2007–08 Detroit Red Wings season

The 2007–08 Detroit Red Wings season was the franchise's 76th season as the Red Wings and 82nd in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team won their eleventh Central Division title, sixth Presidents' Trophy, fifth Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, and won the Stanley Cup as league champion for the fourth time in eleven years. The team finished first in the Central Division and first in the Western Conference for their 17th consecutive playoff appearance and began the playoffs versus the Nashville Predators. The team won the first two games of the series at home but lost the next two at Nashville. In response to these losses, head coach Mike Babcock replaced starting goaltender Dominik Hasek with Chris Osgood. Osgood led the team to nine straight victories en route to a 14–4 record (and 16–6 overall team record) and a four games to two victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.

2007–08 Detroit Red Wings
Stanley Cup champions
Western Conference champions
Central Division champions
Division1st Central
Conference1st Western
2007–08 record54–21–7
Home record29–9–3
Road record25–12–4
Goals for257
Goals against184
Team information
General managerKen Holland
CoachMike Babcock
CaptainNicklas Lidstrom
Alternate captainsPavel Datsyuk
Kris Draper
Henrik Zetterberg
ArenaJoe Louis Arena
Average attendance18,871 (94%)
Team leaders
GoalsHenrik Zetterberg (43)
AssistsPavel Datsyuk (66)
PointsPavel Datsyuk (97)
Penalty minutesAaron Downey (116)
Plus/minusPavel Datsyuk (+41)
WinsChris Osgood (27)
Dominik Hasek (27)
Goals against averageChris Osgood (2.09)
The Detroit Red Wings team, coaches, and support staff pose on the ice with the Stanley Cup.
Detroit Red Wings celebrating their 2008 Stanley Cup victory.
In the front row, Nicklas Lidstrom holds a Red Wings jersey with the last name "BUSH" and the number "41" while George W. Bush holds a Red Wings jersey with the last name "BUSH" and the number "43". To Lidstrom's right is the Stanley Cup. Second row, left to right: Mike Babcock, Ken Holland, Jim Devellano, Jim Nill, unknown man. Third row, left to right: Kris Draper, Pavel Datsyuk, Mikael Samuelsson, Brian Rafalski, Derek Meech, Kirk Maltby, Chris Osgood, Aaron Downey.
The 2008 Stanley Cup champion Red Wings present two jerseys to U.S. President George W. Bush.

Three Red Wings players represented the West at the 56th National Hockey League All-Star Game in Atlanta, Georgia. Goaltender Chris Osgood along with defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom and center Pavel Datsyuk were starters in the game. The Western Conference team was coached by Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock.

As of 2024, this is the most recent season that a Presidents’ Trophy winner went on to also win the Stanley Cup in a full 82-game season, and the only time it has happened since the implementation of a salary cap as a result of the 2004–05 NHL lockout.

Regular season

The Red Wings had the best goaltending in the League, allowing only 179 goals (excluding five shootout goals).[1][2][3]

Divisional standings

Central Division
GPWLOTLGFGAPts
1p – Detroit Red Wings8254217257184115
2Nashville Predators824132923022991
3Chicago Blackhawks824034823923588
4Columbus Blue Jackets8234361219321880
5St. Louis Blues8233361320523779

Conference standings

Western Conference
RDivGPWLOTLGFGAPts
1p – Detroit Red WingsCE8254217257184115
2y – San Jose SharksPA82492310222193108
3y – Minnesota WildNW8244281022321898
4Anaheim DucksPA8247278205191102
5Dallas StarsPA824530724220797
6Colorado AvalancheNW824431723121995
7Calgary FlamesNW8242301022922794
8Nashville PredatorsCE824132923022991
8.5
9Edmonton OilersNW824135623525188
10Chicago BlackhawksCE824034823923588
11Vancouver CanucksNW8239331021321588
12Phoenix CoyotesPA823837721423183
13Columbus Blue JacketsCE8234361219321880
14St. Louis BluesCE8233361320523779
15Los Angeles KingsPA823243723126671

Divisions: PA – Pacific, CE – Central, NW – Northwest
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, pPresidents' Trophy winner


Schedule and results

October

Record: 10–2–1; Home: 5–1–0; Road: 5–1–1

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPts
1October 3Anaheim2 – 3DetroitSOHasek17,6101–0–02
2October 6Detroit3 – 4ChicagoSOHasek18,7681–0–13
3October 8Edmonton2 – 4DetroitHasek16,9132–0–15
4October 10Calgary2 – 4DetroitOsgood16,6293–0–17
5October 12Chicago3 – 2DetroitHasek17,6963–1–17
6October 14Detroit4 – 1Los AngelesOsgood17,2154–1–19
7October 15Detroit3 – 6AnaheimHasek17,1744–2–19
8October 18Detroit4 – 2San JoseOsgood17,4965–2–111
9October 20Detroit5 – 2PhoenixHasek14,1546–2–113
10October 24Vancouver2 – 3DetroitHasek17,0157–2–115
11October 26San Jose1 – 5DetroitOsgood18,2898–2–117
12October 28Detroit3 – 2VancouverOsgood18,6309–2–119
13October 30Detroit2 – 1EdmontonOsgood16,83910–2–121

November

Record: 7–4–1; Home: 5–1–0; Road: 2–3–1

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPts
14November 1Detroit4 – 1CalgaryOsgood19,28911–2–123
15November 7Nashville2 – 3DetroitSOOsgood16,88512–2–125
16November 9Columbus1 – 4DetroitHasek18,65413–2–127
17November 11Detroit2 – 3ChicagoOsgood19,04513–3–127
18November 13Detroit3 – 4St. LouisHasek18,44013–4–127
19November 17Chicago5 – 3DetroitHasek20,06613–5–127
20November 18Detroit5 – 4ColumbusSOOsgood15,50314–5–129
21November 21St. Louis0 – 3DetroitOsgood19,12415–5–131
22November 22Detroit2 – 3NashvilleHasek14,34615–6–131
23November 24Detroit2 – 3ColumbusSOOsgood17,51315–6–232
24November 27Calgary3 – 5DetroitOsgood17,10816–6–234
25November 29Tampa Bay2 – 4DetroitOsgood17,00117–6–236

December

Record: 12–2–1 ; Home: 6–1–1 ; Road: 6–1–0

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPts
26December 1Phoenix2 – 3DetroitOsgood18,55718–6–238
27December 4Detroit4 – 1MontrealHasek21,27319–6–240
28December 7Minnesota0 – 5DetroitHasek19,50820–6–242
29December 9Carolina2 – 5DetroitHasek19,60921–6–244
30December 10Detroit2 – 1NashvilleOsgood15,05622–6–246
31December 13Edmonton4 – 3DetroitSOHasek18,85922–6–347
32December 15Florida2 – 5DetroitOsgood20,06623–6–349
33December 17Washington3 – 4DetroitSOHasek19,48324–6–351
34December 19Los Angeles2 – 6DetroitHasek19,51625–6–353
35December 20Detroit2 – 3St. LouisOsgood19,15025–7–353
36December 22Detroit4 – 1MinnesotaHasek18,56826–7–355
37December 26Detroit5 – 0St. LouisOsgood19,25027–7–357
38December 27Detroit4 – 2ColoradoHasek18,00728–7–359
39December 29Detroit4 – 2PhoenixOsgood17,86629–7–361
40December 31St. Louis2 – 0DetroitHasek20,06629–8–361

January

Record: 9–2–1; Home: 4–1–1; Road: 5–1–0

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPts
41January 2Dallas1 – 4DetroitOsgood20,06630–8–363
42January 5Detroit3 – 0DallasHasek18,58431–8–365
43January 6Detroit3 – 1ChicagoOsgood21,86932–8–367
44January 8Colorado0 – 1DetroitHasek19,16033–8–369
45January 10Minnesota6 – 5DetroitSOOsgood17,84833–8–470
46January 12Detroit2 – 3OttawaHasek20,20833–9–470
47January 15Atlanta5 – 1DetroitOsgood17,40833–10–470
48January 17Vancouver2 – 3DetroitSOHasek18,87834–10–472
49January 19Detroit6 – 3San JoseHasek17,49635–10–474
50January 22Detroit3 – 0Los AngelesOsgood18,11836–10–476
51January 23Detroit2 – 1AnaheimHasek17,17437–10–478
52January 30Phoenix2 – 3DetroitOsgood19,28938–10–480

February

Record: 4–8–2; Home: 1–4–0; Road: 3–4–2

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPts
53February 1Colorado0 – 2DetroitHasek20,06639–10–482
54February 2Detroit3 – 1BostonOsgood17,56540–10–484
55February 5Detroit3 – 2MinnesotaOTHasek18,56841–10–486
56February 7Los Angeles5 – 3DetroitOsgood18,85241–11–486
57February 9Detroit2 – 3TorontoOTHasek19,51041–11–587
58February 10Anaheim3 – 2DetroitOsgood20,06641–12–587
59February 12Detroit2 – 4NashvilleOsgood15,69241–13–587
60February 15Columbus5 – 1DetroitOsgood20,06641–14–587
61February 17Detroit0 – 1DallasHoward18,58441–15–587
62February 18Detroit4 – 0ColoradoOsgood18,00742–15–589
63February 22Detroit0 – 1CalgaryOsgood19,28942–16–589
64February 23Detroit1 – 4VancouverHoward18,63042–17–589
65February 26Detroit3 – 4EdmontonSOOsgood16,83942–17–690
66February 29San Jose3 – 2DetroitHasek20,06642–18–690

March

Record: 10–2–1; Home: 7–1–1; Road: 3–1–0;

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPts
67March 2Detroit4 – 2BuffaloHasek18,69043–18–692
68March 5St. Louis1 – 2DetroitHasek18,06444–18–694
69March 9Nashville3 – 4DetroitHasek20,06645–18–696
70March 11Chicago1 – 3DetroitOsgood18,63246–18–698
71March 13Dallas3 – 5DetroitOsgood19,45347–18–6100
72March 15Nashville3 – 1DetroitOsgood20,06647–19–6100
73March 16Detroit3 – 4ColumbusHasek18,18847–20–6100
74March 19Columbus1 – 3DetroitOsgood19,06148–20–6102
75March 20Detroit6 – 3NashvilleHasek17,11349–20–6104
76March 22Detroit4 – 1ColumbusHasek17,68150–20–6106
77March 25Detroit2 – 1St. LouisOsgood19,15051–20–6108
78March 28St. Louis4 – 3DetroitOTOsgood20,06651–20–7109
79March 30Nashville0 – 1DetroitOTHasek20,06652–20–7111

April

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

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordPts
80April 2Detroit2 – 6ChicagoHasek21,36552–21–7111
81April 3Columbus2 – 3DetroitHasek19,43553–21–7113
82April 6Chicago1 – 4DetroitHasek20,06654–21–7115
  • Green background indicates win.
  • Red background indicates regulation loss.
  • White background indicates overtime/shootout loss.

Playoffs

Detroit has not missed the post-season since 1989–90. The 2007–08 season was their 17th consecutive playoff season. The Detroit Red Wings ended the 2007–08 season as the first seed in the Western Conference.

Western Conference Quarter-finals: vs. Nashville Predators (8)

Detroit wins series 4–2.

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeries
1April 10Nashville1 – 3DetroitHasek20,0661 – 0
2April 12Nashville2 – 4DetroitHasek20,0662 – 0
3April 14Detroit3 – 5NashvilleHasek17,1132 – 1
4April 16Detroit2 – 3NashvilleHasek17,1132 – 2
5April 18Nashville1 – 2Detroit1OTOsgood20,0663 – 2
6April 20Detroit3 – 0NashvilleOsgood17,1134 – 2

Detroit wins series 4–0.

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeries
1April 24Colorado3 – 4DetroitOsgood20,0661 – 0
2April 26Colorado1 – 5DetroitOsgood20,0662 – 0
3April 29Detroit4 – 3ColoradoOsgood18,0073 – 0
4May 1Detroit8 – 2ColoradoOsgood18,0074 – 0

Detroit wins series 4–2

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeries
1May 8Dallas1 – 4DetroitOsgood20,0661 – 0
2May 10Dallas1 – 2DetroitOsgood20,0662 – 0
3May 12Detroit5 – 2DallasOsgood18,5323 – 0
4May 14Detroit1 – 3DallasOsgood18,5323 – 1
5May 17Dallas2 – 1DetroitOsgood20,0663 – 2
6May 19Detroit4 – 1DallasOsgood18,5324 – 2

Detroit wins series 4–2

#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceSeries
1May 24Pittsburgh0 – 4DetroitOsgood20,0661 – 0
2May 26Pittsburgh0 – 3DetroitOsgood20,0662 – 0
3May 28Detroit2 – 3PittsburghOsgood17,1322 – 1
4May 31Detroit2 – 1PittsburghOsgood17,1323 – 1
5June 2Pittsburgh4 – 3Detroit3OTOsgood20,0663 – 2
6June 4Detroit3 – 2PittsburghOsgood17,1324 – 2
  • ^1 The Pittsburgh Penguins ranked 2nd in the Eastern Conference regular season.

Detroit wins the Stanley Cup for the 11th time, and first since 2002

2008 National Hockey League All-Star Game

The 2008 National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on January 27, 2008 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 8-7. The following are Red Wings players who participated in the all-star game.

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalties in Minutes

Regular Season

PlayerGPGAPts+/-PIM
Pavel Datsyuk823166974120
Henrik Zetterberg754349923034
Nicklas Lidstrom761060704040
Brian Rafalski731342552734
Daniel Cleary632022422133
Jiri Hudler811329421126
Tomas Holmstrom59202040958
Mikael Samuelsson731129402126
Johan Franzen722711381251
Valtteri Filppula781917361628

Playoffs

PlayerGPGAPts+/-PIM
Henrik Zetterberg221314271616
Pavel Datsyuk22101323136
Johan Franzen16135181314
Niklas Kronwall22015151618
Jiri Hudler225914-114
Brian Rafalski2241014612
Nicklas Lidstrom2231013814
Mikael Samuelsson22581388
Tomas Holmstrom224812426
Valtteri Filppula22561172

Goaltenders

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

Regular season

PlayerGPTOIWLOTGASOSv%GAA
Chris Osgood4324092794844.9142.09
Dominik Hasek41235027103845.9022.14
Jimmy Howard419702070.9262.13

Playoffs

PlayerGPTOIWLGASOSv%GAA
Chris Osgood191160144303.9301.55
Dominik Hasek420622100.8882.91

Awards and records

Milestones

Regular Season
Team memberMilestoneDate
Tomas Holmstrom700th NHL GameOctober 3, 2007
Kris Draper300th NHL PointOctober 12, 2007
Tomas Kopecky1st NHL AssistOctober 12, 2007
Niklas Kronwall100th NHL PIMOctober 12, 2007
Matt Ellis1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point
October 15, 2007
Matt Ellis1st NHL GoalOctober 18, 2007
Jiri Hudler100th NHL GameOctober 18, 2007
Pavel Datsyuk100th NHL PIMOctober 20, 2007
Dominik Hasek700th NHL GameOctober 20, 2007
Mike Babcock200th NHL Career WinDecember 15, 2007
Nicklas Lidstrom700th NHL AssistJanuary 2, 2008
Chris Chelios1600th NHL GameFebruary 10, 2008
Pavel Datsyuk400th NHL PointFebruary 18, 2008
Dallas Drake1000th NHL Game
300th NHL Assist
March 11, 2008
Playoffs
PlayerMilestone/RecordDate
Chris Chelios
  • 248th NHL Playoff Game (Most NHL playoff games by any player in history. Broke the record held by Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy).
  • Became oldest player to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup (47 years, 4 months and 11 days), after Lester Patrick
April 12, 2008
June 4, 2008
Nicklas Lidstrom197th NHL Playoff Game for the Red Wings, breaking Steve Yzerman's franchise record.April 18, 2008
Nicklas Lidstrom100th NHL Playoff Assist.April 29, 2008
Johan FranzenMay 1, 2008[4]
Chris Osgood48th NHL Playoff Win, breaking franchise record held by Hall of Fame goaltender Terry Sawchuk.May 19, 2008
Niklas LidstromFirst player born and trained in Europe to captain a Stanley Cup winning team.June 4, 2008
Henrik Zetterberg
  • 27 Playoff Points in a year, breaking franchise record held by Steve Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov (24 Points).
  • 13 Playoff Goals. Tied with Johan Franzen for the franchise record by scoring the Cup winning goal.
June 4, 2008
Niklas Kronwall

15 Playoff Assists in a year, breaking franchise record held by Niklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios (13 Assists).

June 4, 2008
Niklas Kronwall, Mikael Samuelsson, Henrik ZetterbergJoined the Triple Gold Club.June 4, 2008
Pavel DatsyukGot the first hat trick of his career against Dallas in game three of the Western Conference Finals in the 2007-2008 season.May 12, 2008

Transactions

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

Trades

February 8, 2008To Montreal CanadiensTo Detroit Red Wings
Brett EngelhardtFrancis Lemieux
To Los Angeles KingsTo Detroit Red Wings
February 26, 2008Brad Stuart2nd round pick in 2008

4th round pick in 2009

Free agents

DatePlayerFormer teamContract terms
July 1, 2007Brian RafalskiNew Jersey Devils5 years, $30 million
July 3, 2007Adam BerkhoelAtlanta Thrashers1 year, $500,000
July 3, 2007Brad FerenceCalgary Flames1 year, $500,000
July 5, 2007Mark CullenPhiladelphia Flyers1 year, $500,000
July 9, 2007Dallas DrakeSt. Louis Blues1 year, $550,000
July 16, 2007Carl CorazziniChicago Blackhawks1 year, $475,000
July 16, 2007Randall GelechPhoenix Coyotes2 years, $975,000
July 16, 2007Mark HartiganAnaheim Ducks1 year, $550,000
July 16, 2007Garrett StaffordSan Jose Sharks1 year, $500,000
October 3, 2007Aaron DowneyMontreal Canadiens1 year, $525,000
PlayerNew team
Mathieu SchneiderAnaheim Ducks
Robert LangChicago Blackhawks
Kyle CalderLos Angeles Kings
Todd BertuzziAnaheim Ducks
Darryl BootlandNew York Islanders
Matt HusseyColorado Avalanche
Brad NortonSan Jose Sharks

Draft picks

Detroit's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio.[5]

Round#PlayerPositionNationalityCollege/Junior/Club team (League)
127Brendan SmithDefenseman  CanadaSt. Michael's Buzzers (OPHL)
388Joakim AnderssonCenter  SwedenFrölunda HC (Swe Jr.)
5148Randy CameronCenter  CanadaMoncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
6178Zack TorquatoCenter  CanadaErie Otters (OHL)
7208Bryan RufenachDefenseman  CanadaLindsay Muskies (OPJHL)

Farm teams

Grand Rapids Griffins

The Grand Rapids Griffins remain Detroit's American Hockey League affiliate in 2007–08.

See also

References