2007–08 record 47–25–10 Road record 25–12–4 | Conference 1st Eastern Home record 22–13–6 Goals for 262 | |
The 2007–08 Montreal Canadiens season was the Canadiens' 99th season of play and 91st in the National Hockey League. The Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins by four games to three in the Eastern Conference Quarter-final before being eliminated four games to one by the Philadelphia Flyers in the Conference Semi-final.
Contents
- Offseason events
- Regular season
- Highlights
- Final standings
- Game log
- October
- November
- December
- January
- February
- March
- April
- Playoffs
- Eastern Conference Quarter finals vs 8 Boston Bruins
- Eastern Conference Semi finals vs 6 Philadelphia Flyers
- Player statistics
- Skaters
- Goaltenders
- Team awards
- National Hockey League awards
- Records
- Transactions
- Draft picks
- Hamilton Bulldogs
- Cincinnati Cyclones
- References
Offseason events
Key dates prior to the start of the season:
Regular season
Although some media picked the Canadiens to not make the playoffs, the team surprised the league with a large improvement in its play. The club won the Northeast Division title and placed first in the Eastern Conference. It was the team's first divisional title since the 1991–92 season. The team had not placed first in the Conference since the 1988–89 season.
The Canadiens retired two jersey numbers during the season with pre-game ceremonies at the Bell Centre. On November 19, 2007, the number 19 of defenceman Larry Robinson, a former member of the Big Three, was retired. On February 23, 2008, the number 23 of forward Bob Gainey was retired.
The Canadiens finished the regular season leading the NHL in power-play goals scored (90) and power-play percentage (24.06%). They also tied the Florida Panthers for the fewest shorthanded goals allowed, with three.
Highlights
Final standings
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)
Game log
October
Record: 6–2–3; Home: 2–1–2; Road: 4–1–1.
November
Monthly record: 7–7–0; Home: 3–3–0; Road: 4–4–0.
Season record: 13–9–3; Home: 5–4–2; Road: 8–5–1.
* Unsuccessful penalty shot for Roman Hamrlik vs Philadelphia Flyers on November 1, 2007.
December
Monthly record: 6–4–4; Home: 1–3–2; Road: 5–1–2.
Season record: 19–13–7; Home: 6–7–4; Road: 13–6–3.
January
Monthly record: 8–2–2; Home: 4–1–1; Road: 4–1–1.
Season record: 27–15–9; Home: 10–8–5; Road: 17–7–4.
February
Monthly record: 8–6–0; Home: 5–4–0; Road: 3–2–0.
Season record: 35–21–9; Home: 15–12–5; Road: 20–9–4.
March
Monthly record: 9–4–1; Home: 5–1–1; Road: 4–3–0.
Season record: 44–25–10; Home: 20–13–6; Road: 24–12–4.
* Unsuccessful penalty shot for Chris Higgins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs on March 29, 2008.
April
Monthly record: 3–0–0; Home: 2–0–0; Road: 1–0–0.
Season record: 47–25–10; Home: 22–13–6; Road: 25–12–4.
Playoffs
The Montreal Canadiens clinched a playoff spot following a 7–5 victory against the Ottawa Senators on March 24, 2008, their 77th game of the season. They were the first team in the East to clinch a spot in the playoffs, won the Northeast Division and finished first in the Eastern Conference with 104 points, their highest total since the 1988–89 season.
Eastern Conference Quarter-finals: vs. (8) Boston Bruins
The Montreal Canadiens earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference by virtue of finishing with the highest point total in the conference. Some rioting occurred in downtown Montreal after the Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins in the seventh game of the quarter-finals and advanced to play in the semi-finals.
Eastern Conference Semi-finals: vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers
* Player scoring winning goal is shown in italics.
Player statistics
Note:
Pos = Position; GPI = 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 goalsMin, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;
Skaters
Goaltenders
*The team has also allowed 6 game losing shootout goals and 6 empty net goals. These goals do not count towards a goalie's personal statistics.
Skaters
Goaltenders
*The team has also allowed 2 empty net goals. These goals do not count towards a goalie's personal statistics.
Team awards
On April 5, following the final home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced its award winners for the season.
National Hockey League awards
Records
Transactions
The Canadiens have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.
Draft picks
Montreal's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio.
Hamilton Bulldogs
The Hamilton Bulldogs remain Montreal's top affiliate in the American Hockey League in 2007–08.
Cincinnati Cyclones
Montreal has a joint affiliation with the Nashville Predators for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL in 2007–08.