2008–09 NHL season

The 2008–09 NHL season is the 91st season of the National Hockey League. It runs from October 4, 2008 through April 12, 2009, with the Stanley Cup playoffs to follow, ending in June 2009. This is the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team will play each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the other conference (one division at home and one on the road.) The Montreal Canadiens hosted the 57th NHL All-Star Game at the Bell Centre on January 25, 2009, part of the Canadiens' 100th Anniversary celebration.

League business

Increase in salary cap

National Hockey League announced that the regular season salary cap would be going up for the fourth straight season. The 2008-09 salary cap is being increased by $6,400,000(US) per team to bring the salary cap up to $56,700,000(US). The salary roof is at $4,700,000(US), which is higher than salary cap on 2005-06 season.

Rule changes

The NHL brought in a number of rule changes for the start of the 2008-09 NHL season aimed at increasing offence and safety. The first rule change was to Rule 76.2 on faceoffs. The first faceoff of a power play will now be in the defending zone of the team that committed the foul, regardless of where the play was stopped. The second rule dealt with the issue of safety while players are pursuing the puck on a potential icing call. Rule 81.1 states that, "Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player." The third rule change also dealt with faceoff position: if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent faceoff will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play. Another rule change prohibits TV commercials, and goaltender changes immediately after an icing call.

Season schedule

The 2008–2009 schedule returns to the pre-lockout schedule. The new schedule eliminates the three-year rotation where teams would only play teams in two of the three divisions of the opposite conference; instead the new schedule guarantees that each team plays every other team at least once. In the new schedule, each team will play their divisional rivals six times for a total of 24 games; they will play all other conference teams four times for a total of 40 games, and will play every team in the opposite conference at least once for a total of 15 games. To obtain a total of 82 games there are an additional three-wild card games; for the Canadian teams, the three-wild card games are composed of playing the three Canadian teams in the opposite conference an additional time.

European openers

The 'regular season' started with four games to be played in Europe. The Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins played each other twice in Stockholm, Sweden and the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning played each other twice in Prague, Czech Republic. These four teams also played some pre-season exhibition games in Europe.

Other than the four overseas 'regular season' games starting October 4th, October 9th is the actual first day of regular season games as far as widespread continental North American broadcast from most providers, including pay per view hockey packages. Other teams still played preseason games between Oct. 4 and 6.

Winter Classic

Main article: 2009 NHL Winter Classic

Because of the success of the 2008 Winter Classic, another outdoor game was held in the 2008–09 NHL season. While Yankee Stadium was considered an early favorite, in a game to be hosted by the Rangers, cold-weather issues involving the old stadium put that location out of the mix. Another site considered was Beaver Stadium at Penn State University, with that game to likely involve the Penguins and the Flyers.

On May 29, 2008, TSN reported that the 2009 NHL Winter Classic will be held in Chicago, Illinois on January 1, 2009, played between the Chicago Blackhawks and defending champion Detroit Red Wings. Soldier Field was considered an early candidate, however the NFL's Chicago Bears objected, citing a possible home game for the 2008 NFL Playoffs that weekend (January 3-4) - ironically, the Bears ended up being eliminated from contention in the last week. It was decided that the game would be played at Wrigley Field, the North Side home of the Chicago Cubs, as confirmed by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on July 6. Ten days afterward, the NHL confirmed the reports that the game would officially be held on New Year's Day. Faceoff was scheduled for 1 p.m. EST (12 noon CST). The Red Wings won the game 6-4.

Trade deadline

The NHL and NHLPA agreed to move the trade deadline from Tuesday, March 3, 2009 to Wednesday, March 4, 2009. This was done mainly because the schedule has twelve games on March 3 and only two on March 4..

Regular season

The first goal of the season was scored by Markus Naslund of the New York Rangers in Prague against the Tampa Bay Lightning. On October 16, 2008, the Blackhawks fired head coach Denis Savard and replaced him with former Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues head coach Joel Quenneville. On Saturday, October 25, the NHL scheduled fifteen games—with all 30 teams playing—for the second time in league history.

On November 3, 2008, in a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Islanders, Islanders forward Chris Campoli scored twice in one overtime. First, Campoli retrieved a loose puck and fired a shot past Jacket's goaltender Fredrik Norrena. The shot went through the net and, while Campoli celebrated, the game continued. Campoli then received a pass in front of the goal and shot the puck again into the net.

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Barry Melrose would record his first win as a head coach in over 13 years on October 21, 2008 with a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. However, the Lightning did not get off to a great start as hoped, and Melrose was fired by the Lightning with a 5-7-4 record. Rick Tocchet, who had been hired as assistant coach during the previous offseason, was promoted to interim head coach. Melrose subsequently re-signed with broadcaster ESPN. Melrose proceeded to get into a war of words with the Lightning management, accusing the management of interference during an interview on a Toronto radio station.

On December 2, 2008, Carolina Hurricanes' head coach Peter Laviolette was fired and Paul Maurice was hired in his place. Ron Francis became the team's associate head coach.

During the annual December board of governors' meeting, the issue of the state of the economy was raised. The Phoenix Coyotes were reported to lose up to $35 million on the 2008–09 season. Asked to comment on Phoenix's loss, Commissioner Gary Bettman was quoted as saying "They're going to get through the season just fine." The Buffalo Sabres, while not for sale, had been approached for purchase.

On December 5, Sean Avery of the Dallas Stars was suspended six games for 'off-colour' remarks prior to a game against the Calgary Flames. On December 14, the Stars' management announced that he would not be returning to the team.

On December 23, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that the Phoenix Coyotes team is receiving financial assistance from the league in the form of advances on league revenues. The Coyotes have pledged all of their assets to New York company SOF Investments LP to cover an estimated debt of $80 million. The team has lost an estimated $200 million since 2001 and may lose $30 million this season. One of the team's owners, Jerry Moyes' principal source of revenue, Swift Transportation is also in financial difficulty. ESPN reported that the league has gotten involved with the operations of the Coyotes and their revenues. The NHL reportedly wants to work with the city of Glendale, Arizona, which owns the arena and receives revenues from the team. ESPN also reported that Moyes wants to sell his share of the team and that Hollywood film producer Jerry Bruckheimer is a possible interested purchaser.

Scheduled events and deadlines

The Christmas holiday roster freeze went into effect on December 19, 2008 and ended on December 27, 2008.

The NHL Winter Classic was held on January 1, 2009 between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field.

The NHL All-Star break was held from January 22 to January 26.

The NHL SuperSkills Competition was held on January 24 in Montreal.

The trade deadline is March 4 at 3 PM EST.

Standings

GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime/Shootout Losses, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

		GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	Pts
1	New Jersey Devils	82	51	27	4	244	209	106
2	Pittsburgh Penguins	82	45	28	9	264	239	99
3	Philadelphia Flyers	82	44	27	11	264	238	99
4	New York Rangers	82	43	30	9	210	218	95
5	New York Islanders	82	26	47	9	201	279	61

Northeast Division

		GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	Pts
1	z – Boston Bruins	82	53	19	10	274	196	116
2	Montreal Canadiens	82	41	30	11	249	247	93
3	Buffalo Sabres	82	41	32	9	250	234	91
4	Ottawa Senators	82	36	35	11	217	237	83
5	Toronto Maple Leafs	82	34	35	13	250	293	81

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

Western Conference

Central Division

		GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	Pts
1	y – Detroit Red Wings	82	51	21	10	295	244	112
2	Chicago Blackhawks	82	46	24	12	264	216	104
3	St. Louis Blues	82	41	31	10	233	233	92
4	Columbus Blue Jackets	82	41	31	10	226	230	92
5	Nashville Predators	82	40	34	8	213	233	88

Northwest Division

		GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	Pts
1	y – Vancouver Canucks	82	45	27	10	246	220	100
2	Calgary Flames	82	46	30	6	254	248	98
3	Minnesota Wild	82	40	33	9	219	200	89
4	Edmonton Oilers	82	38	35	9	234	248	85
5	Colorado Avalanche	82	32	45	5	199	257	69

Pacific Division

		GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	Pts
1	p – San Jose Sharks	82	53	18	11	257	204	117
2	Anaheim Ducks	82	42	33	7	245	238	91
3	Dallas Stars	82	36	35	11	230	257	83
4	Phoenix Coyotes	82	36	39	7	208	252	79
5	Los Angeles Kings	82	34	37	11	207	234	79

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

Western Conference

R		Div	GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	Pts
1	p – San Jose Sharks	PA	82	53	18	11	257	204	117
2	y – Detroit Red Wings	CE	82	51	21	10	295	244	112
3	y – Vancouver Canucks	NW	82	45	27	10	246	220	100
4	Chicago Blackhawks	CE	82	46	24	12	264	216	104
5	Calgary Flames	NW	82	46	30	6	254	248	98
6	St. Louis Blues	CE	82	41	31	10	233	233	92
7	Columbus Blue Jackets	CE	82	41	31	10	226	230	92
8	Anaheim Ducks	PA	82	42	33	7	245	238	91
8.5
9	Minnesota Wild	NW	82	40	33	9	219	200	89
10	Nashville Predators	CE	82	40	34	8	213	233	88
11	Edmonton Oilers	NW	82	38	35	9	234	248	85
12	Dallas Stars	PA	82	36	35	11	230	257	83
13	Phoenix Coyotes	PA	82	36	39	7	208	252	79
14	Los Angeles Kings	PA	82	34	37	11	207	234	79
15	Colorado Avalanche	NW	82	32	45	5	199	257	69

bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, p – Presidents' Trophy winner
CE – Central Division, NW – Northwest Division, PA – Pacific Division

Tiebreaking procedures

If two or more clubs are tied on points at the end of the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

1. The greater number of games won.
2. The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs.
3. The greater differential between goals for and against.

Statistical leaders

Scoring leaders

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

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	+/–	PIM
Evgeni Malkin	Pittsburgh Penguins	49	19	52	71	+15	50
Sidney Crosby	Pittsburgh Penguins	48	18	46	64	+5	61
Alexander Ovechkin	Washington Capitals	47	31	29	60	+13	58
Marc Savard	Boston Bruins	49	18	41	59	+26	50
Ryan Getzlaf	Anaheim Ducks	50	17	41	58	+8	85
Zach Parise	New Jersey Devils	49	29	28	57	+22	20
Pavel Datsyuk	Detroit Red Wings	47	19	38	57	+21	14
Patrik Elias	New Jersey Devils	49	22	34	56	+14	24
Joe Thornton	San Jose Sharks	47	12	44	56	+24	40
Jarome Iginla	Calgary Flames	47	19	36	55	+3	25

All statistics as of: 18:04, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

Leading goaltenders

GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average

Player	Team	GP	TOI	W	L	OT	GA	SO	Sv%	GAA
Steve Mason	Columbus Blue Jackets	31	1,880:09	18	11	2	64	7	.926	2.04
Manny Fernandez	Boston Bruins	19	1,100:51	14	3	1	38	1	.928	2.07
Jonas Hiller	Anaheim Ducks	26	1,370:30	12	10	1	49	4	.926	2.14
Tim Thomas	Boston Bruins	31	1,873:51	21	5	5	67	3	.932	2.15
Niklas Backstrom	Minnesota Wild	40	2,331:39	23	15	2	85	5	.927	2.19
Scott Clemmensen	New Jersey Devils	32	1,875:13	21	9	1	71	0	.922	2.27
Ty Conklin	Detroit Red Wings	24	1,400:57	16	6	1	54	5	.917	2.31
Evgeni Nabokov	San Jose Sharks	363	2,142:41	27	5	4	84	4	.913	2.35
Nikolai Khabibulin	Chicago Blackhawks	25	1,452:55	14	4	5	57	1	.924	2.35
Pekka Rinne	Nashville Predators	22	1,169:23	11	7	0	46	4	.915	2.36

All statistics as of: 18:16, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

See also

• Season structure of the NHL
• 2008 NHL Entry Draft
• 2007-2008 NHL Season
• 2008–09 NHL transactions
• 2009 NHL Winter Classic
• 57th National Hockey League All-Star Game
• National Hockey League All-Star Game
• 2008 in sports
• 2009 in sports
• Victoria Cup