2008–09 Carolina Hurricanes season

2008–09 Carolina Hurricanes
Division2nd Southeast
Conference6th Eastern
2008–09 record45–30–7
Home record26–14–1
Road record19–16–6
Goals for239
Goals against226
Team information
General managerJim Rutherford
CoachPaul Maurice
CaptainRod Brind'Amour
Alternate captainsEric Staal
Ray Whitney
ArenaRBC Center
Average attendanceAverage: 15,573 (83.4%)
Total: 679,488
Team leaders
GoalsEric Staal (40)
AssistsRay Whitney (53)
PointsRay Whitney (77)
Penalty minutesTuomo Ruutu (79)
Plus/minusEric Staal (15)
WinsCam Ward (39)
Goals against averageCam Ward (2.44)

The 2008–09 Carolina Hurricanes season was the franchise's 37th season, 30th season in the National Hockey League and 11th as the Hurricanes.

Key dates prior to the start of the season:

  • The 2008 NHL Draft started on June 20, 2008.

Off-season

  • June 5: After 20 seasons in the NHL and 13 as one of the most popular faces of the Hurricanes' franchise, Glen Wesley announced his retirement.[citation needed]
  • September 11: The club announced that they have signed Eric Staal to a seven-year contract extension worth US$57.75 million.[1]

Regular season

  • November 7: Peter Laviolette made NHL history by becoming the winningest American-born NHL coach with his 240th victory, as Carolina defeated the Ottawa Senators, 2–1.[2]
  • December 2: Peter Laviolette was fired as the head coach and Paul Maurice was rehired in his place. Ron Francis became the team's associate head coach.[3]

The Hurricanes finished the regular season having tied the Montreal Canadiens for the most power-play opportunities, with 374.[4]

Divisional standings

Southeast Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 y – Washington Capitals 82 50 24 8 272 245 108
2 Carolina Hurricanes 82 45 30 7 239 226 97
3 Florida Panthers 82 41 30 11 234 231 93
4 Atlanta Thrashers 82 35 41 6 257 280 76
5 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 24 40 18 210 279 66

2 points for a win, 1 for an OT or shootout loss, 0 for a loss in regulation

Conference standings

Eastern Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 z – Boston Bruins NE 82 53 19 10 274 196 116
2 y – Washington Capitals SE 82 50 24 8 272 245 108
3 y – New Jersey Devils AT 82 51 27 4 244 209 106
4 Pittsburgh Penguins AT 82 45 28 9 264 239 99
5 Philadelphia Flyers AT 82 44 27 11 264 238 99
6 Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 45 30 7 239 226 97
7 New York Rangers AT 82 43 30 9 210 218 95
8 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 41 30 11 249 247 93
8.5
9 Florida Panthers SE 82 41 30 11 234 231 93
10 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 41 32 9 250 234 91
11 Ottawa Senators NE 82 36 35 11 217 237 83
12 Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 34 35 13 250 293 81
13 Atlanta Thrashers SE 82 35 41 6 257 280 76
14 Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 24 40 18 210 279 66
15 New York Islanders AT 82 26 47 9 201 279 61

bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)

AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division


Schedule and results

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

2008–09 Game Log
Preseason: 3–3–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 1–2–0)
Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
September 24 Washington 4 – 1 Hurricanes Ward 11,431 0-1-0 0
September 25 Hurricanes 2 – 5 Washington Manzato 13,266 0-2-0 0
September 27 Hurricanes 2 – 4 Philadelphia Ward 17,700 0-3-0 0
September 28 Philadelphia 0 – 1 Hurricanes Leighton 11,431 1-3-0 2
October 2 Hurricanes 4 – 2 Nashville Ward 12,903 2-3-0 4
October 5 Nashville 0 – 2 Hurricanes Ward 11,313 3-3-0 4
October: 5–2–2 (Home: 1–1–0 ; Road: 4–1–2)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
1 October 10 Florida 4 – 6 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 1-0-0 2
2 October 11 Hurricanes 4 – 3 Lightning OT Leighton 18,552 2-0-0 4
3 October 13 Detroit 3 – 1 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 2-1-0 4
4 October 17 Hurricanes 3 – 4 Los Angeles OT Ward 14,194 2-1-1 5
5 October 19 Hurricanes 3 – 1 Anaheim Leighton 16,847 3-1-1 7
6 October 23 Hurricanes 1 – 4 Pittsburgh Ward 17,132 3-2-1 7
7 October 25 Hurricanes 4 – 3 NY Islanders Ward 11,219 4-2-1 9
8 October 28 Hurricanes 2 – 3 Montreal SO Ward 21,273 4-2-2 10
9 October 30 Hurricanes 1 – 0 St. Louis Ward 17,860 5-2-2 12
November: 7–9–0 (Home: 5–6–0 ; Road: 2–3–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
10 November 1 Edmonton 3 – 1 Hurricanes Ward 15,016 5-3-2 12
11 November 2 Toronto 4 – 6 Hurricanes Leighton 15,635 6-3-2 14
12 November 4 Hurricanes 5 – 4 Toronto OT Ward 19,266 7-3-2 16
13 November 6 Hurricanes 2 – 3 Capitals Ward 15,391 7-4-2 16
14 November 7 Ottawa 1 – 2 Hurricanes Leighton 15,206 8-4-2 18
15 November 9 Atlanta 5 – 2 Hurricanes Ward 12,398 8-5-2 18
16 November 12 Washington 5 – 1 Hurricanes Leighton 14,261 8-6-2 18
17 November 14 Hurricanes 2 – 3 Atlanta Ward 16,128 8-7-2 18
18 November 16 Tampa Bay 2 – 3 Hurricanes SO Ward 13,781 9-7-2 20
19 November 18 Montreal 1 – 2 Hurricanes Ward 12,164 10-7-2 22
20 November 21 Coyotes 2 – 5 Hurricanes Ward 14,848 11-7-2 24
21 November 23 Nashville 5 – 2 Hurricanes Ward 13,042 11-8-2 24
22 November 24 Hurricanes 2 – 3 Panthers Leighton 11,117 11-9-2 24
23 November 26 Philadelphia 3 – 1 Hurricanes Ward 15,057 11-10-2 24
24 November 28 Hurricanes 3 – 2 Philadelphia OT Ward 19,587 12-10-2 26
25 November 30 Anaheim 4 – 1 Hurricanes Leighton 14,191 12-11-2 26
December: 6–4–3 (Home: 4–2–1 ; Road: 2–2–2)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
26 December 4 Penguins 5 – 2 Hurricanes Leighton 14,559 12-12-2 26
27 December 6 Philadelphia 2 – 1 Hurricanes OT Leighton 14,061 12-12-3 27
28 December 7 Washington 1 – 3 Hurricanes Leighton 15,308 13-12-3 29
29 December 11 Hurricanes 5 – 6 Philadelphia SO Leighton 19,057 13-12-4 30
30 December 13 Hurricanes 2 – 3 NY Rangers SO Ward 18,200 13-12-5 31
31 December 16 Montreal 2 – 3 Hurricanes Ward 16,434 14-12-5 33
32 December 18 Florida 1 – 2 Hurricanes OT Ward 14,533 15-12-5 35
33 December 20 Hurricanes 2 – 4 Boston Ward 17,565 15-13-5 35
34 December 21 Hurricanes 3 – 2 Montreal OT Ward 21,273 16-13-5 37
35 December 23 Hurricanes 2 – 3 Minnesota Leighton 18,568 16-14-5 37
36 December 26 Hurricanes 5 – 4 Atlanta Ward 16,012 17-14-5 39
37 December 27 Boston 4 – 2 Hurricanes Ward 16,705 17-15-5 39
38 December 31 Atlanta 1 – 3 Hurricanes Ward 18,137 18-15-5 41
January: 7–6–0 (Home: 4–1–0 ; Road: 3–5–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
39 January 2 St. Louis 1 – 2 Hurricanes Ward 17,092 19-15-5 43
40 January 3 Hurricanes 3 – 2 Tampa Bay Ward 15,873 20-15-5 45
41 January 6 New Jersey 2 – 3 Hurricanes Ward 15,399 21-15-5 47
42 January 8 Hurricanes 2 – 4 Florida Ward 10,323 21-16-5 47
43 January 10 Hurricanes 1 – 5 Boston Ward 17,565 21-17-5 47
44 January 13 Hurricanes 1 – 5 Ottawa Ward 18,512 21-18-5 47
45 January 15 Toronto 6 – 4 Hurricanes Ward 18,037 21-19-5 47
46 January 17 Hurricanes 1 – 3 Buffalo Ward 18,690 21-20-5 47
47 January 19 Hurricanes 2 – 0 Toronto Ward 19,018 22-20-5 49
48 January 20 Hurricanes 2 – 1 Pittsburgh Ward 16,972 23-20-5 51
49 January 27 Hurricanes 2 – 3 NY Rangers Ward 18,200 23-21-5 51
50 January 29 Tampa Bay 2 – 3 Hurricanes Ward 16,405 24-21-5 53
51 January 31 Atlanta 0 – 2 Hurricanes Ward 16,215 25-21-5 55
February: 7–6–0 (Home: 3–3–0 ; Road: 4–3–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
52 February 3 Hurricanes 3 – 4 Vancouver Ward 18,630 25-22-5 55
53 February 5 Hurricanes 4 – 3 San Jose SO Leighton 17,496 26-22-5 57
54 February 7 Hurricanes 7 – 2 Phoenix Ward 15,229 27-22-5 59
55 February 12 Florida 5 – 0 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 27-23-5 59
56 February 14 Columbus 5 – 1 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 27-24-5 59
57 February 15 Hurricanes 3 – 0 Buffalo Ward 18,690 28-24-5 61
58 February 17 Boston 5 – 1 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 28-25-5 61
59 February 19 Hurricanes 6 – 2 NY Islanders Ward 11,802 29-25-5 63
60 February 20 Tampa Bay 1 – 4 Hurricanes Ward 17,711 30-25-5 65
61 February 22 Colorado 2 – 5 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 31-25-5 67
62 February 24 Hurricanes 2 – 4 Ottawa Ward 16,541 31-26-5 67
63 February 26 Buffalo 1 – 2 Hurricanes SO Ward 18,219 32-26-5 69
64 February 28 Hurricanes 3 – 5 Atlanta Ward 17,796 32-27-5 69
March: 10–1–2 (Home: 6–0–0 ; Road: 4–1–2)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
65 March 3 Hurricanes 5 – 2 Washington Ward 17,903 33-27-5 71
66 March 6 Calgary 1 – 6 Hurricanes Ward 18,108 34-27-5 73
67 March 7 Hurricanes 9 – 3 Tampa Bay Ward 15,692 35-27-5 75
68 March 9 NY Rangers 0 – 3 Hurricanes Ward 17,826 36-27-5 77
69 March 11 Hurricanes 2 – 3 Chicago SO Ward 21,513 36-27-6 78
70 March 12 Hurricanes 2 – 3 Dallas Ward 16,788 36-28-6 78
71 March 14 Hurricanes 4 – 5 Washington SO Ward 18,277 36-28-7 79
72 March 18 New Jersey 2 – 4 Hurricanes Ward 18,544 37-28-7 81
73 March 20 NY Islanders 4 – 5 Hurricanes Ward 18,137 38-28-7 83
74 March 21 Washington 1 – 4 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 39-28-7 85
75 March 23 Hurricanes 3 – 2 Florida Ward 14,304 40-28-7 87
76 March 25 Ottawa 1 – 2 Hurricanes Ward 17,146 41-28-7 89
77 March 28 Hurricanes 2 – 1 New Jersey Ward 17,018 42-28-7 91
April: 3–2–0 (Home: 3–1–0 ; Road: 0–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
78 April 2 NY Rangers 2 – 4 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 43-28-7 93
79 April 4 Pittsburgh 2 – 3 Hurricanes OT Ward 18,680 44-28-7 95
80 April 7 NY Islanders 0 – 9 Hurricanes Ward 18,680 45-28-7 97
81 April 9 Buffalo 5 – 1 Hurricanes Ward 18,513 45-29-7 97
82 April 11 Hurricanes 2 – 3 New Jersey Ward 17,625 45-30-7 97

Record vs. opponents

Team Points Record
New Jersey* 106 3–1–0
NY Islanders 61 4–0–0
NY Rangers 95 2–1–1
Philadelphia 99 1–1–2
Pittsburgh 99 2–2–0
Boston* 116 0–4–0
Buffalo 91 2–2–0
Montreal 93 3–0–1
Ottawa 83 2–2–0
Toronto 81 3–1–0
Atlanta 76 3–3–0
Florida 93 3–3–0
Tampa Bay 66 6–0–0
Washington* 108 3–2–1
Chicago 104 0–0–1
Columbus 92 0–1–0
Detroit* 112 1–0–0
Nashville 88 1–0–0
St. Louis 92 2–0–0
Calgary 98 1–0–0
Colorado 69 1–0–0
Edmonton 85 0–1–0
Minnesota 89 0–1–0
Vancouver* 100 0–1–0
Anaheim 91 1–1–0
Dallas 83 1–0–0
Los Angeles 79 0–0–1
Phoenix 79 2–0–0
San Jose* 117 1–0–0

Notes: * denotes division winner; teams in bold are in the Southeast Division; teams in italics qualified for the playoffs; points refer to the points achieved by the team whom the Hurricanes played against

  = Member of the Atlantic Division
  = Member of the Northeast Division
  = Member of the Southeast Division
  = Member of the Central Division
  = Member of the Northeast Division
  = Member of the Pacific Division

Playoffs

The Carolina Hurricanes ended the 2008–09 regular season as the Eastern Conference's sixth seed. In the first round, they defeated the New Jersey Devils following a game 7 victory following two goals with 1:20 minutes in the game from Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal in what is known as the “Shock at the Rock”.[5] In the second round, they defeated the Boston Bruins in 7 games, denying Boston's 3–1 series comeback attempt following an overtime goal from Scott Walker. In doing so, they reached the third round for the first time since 2002.[6] However, they got swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals.

2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarter-finals: vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 April 15 Carolina 1-4 New Jersey Ward 17,625 0-1 [1]
2 April 17 Carolina 2-1 New Jersey OT Ward 17,625 1-1 [2]
3 April 19 New Jersey 3-2 Carolina OT Ward 17,791 1-2 [3]
4 April 21 New Jersey 3-4 Carolina Ward 17,465 2-2 [4]
5 April 23 Carolina 0-1 New Jersey Ward 17,625 2-3 [5]
6 April 26 New Jersey 0-4 Carolina Ward 18,680 3-3 [6]
7 April 28 Carolina 4-3 New Jersey Ward 17,625 4-3 [7]
Eastern Conference Semi-finals: vs. (1) Boston Bruins
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 May 1 Carolina 1-4 Boston Ward 17,565 0-1 [8]
2 May 3 Carolina 3-0 Boston Ward 17,565 1-1 [9]
3 May 6 Boston 2-3 Carolina OT Ward 18,680 2-1 [10]
4 May 8 Boston 1-4 Carolina Ward 18,878 3-1 [11]
5 May 10 Carolina 0-4 Boston Ward 17,565 3-2 [12]
6 May 12 Boston 4-2 Carolina Ward 18,860 3-3 [13]
7 May 14 Carolina 3-2 Boston OT Ward 17,565 4-3 [14]
Eastern Conference Finals: vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 May 18 Carolina 2-3 Pittsburgh Ward 17,132 0-1 [7]
2 May 21 Carolina 4-7 Pittsburgh Ward 17,132 0-2 [15]
3 May 23 Pittsburgh 6-2 Carolina Ward 18,789 0-3 [16]
4 May 26 Pittsburgh 4-1 Carolina Ward 18,789 0-4 [17]

  WIN   LOSS

Player statistics

Skaters

Regular season
Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM
Ray Whitney 82 24 53 77 +2 32
Eric Staal 82 40 35 75 +15 50
Tuomo Ruutu 79 26 28 54 0 79
Rod Brind'Amour 80 16 35 51 -23 36
Sergei Samsonov 81 16 32 48 -8 28
Matt Cullen 69 22 21 43 +11 20
Joe Corvo 81 14 24 38 -1 18
Anton Babchuk 72 16 19 35 +13 16
Joni Pitkanen 71 7 26 33 +11 58
Chad LaRose 81 19 12 31 +6 35
Dennis Seidenberg 70 5 25 30 -9 37
Scott Walker 41 5 10 15 -4 39
Erik Cole† 17 2 13 15 +3 10
Patrick Eaves 74 6 8 14 +7 31
Tim Gleason 70 0 12 12 +3 68
Ryan Bayda 70 5 7 12 +2 26
Jussi Jokinen† 25 1 10 11 -2 12
Niclas Wallin 64 2 8 10 -1 42
Justin Williams‡ 32 3 7 10 -9 9
Frantisek Kaberle 30 1 7 8 -4 8
Brandon Sutter 50 1 5 6 -1 16
Josef Melichar‡ 15 0 4 4 -1 8
Dan LaCouture 11 2 0 2 -1 10
Michael Ryan 18 0 2 2 -3 2
Dwight Helminen 23 1 1 2 -2 0
Bryan Rodney 8 0 2 2 -3 2
Wade Brookbank‡ 27 1 0 1 0 40
Tim Conboy 28 0 1 1 -1 37
Patrick Dwyer 13 1 0 1 -2 0
Jakub Petruzalek 2 0 1 1 +1 0
Brett Carson 5 0 0 0 -3 4
Casey Borer 3 0 0 0 0 5
Zach Boychuk 2 0 0 0 0 0


Playoffs
Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM
Eric Staal 18 10 5 15 -3 4
Ray Whitney 18 3 8 11 -9 4
Chad LaRose 18 4 7 11 0 16
Jussi Jokinen 18 7 4 11 -3 2
Sergei Samsonov 17 5 3 8 +2 6
Joni Pitkanen 18 0 8 8 0 16
Scott Walker 18 1 6 7 -3 19
Joe Corvo 18 2 5 7 -7 4
Matt Cullen 18 3 3 6 0 14
Dennis Seidenberg 16 1 5 6 -5 16
Erik Cole 18 0 5 5 -5 22
Tim Gleason 18 1 4 5 -2 32
Rod Brind'Amour 18 1 3 4 -5 8
Ryan Bayda 15 2 2 4 +2 18
Tuomo Ruutu 16 1 3 4 -3 8
Patrick Eaves 18 1 2 3 -1 13
Frantisek Kaberle 7 0 1 1 +2 2
Anton Babchuk 13 0 1 1 -5 10
Patrick Dwyer 2 0 1 1 +1 0
Niclas Wallin 18 0 0 0 +1 4
Dwight Helminen 1 0 0 0 0 0
Tim Conboy 3 0 0 0 0 9

Goaltenders

Regular season
Player GP Min W L OT GA GAA SA SV Sv% SO
Cam Ward 68 3928 39 23 5 160 2.44 1901 1741 .916 6
Michael Leighton 19 1028 6 7 2 50 2.92 507 457 .901 0
Playoffs
Player GP Min W L GA GAA SA SV Sv% SO
Cam Ward 18 1101 8 10 49 2.67 576 527 .915 2

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Hurricanes. Stats reflect season totals.
‡Traded mid-season
Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Note:
Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

Milestones

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
Brandon Sutter 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		 October 10, 2008
Zach Boychuk 1st NHL Game October 17, 2008
Brandon Sutter 1st NHL Goal October 23, 2008
Dwight Helminen 1st NHL Game October 28, 2008
Anton Babchuk 100th NHL Game October 30, 2008
Dwight Helminen 1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point		 November 2, 2008
Patrick Dwyer 1st NHL Game November 2, 2008
Brett Carson 1st NHL Game December 8, 2008
Bryan Rodney 1st NHL Game December 11, 2008
Bryan Rodney 1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		 February 3, 2009
Jakub Petruzalek 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		 February 5, 2009

News

On June 14, the Hurricanes agreed to an extension of their lease at the RBC Center by five years through to 2023-24.[8]

Trades

Date
Details
February 7, 2009 To Tampa Bay Lightning
Wade Brookbank
Josef Melichar
4th-round pick in 2009 (pick ultimately forfeited) 		To Carolina Hurricanes
Jussi Jokinen

Free agents

Player Former team Contract Terms
Josef Melichar Linköpings HC (SEL) 1 year/$1 million
Player New team

Claimed from waivers

Player Former team Date claimed off waivers

Draft picks

The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was in Ottawa, Ontario. The Hurricanes had the 14th overall pick

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 14 Zach Boychuk (C)  Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
2 45 Zac Dalpe (C/RW)  Canada Penticton Vees (BCHL)
4 105 Michal Jordan (D)  Czech Republic Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
6 165 Mike Murphy (G)  Canada Belleville Bulls (OHL)
7 195 Samuel Morneau (LW)  Canada Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)

Farm teams

American Hockey League

The Albany River Rats are the Hurricanes American Hockey League affiliate for the 2008–09 AHL season.

ECHL

The Florida Everblades are the Hurricanes ECHL affiliate.

References

  1. ^ "Carolina Hurricanes - News: Hurricanes Sign Eric Staal to a Seven-Year Extension - 09/11/2008". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  2. ^ "Laviolette makes history in Hurricanes win over Senators". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  3. ^ "Carolina Hurricanes - News: Hurricanes Name Paul Maurice Head Coach - 12/03/2008". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  4. ^ "2008-09 NHL Summary".
  5. ^ "This Day in Canes History: April 28". NHL.com.
  6. ^ https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/CAR/history.html
  7. ^ "NHL.com - Recap: Hurricanes @ Penguins - 05/18/2009". Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  8. ^ CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Hockey - News: Hockey transactions[usurped]
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