]

June 10: Detroit signed head coach Mike Babcock to three-year contract extension.[2]

June 11: Assistant coach Todd McLellan signed with the San Jose Sharks as their new head coach.[3]

June 30: The Detroit Red Wings re-signed defenseman Andreas Lilja to a two-year contract.[4]

July 1: Brad Stuart re-signed with the Detroit Red Wings. It is a four-year deal worth $3.75 million per season, and a no-trade clause for the first two.[5]

July 2: Marian Hossa signed a one-year, $7.45 million contract.

July 15: Dallas Drake announced his retirement from the NHL.[6]

July 23: Ryan Oulahen re-signed with the Detroit Red Wings with a one-year deal.[7]

July 30: Valtteri Filppula re-signed on a five-year, $15 million contract.[8]

Regular season

Excluding six shootout-winning goals, the Red Wings scored 289 goals during the regular season, the most of all 30 teams in the NHL. They also scored the most power-play goals, with 90, and had the best power-play percentage, at 25.50% (90 for 353).[9][10]

Divisional standings

Central Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 y – Detroit Red Wings 82 51 21 10 295 244 112
2 Chicago Blackhawks 82 46 24 12 264 216 104
3 St. Louis Blues 82 41 31 10 233 233 92
4 Columbus Blue Jackets 82 41 31 10 226 230 92
5 Nashville Predators 82 40 34 8 213 233 88

Conference standings

Western Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p – San Jose Sharks PA 82 53 18 11 257 204 117
2 y – Detroit Red Wings CE 82 51 21 10 295 244 112
3 y – Vancouver Canucks NW 82 45 27 10 246 220 100
4 Chicago Blackhawks CE 82 46 24 12 264 216 104
5 Calgary Flames NW 82 46 30 6 254 248 98
6 St. Louis Blues CE 82 41 31 10 233 233 92
7 Columbus Blue Jackets CE 82 41 31 10 226 230 92
8 Anaheim Ducks PA 82 42 33 7 245 238 91
8.5
9 Minnesota Wild NW 82 40 33 9 219 200 89
10 Nashville Predators CE 82 40 34 8 213 233 88
11 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 38 35 9 234 248 85
12 Dallas Stars PA 82 36 35 11 230 257 83
13 Phoenix Coyotes PA 82 36 39 7 208 252 79
14 Los Angeles Kings PA 82 34 37 11 207 234 79
15 Colorado Avalanche NW 82 32 45 5 199 257 69

bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, p – Presidents' Trophy winner
CE – Central Division, NW – Northwest Division, PA – Pacific Division


Schedule and results

2008–09 Game Log
Preseason: 6–1–2 (Home: 3–1–1; Road: 3–0–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record
1 September 24 Montreal 3 – 2 Detroit SO Howard 15,319 0–0–1
2 September 25 Detroit 4 – 3 Boston Larsson 1–0–1
3 September 26 Boston 2 – 1 Detroit Conklin 15,266 1–1–1
4 September 28 Atlanta 0 – 4 Detroit Osgood 17,714 2–1–1
5 September 30 Detroit 1 – 2 Montreal SO Howard 21,273 2–1–2
6 October 1 Detroit 4 – 1 Atlanta Osgood 10,817 3–1–2
7 October 3 Toronto 3 – 5 Detroit Conklin 17,913 4–1–2
8 October 4 Detroit 4 – 3 Toronto Osgood 18,878 5–1–2
9 October 5 Buffalo 0 – 3 Detroit Conklin 15,983 6–1–2
October: 7–2–2 (Home: 2–1–1; Road: 5–1–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
1 October 9 Toronto 3 – 2 Detroit Osgood 20,066 0–1–0 0
2 October 11 Detroit 3 – 2 Ottawa Osgood 20,182 1–1–0 2
3 October 13 Detroit 3 – 1 Carolina Conklin 18,680 2–1–0 4
4 October 16 Vancouver 4 – 3 Detroit OT Osgood 19,011 2–1–1 5
5 October 18 NY Rangers 4 – 5 Detroit OT Osgood 20,066 3–1–1 7
6 October 22 Detroit 4 – 3 St. Louis Conklin 19,150 4–1–1 9
7 October 24 Atlanta 3 - 5 Detroit Osgood 20,066 5–1–1 11
8 October 25 Detroit 6 – 5 Chicago SO Conklin 22,690 6–1–1 13
9 October 27 Detroit 4 – 3 Los Angeles SO Osgood 17,671 7–1–1 15
10 October 29 Detroit 4 – 5 Anaheim OT Osgood 17,174 7–1–2 16
11 October 30 Detroit 2 – 4 San Jose Conklin 17,496 7–2–2 16
November: 8–2–2 (Home: 3–1–1; Road: 5–1–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
12 November 2 Detroit 3 – 2 Vancouver Osgood 18,630 8–2–2 18
13 November 8 New Jersey 1 – 3 Detroit Osgood 20,066 9–2–2 20
14 November 11 Pittsburgh 7 – 6 Detroit OT Osgood 20,066 9–2–3 21
15 November 13 Detroit 4 – 3 Tampa Bay Osgood 20,544 10–2–3 23
16 November 14 Detroit 3 – 2 Florida Conklin 18,637 11–2–3 25
17 November 17 Edmonton 0 – 4 Detroit Conklin 18,934 12–2–3 27
18 November 20 Detroit 4 – 3 Edmonton Osgood 16,839 13–2–3 29
19 November 22 Detroit 5 – 2 Calgary Conklin 19,289 14–2–3 31
20 November 24 Detroit 2 – 3 Vancouver OT Osgood 18,630 14–2–4 32
21 November 26 Montreal 3 – 1 Detroit Conklin 20,066 14–3–4 32
22 November 28 Columbus 3 – 5 Detroit Osgood 20,066 15–3–4 34
23 November 29 Detroit 1 – 3 Boston Conklin 17,565 15–4–4 34
December: 9–3–1 (Home: 8–1–0; Road: 1–2–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
24 December 1 Anaheim 1 – 2 Detroit Osgood 18,862 16–4–4 36
25 December 4 Vancouver 5 – 6 Detroit Osgood 19,116 17–4–4 38
26 December 6 Chicago 4 – 5 Detroit SO Conklin 20,066 18–4–4 40
27 December 10 Calgary 3 - 4 Detroit OT Conklin 19,335 19–4–4 42
28 December 12 Detroit 1 – 3 Dallas Conklin 18,532 19–5–4 42
29 December 13 Detroit 5 – 4 Phoenix SO Osgood 16,339 20–5–4 44
30 December 15 Colorado 3 – 2 Detroit Osgood 19,154 20–6–4 44
31 December 18 San Jose 0 – 6 Detroit Conklin 19,507 21–6–4 46
32 December 20 Los Angeles 4 – 6 Detroit Conklin 19,784 22–6–4 48
33 December 23 St. Louis 1 – 4 Detroit Conklin 20,066 23–6–4 50
34 December 26 Detroit 2 – 3 Nashville Conklin 17,113 23–7–4 50
35 December 27 Detroit 3 – 4 Colorado SO Conklin 18,007 23–7–5 51
36 December 30 Chicago 0 – 4 Detroit Conklin 20,066 24–7–5 53
January: 7–4–2 (Home: 3–1–0; Road: 4–3–2)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
37 January 1 Detroit 6 – 4 Chicago[1] Conklin 40,818 25–7–5 55
38 January 3 Detroit 3 – 2 Minnesota SO Osgood 18,568 26–7–5 57
39 January 6 Columbus 0 – 3 Detroit Conklin 19,717 27–7–5 59
40 January 8 Dallas 1 – 6 Detroit Osgood 20,066 28–7–5 61
41 January 10 Buffalo 1 – 3 Detroit Conklin 20,066 29–7–5 63
42 January 12 Detroit 4 – 5 Dallas OT Osgood 17,648 29–7–6 64
43 January 14 Detroit 4 – 3 Anaheim Osgood 17,525 30–7–6 66
44 January 15 Detroit 4 – 0 Los Angeles Conklin 18,118 31–7–6 68
45 January 17 Detroit 5 – 6 San Jose Osgood 17,496 31–8–6 68
46 January 20 Detroit 3 – 6 Phoenix Conklin 16,368 31–9–6 68
47 January 27 Detroit 2 – 3 Columbus OT Osgood 16,348 31–9–7 69
48 January 29 Dallas 2 – 4 Detroit Osgood 20,066 31–10–7 69
49 January 31 Detroit 2 – 4 Washington Conklin 18,277 31–11–7 69
|^1 2009 NHL Winter Classic, played at Wrigley Field.
February: 10–3–1 (Home: 8–0–1; Road: 2–3–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
50 February 2 St. Louis 3 – 4 Detroit SO Osgood 19,384 32–11–7 71
51 February 4 Phoenix 4 – 5 Detroit Osgood 19,821 33–11–7 73
52 February 7 Edmonton 3 – 8 Detroit Conklin 20,066 34–11–7 75
53 February 8 Detroit 3 – 0 Pittsburgh Conklin 17,132 35–11–7 77
54 February 10 Detroit 5 – 3 Nashville Conklin 15,077 36–11–7 79
55 February 12 Minnesota 2 – 4 Detroit Osgood 20,066 37–11–7 81
56 February 13 Detroit 2 – 3 Columbus Osgood 18,802 37–12–7 81
57 February 15 Colorado 6 – 5 Detroit SO Osgood 20,066 37–12–8 82
58 February 18 Nashville 2 – 6 Detroit Conklin 20,066 38–12–8 84
59 February 20 Anaheim 2 – 5 Detroit Conklin 20,066 39–12–8 86
60 February 21 Detroit 2 – 5 Minnesota Howard 18,568 39–13–8 86
61 February 25 San Jose 1 – 4 Detroit Conklin 20,066 40–13–8 88
62 February 27 Los Angeles 1 – 2 Detroit Osgood 20,066 41–13–8 90
63 February 28 Detroit 0 – 8 Nashville Conklin 17,113 41–14–8 90
March: 8–4–1 (Home: 2–3–1; Road: 6–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
64 March 3 Detroit 5 – 0 St. Louis Osgood 19,250 42–14–8 92
65 March 4 Detroit 3 – 2 Colorado Conklin 18,007 43–14–8 94
66 March 7 Columbus 8 – 2 Detroit Osgood 20,066 43–15–8 94
67 March 10 Phoenix 2 – 3 Detroit OT Conklin 20,066 44–15–8 96
68 March 12 Calgary 6 – 5 Detroit SO Conklin 20,066 44–15–9 97
69 March 14 Detroit 5 – 2 St. Louis Osgood 19,250 45–15–9 99
70 March 15 Detroit 4 – 0 Columbus Osgood 18,685 46–15–9 101
71 March 17 Philadelphia 2 – 3 Detroit Osgood 20,066 47–15–9 103
72 March 20 Detroit 6 – 3 Atlanta Osgood 18,545 48–15–9 105
73 March 23 Detroit 3 – 5 Calgary Osgood 19,289 48–16–9 105
74 March 24 Detroit 3 – 2 Edmonton Conklin 16,839 49–16–9 107
75 March 27 NY Islanders 2 – 0 Detroit Osgood 20,066 49–17–9 107
76 March 29 Nashville 4 – 3 Detroit Osgood 20,066 49–18–9 107
April: 2–3–1 (Home: 1–2–1; Road: 1–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
77 April 2 St. Louis 5 – 4 Detroit Conklin 19,935 49–19–9 107
78 April 5 Minnesota 2 – 3 Detroit Osgood 20,066 50–19–9 109
79 April 6 Detroit 4 – 1 Buffalo Osgood 18,690 51–19–9 111
80 April 9 Nashville 4 – 3 Detroit SO Osgood 20,066 51–19–10 112
81 April 11 Chicago 4 – 2 Detroit Conklin 20,066 51–20–10 112
82 April 12 Detroit 0 – 3 Chicago Osgood 22,376 51–21–10 112
Legend:   Win (2 points)

  Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Playoffs

See also: 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs

Detroit had not missed the post-season since 1989–90. The 2008–09 season was their 18th consecutive playoff season.

2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
Western Conference quarter-final vs. (7) Columbus Blue Jackets: Detroit won series 4–0
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 April 16 Columbus 1 – 4 Detroit Osgood 20,066 1–0
2 April 18 Columbus 0 – 4 Detroit Osgood 20,066 2–0
3 April 21 Detroit 4 – 1 Columbus Osgood 19,219 3–0
4 April 23 Detroit 6 – 5 Columbus Osgood 18,889 4–0
Western Conference semi-final vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks: Detroit won series 4–3
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 May 1 Anaheim 2 – 3 Detroit Osgood 20,066 1–0
2 May 3 Anaheim 4 – 3 Detroit 3OT Osgood 20,066 1–1
3 May 5 Detroit 1 – 2 Anaheim Osgood 17,174 1–2
4 May 7 Detroit 6 – 3 Anaheim Osgood 17,601 2–2
5 May 10 Anaheim 1 – 4 Detroit Osgood 20,066 3–2
6 May 12 Detroit 1 – 2 Anaheim Osgood 17,174 3–3
7 May 14 Anaheim 3 – 4 Detroit Osgood 20,066 4–3
Western Conference finals vs. (4) Chicago Blackhawks: Detroit won series 4–1
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 May 17 Chicago 2 – 5 Detroit Osgood 20,066 1–0
2 May 19 Chicago 2 – 3 Detroit OT Osgood 20,066 2–0
3 May 22 Detroit 3 – 4 Chicago OT Osgood 22,678 2–1
4 May 24 Detroit 6 – 1 Chicago Conklin 22,663 3–1
5 May 27 Chicago 1 - 2 Detroit OT Osgood 20,066 4-1
Stanley Cup Finals vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins: Detroit lost series 3–4
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 May 30 Pittsburgh 1 – 3 Detroit Osgood 20,066 1–0
2 May 31 Pittsburgh 1 – 3 Detroit Osgood 20,066 2–0
3 June 2 Detroit 2 – 4 Pittsburgh Osgood 17,132 2–1
4 June 4 Detroit 2 – 4 Pittsburgh Osgood 17,132 2–2
5 June 6 Pittsburgh 0 – 5 Detroit Osgood 20,066 3–2
6 June 9 Detroit 1 – 2 Pittsburgh Osgood 17,132 3–3
7 June 12 Pittsburgh 2 - 1 Detroit Osgood 20,066 3–4
Legend:   Win   Loss

During the Finals, Head Coach Mike Babcock joined Mike Keenan as the only coaches in NHL history to coach in Game 7 Stanley Cup Finals on two different teams, having been with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2003. When the Red Wings lost Game 7, Babcock had the unfortunate distinction of becoming the first coach in NHL history to lose a Game 7 Stanley Cup Finals on two different teams, as his Ducks lost to the New Jersey Devils in 2003.

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals 

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts

Regular season
Player GP TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV Sv% SO
Chris Osgood 46 2662 26 9 8 137 3.09 1208 1071 .887 2
Ty Conklin 40 2246 25 11 2 94 2.51 1033 939 .909 6
Jimmy Howard 1 58 0 1 0 4 4.10 28 24 .857 0
Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SA SV Sv% SO
Chris Osgood 23 1,405 15 8 47 2.01 637 590 .926 2
Ty Conklin 1 19 0 0 0 0.00 9 9 1.000 0

Awards and records

Milestones

Regular Season
Team member Milestone Reached
Andreas Lilja 400th NHL game October 11, 2008
Brett Lebda 200th NHL game October 11, 2008
Marian Hossa 300th NHL goal October 18, 2008
Ken Holland 500th win as general manager October 27, 2008
Niklas Kronwall 200th NHL game November 26, 2008
Brad Stuart 600th NHL game November 28, 2008
Pavel Datsyuk 300th NHL assist November 28, 2008
Johan Franzen 100th NHL point December 1, 2008
Derek Meech 1st NHL goal December 4, 2008
Jiri Hudler 200th NHL game December 10, 2008
Mike Babcock 250th win as coach December 10, 2008
Jiri Hudler 100th NHL point January 1, 2009
Chris Chelios NHL record for most regular season career wins (880) January 7, 2009
Valtteri Filppula 200th NHL game January 17, 2009
Brian Rafalski 400th NHL point January 17, 2009
Henrik Zetterberg 400th NHL game January 27, 2009
Ville Leino 1st NHL goal January 31, 2009
Kris Draper 1000th NHL game February 2, 2009
Pavel Datsyuk 500th NHL game February 13, 2009
Mike Babcock 200th win as coach of the Red Wings February 18, 2009
Pavel Datsyuk 500th NHL point February 25, 2009
Kirk Maltby 1000th NHL game February 27, 2009
Chris Osgood 300th win with the Red Wings March 14, 2009

Transactions

Free agents

Acquired by Detroit
Player Former team Contract Terms
Ty Conklin Pittsburgh Penguins 1 year; $750,000 [11]
Marian Hossa Pittsburgh Penguins 1 year; $7.4 million [12]
Darren Haydar Atlanta Thrashers 1 year [13]
Leaving Detroit
Player New team
Garrett Stafford Dallas Stars
Mark Cullen Vancouver Canucks
Carl Corazzini Edmonton Oilers


Draft picks

Detroit's selections at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario.[14]

Round Overall Pick Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 30 Tom McCollum Goaltender  United States Guelph Storm (OHL)
3 91 Max Nicastro Defenseman  United States Chicago Steel (USHL)
4 121 Gustav Nyquist Center  Sweden Malmö Redhawks (Sweden Jr.)
5 151 Julien Cayer Center  Canada Northwood School (USHS-NY)
6 181 Stephen Johnston Left Wing  Canada Belleville Bulls (OHL)
7 211 Jesper Samuelsson Center  Sweden HC Vita Hästen (Swe-3)

Farm teams

The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) remain the minor league affiliate of the Red Wings for the 2008–09 season.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lacking motivation to continue career, Hasek retires after 16 seasons". Associated Press. June 9, 2008. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  2. ^ "Babcock cashes in, gets new deal for 3 years". Detroit Free Press. June 11, 2008. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  3. ^ "Sharks Name Todd McLellan Head Coach". San Jose Sharks. June 11, 2008. Archived from the original on June 14, 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  4. ^ Roose, Roose (June 30, 2008). "Lilja signs two-year deal with Wings". Detroit Red Wings. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  5. ^ "Stuart re-signs with Red Wings for $3.75M per season". ESPN.com news services. July 2, 2008. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  6. ^ "Red Wings forward Dallas Drake will retire". ESPN.com news services. July 15, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  7. ^ "Red Wings sign RW Haydar, LW Oulahen". Yahoo.com. July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  8. ^ "Red Wings sign Filppula to five-year deal". TSN.com news services. July 30, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  9. ^ "2008-09 NHL Summary".
  10. ^ "2008-09 NHL Schedule and Results".
  11. ^ Burnside, Scott (July 1, 2008). "Cup champs bring in Conklin as backup for Osgood". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  12. ^ "Report: Red Wings sign Hossa for one year, $7.4 million". ESPN.com news services. July 2, 2008. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  13. ^ "Red Wings sign RW Haydar, LW Oulahen". Yahoo.com. July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  14. ^ "2008 NHL Entry Draft picks". NHL.com. Retrieved June 21, 2008. [dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Minor League Affiliates". Detroit Red Wings. Archived from the original on June 28, 2008. Retrieved June 21, 2008.