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2007–08 New York Rangers season

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2007–08 New York Rangers
Division3rd Atlantic
Conference5th Eastern
2007–08 record42–27–13
Home record25–13–3
Road record17–14–10
Goals for213
Goals against199
Team information
General managerGlen Sather
CoachTom Renney
CaptainJaromir Jagr
Alternate captainsBrendan Shanahan
Martin Straka
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Average attendance18,200 (100%)
Team leaders
GoalsChris Drury (25)
Jaromir Jagr (25)
AssistsScott Gomez (54)
PointsJaromir Jagr (71)
Penalty minutesColton Orr (159)
Plus/minusNigel Dawes (+11)
WinsHenrik Lundqvist (37)
Goals against averageHenrik Lundqvist (2.23)

The 2007–08 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 81st season of play and their 82nd season overall. In 2006–07, an impressive late season run brought the team from 12th to 6th place in the Eastern Conference, but the team ran out of steam in the Conference Semifinals before losing in six games to the Buffalo Sabres.

Offseason

[edit]

The off-season began in late June with the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio. The Rangers had the 17th overall pick in the first round, yet came away with a steal as Russian superstar Alexei Cherepanov fell for the taking, despite being considered by many rankings to be a top five prospect, and the top European available in the draft. A variety of reasons have been postulated for Cherepanov's drop, most notably, the lack of a new transfer agreement between the National Hockey League and the International Ice Hockey Federation concerning players from Russia.[1] In the second round, the Rangers selected goaltender Antoine Lafleur from the P.E.I. Rocket of the QMJHL.[2] Lafleur was ranked #3 among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting.

The Rangers made a tremendous splash on July 1, the first day of free agency. Within a 30-minute span on that Sunday evening, the Rangers announced the signings of the two most coveted centers available: Scott Gomez from the rival New Jersey Devils and Chris Drury from the Buffalo Sabres.[3] As both players had worn number 23 with their previous teams, general manager Glen Sather flipped a puck at their introductory press conference to determine who would wear number 23 on the Rangers; the winner was Drury.[4]

After these signings, left out of the picture was center Michael Nylander, who had reportedly signed with the Edmonton Oilers,[5] but then actually signed with the Washington Capitals.[6] In addition, the Rangers also lost Jed Ortmeyer,[7] Brad Isbister,[8] Karel Rachunek[9] and Kevin Weekes[10] to the free agency market, the latter two signing with the rival New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers re-signed a number of their own free agents, including Jason Strudwick,[11] Petr Prucha[12] and Brendan Shanahan.[13] Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and forward Marcel Hossa had been designated for salary arbitration, but both signed contracts before reaching their respective hearings.[14][15] Sean Avery did go through arbitration and was awarded a one-year deal worth $1.9 million.[16]

The multitude of high-profile free agent signings in July left the Rangers dangerously close to the league's $50.3 million salary cap. This effectively forced the Rangers to deal Matt Cullen and his $2.875 million per year cap number back to the Carolina Hurricanes.[17] At the start of the season, the Rangers total cap number was over the league maximum, but player bonuses can be deferred to the next season if it causes a team to exceed the upper limit of the salary cap, so the Rangers were in compliance.[18]

Regular season

[edit]
Action of a January 2008 game in Calgary against the Flames.

The Rangers had the most shutouts of all 30 teams in the League, with 12.[19][20]

On April 3, 2008, the New York Rangers clinched a playoff berth for the third consecutive season in a 3–0 win against their crosstown rival Islanders.

Divisional standings

[edit]
Atlantic Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 Pittsburgh Penguins 82 47 27 8 247 216 102
2 New Jersey Devils 82 46 29 7 206 197 99
3 New York Rangers 82 42 27 13 213 199 97
4 Philadelphia Flyers 82 42 29 11 248 233 95
5 New York Islanders 82 35 38 9 194 243 79

Conference standings

[edit]
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)


Playoffs

[edit]
Main article: 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs

The New York Rangers ended the 2007–08 regular season as the Eastern Conference's fifth seed.

The Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in five games. This was the fifth playoff meeting between the two clubs, with the Rangers having won four of those series. The lone Devils series win was in 2006.[21] They were eventually eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games.

Schedule and results

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Regular season

[edit]
2007–08 regular season[22]
October: 4–6–1 (home: 4–2–0; road: 0–4–1)
Game Date Opponent Score Decision Record Recap
1 October 4 Florida Panthers 5–2 Lundqvist 1–0–0 Recap
2 October 6 @ Ottawa Senators 2–0 Lundqvist 1–1–0 Recap
3 October 10 @ New York Islanders 2–1 Lundqvist 1–2–0 Recap
4 October 12 Washington Capitals 3–1 Lundqvist 2–2–0 Recap
5 October 13 Ottawa Senators 3–1 Lundqvist 2–3–0 Recap
6 October 18 @ Atlanta Thrashers 5–3 Lundqvist 2–4–0 Recap
7 October 20 @ Boston Bruins 1–0 SO Lundqvist 2–4–1 Recap
8 October 23 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 1–0 Lundqvist 2–5–1 Recap
9 October 25 New Jersey Devils 2–0 Lundqvist 3–5–1 Recap
10 October 27 Toronto Maple Leafs 4–1 Lundqvist 3–6–1 Recap
11 October 29 Tampa Bay Lightning 3–1 Lundqvist 4–6–1 Recap
November: 10–3–1 (home: 5–2–0; road: 5–1–1)
Game Date Opponent Score Decision Record Recap
12 November 1 Washington Capitals 2–0 Lundqvist 5–6–1 Recap
13 November 3 New Jersey Devils 2–1 SO Lundqvist 6–6–1 Recap
14 November 5 Philadelphia Flyers 2–0 Lundqvist 7–6–1 Recap
15 November 6 @ New York Islanders 3–2 Lundqvist 7–7–1 Recap
16 November 8 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 Lundqvist 8–7–1 Recap
17 November 10 @ Toronto Maple Leafs 3–2 SO Valiquette 9–7–1 Recap
18 November 14 @ New Jersey Devils 4–2 Lundqvist 10–7–1 Recap
19 November 15 @ Philadelphia Flyers 4–3 SO Lundqvist 11–7–1 Recap
20 November 17 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 4–3 OT Lundqvist 12–7–1 Recap
21 November 19 New York Islanders 2–1 Lundqvist 12–8–1 Recap
22 November 21 @ Tampa Bay Lightning 2–1 Lundqvist 13–8–1 Recap
23 November 23 @ Florida Panthers 3–2 SO Valiquette 13–8–2 Recap
24 November 25 Dallas Stars 3–2 Lundqvist 13–9–2 Recap
25 November 29 New York Islanders 4–2 Lundqvist 14–9–2 Recap
December: 6–6–2 (home: 4–4–0; road: 2–2–2)
Game Date Opponent Score Decision Record Recap
26 December 1 @ Ottawa Senators 5–2 Lundqvist 15–9–2 Recap
27 December 3 Carolina Hurricanes 4–0 Lundqvist 15–10–2 Recap
28 December 6 Toronto Maple Leafs 6–2 Lundqvist 15–11–2 Recap
29 December 7 @ Atlanta Thrashers 4–2 Valiquette 15–12–2 Recap
30 December 9 New Jersey Devils 1–0 OT Lundqvist 16–12–2 Recap
31 December 12 @ Washington Capitals 5–4 OT Lundqvist 16–12–3 Recap
32 December 16 Phoenix Coyotes 5–1 Valiquette 16–13–3 Recap
33 December 18 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–0 Lundqvist 17–13–3 Recap
34 December 20 @ Minnesota Wild 6–3 Lundqvist 17–14–3 Recap
35 December 21 @ Colorado Avalanche 4–3 OT Lundqvist 17–14–4 Recap
36 December 23 Ottawa Senators 3–1 Lundqvist 17–15–4 Recap
37 December 26 Carolina Hurricanes 4–2 Lundqvist 18–15–4 Recap
38 December 29 @ Toronto Maple Leafs 6–1 Valiquette 19–15–4 Recap
39 December 30 Montreal Canadiens 4–3 OT Lundqvist 20–15–4 Recap
January: 5–7–2 (home: 4–3–0; road: 1–4–2)
Game Date Opponent Score Decision Record Recap
40 January 2 @ Calgary Flames 4–3 Lundqvist 20–16–4 Recap
41 January 3 @ Vancouver Canucks 3–0 Valiquette 20–17–4 Recap
42 January 5 @ Edmonton Oilers 3–2 SO Lundqvist 20–17–5 Recap
43 January 8 Tampa Bay Lightning 5–3 Lundqvist 20–18–5 Recap
44 January 10 Philadelphia Flyers 6–2 Lundqvist 20–19–5 Recap
45 January 12 Montreal Canadiens 4–1 Lundqvist 21–19–5 Recap
46 January 14 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 4–1 Lundqvist 21–20–5 Recap
47 January 16 Buffalo Sabres 2–1 Lundqvist 22–20–5 Recap
48 January 19 @ Boston Bruins 4–3 SO Lundqvist 22–20–6 Recap
49 January 20 Boston Bruins 3–1 Lundqvist 22–21–6 Recap
50 January 22 Atlanta Thrashers 4–0 Lundqvist 23–21–6 Recap
51 January 24 Atlanta Thrashers 2–1 SO Lundqvist 24–21–6 Recap
52 January 29 @ Carolina Hurricanes 3–1 Lundqvist 24–22–6 Recap
53 January 31 @ Philadelphia Flyers 4–0 Valiquette 25–22–6 Recap
February: 8–2–2 (home: 3–2–0; road: 5–0–2)
Game Date Opponent Score Decision Record Recap
54 February 1 @ New Jersey Devils 3–1 Lundqvist 26–22–6 Recap
55 February 3 @ Montreal Canadiens 5–3 Lundqvist 27–22–6 Recap
56 February 5 Los Angeles Kings 4–2 Lundqvist 27–23–6 Recap
57 February 7 Anaheim Ducks 4–1 Lundqvist 27–24–6 Recap
58 February 9 @ Philadelphia Flyers 2–0 Valiquette 28–24–6 Recap
59 February 10 @ Washington Capitals 3–2 OT Valiquette 28–24–7 Recap
60 February 16 Buffalo Sabres 5–1 Lundqvist 29–24–7 Recap
61 February 17 San Jose Sharks 3–1 Lundqvist 30–24–7 Recap
62 February 19 @ Montreal Canadiens 6–5 SO Lundqvist 30–24–8 Recap
63 February 23 @ Buffalo Sabres 4–3 Lundqvist 31–24–8 Recap
64 February 24 Florida Panthers 5–0 Lundqvist 32–24–8 Recap
65 February 28 @ Carolina Hurricanes 4–2 Lundqvist 33–24–8 Recap
March: 8–3–3 (home: 5–0–2; road: 3–3–1)
Game Date Opponent Score Decision Record Recap
66 March 2 Philadelphia Flyers 5–4 SO Valiquette 34–24–8 Recap
67 March 4 New York Islanders 4–3 SO Lundqvist 34–24–9 Recap
68 March 6 @ New York Islanders 4–1 Lundqvist 35–24–9 Recap
69 March 9 Boston Bruins 1–0 SO Lundqvist 36–24–9 Recap
70 March 10 @ Buffalo Sabres 3–2 SO Lundqvist 37–24–9 Recap
71 March 14 @ Florida Panthers 3–2 Lundqvist 37–25–9 Recap
72 March 15 @ Tampa Bay Lightning 3–0 Lundqvist 37–26–9 Recap
73 March 18 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–2 Lundqvist 38–26–9 Recap
74 March 19 @ New Jersey Devils 2–1 SO Lundqvist 39–26–9 Recap
75 March 21 @ Philadelphia Flyers 4–3 SO Valiquette 39–26–10 Recap
76 March 25 Philadelphia Flyers 2–1 OT Lundqvist 39–26–11 Recap
77 March 27 New Jersey Devils 3–2 Lundqvist 40–26–11 Recap
78 March 30 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 3–1 Lundqvist 40–27–11 Recap
79 March 31 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–1 OT Lundqvist 41–27–11 Recap
April: 1–0–2 (home: 0–0–1; road: 1–0–1)
Game Date Opponent Score Decision Record Recap
80 April 3 @ New York Islanders 3–0 Lundqvist 42–27–11 Recap
81 April 4 New York Islanders 4–3 SO Lundqvist 42–27–12 Recap
82 April 6 @ New Jersey Devils 3–2 SO Lundqvist 42–27–13 Recap

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

Playoffs

[edit]
2008 Stanley Cup playoffs[22]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (4) New Jersey Devils – Rangers win 4–1
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Series Recap
1 April 9 New York Rangers 4–1 New Jersey Devils Rangers lead series 1–0 Recap
2 April 11 New York Rangers 2–1 New Jersey Devils Rangers lead series 2–0 Recap
3 April 13 New Jersey Devils 4–3 New York Rangers OT Rangers lead series 2–1 Recap
4 April 16 New Jersey Devils 3–5 New York Rangers Rangers lead series 3–1 Recap
5 April 18 New York Rangers 5–3 New Jersey Devils Rangers win series 4–1 Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins – Penguins win 4–1
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Series Recap
1 April 25 New York Rangers 4–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh leads series 1–0 Recap
2 April 27 New York Rangers 0–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh leads series 2–0 Recap
3 April 29 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–3 New York Rangers Pittsburgh leads series 3–0 Recap
4 May 1 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–3 New York Rangers Pittsburgh leads series 3–1 Recap
5 May 4 New York Rangers 2–3 Pittsburgh Penguins OT Pittsburgh wins series 4–1 Recap

Legend:   Win   Loss

Player statistics

[edit]
Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular season
Player GP TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Henrik Lundqvist 72 4305 37 24 10 160 2.23 1823 .912 10 0 0 2
Steve Valiquette 13 686 5 3 3 25 2.19 296 .916 2 0 0 2
Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SA SV% SO
Henrik Lundqvist 10 608 5 5 26 2.57 287 .909 1

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.
‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.

[23]

Awards and records

[edit]

Milestones

[edit]

Transactions

[edit]

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

* Sean Avery re-signed through salary arbitration.

Draft picks

[edit]

New York's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio, at the Nationwide Arena.[2]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/junior/club team (league)
1 17 Alexei Cherepanov RW  Russia Avangard Omsk (RSL)
2 48 Antoine Lafleur G  Canada P.E.I. Rocket (QMJHL)
5 138 Max Campbell C  Canada Strathroy Rockets (WOHL)
6 168 Carl Hagelin LW  Sweden Södertälje SK (J20 SuperElit)
7 193 David Skokan C  Slovakia Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
7 198 Danny Hobbs F  Canada Ohio Junior Blue Jackets (USHL)

Farm teams

[edit]

Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

[edit]

The 2007–08 season was the 11th season of AHL hockey for the franchise. The team's status as the Rangers' highest-level minor-league affiliate became questionable when Northland AEG LLC purchased the Hartford Civic Center from Madison Square Garden, L.P.; however, on May 29, 2007, it was announced that the franchise will remain in Hartford and will remain affiliated with the Rangers.[31]

Hartford finished the regular season with a record of 50–20–2–8 for a total of 110 points, a franchise high. P. A. Parenteau led the team with 81 points in 75 games, and team captain Andrew Hutchinson won the Eddie Shore Award as the league's top defenseman.

Portland eliminated Hartford from the playoffs in 5 games, marking two consecutive season's that the Wolf Pack failed to advance past the 1st round.

Charlotte Checkers (ECHL)

[edit]

The 2007–08 season was the 15th season of ECHL hockey for the franchise.

Charlotte finished the regular season with a record of 34–31–1–6 for a total of 75 points. Gwinnett eliminated the Checkers from the playoffs in 3 games.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rangers Official Site. "Rangers Get Cherepanov with First-Round Pick", June 22, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007. Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b Rangers Official Site. "Rangers 2007 Draft Picks", June 23, 2007 – accessed July 4, 2007. Archived July 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c Roarke, Shawn P. "Rangers Double Up with Gomez, Drury[permanent dead link]", NHL.com, July 1, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007.[dead link]
  4. ^ Rangers Official Site. "New Rangers Drury, Gomez Get Heroes' Welcome", July 2, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007. Archived July 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Report: Oilers Sign Michael Nylander", TSN.ca, July 2, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007.
  6. ^ a b "Capitals Sign Michael Nylander", TSN.ca, July 2, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007.
  7. ^ a b "Ortmeyer Signs Two-Year Deal with Preds", TSN.ca, July 2, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007.
  8. ^ a b "Canucks Ink Isbister, Ritchie, Schneider", TSN.ca, July 3, 2007 – accessed July 3, 2007.
  9. ^ a b "Devils Sign Zubrus, Rachunek", TSN.ca, July 3, 2007 – accessed July 4, 2007.
  10. ^ a b "Devils Sign Weekes to Back Up Brodeur", TSN.ca, July 5, 2007 – accessed July 5, 2007.
  11. ^ a b Rangers Official Site. "Strudwick Returning to Rangers for 2007–08", July 2, 2007 – accessed July 9, 2007. Archived July 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ a b "Rangers Re-Sign Forward Prucha", TSN.ca, July 5, 2007 – accessed July 5, 2007.
  13. ^ a b "Rangers Agree to Terms with Shanahan", TSN.ca, July 10, 2007 – accessed July 10, 2007.
  14. ^ a b "Rangers, Lundqvist Agree to Terms", TSN.ca, July 11, 2007 – accessed July 11, 2007.
  15. ^ a b Rangers Avoid Arbitration with Hossa", TSN.ca, July 31, 2007 – accessed July 31, 2007.
  16. ^ a b "Arbitrator Awards Avery $1.9–Million", TSN.ca, August 1, 2007 – accessed August 1, 2007.
  17. ^ a b "Hurricanes Acquire Cullen from Rangers", TSN.ca, July 17, 2007 – accessed July 17, 2007.
  18. ^ "NHL Team Salaries: New York Rangers Archived November 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine", nhlnumbers.com – accessed November 13, 2007.
  19. ^ "2007-08 New York Rangers Roster and Statistics".
  20. ^ "2007-08 NHL Schedule and Results".
  21. ^ "Lundqvist stops penalty shot, Rangers hold on to eliminate Devils". Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  22. ^ a b "2007-08 New York Rangers Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  23. ^ "2007–08 New York Rangers". hockeydb.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  24. ^ "Lightning Acquire D Lampman from Rangers", TSN.ca, July 4, 2007 – accessed July 4, 2007.
  25. ^ "Rangers Acquire Parenteau From Chicago", October 11, 2007 – accessed July 23, 2013.
  26. ^ "Blues trade Backman to Rangers[permanent dead link]", BND.com, February 26, 2008 – accessed February 26, 2008.[dead link]
  27. ^ "Rangers obtain three players from Coyotes Archived March 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine", February 26, 2008 – accessed February 26, 2008.
  28. ^ "Lundqvist inks 6-year deal with Rangers". The Sports Network. February 16, 2008. Archived from the original on February 17, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  29. ^ "Rangers, Girardi agree on extension". The Sports Network. February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008. [dead link]
  30. ^ "Rangers re-sign defenceman Tyutin". The Sports Network. February 17, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008. [dead link]
  31. ^ "AEG Press Release: Wolf Pack to Remain in Hartford Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine", AEGworldwide.com, May 29, 2007 – accessed August 5, 2007.
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