2007–08 Washington Capitals season

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)

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

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

Southeast Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 y – Washington Capitals 82 43 31 8 242 231 94
2 Carolina Hurricanes 82 43 33 6 252 249 92
3 Florida Panthers 82 38 35 9 216 226 85
4 Atlanta Thrashers 82 34 40 8 216 272 76
5 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 31 42 9 223 267 71

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: 5-6-0; Home: 2-3-0; Road: 3-3-0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
1 October 5 Washington 3 - 1 Atlanta Johnson 18,707 1-0-0 2
2 October 6 Carolina 0 - 2 Washington Kolzig 16,741 2-0-0 4
3 October 8 Washington 2 - 1 NY Islanders Kolzig 16,234 3-0-0 6
4 October 12 Washington 1 - 3 NY Rangers Kolzig 18,200 3-1-0 6
5 October 13 Washington 3 - 7 Buffalo Johnson 18,690 3-2-0 6
6 October 18 NY Islanders 5 - 2 Washington Kolzig 11,036 3-3-0 6
7 October 20 Pittsburgh 2 - 1 Washington Johnson 18,277 3-4-0 6
8 October 24 Tampa Bay 3 - 5 Washington Kolzig 10,226 4-4-0 8
9 October 26 Vancouver 3 - 2 Washington Kolzig 12,705 4-5-0 8
10 October 27 Washington 3 - 4 St. Louis Johnson 16,863 4-6-0 8
11 October 29 Washington 7 - 1 Toronto Kolzig 19,316 5-6-0 10

November

Record: 3-10-2; Home: 1-5-1; Road: 2-5-1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
12 November 1 Washington 0 - 2 NY Rangers Kolzig 18,200 5-7-0 10
13 November 2 Philadelphia 3 - 2 Washington Kolzig 16,055 5-8-0 10
14 November 5 Washington 0 - 5 Carolina Kolzig 12,171 5-9-0 10
15 November 6 Washington 1 - 2 Atlanta OT Johnson 15,530 5-9-1 11
16 November 8 Washington 4 - 1 Ottawa Kolzig 19,666 6-9-1 13
17 November 10 Tampa Bay 5 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Washington Kolzig 14,617 6-10-1 13
18 November 15 Washington 1 - 2 Florida Kolzig 12,101 6-11-1 13
19 November 16 Washington 2 - 5 Tampa Bay Kolzig 19,526 6-12-1 13
20 November 19 Florida 4 - 3[permanent dead link‍] Washington Kolzig 13,411 6-13-1 13
21 November 21 Atlanta 5 - 1 Washington Kolzig 11,669 6-14-1 13
22 November 23 Washington 4 - 3 Philadelphia OT Kolzig 19,727 7-14-1 15
23 November 24 Carolina 2 - 5 Washington Kolzig 13,650 8-14-1 17
24 November 26 Buffalo 3 - 1 Washington Kolzig 11,204 8-15-1 17
25 November 28 Florida 2 - 1 Washington SO Kolzig 10,526 8-15-2 18
26 November 30 Washington 3 - 4 Carolina Kolzig 16,386 8-16-2 18

December

Record: 7-3-3; Home: 4-2-0; Road: 3-1-3

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
27 December 1 Washington 2 - 1 Florida Johnson 14,333 9-16-2 20
28 December 7 Washington 2 - 3 New Jersey Kolzig 16,265 9-17-2 20
29 December 8 Atlanta 3 - 6 Washington Kolzig 14,014 10-17-2 22
30 December 10 New Jersey 2 - 3 Washington Kolzig 10,719 11-17-2 24
31 December 12 NY Rangers 4 - 5[permanent dead link‍] Washington OT Kolzig 12,553 12-17-2 26
32 December 14 Buffalo 5 - 3 Washington Kolzig 17,035 12-18-2 26
33 December 15 Washington 3 - 2 Tampa Bay Johnson 18,367 13-18-2 28
34 December 17 Washington 3 - 4 Detroit SO Kolzig 19,483 13-18-3 29
35 December 20 Montreal 5 - 2 Washington Kolzig 12,670 13-19-3 29
36 December 22 Washington 2 - 3 NY Islanders OT Kolzig 14,305 13-19-4 30
37 December 26 Tampa Bay 2 - 3 Washington Kolzig 15,035 14-19-4 32
38 December 27 Washington 3 - 4 Pittsburgh OT Johnson 17,132 14-19-5 33
39 December 29 Washington 8 - 6 Ottawa Kolzig 20,296 15-19-5 35

January

Record: 9-4-0; Home: 7-1-0; Road: 2-3-0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
40 January 1 Ottawa 3 - 6 Washington Kolzig 14,547 16-19-5 37
41 January 3 Washington 0 - 2 Boston Kolzig 12,240 16-20-5 37
42 January 5 Washington 5 - 4 Montreal OT Kolzig 21,273 17-20-5 39
43 January 9 Colorado 1 - 2 Washington Kolzig 16,168 18-20-5 41
44 January 13 Philadelphia 6 - 4 Washington Kolzig 17,713 18-21-5 41
45 January 15 Ottawa 2 - 4 Washington Johnson 15,261 19-21-5 43
46 January 17 Edmonton 4 - 5 Washington SO Kolzig 13,399 20-21-5 45
47 January 19 Florida 3 - 5 Washington Johnson 16,973 21-21-5 47
48 January 21 Washington 6 - 5 Pittsburgh SO Kolzig 17,050 22-21-5 49
49 January 23 Washington 2 - 3 Toronto Kolzig 19,479 22-22-5 49
50 January 24 Toronto 1 - 2 Washington Johnson 14,094 23-22-5 51
51 January 29 Washington 0 - 4 Montreal Johnson 21,273 23-23-5 51
52 January 31 Montreal 4 - 5 Washington OT Kolzig 14,930 24-23-5 53

February

Record: 6-4-3; Home: 2-2-2; Road: 4-2-1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
53 February 2 Atlanta 2 - 0 Washington Kolzig 17,205 24-24-5 53
54 February 5 Washington 4 - 3 Columbus OT Johnson 14,450 25-24-5 55
55 February 6 Washington 4 - 3 Philadelphia Kolzig 19,778 26-24-5 57
56 February 8 Carolina 2 - 1 Washington Johnson 18,204 26-25-5 57
57 February 10 NY Rangers 2 - 3 Washington OT Kolzig 17,873 27-25-5 59
58 February 13 Washington 2 - 3 Atlanta SO Kolzig 15,285 27-25-6 60
59 February 15 Washington 2 - 4 Florida Johnson 16,202 27-26-6 60
60 February 16 Washington 3 - 2 Tampa Bay Kolzig 20,454 28-26-6 62
61 February 20 NY Islanders 3 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Washington SO Kolzig 17,584 28-26-7 63
62 February 23 Washington 3 - 6[permanent dead link‍] Carolina Kolzig 18,680 28-27-7 63
63 February 24 New Jersey 2 - 1[permanent dead link‍] Washington OT Johnson 18,277 28-27-8 64
64 February 26 Minnesota 1 - 4[permanent dead link‍] Washington Kolzig 17,391 29-27-8 66
65 February 29 Washington 4 - 0[permanent dead link‍] New Jersey Huet 16,580 30-27-8 68

March

Record: 10-4-0; Home: 4-2-0; Road: 6-2-0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
66 March 1 Toronto 3 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Washington Kolzig 18,277 30-28-8 68
67 March 3 Boston 2 - 10[permanent dead link‍] Washington Huet 17,189 31-28-8 70
68 March 5 Washington 3 - 1[permanent dead link‍] Buffalo Kolzig 18,690 32-28-8 72
69 March 8 Washington 1 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Boston Huet 17,565 32-29-8 72
70 March 9 Pittsburgh 4 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Washington Huet 18,277 32-30-8 72
71 March 12 Calgary 2 - 3[permanent dead link‍] Washington Kolzig 17,560 33-30-8 74
72 March 14 Atlanta 1 - 4[permanent dead link‍] Washington Kolzig 18,208 34-30-8 76
73 March 16 Boston 1 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Washington SO Huet 18,277 35-30-8 78
74 March 18 Washington 4 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Nashville Huet 17,133 36-30-8 80
75 March 19 Washington 0 - 5[permanent dead link‍] Chicago Kolzig 20,942 36-31-8 80
76 March 21 Washington 5 - 3[permanent dead link‍] Atlanta Huet 18,562 37-31-8 82
77 March 25 Washington 3 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Carolina SO Huet 18,680 38-31-8 84
78 March 27 Washington 4 - 3[permanent dead link‍] Tampa Bay OT Huet 17,777 39-31-8 86
79 March 29 Washington 3 - 0[permanent dead link‍] Florida Huet 17,832 40-31-8 88

April

Record: 3-0-0; Home: 3-0-0; Road: 0-0-0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
80 April 1 Carolina 1 - 4 Washington Huet 18,277 41-31-8 90
81 April 3 Tampa Bay 1 - 4 Washington Huet 16,311 42-31-8 92
82 April 5 Florida 1 - 3 Washington Huet 18,277 43-31-8 94

Playoffs

2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarter-final vs. Philadelphia (6)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 April 11 Philadelphia 4 – 5[permanent dead link‍] Washington Huet 18,277 Capitals lead 1–0
2 April 13 Philadelphia 2 – 0[permanent dead link‍] Washington Huet 18,277 Tied 1–1
3 April 15 Washington 3 – 6[permanent dead link‍] Philadelphia Huet 19,822 Flyers lead 2–1
4 April 17 Washington 3 - 4[permanent dead link‍] Philadelphia 2OT Huet 19,913 Flyers lead 3–1
5 April 19 Philadelphia 2 - 3[permanent dead link‍] Washington Huet 18,277 Flyers lead 3-2
6 April 21 Washington 4 - 2[permanent dead link‍] Philadelphia Huet 19,297 Tied 3–3
7 April 22 Philadelphia 3 - 2 Washington OT Huet 18,277 Flyers wins series 4-3

Player statistics

Skaters

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

Regular Season
Top 10 Players GP G A Pts +/- PIM
Alexander Ovechkin 82 65 47 112 28 40
Nicklas Backstrom 82 14 55 69 13 24
Mike Green 82 18 38 56 6 62
Viktor Kozlov 81 16 38 54 28 18
Alexander Semin 63 26 16 42 -18 54
Michael Nylander 40 11 26 37 -19 24
Brooks Laich 82 21 16 37 -3 35
Tomas Fleischmann 75 10 20 30 -7 18
Tom Poti 71 2 27 29 9 46
Jeff Schultz 72 5 13 18 12 28
Playoffs
Top 10 Players GP G A Pts +/- PIM
Alexander Ovechkin 7 4 5 9 -1 0
Alexander Semin 7 3 5 8 2 8
Mike Green 7 3 4 7 -2 15
Brooks Laich 7 1 5 6 2 4
Nicklas Backstrom 7 3 2 5 2 2
Sergei Fedorov 7 1 3 4 -1 2
Viktor Kozlov 7 0 3 3 -4 2
Donald Brashear 7 1 1 2 1 0
Dave Steckel 7 1 1 2 -2 4
Matt Bradley 7 0 2 2 -3 2

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
Player GP TOI W L OT GA SO Sv% GAA
Olaf Kolzig 54 3154 25 21 6 153 1 .892 2.91
Brent Johnson 19 1032 7 8 2 46 0 .908 2.67
Cristobal Huet 13 771 11 2 0 21 2 .936 1.63
Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L OT GA SO Sv% GAA
Cristobal Huet 7 451 3 2 2 22 0 .909 2.93

Awards and records

Records

Milestones

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
Nicklas Backstrom 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		 October 5, 2007
Alexander Ovechkin 200th NHL Point October 6, 2007
Milan Jurcina 100th NHL PIM October 8, 2007
Alexander Ovechkin 100th NHL Goal October 12, 2007
Joe Motzko 1st NHL Assist October 18, 2007
Tom Poti 600th NHL Game October 18, 2007
Mike Green 100th NHL Game October 24, 2007
Dave Steckel 1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point		 October 24, 2007
Jeff Schultz 1st NHL Goal October 29, 2007
Chris Bourque 1st NHL Game November 6, 2007
Nicklas Backstrom 1st NHL Goal November 8, 2007
Matt Pettinger 300th NHL Game November 23, 2007
Tom Poti 200th NHL Assist November 23, 2007
Alexander Semin 100th NHL Point December 8, 2007
Quintin Laing 1st NHL Goal December 10, 2007
Alexander Ovechkin 200th NHL Game December 26, 2007
Brian Pothier 100th NHL Point December 27, 2007
Alexander Ovechkin 1st NHL 4-Goal Game December 29, 2007
Michael Nylander 200th NHL Goal January 13, 2008
Brooks Laich 200th NHL Game January 23, 2008
Steve Eminger 200th NHL Game January 24, 2008
John Erskine 200th NHL Game January 29, 2008
Viktor Kozlov 800th NHL Game January 29, 2008
Donald Brashear 900th NHL Game February 5, 2008
Olaf Kolzig 700th NHL Game February 10, 2008
Viktor Kozlov 300th NHL Assist February 16, 2008
Sami Lepisto 1st NHL Game February 16, 2008
Tomas Fleischmann 100th NHL Game February 20, 2008
Donald Brashear 200th NHL Point March 3, 2008
Olaf Kolzig 300th NHL Win March 12, 2008
Sami Lepisto 1st NHL Point March 14, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin 300th NHL Point March 18, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin 61st Goal (Franchise single season record) March 25, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin 64th Goal (NHL single season record - goals by LW) April 3, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin 65th Goal (Franchise single season record) April 3, 2008
Nicklas Backstrom 55th Assist (Franchise single season record - rookie assists) April 5, 2008

Awards

Player Award
Alexander Ovechkin All-Star forward
Nicklas Backstrom NHL YoungStar
Alexander Ovechkin First Star of the Month (January)[8]
Nicklas Backstrom Rookie of the Month (January)[9]
Alexander Ovechkin First Star of the Month (March)
Alexander Ovechkin Art Ross Trophy
Alexander Ovechkin Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
Alexander Ovechkin Hart Memorial Trophy
Alexander Ovechkin Lester B. Pearson Award
Bruce Boudreau Jack 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

Player Former team Contract Terms
Tom Poti[10] New York Islanders 4 years, $14 million[11][12]
Viktor Kozlov[13] New York Islanders 2 years, $5 million[11][12]
Michael Nylander[14] New York Rangers 4 years, $19.5 million[11][12]
Joe Motzko[15] Anaheim Ducks 2 years, $1.025 million[12]
Jason Morgan[16] Minnesota Wild 1 year, $500,000[12]
Player New team
Jiri Novotny Columbus Blue Jackets
Joey Tenute Phoenix Coyotes
Alexandre Giroux Atlanta Thrashers
Kris Beech Pittsburgh Penguins

Draft picks

Washington's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio.[17] The Capitals had the 5th overall pick .

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 (Traded to Columbus) 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

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

  1. ^ NHL-worst Capitals fire Hanlon, promote Bruce Boudreau from AHL
  2. ^ Washington Capitals remove interim tag from coach Boudreau's resume[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Ovechkin becomes first NHL player in 12 years to score 60, Caps beat Atlanta 5–3" Archived 6 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. The Canadian Press (21 March 2008). Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Ovechkin passes single-season mark as Capitals keep playoff hopes alive". ESPN. April 3, 2008. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  5. ^ El-Bashir, Tarik (April 6, 2008). "Coming All the Way Back". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  6. ^ "Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals Box Score — March 3, 2008".
  7. ^ "Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals Box Score — January 11, 2003".
  8. ^ Ovechkin, Dumont and Huet named NHL 'Three Stars' for January[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ Capitals' Backstrom named NHL Rookie of the month
  10. ^ "Capitals Sign Defenseman Tom Poti". Washington Capitals. Archived from the original on July 7, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  11. ^ a b c "NHL Signing Tracker". Archived from the original on 17 August 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2007.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Washington Capitals Salary Cap Information". Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
  13. ^ "Capitals Sign Forward Viktor Kozlov". Washington Capitals. Archived from the original on July 8, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  14. ^ "Capitals Sign Center Michael Nylander". Washington Capitals. Archived from the original on July 4, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  15. ^ "Capitals Sign Right Wing Joe Motzko". Washington Capitals. Archived from the original on July 12, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  16. ^ "Capitals Sign Center Jason Morgan". Washington Capitals. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  17. ^ 2007 NHL Entry Draft Results nhl.com[permanent dead link‍]