# 2008–09 New Jersey Devils season

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.

## 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.
* 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.

### Divisional standings

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 |

### 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

2008–09 Game Log :
October (5-2-2), 12 points (Home 2-1-1; Road 3-1-1)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
110New York Islanders1-2BrodeurPrudential Center – 16,8341–0–0
211Pittsburgh Penguins2-1 (OT)BrodeurMellon Arena – 17,1322–0–0
313New York Rangers1-4BrodeurMadison Square Garden – 18,2002–1–0
416Atlanta Thrashers1-0BrodeurPhilips Arena – 11,2933–1–0
518Washington Capitals4-3 (SO)BrodeurVerizon Center – 17,9044–1–0
622Dallas Stars0-5BrodeurPrudential Center – 12,1015–1–0
724Philadelphia Flyers6-3BrodeurPrudential Center – 15,5295–2–0
825Philadelphia Flyers2-3 (OT)BrodeurWachovia Center – 19,6115–2–1
929Toronto Maple Leafs6-5 (SO)BrodeurPrudential Center – 14,1195–2–2 :
November (7-6-0), 14 points (Home 5-3-0; Road 2-3-0)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
101Atlanta Thrashers1-6BrodeurPrudential Center – 14,9586–2–2
113Buffalo Sabres2-0WeekesPrudential Center – 10,5676–3–2
125Tampa Bay Lightning3-4 (SO)WeekesPrudential Center – 11,6197–3–2
138Detroit Red Wings1-3WeekesJoe Louis Arena – 20,0667–4–2
149Edmonton Oilers2-1ClemmensenPrudential Center – 14,1937–5–2
1512New York Rangers5-2WeekesPrudential Center – 17,6257–6–2
1614Washington Capitals1-3ClemmensenVerizon Center – 18,2777–7–2
1715Washington Capitals5-6ClemmensenPrudential Center – 17,0518–7–2
1820Florida Panthers1-3ClemmensenPrudential Center – 14,2919–7–2
1921New York Islanders2-5WeekesPrudential Center – 17,13810–7–2
2023Tampa Bay Lightning7-3ClemmensenSt. Pete Times Forum – 14,22211–7–2
2126Florida Panthers3-2 (SO)ClemmensenBankAtlantic Center – 14,93212–7–2
2229Pittsburgh Penguins1-4ClemmensenMellon Arena – 17,13212–8–2 :
December (9-4-1), 19 points (Home 4-3-0; Road 5-1-1)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
234Philadelphia Flyers3-2 (OT)ClemmensenWachovia Center – 19,57713–8–2
246Montreal Canadiens2-1 (OT)ClemmensenBell Centre – 21,27314–8–2
2510Pittsburgh Penguins1-4ClemmensenPrudential Center – 16,80815–8–2
2612New York Rangers5-8ClemmensenPrudential Center – 17,62516–8–2
2713Buffalo Sabres4-2WeekesPrudential Center – 15,71316–9–2
2816Toronto Maple Leafs2-3 (SO)ClemmensenAir Canada Centre – 19,31516–9–3
2917Buffalo Sabres5-3ClemmensenHSBC Arena – 18,69017–9–3
3019Ottawa Senators1-5ClemmensenPrudential Center – 16,40018–9–3
3121Philadelphia Flyers3-2ClemmensenPrudential Center – 14,42619–9–3
3223Boston Bruins2-0ClemmensenPrudential Center – 16,30519–10–3
3326Pittsburgh Penguins1-0ClemmensenPrudential Center – 15,20419–11–3
3427New York Rangers4-2ClemmensenMadison Square Garden – 18,20020–11–3
3530St. Louis Blues4-3ClemmensenScottrade Center – 19,15021–11–3
3631Dallas Stars2-4ClemmensenAmerican Airlines Center – 18,58421–12–3 :
January (11-3-0), 22 points (Home 3-1-0; Road 8-2-0)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
372Montreal Canadiens4-1ClemmensenPrudential Center – 17,62522–12–3
384Ottawa Senators4-3 (OT)ClemmensenPrudential Center – 14,79823–12–3
396Carolina Hurricanes2-3ClemmensenRBC Center – 15,39923–13–3
408Atlanta Thrashers4-0ClemmensenPrudential Center – 16,48923–14–3
4110Los Angeles Kings5-1WeekesStaples Center – 18,11824–14–3
4211Anaheim Ducks3-4ClemmensenHonda Center – 17,33124–15–3
4313Vancouver Canucks5-3ClemmensenGM Place – 18,63025–15–3
4416Columbus Blue Jackets2-1WeekesNationwide Arena – 17,73826–15–3
4517New York Islanders3-1ClemmensenNassau Coliseum – 16,23427–15–3
4619Nashville Predators3-1ClemmensenSommet Center – 14,84828–15–3
4721Montreal Canadiens2-5ClemmensenPrudential Center – 16,23529–15–3
4827Ottawa Senators4-1ClemmensenScotiabank Place – 18,78630–15–3
4929Boston Bruins4-3 (OT)ClemmensenTD Banknorth Garden – 17,56531–15–3
5030Pittsburgh Penguins3-4 (OT)ClemmensenPrudential Center – 17,62532–15–3 :
February (8-4-0), 16 points (Home 6-2-0; Road 2-2-0)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
513Washington Capitals5-2ClemmensenPrudential Center – 14,01832–16–3
526Atlanta Thrashers5-1WeekesPhilips Arena – 17,06733–16–3
537Los Angeles Kings3-1ClemmensenPrudential Center – 17,05633–17–3
549New York Rangers0-3ClemmensenPrudential Center – 17,62534–17–3
5511New York Islanders2-4WeekesPrudential Center – 14,25135–17–3
5613Boston Bruins0-1ClemmensenPrudential Center – 15,25736–17–3
5715San Jose Sharks5-6ClemmensenPrudential Center – 17,62537–17–3
5817Florida Panthers0-4ClemmensenBankAtlantic Center – 14,51437–18–3
5919Tampa Bay Lightning3-2 (SO)WeekesSt. Pete Times Forum – 14,40838–18–3
6021New York Islanders0-4ClemmensenNassau Coliseum – 15,51138–19–3
6126Colorado Avalanche0-4BrodeurPrudential Center – 16,10739–19–3
6228Florida Panthers2-7BrodeurPrudential Center – 16,25640–19–3 :
March (7-6-1), 15 points (Home 5-1-0; Road 2-5-1)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
631Philadelphia Flyers0-3BrodeurPrudential Center – 17,62541–19–3
643Toronto Maple Leafs3-2 (OT)BrodeurAir Canada Centre – 19,38942–19–3
657New York Islanders3-7BrodeurNassau Coliseum – 15,52442–20–3
6610Calgary Flames2-3BrodeurPrudential Center – 14,59843–20–3
6712Phoenix Coyotes2-5BrodeurPrudential Center – 14,57844–20–3
6814Montreal Canadiens3-1BrodeurBell Centre – 21,27345–20–3
6917Chicago Blackhawks2-3BrodeurPrudential Center – 17,62546–20–3
7018Carolina Hurricanes2-4WeekesRBC Center – 18,54446–21–3
7120Minnesota Wild0-4BrodeurPrudential Center – 17,62547–21–3
7222Boston Bruins1-4BrodeurTD Banknorth Garden – 17,56547–22–3
7323Philadelphia Flyers2-4BrodeurWachovia Center – 19,76247–23–3
7427Chicago Blackhawks2-3 (OT)BrodeurUnited Center – 21,61747–23–4
7528Carolina Hurricanes2-1BrodeurPrudential Center – 17,01847–24–4
7630New York Rangers0-3BrodeurMadison Square Garden – 18,20047–25–4 :
April (4-2-0), 8 points (Home 2-1-0; Road 2-1-0)
GameDateOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
771Pittsburgh Penguins1-6BrodeurMellon Arena – 17,13247–26–4
783Tampa Bay Lightning4-5 (OT)BrodeurPrudential Center – 17,62548–26–4
794Buffalo Sabres3-2BrodeurHSBC Arena – 18,69049–26–4
807Toronto Maple Leafs4-1BrodeurPrudential Center – 15,04649–27–4
819Ottawa Senators3-2 (SO)BrodeurScotiabank Place – 20,15150–27–4
8211Carolina Hurricanes2-3BrodeurPrudential Center – 17,62551–27–4 :
Schedule :

## 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.
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs :
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
### Skaters

Regular season :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Zach Parise | 82 | 45 | 49 | 94 | +30 | 24 |
| Patrik Elias | 77 | 31 | 47 | 78 | +18 | 32 |
| Jamie Langenbrunner | 81 | 29 | 40 | 69 | +25 | 56 |
| Travis Zajac | 82 | 20 | 42 | 62 | +33 | 29 |
| Brian Gionta | 81 | 20 | 40 | 60 | +12 | 32 |
| Dainius Zubrus | 82 | 15 | 25 | 40 | +6 | 69 |
| Paul Martin | 73 | 5 | 28 | 33 | +21 | 36 |
| David Clarkson | 82 | 17 | 15 | 32 | -1 | 164 |
| Brian Rolston | 64 | 15 | 17 | 32 | +2 | 30 |
| Johnny Oduya | 82 | 7 | 22 | 29 | +21 | 30 |
| John Madden | 76 | 7 | 16 | 23 | -7 | 26 |
| Colin White | 71 | 1 | 17 | 18 | +18 | 46 |
| Bryce Salvador | 76 | 3 | 13 | 16 | -1 | 78 |
| Mike Mottau | 80 | 1 | 14 | 15 | +24 | 35 |
| Brendan Shanahan | 34 | 6 | 8 | 14 | -2 | 29 |
| Jay Pandolfo | 61 | 5 | 5 | 10 | -12 | 10 |
| Bobby Holik | 62 | 4 | 5 | 9 | -2 | 66 |
| Mike Rupp | 72 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -2 | 136 |
| Andy Greene | 49 | 2 | 7 | 9 | +3 | 22 |
| Niclas Havelid$^†$ | 15 | 0 | 4 | 4 | -2 | 6 |
| Anssi Salmela$^‡$ | 17 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +1 | 6 |
| Petr Vrana | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 2 |
| Nicklas Bergfors | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Jay Leach | 24 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +3 | 22 |
| Matt Halischuk | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Sheldon Brookbank$^‡$ | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 25 |
| Barry Tallackson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| Patrick Davis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Zach Parise | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | +2 | 2 |
| Brian Gionta | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Paul Martin | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Travis Zajac | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Patrik Elias | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
| Jamie Langenbrunner | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Brendan Shanahan | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
| Mike Mottau | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| Brian Rolston | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +2 | 4 |
| David Clarkson | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 19 |
| Niclas Havelid | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Bobby Holik | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| John Madden | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 4 |
| Jay Pandolfo | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| Colin White | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 6 |
| Dainius Zubrus | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 10 |
| Andy Greene | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Bryce Salvador | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 4 |
| Mike Rupp | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 14 |
| Johnny Oduya | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 2 |

### 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
Regular season :
| Player | GP | Min | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV | Sv% | SO |
| Scott Clemmensen | 40 | 2356 | 25 | 13 | 1 | 94 | 2.39 | 1138 | 1044 | .917 | 2 |
| Martin Brodeur | 31 | 1814 | 19 | 9 | 3 | 73 | 2.41 | 870 | 797 | .916 | 5 |
| Kevin Weekes | 16 | 795 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 32 | 2.42 | 399 | 367 | .920 | 0 |
Playoffs :
| Player | GP | Min | W | L | GA | GAA | SA | SV | Sv% | SO |
| Martin Brodeur | 7 | 427 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 2.39 | 239 | 222 | .929 | 1 |
$^†$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 |
| Zach Parise | NHL Second All-Star Team – Left Wing | End of regular season |
| Martin Brodeur | NHL Third Star of the Week | October 12, 2008 |
| Patrik Elias | NHL Third Star of the Week | December 21, 2008 |
| Jamie Langenbrunner | 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 |
| Zach Parise | Lady Byng Memorial Trophy | Finalist |

### Records

| Player | Record (Amount) | Achieved |
| Martin Brodeur | 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 |
| Anssi Salmela | 1st NHL Game | October 10, 2008 |
| Petr Vrana | 1st NHL Game 1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point | October 18, 2008 |
| Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond | 1st NHL Game 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point | October 22, 2008 |
| Dainius Zubrus | 400th NHL Point | October 24, 2008 |
| Brian Gionta | 400th NHL Game | October 25, 2008 |
| Matt Halischuk | 1st NHL Game | October 29, 2008 |
| Nicklas Bergfors | 1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point | November 1, 2008 |
| David Clarkson | 100th NHL Game | November 5, 2008 |
| Patrick Davis | 1st NHL Game | November 9, 2008 |
| Anssi Salmela | 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point | November 12, 2008 |
| Zach Parise | 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 |
| Brian Rolston | Minnesota Wild | 4 years, $20 million |
| Bobby Holík | Atlanta Thrashers | 1 year, $2.5 million |
| Scott Clemmensen | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1 year |
| Brendan Shanahan | New York Rangers | 1 year, $800,000 |
| Player | New team |
| Sergei Brylin | SKA Saint Petersburg |
| Arron Asham | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Vitaly Vishnevskiy | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl |
| Karel Rachunek | 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 | Mattias Tedenby | Left Wing | Sweden | HV71 Jr. (J20 SuperElit) |
| 2 | 52 | Brandon Burlon | Defence | Canada | St. Michael's Buzzers (OPJHL) |
| 2 | 54 | Patrice Cormier | Center | Canada | Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL) |
| 3 | 82 | Adam Henrique | 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) |