2008–09 New Jersey Devils season explained

League:	NHL
Season:	2008–09
Year:	2008
Team:	New Jersey Devils
Conference:	Eastern
Conferencerank:	3rd
Division:	Atlantic
Divisionrank:	1st
Record:	51–27–4
Homerecord:	28–12–1
Roadrecord:	23–15–3
Goalsfor:	244
Goalsagainst:	209
Generalmanager:	Lou Lamoriello
Coach:	Brent Sutter
Captain:	Jamie Langenbrunner
Altcaptain:	Patrik Elias John Madden
Arena:	Prudential Center
Attendance:	Average: 15,790 Capacity: 89.6% Total: 647,397 https://archive.today/20090306090642/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance
Goalsleader:	Zach Parise (45)
Assistsleader:	Zach Parise (49)
Pointsleader:	Zach Parise (94)
Plusminusleader:	Travis Zajac (+33)
Pimleader:	David Clarkson (164)
Winsleader:	Scott Clemmensen (25)
Gaaleader:	Scott Clemmensen (2.39)
Divisionwin:	Yes

The 2008–09 New Jersey Devils season was the 35th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 27th season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season.^[1]

Pre-season

Date	Score	Opponent	Location
September 22	4 – 1	Philadelphia Flyers	Wachovia Center
September 24	3 – 2	New York Rangers	Prudential Center
September 27	4 – 2	New York Rangers	Madison Square Garden
September 29	3 – 2	Washington Capitals	Prudential Center
October 1	3 – 0	New York Islanders	Nassau Coliseum
October 3	3 – 2 (OT)	New York Islanders	Prudential Center
October 4	4 – 3	Philadelphia Flyers	Prudential Center

Regular season

The Devils finished the regular season with the fewest power-play opportunities, with just 307.^[2]

March 17, 2009: In a victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, Martin Brodeur broke Patrick Roy's record for most career wins by a goaltender. Also, Patrik Elias became the Devils' all-time leading scorer, previously held by John MacLean, by recording his 702nd career NHL regular-season point.^[3]

Conference standings

Schedule and results

|- align="center" bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 1 || 10 || New York Islanders || 1-2 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 16,834 || 1–0–0|- align="center" bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 2 || 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2-1 (OT) || Brodeur || Mellon Arena – 17,132 || 2–0–0|- align="center" bgcolor=#FFBBBB| 3 || 13 || New York Rangers || 1-4 || Brodeur || Madison Square Garden – 18,200 || 2–1–0|- align="center" bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 4 || 16 || Atlanta Thrashers || 1-0 || Brodeur || Philips Arena – 11,293 || 3–1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 5 || 18 || Washington Capitals || 4-3 (SO) || Brodeur || Verizon Center – 17,904 || 4–1–0|- align="center" bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 6 || 22 || Dallas Stars || 0-5 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 12,101 || 5–1–0|- align="center" bgcolor=#FFBBBB| 7 || 24 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6-3 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 15,529 || 5–2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey"| 8 || 25 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2-3 (OT) || Brodeur || Wachovia Center – 19,611 || 5–2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | 9 || 29 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 6-5 (SO) || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 14,119 || 5–2–2|-|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 10 || 1 || Atlanta Thrashers || 1-6 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 14,958 || 6–2–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 11 || 3 || Buffalo Sabres || 2-0 || Weekes || Prudential Center – 10,567 || 6–3–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 12 || 5 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 3-4 (SO) || Weekes || Prudential Center – 11,619 || 7–3–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 13 || 8 || Detroit Red Wings || 1-3 || Weekes || Joe Louis Arena – 20,066 || 7–4–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 14 || 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 2-1 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 14,193 || 7–5–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 15 || 12 || New York Rangers || 5-2 || Weekes || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 7–6–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 16 || 14 || Washington Capitals || 1-3 || Clemmensen || Verizon Center – 18,277 || 7–7–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 17 || 15 || Washington Capitals || 5-6 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 17,051 || 8–7–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 18 || 20 || Florida Panthers || 1-3 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 14,291 || 9–7–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 19 || 21 || New York Islanders || 2-5 || Weekes || Prudential Center – 17,138 || 10–7–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 20 || 23 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 7-3 || Clemmensen || St. Pete Times Forum – 14,222 || 11–7–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 21 || 26 || Florida Panthers || 3-2 (SO) || Clemmensen || BankAtlantic Center – 14,932 || 12–7–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 22 || 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1-4 || Clemmensen || Mellon Arena – 17,132 || 12–8–2|-|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 23 || 4 || Philadelphia Flyers || 3-2 (OT) || Clemmensen || Wachovia Center – 19,577 || 13–8–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 24 || 6 || Montreal Canadiens || 2-1 (OT) || Clemmensen || Bell Centre – 21,273 || 14–8–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 25 || 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1-4 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 16,808 || 15–8–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 26 || 12 || New York Rangers || 5-8 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 16–8–2|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 27 || 13 || Buffalo Sabres || 4-2 || Weekes || Prudential Center – 15,713 || 16–9–2|- align="center" bgcolor = "lightgrey"| 28 || 16 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 2-3 (SO) || Clemmensen || Air Canada Centre – 19,315 || 16–9–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 29 || 17 || Buffalo Sabres || 5-3 || Clemmensen || HSBC Arena – 18,690 || 17–9–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 30 || 19 || Ottawa Senators || 1-5 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 16,400 || 18–9–3|- align="center" bgcolor = "#CCFFCC"| 31 || 21 || Philadelphia Flyers || 3-2 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 14,426 || 19–9–3|- align="center" bgcolor = "#FFBBBB"| 32 || 23 || Boston Bruins || 2-0 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 16,305 || 19–10–3|- align="center" bgcolor = "#FFBBBB"| 33 || 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1-0 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 15,204 || 19–11–3|- align="center" bgcolor = "#CCFFCC"| 34 || 27 || New York Rangers || 4-2 || Clemmensen || Madison Square Garden – 18,200 || 20–11–3|- align="center" bgcolor = "#CCFFCC"| 35 || 30 || St. Louis Blues || 4-3 || Clemmensen || Scottrade Center – 19,150 || 21–11–3|- align="center" bgcolor = "#FFBBBB"| 36 || 31 || Dallas Stars || 2-4 || Clemmensen || American Airlines Center – 18,584 || 21–12–3|-|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 37 || 2 || Montreal Canadiens || 4-1 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 22–12–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 38 || 4 || Ottawa Senators || 4-3 (OT) || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 14,798 || 23–12–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 39 || 6 || Carolina Hurricanes || 2-3 || Clemmensen || RBC Center – 15,399 || 23–13–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 40 || 8 || Atlanta Thrashers || 4-0 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 16,489 || 23–14–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 41 || 10 || Los Angeles Kings || 5-1 || Weekes || Staples Center – 18,118 || 24–14–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 42 || 11 || Anaheim Ducks || 3-4 || Clemmensen || Honda Center – 17,331 || 24–15–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 43 || 13 || Vancouver Canucks || 5-3 || Clemmensen || GM Place – 18,630 || 25–15–3 |- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 44 || 16 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2-1 || Weekes || Nationwide Arena – 17,738 || 26–15–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 45 || 17 || New York Islanders || 3-1 || Clemmensen || Nassau Coliseum – 16,234 || 27–15–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 46 || 19 || Nashville Predators || 3-1 || Clemmensen || Sommet Center – 14,848 || 28–15–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 47 || 21 || Montreal Canadiens || 2-5 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 16,235 || 29–15–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 48 || 27 || Ottawa Senators || 4-1 || Clemmensen || Scotiabank Place – 18,786 || 30–15–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 49 || 29 || Boston Bruins || 4-3 (OT) || Clemmensen || TD Banknorth Garden – 17,565 || 31–15–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 50 || 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3-4 (OT) || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 32–15–3|-|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 51 || 3 || Washington Capitals || 5-2 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 14,018 || 32–16–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 52 || 6 || Atlanta Thrashers || 5-1 || Weekes || Philips Arena – 17,067 || 33–16–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 53 || 7 || Los Angeles Kings || 3-1 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 17,056 || 33–17–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 54 || 9 || New York Rangers || 0-3 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 34–17–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 55 || 11 || New York Islanders || 2-4 || Weekes || Prudential Center – 14,251 || 35–17–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 56 || 13 || Boston Bruins || 0-1 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 15,257 || 36–17–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 57 || 15 || San Jose Sharks || 5-6 || Clemmensen || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 37–17–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 58 || 17 || Florida Panthers || 0-4 || Clemmensen || BankAtlantic Center – 14,514 || 37–18–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 59 || 19 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 3-2 (SO) || Weekes || St. Pete Times Forum – 14,408 || 38–18–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 60 || 21 || New York Islanders || 0-4 || Clemmensen || Nassau Coliseum – 15,511 || 38–19–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 61 || 26 || Colorado Avalanche || 0-4 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 16,107 || 39–19–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 62 || 28 || Florida Panthers || 2-7 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 16,256 || 40–19–3|-|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 63 || 1 || Philadelphia Flyers || 0-3 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 41–19–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 64 || 3 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3-2 (OT) || Brodeur || Air Canada Centre – 19,389 || 42–19–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 65 || 7 || New York Islanders || 3-7 || Brodeur || Nassau Coliseum – 15,524 || 42–20–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 66 || 10 || Calgary Flames || 2-3 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 14,598 || 43–20–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 67 || 12 || Phoenix Coyotes || 2-5 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 14,578 || 44–20–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 68 || 14 || Montreal Canadiens || 3-1 || Brodeur || Bell Centre – 21,273 || 45–20–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 69 || 17 || Chicago Blackhawks || 2-3 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 46–20–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 70 || 18 || Carolina Hurricanes || 2-4 || Weekes || RBC Center – 18,544 || 46–21–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 71 || 20 || Minnesota Wild || 0-4 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 47–21–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 72 || 22 || Boston Bruins || 1-4 || Brodeur || TD Banknorth Garden – 17,565 || 47–22–3|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 73 || 23 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2-4 || Brodeur || Wachovia Center – 19,762 || 47–23–3|- align="center" bgcolor = "lightgrey"| 74 || 27 || Chicago Blackhawks || 2-3 (OT) || Brodeur || United Center – 21,617 || 47–23–4|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 75 || 28 || Carolina Hurricanes || 2-1 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 17,018 || 47–24–4|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 76 || 30 || New York Rangers || 0-3 || Brodeur || Madison Square Garden – 18,200 || 47–25–4|-|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 77 || 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1-6 || Brodeur || Mellon Arena – 17,132 || 47–26–4|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 78 || 3 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4-5 (OT) || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 48–26–4|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 79 || 4 || Buffalo Sabres || 3-2 || Brodeur || HSBC Arena – 18,690 || 49–26–4|- align="center" bgcolor = #FFBBBB| 80 || 7 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 4-1 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 15,046 || 49–27–4|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 81 || 9 || Ottawa Senators || 3-2 (SO) || Brodeur || Scotiabank Place – 20,151 || 50–27–4|- align="center" bgcolor = #CCFFCC| 82 || 11 || Carolina Hurricanes || 2-3 || Brodeur || Prudential Center – 17,625 || 51–27–4|-|-| Schedule

Playoffs

See main article: 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs. The New Jersey Devils ended the 2008–09 regular season as the Atlantic Division Champions and the Eastern Conference's third seed. The Devils have made the playoffs for the 12th straight season.

Win Loss Win Playoff Series Eliminated from playoffs

Media

Television coverage was now on MSG Plus, still under the play-by-play of Mike Emrick and Chico Resch. Radio coverage was still on WFAN with Matt Loughlin and Sherry Ross.

Player statistics

Goaltenders

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

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

Awards and records

Awards

Regular Season! Player !! Award !! Awarded
	NHL Second All-Star Team – Left Wing	End of regular season
	NHL Third Star of the Week	October 12, 2008
	NHL Third Star of the Week	December 21, 2008
	NHL First Star of the Month	January 2009
Jamie Langenbrunner	NHL First Star of the Week	February 1, 2009
Zach Parise	NHL First Star of the Week	February 15, 2009
Martin Brodeur	NHL First Star of the Week	March 1, 2009
Martin Brodeur	NHL First Star of the Week	March 15, 2009

Nominations

Regular Season! Player !! Award !! Place
	Lady Byng Memorial Trophy	Finalist

Records

Player	Record (Amount)	Achieved
	Most consecutive opening nights with a single team (14)	October 10, 2008
Martin Brodeur	Most career wins by a goaltender (552)	March 17, 2009

Milestones

Regular Season! Player !! Milestone !! Reached
	1st NHL Game	October 10, 2008
	1st NHL Game 1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point	October 18, 2008
	1st NHL Game 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point	October 22, 2008
	400th NHL Point	October 24, 2008
	400th NHL Game	October 25, 2008
	1st NHL Game	October 29, 2008
	1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point	November 1, 2008
	100th NHL Game	November 5, 2008
	1st NHL Game	November 9, 2008
Anssi Salmela	1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point	November 12, 2008
	100th NHL Assist	December 19, 2008
Zach Parise	200th NHL Point	December 27, 2008

Transactions

Trades

June 20, 2008	To New Jersey Devils 1st-round pick (23rd overall) in 2008 2nd-round pick (54th overall) in 2008	To Washington Capitals 1st-round pick (21st overall) in 2008
June 20, 2008	To New Jersey Devils 1st-round pick (24th overall) in 2008 3rd-round pick in 2009	To Minnesota Wild 1st-round pick (23rd overall) in 2008
February 3, 2009	To New Jersey Devils David McIntyre	To Anaheim Ducks Sheldon Brookbank
March 2, 2009	To New Jersey Devils Niclas Havelid Myles Stoesz	To Atlanta Thrashers Anssi Salmela

Free agents

Player	Former team	Contract Terms
		4 years, $20 million
		1 year, $2.5 million
		1 year
		1 year, $800,000

Player	New team
	SKA Saint Petersburg
	Philadelphia Flyers
	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
	Dynamo Moscow

Draft picks

New Jersey's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	Club Team
1	24		Left Wing	Sweden	HV71 Jr. (J20 SuperElit)
2	52		Defence	Canada	St. Michael's Buzzers (OPJHL)
2	54		Center	Canada	Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
3	82		Center	Canada	Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
4	112	Matt Delahey	Defence	Canada	Regina Pats (WHL)
5	142	Kory Nagy	Center	Canada	Oshawa Generals (OHL)
6	172	David Wohlberg	Center	United States	U.S. National Team Development Program (NAHL)
7	202	Harry Young	Defence	Canada	Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
7	205	Jean-Sebastien Berube	Left Wing	Canada	Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

Farm teams

The Lowell Devils of the American Hockey League and the Trenton Devils of the ECHL remain the New Jersey Devils' minor league affiliates for the 2008–09 season.

Notes and References

Book: National Hockey League . The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011 . 2010 . Triumph Books . 83 . 978-1-60078-422-4.
Web site: 2008-09 NHL Summary.
Web site: Roy glad to be there for Brodeur's big night . NHL.com . Dan . Rosen . March 15, 2009 . June 22, 2020.