2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League

National Hockey League

The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...

began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Stanley Cup

Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...

.

The Finals ended on June 4, 2008, with the Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...

defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

four games to two to win their eleventh championship and their fourth in eleven seasons. It was the first championship in the 16 year career of Red Wings winger Dallas Drake

Dallas Drake

Dallas James Drake is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger in the National Hockey League who last played for the Detroit Red Wings. Previously, Drake played for the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes, and St. Louis Blues...

, who retired following the season. Red Wings winger Henrik Zetterberg

Henrik Zetterberg

Henrik “Zäta" Zetterberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey center and alternate captain currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...

was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy

Conn Smythe Trophy

The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...

as the playoff's Most Valuable Player. Sidney Crosby and Henrik Zetteberg both led the tournament with 27 points.

Highlights

The San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

were the media's favorite to win the cup going into the playoffs, having gone the entire month of March without a regulation loss and nearly finishing first overall during the regular season.

Milestones

In game one of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

, captain Joe Sakic

Joe Sakic

Joseph Steven "Joe" Sakic is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 20-year tenure, Sakic won the Stanley Cup twice, captured numerous NHL...

of the Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...

extended his record for playoff overtime goals to 8, with a goal 11:11 into overtime. Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios

Christos Kostas Tselios is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the Executive Advisor to Ken Holland, the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, a role that Steve Yzerman held before leaving to become general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.Chelios played...

of the Detroit Red Wings appeared in his 248th career playoff game, passing Patrick Roy

Patrick Roy

Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...

for most career playoff games of all-time.

In game two of the Western Conference Semifinals in San Jose, Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...

' center Brad Richards

Brad Richards

Bradley Glenn Richards is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Early career:Born and raised in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island...

tied an NHL record for most points in one period of a playoff game, when he recorded one goal and three assists in the third period.

In the Western Conference Semifinals against the Colorado Avalanche, Johan Franzen

Johan Franzen

Johan Franzén is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :Franzén started playing ice hockey in Boro/Vetlanda HC, Landsbro near Vetlanda in Sweden...

became the first player to score multiple hat tricks in a series since Jari Kurri

Jari Kurri

Jari Pekka Kurri is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger and a five-time Stanley Cup champion. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He is currently the general manager of Team Finland....

had three in 1985. In the process, he set an NHL record for most goals in a four-game sweep and the Detroit Red Wings record for most goals in a playoff series with 9, beating the previous record of 8 set by Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe

Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...

in 1949. Franzen achieved this feat in only four games, while Howe achieved it in seven.

Game six of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Sharks and Stars was the eighth longest game in the history of the NHL, lasting 129:03. Stars' captain Brenden Morrow

Brenden Morrow

Brenden Morrow is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Morrow played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winter Hawks. During his junior career, he helped Portland win the Memorial Cup during the...

ended the game at 9:03 of the fourth overtime tapping in a power play goal. Goalies Marty Turco and Evgeni Nabokov set team records for saves in a game with 61 and 53 respectively. The final score was 2–1.

Nicklas Lidstrom

Nicklas Lidström

Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain...

became the first team captain born and trained in Europe whose team won the Stanley Cup

Stanley Cup

. Charlie Gardiner (born in Scotland) and Johnny Gottselig

Johnny Gottselig

John Gottselig was a professional ice hockey left winger who played 17 seasons for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League between 1928 and 1946. He was the second player born in the Russian Empire to play in the NHL, as well as the first European-born head coach in the league's...

(born in Russia) both won the Stanley Cup as captains of the Chicago Blackhawks(in 1934

1934 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1934 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Chicago Black Hawks and the Detroit Red Wings. It was the Red Wings' first appearance in the Final, and Chicago's second, after 1931...

and 1938

1938 Stanley Cup Finals

-References & notes:* Podnieks, Andrew; Hockey Hall of Fame . Lord Stanley's Cup. Bolton, Ont.: Fenn Pub. pp 12, 50. ISBN 978-1-55168-261-7...

, respectively), but they were both raised in Canada.

New interpretation of NHL rule

In game three of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, while on a 5-on-3 powerplay, the New York Rangers

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

' Sean Avery

Sean Avery

Sean Christopher Avery is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He formerly played for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars and New York Rangers. Prior to the NHL, Avery played for the Owen Sound Platers and the...

tried to screen the New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

' goaltender Martin Brodeur

Martin Brodeur

Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...

Playoff seeds

After the 2007–08 NHL regular season, the standard of 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. The Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

were the Western Conference

Western Conference (NHL)

The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....

regular season champions and were also the Presidents' Trophy

Presidents' Trophy

The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...

winners with the best record at 115 points. The Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

earned the Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference (NHL)

The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....

regular season crown with 104 points.

Eastern Conference

Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

– Northeast Division
Northeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...

and Eastern Conference regular season champions, 104 points
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

– Atlantic Division
Atlantic Division (NHL)
The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won...

champions, 102 points
Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...

– Southeast Division
Southeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era ....

champions, 94 points
New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

– 99 points
New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

– 97 points
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

– 95 points
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

– 94 points (43 wins)
Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

– 94 points (41 wins)

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...

– Central Division
Central Division (NHL)
The NHL's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division.The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.-Current lineup:...

and Western Conference regular season champions; President's Trophy winners, 115 points
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

– Pacific Division
Pacific Division (NHL)
The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...

champions, 108 points
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

– Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...

champions, 98 points
Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

– 102 points
Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...

– 97 points
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...

– 95 points
Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...

– 94 points
Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

– 91 points

Playoff bracket

In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. The higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage, which gives them a possible maximum of four games on their home ice, with the lower-seeded team getting a possible maximum of three. In the Stanley Cup Finals, home ice is determined based on regular season points; thus, the Detroit Red Wings had home ice advantage throughout the playoffs, including in the Finals. Each best-of-seven series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 format. This means that the higher-seeded team will have home ice for Games 1 and 2, and if necessary, Games 5 and 7, while the lower-seeded team will have home ice for Games 3, 4, and, if necessary, Game 6.

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins

Going into the playoffs, expectations were high for the Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens

, since they had won all eight games against the Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

during the 2007–08 season and the last three games of the previous season. Additionally, Montreal ended the regular season going 8–1–1 while Boston had a mediocre finish with 4–2–4. One potential disadvantage for Montreal was the inexperience of their young goaltenders: Carey Price

Carey Price

Carey Price is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Price was the Canadiens' first round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...

, age 20, had only played 41 NHL games, and Jaroslav Halak

Jaroslav Halák

Jaroslav Halák is a Slovak professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League . Halák was the 271st overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.-Montreal Canadiens:...

, age 23, had only played 16 NHL games. Neither Price nor Halak had any NHL playoff experience. However, Boston's Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas (ice hockey)

Timothy James Thomas, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey goaltender with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . Raised in Davison, MI, Thomas played college hockey for the University of Vermont for four years, from 1993–1997, during which he was drafted 217th overall by the...

had only played 165 career NHL games, and he also had no NHL playoff experience.

A strong performance in Game 1 reinforced the idea of a quick win for Montreal. The Bruins also lost Game 2 but demonstrated strong play throughout the game, culminating in two third period goals to take the game into overtime, where they quickly lost.

Boston won Game 3 in overtime, ending the 13-game winning streak that Montreal had accumulated against the Bruins. The tight competition continued into Game 4, with Canadiens goaltender Carey Price notching his first playoff shutout in a 1–0 win.

After two periods in Game 5, with the score 1–1, the game looked as though it would be another close battle. However, a mishandling of the puck by Carey Price early in the third period resulted in a goal for Glen Metropolit

Glen Metropolit

Glen Metropolit is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for EV Zug in the Swiss National League A.-Early years:...

; this ended up being a turning point in the game; Boston followed up with three more goals in the period to win 5–1. The Bruins also won Game 6 in a high scoring match to tie the series at 3–3.

In Game 7, Montreal rebounded from the lackluster performances of its previous games and won with a dominant and convincing 5–0 win, resulting in Price's second career playoff shutout.

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators

The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the playoffs as the second overall seed in the Eastern Conference, having clinched the Atlantic Division title with 102 points. Meanwhile, the Senators limped into the playoffs as the seventh seed, with key players out with injuries, including captain Daniel Alfredsson

Daniel Alfredsson

Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators...

who missed the first two games.

The Penguins dominated the Senators in Game 1, winning by a score of 4-0. The Penguins then held on for a 5-3 win in Game 2, taking a 2-0 series advantage. The Senators were hoping to gain momentum when the series shifted to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4, but the Penguins would not relent. Sidney Crosby's goal in the opening seconds of the third period of Game 3 broke a 1-1 tie, and Pittsburgh eventually won 4-1, and then completed the series sweep in Game 4 with a 3-1 win. Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby

Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...

led the Penguins with 8 points (2 goals and 6 assists).

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

The Washington Capitals made a late season surge that helped them clinch first place in the Southeast Division

Southeast Division (NHL)

The NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era ....

, and third overall spot in the Eastern Conference while the Philadelphia Flyers returned to the playoffs after finishing last in the league the previous season.

The Capitals were victorious in Game 1 thanks to the game winning goal being scored by Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...

, but the Flyers won three straight games to take a 3-1 lead in the series, including 4-3 Game 4 victory in double overtime thanks to Mike Knuble

Mike Knuble

Michael Rudolph Knuble is a Canadian American professional ice hockey right winger and an alternate captain for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

. But Washington was able to win the next two games to force a Game 7. Joffrey Lupul

Joffrey Lupul

Joffrey Douglas Sheldon Lupul is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

scored a power play goal in overtime of Game 7 to advance the Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

to the next playoff round.

(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers

Tension was high in this series, as the Rangers won 7 of the 8 games against their rivals across the Hudson River

Devils–Rangers rivalry

The New Jersey Devils - New York Rangers Rivalry , exist between two National Hockey League teams in the New York metropolitan area...

during the regular season. The New York Rangers

New York Rangers

mostly dominated the New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils

in the opening round, becoming the first team to win on New Jersey's home ice three times in a playoff series. The Devils' only win was an overtime victory in Game 3 with a goal by John Madden. In Game 3, the Rangers' Sean Avery

Sean Avery

tried to screen New Jersey's goaltender Martin Brodeur

Martin Brodeur

by waving his hands and stick while facing Brodeur. This prompted the NHL to issue an interpretation of the league's rules, stating that an unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty will be called on actions such as the one used by Avery. The Rangers won the next two games, each by a score of 5-3 to move on to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators

The Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

began the playoffs as the President's Trophy winners as the highest seed in the NHL, while the Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

had battled for a playoff spot, clinching a spot in the final days of the regular season. It was the second-ever playoff matchup between the two teams, with the Red Wings winning the first in 2004 in six games.

The Red Wings won each of the first two games at home 3-1 and 4-2 respectively, but when the series shifted to Nashville for Games 3 and 4, the Predators battled back to tie the series at two games apiece. Jason Arnott

Jason Arnott

Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...

scored the winning goal in Game 3, with Greg de Vries

Greg de Vries

Greg de Vries is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played over 800 games with six teams in the National Hockey League...

scoring the winner in Game 4. The turning point in the series came when Red Wings starting goaltender Dominik Hasek

Dominik Hašek

Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...

was replaced by Chris Osgood

Chris Osgood

Christopher John Osgood is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He's currently ranked tenth in wins in NHL regular season history with 401 career wins. He spent the first part of his 17-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, then the New York Islanders and the St. Louis...

in the middle of Game 4. Osgood was then named the starter for the remainder of the series. Detroit won Game 5 thanks to an overtime goal from Johan Franzen

Johan Franzen

, and then shut out the Predators 3-0 in Game 6 in Nashville to take the series in six games, advancing to the second round.

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames

San Jose came into the series as Stanley Cup favorites and the hottest team in the NHL, while the Flames were considered the underdogs. Calgary won Game 1 in San Jose, thanks to two goals by Stephane Yelle

Stephane Yelle

Stéphane Yelle is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche, and also played in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes....

and two assists from Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla

Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...

, before San Jose goaltender Evgeni Nabokov

Evgeni Nabokov

Evgeni Viktorovich Nabokov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .Nabokov was selected by San Jose in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...

recorded a shutout in Game 2 to help the Sharks tie the series. The Flames then rallied from a three-goal deficit to earn a Game 3 victory thanks to backup goaltender Curtis Joseph

Curtis Joseph

Curtis Shayne Joseph is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He last played for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League....

's strong performance in relief of Miikka Kiprusoff

Miikka Kiprusoff

Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...

, and appeared to be on their way to a Game 4 win as well, but the Sharks scored two goals late in the third period to win the game and tie the series. San Jose jumped again to a three-goal lead and held off a Calgary comeback in Game 5, but Miikka Kiprusoff recorded his own shutout in Game 6 to force a deciding Game 7 as the Flames won, 2-0. Unfortunately for the Flames, veteran Jeremy Roenick

Jeremy Roenick

Jeremy Shaffer "J.R." Roenick is a former American professional ice hockey player who played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League . He played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks over the course of his 18 NHL...

had something to prove in these playoffs and exploded in game 7, scoring 2 goals to go along with 2 assists as the Sharks won 5-3; Roenick was named the game's first Star. Curtis Joseph made his second appearance in the series, once again relieving Kiprusoff. Jarome Iginla and the Flames failed to get past the first round for the third time in three years after playing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004.

(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche

The first three games of the conference quarterfinals series between the Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild

and the Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche

each ended with 3–2 scores in overtime, with the Avalanche taking the first game and the Wild winning the next two. But five different Colorado players scored goals in Game 4 to give them the win. Then Wojtek Wolski

Wojtek Wolski

Wojciech "Wojtek” Wolski is a Polish-Canadian professional ice hockey left winger, currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He previously played for the Colorado Avalanche and the Phoenix Coyotes.-Junior:...

and Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny is an American professional ice hockey center, an alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . Of Slovak lineage, Stastny is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, who played for the Avalanche's predecessor, the Quebec Nordiques...

scored less than 80 seconds apart in the third period of Game 5 to win it for the Avs. Colorado then captured the series in Game 6, aided by Jose Theodore

José Théodore

José Théodore is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...

's 34 saves out of 35 shots.

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars

The defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

came into the 2008 playoffs finishing second in the Pacific Division

Pacific Division (NHL)

The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...

behind the San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks

, and they were slotted as the fourth seed in the West facing the fifth seeded Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars

in the opening round. Despite winning five of eight games against the Ducks during the regular season, the Stars had lost their last two matchups and only collected six total points in the month of March (out of a possible 22 points). Consequently, the defending champions were heavy favorites against the Stars, who had not made it out of the first round in over five years.

Dallas stunned the undisciplined Ducks, posting a 4–0 shutout in Game 1, with all four goals coming on the powerplay

Powerplay

"Power play" is a sporting term used in various games.*In ice hockey, a team is said to be on a power play when at least one opposing player is serving a penalty, and the team has a numerical advantage on the ice...

. Anaheim went into in Game 2 with a much more focused attack but could only manage a 2–2 tie after two periods. Dallas then took control of the series, getting three goals in the third period.

The series shifted to Dallas with the Stars having a 2–0 series lead. In Game 3, the Ducks avoided a 3–0 deficit by taking control early in the game and jumping out to a 4–0 lead, with two goals coming from Ducks captain Chris Pronger

Chris Pronger

Christopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St...

. Anaheim won the game, 4–2. Anaheim's leading goal scorer in the regular season, Corey Perry

Corey Perry

Corey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he captured a Memorial Cup with the London Knights and a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships during...

, returned from injury in Game 4. However, the Ducks could not keep up with the Stars' home-ice advantage, and scored their only goal of the game with eight seconds left. Dallas won the game 3–1 and took a commanding 3–1 series lead.

Game 5 returned to Anaheim—where the Stars had already won the first two games of the series—as the Ducks attempted to avoid elimination. The Stars kept it close, but the Ducks took control late in the game, getting their first contributions of the series from Perry. The Ducks won 5–2 to send the series back to Dallas. In Dallas, the Ducks struck first, getting another goal from Perry, but the Stars scored four goals in the third period with defenseman Stephane Robidas

Stephane Robidas

Stéphane Robidas is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

scoring a goal and then setting up Stu Barnes

Stu Barnes

Stuart Barnes is an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . He played 16 seasons at centre in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, and Dallas Stars....

for the game winner just one minute later to give the Stars the series win.

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers won four consecutive games to eliminate the Eastern Conference top seeded Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens took Game 1 with Tom Kostopoulos

Tom Kostopoulos

Thomas Kostopoulos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . Kostopoulos previously played with the Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins...

's goal in overtime, but then had a hard time getting past Flyers goaltender Martin Biron

Martin Biron

Martin Gaston Biron is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He has also played professionally for the Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Islanders...

for the rest of the series. Montreal goaltender Carey Price

Carey Price

started to struggle with the Flyers, and was replaced by Jaroslav Halak

Jaroslav Halák

late in Game 3. Price regained his starting job in Game 5, and the Canadians jumped to a 3–1 lead early in the second period, but the Flyers scored three consecutive goals en route to a 6–4 series clinching victory.

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) New York Rangers

The semifinal matchup, between two Atlantic Division rivals, began on April 25. After overcoming a 3–0 deficit midway through the second period, the Penguins took the lead with 1:41 remaining, and held on to win the game 5–4. In Game Two Penguins' goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury

Marc-Andre Fleury

Marc-André Fleury is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...

stopped 26 shots to achieve his second shutout of the playoffs; the Penguins won the game 2–0 to take a 2–0 lead in the series. Game Three shifted the series to New York, where the Rangers were undefeated against the Penguins during the regular season. Martin Straka

Martin Straka

Martin Straka is a Czech ice hockey centre who plays for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner.-Playing career:...

scored his second goal of the series to tie the game at one, in the first period. But in late in the second Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....

netted his second game-winning goal of the series to give the Penguins a 3–0 lead in the series. Facing elimination in Game Four, Rangers' goaltender Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three seasons in the NHL, finishing third all three times, and is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in...

stopped all 29 shots that he faced, and Jaromir Jagr

Jaromir Jagr

Jaromír Jágr is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Jágr formerly played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, serving as captain of the Penguins and the Rangers...

scored twice as New York shutout the Penguins, 3–0. Game Five was played in Pittsburgh, after falling to a 2–0 deficit the Rangers battled back to tie the game, which was forced into overtime. Pittsburgh's Marian Hossa

Marian Hossa

Marián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...

, scored his fourth goal of the series, at the 7:10 mark of the first overtime, to win the series for the Penguins. The Penguins went on to play another division rival, the Philadelphia Flyers, for the Eastern Conference championship

Prince of Wales Trophy

The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche

The Red Wings and Avalanche met for the sixth time in the playoffs, with the winner of the series later winning the Stanley Cup 3 times. Once bitter rivals, this series proved to be no contest as the Red Wings scored 21 total goals in four games to sweep the Avalanche, the first ever sweep in the two teams playoff matchups against each other. Detroit's Johan Franzen

Johan Franzen

scored 9 goals, including two hat tricks, breaking the franchise record for goals in a playoff series, and also scoring as many goals as the entire Avalanche team. Meanwhile, Colorado was depleted with several key players out with injuries, including Peter Forsberg

Peter Forsberg

Peter Mattias "Foppa" Forsberg is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and currently an assistant general manager of Modo Sports. Known for his on-ice vision and physical play, Forsberg is considered one of the most complete players of his generation...

(who played 1 game in the series), Ryan Smyth

Ryan Smyth

Ryan Alexander Gordon Smyth is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...

, Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny

, and Wojtek Wolski

Wojtek Wolski

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (5) Dallas Stars

Dallas opened the series having not lost in regulation to the Sharks in San Jose since 2006, however, as in the Anaheim series, the Stars were seeded lower than the Sharks, who had home ice advantage.

Game 1 went to overtime after a late goal by Jonathan Cheechoo

Jonathan Cheechoo

Jonathan Earl Cheechoo is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League. During the 2005–06 National Hockey League season, he led the NHL with 56 goals and won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy...

which tied the game, but Dallas captain Brenden Morrow

Brenden Morrow

scored in overtime to finish the game at 3–2. In Game 2, defenceman

Defenceman (ice hockey)

Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...

Sergei Zubov

Sergei Alexandrovich Zubov is a former Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as well as SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League...

returned from a hernia injury that had kept him out since January. Stars' center Brad Richards

Brad Richards

keyed a four goal outburst in the third period for Dallas, scoring a goal and three assists to lead The Stars to a 5–2 win. The Stars became only the fifth team in NHL history to win games 1 and 2 on the road in back to back series in the playoffs. In Game 3 in Dallas, the Stars won again in overtime on a rare goal from defenceman Mattias Norstrom

Mattias Norström

Erik Johan Mattias "Notan" Norström is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey defenceman, currently working for the AIK IF organization. Norström began his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. However, he is most noted for his ten seasons as a member of the Los Angeles...

.

With the Stars leading the Sharks 3–0 in the series, San Jose fought off elimination with third period goals from Patrick Marleau

Patrick Marleau

Patrick Denis Marleau is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. He serves as the alternate captain for the Sharks during home games...

and Milan Michalek

Milan Michálek

Milan Michálek is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing left wing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He was drafted sixth overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft...

in Game 4. San Jose came back home for Game 5. Dallas took a two goal lead into the third period, however, the Sharks tied the game with goals by Michalek and Brian Campbell

Brian Campbell

Brian Wesley Campbell is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...

. Overtime was needed for the third time in five games, but just 1:05 into the first overtime, San Jose center Joe Pavelski

Joe Pavelski

Joseph Pavelski is an American professional ice hockey player now playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He scored a goal in his first NHL game, making him the 11th Sharks player in the history of the team to do so...

converted a turnover to keep the Sharks alive in the playoffs down 3–2. Brenden Morrow had two goals disallowed in the game for illegally kicking the puck into the net and bunting one in with his hand.

In Game 6, Stars right wing Antti Miettinen

Antti Miettinen

Antti Miettinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who plays for Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL in Russia-Playing career:...

opened the scoring in the second period off a rebound from Mike Modano

Mike Modano

Michael Thomas Modano, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey player, who most notably played for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players in the NHL, as well as the last active player in the NHL...

. Minutes into the third period, San Jose winger Ryane Clowe

Ryane Clowe

Ryane Clowe is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He serves as an alternate captain for the Sharks during away games.-Playing career:...

tied the game on an odd shot from the halfboards. Replay showed the puck appeared to have been played with an illegal hand pass. Stars goaltender Marty Turco

Marty Turco

Marty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...

protested, but no official review took place, and the goal was allowed to stand. The game required overtime for the fourth time in the series. The game played on until the early hours of the morning and featured a fantastic goaltending duel between Turco and Sharks' goalie Evgeni Nabokov

Evgeni Nabokov

, each trading spectacular saves throughout all four overtimes. Just past the 9:00 mark of the fourth overtime, with Brian Campbell in the Sharks' penalty box for tripping, Brenden Morrow tipped home a pass from defenceman Stephane Robidas

Stephane Robidas

Stéphane Robidas is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

to end the eighth longest game in NHL history and win the series for the Stars 4–2. Goaltenders Turco and Nabokov set team records for saves in a game with 61 and 53 respectively.

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

The Eastern Conference final between the cross-state rivals began on May 9. It was their fourth meeting, with the Flyers winning all three previous series (in 1989, 1997

1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1997, following the 1996–97 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for conference quarter-finals, semi-finals and championships, and then...

and 2000

2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, and concluded in June. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions ...

). Game One was tied with seven seconds remaining in the first period when Evgeni Malkin scored to give the Penguins a 3–2 lead. Malkin scored the first shorthanded goal of his career in the second to give the Penguins a 4–2 win and a 1–0 series lead. With less than a minute left in the second period, of Game Two, Mike Richards

Mike Richards

Michael Richards is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League . He previously played for and was captain of the Philadelphia Flyers.-Early years:...

scored his third goal of the series to tie the game at two. But Maxime Talbot

Maxime Talbot

Maxime Talbot is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League , Talbot led the Hull/Gatineau Olympiques to back-to-back President's Cups while earning the Guy Lafleur...

and Jordan Staal

Jordan Staal

Jordan Lee Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...

added goals for the Penguins to give them their second consecutive 4–2 victory. The series shifted to Philadelphia for Game Three, where the Penguins struggled in the regular season. R. J. Umberger

R. J. Umberger

Richard Allen "R. J." Umberger, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey center and an alternate captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

scored half-way through the first period to pull the Flyers within one goal, but the Flyers failed to score again. After getting two more goals in the third the Penguins won the game 4–1, to gain a 3–0 series lead. Facing elimination in Game Four, the Flyers jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the first period. Penguins' Jordan Staal scored twice in the third period, but Joffery Lupul tallied his second goal of the game to win the game for the Flyers, 4–2. With the series returning to Pittsburgh, the Penguins won their eighth consecutive home game to win the Prince of Wales Trophy

Prince of Wales Trophy

, by a final score of 6–0.

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (5) Dallas Stars

The Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars met in the playoffs for the first time since the 1998 Western Conference Final. Detroit took a 1–0 series lead in the first game, winning 4–1. Red Wings winger Johan Franzen

Johan Franzen

scored his league-leading 12th playoff goal. The Red Wings won the second game 2–1; rookie Darren Helm

Darren Helm

Darren Helm is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.- Junior career :...

scored his first career playoff goal. A scrum followed the game, originating when Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood

Chris Osgood

's stick struck Stars center Mike Ribeiro

Mike Ribeiro

Michael Ribeiro is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Ribeiro is of Portuguese ancestry.-Playing career:...

, who retaliated with a two-handed slash to Osgood's chest; no suspensions were given.

The Red Wings dominated the Stars in game three in Dallas, winning 5–2. Center Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Valerievich Datsyuk is a professional ice hockey player from Russia and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League . He is known for his stick-handling and is considered the best two-way forward in the game today, having won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in the...

recorded a hat trick

Hat Trick

Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...

for the Red Wings, while Osgood stopped 16 shots for the win. The Stars would avoid elimination in game four, winning 3–1. Back in Detroit for game five, Stars goaltender Marty Turco

Marty Turco

stopped 38 shots as the Stars won, 2–1. It was Turco's first ever win at Joe Louis Arena

Joe Louis Arena

Joe Louis Arena, nicknamed The Joe and JLA is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight...

at the professional level. The Red Wings won game six by a score of 4–1 and returned to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2002.

Stanley Cup Finals

The 2008 Stanley Cup Final was won by the Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

over the Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins

in six games. The series was broadcast in Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

by CBC

CBC Television

CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...

's Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...

. In Quebec

Quebec

Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....

, RDS

Réseau des sports

Réseau des sports , is a Canadian French language Category C specialty channel showing sports and sport-related shows. It is available in 2.5 million homes, and is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc....

televised the series. In the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, Versus televised Games 1 and 2, while NBC broadcast the remainder. In the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

, all games were shown on Five.

(W1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (E2) Pittsburgh Penguins

Skaters

These are the top ten skaters based on points. If the list exceeds ten skaters because of a tie in points, all of the tied skaters are shown.

Team	GP	G	A	Pts	+/–	PIM
Detroit Red Wings	22	13	14	27	+16	16
Pittsburgh Penguins	20	6	21	27	+7	12
Pittsburgh Penguins	20	12	14	26	+8	12
Detroit Red Wings	22	10	13	23	+13	6
Pittsburgh Penguins	20	10	12	22	+3	24
Detroit Red Wings	16	13	5	18	+13	14
Dallas Stars	18	3	14	17	0	16
Philadelphia Flyers	17	9	7	16	-3	20
Pittsburgh Penguins	20	6	10	16	+4	25
Philadelphia Flyers	17	10	5	15	+7	10
Dallas Stars	18	9	6	15	0	22
New York Rangers	10	5	10	15	+3	12
Dallas Stars	18	3	12	15	+1	8
Detroit Red Wings	22	0	15	15	+16	18

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Goaltending

This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average

Goals against average

Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....

and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage

Save percentage

Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...

with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion is bolded.

Team	GP	W	L	SA	GA	GAA	Sv%	SO	TOI
Detroit Red Wings	19	14	4	430	30	1.55	.930	3	1159:57
Pittsburgh Penguins	20	14	6	610	41	1.97	.933	3	1251:10
Dallas Stars	18	10	8	511	40	2.08	.922	1	1152:13
San Jose Sharks	13	6	7	333	31	2.18	.907	1	852:52
New York Rangers	10	5	5	287	26	2.57	.909	1	608:04
Boston Bruins	7	3	4	221	19	2.65	.914	0	430:06

GP = Games Played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SA = Shots Against; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO = Shutouts; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes:seconds)

Highlights

Milestones

New interpretation of NHL rule

Playoff seeds

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Playoff bracket

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames

(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) New York Rangers

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (5) Dallas Stars

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (5) Dallas Stars

Stanley Cup Finals

(W1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (E2) Pittsburgh Penguins

Skaters

Goaltending

See also