# 2007–08 New York Islanders season

The 2007–08 New York Islanders season was the 36th season in the franchise's history.

## Offseason

Key dates prior to the start of the season:
* The 2007 NHL Entry Draft took place in Columbus, Ohio on June 22–23
* The free agency period began on July 1.
Forward Bill Guerin is named team captain, replacing departed forward Alexei Yashin.

## Regular season

Excluding five shootout-winning goals, the Islanders finished the regular season with 189 goals for, the fewest of all 30 teams in the NHL. They also allowed the most shorthanded goals in the NHL, with 15.

### Significant events

An early season highlight occurred on November 3, 2007, when Al Arbour returned to coach his 1,500th game for the Islanders at the behest of Ted Nolan, who wanted Arbour's regular season games coached total to reach 1,500, a round number. The Islanders came from behind to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3–2, which extended Arbour's NHL record for most games coached with one team and extended his NHL record 740 regular season wins with one team. Afterwards, in a post-game ceremony, the Islanders raised a new banner to honor Arbour's 1500th game coached for the Islanders.
On January 22, 2008, the Islanders scored three short-handed goals in a 6–3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

## Standings

Atlantic Division :
| | | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 47 | 27 | 8 | 247 | 216 | 102 |
| 2 | New Jersey Devils | 82 | 46 | 29 | 7 | 206 | 197 | 99 |
| 3 | New York Rangers | 82 | 42 | 27 | 13 | 213 | 199 | 97 |
| 4 | Philadelphia Flyers | 82 | 42 | 29 | 11 | 248 | 233 | 95 |
| 5 | New York Islanders | 82 | 35 | 38 | 9 | 194 | 243 | 79 |

### Conference standings

Eastern Conference :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | z – Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 47 | 25 | 10 | 262 | 222 | 104 |
| 2 | y – Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 47 | 27 | 8 | 247 | 216 | 102 |
| 3 | y – Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 242 | 231 | 94 |
| 4 | New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 46 | 29 | 7 | 206 | 197 | 99 |
| 5 | New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 42 | 27 | 13 | 213 | 199 | 97 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 42 | 29 | 11 | 248 | 233 | 95 |
| 7 | Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 261 | 247 | 94 |
| 8 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 41 | 29 | 12 | 212 | 222 | 94 |
| 8.5 ||||||||||
| 9 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 252 | 249 | 92 |
| 10 | Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 39 | 31 | 12 | 255 | 242 | 90 |
| 11 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 38 | 35 | 9 | 216 | 226 | 85 |
| 12 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 231 | 260 | 83 |
| 13 | New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 35 | 38 | 9 | 194 | 243 | 79 |
| 14 | Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 34 | 40 | 8 | 216 | 272 | 76 |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 31 | 42 | 9 | 223 | 267 | 71 |
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)

## Schedule and results
### October

Record: 5–4–0; Home: 3–2–0; Road: 2–2–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 1 | October 5 | NY Islanders | 6 – 4 | Buffalo | | DiPietro | 18,690 | 1–0–0 | 2 |
| 2 | October 6 | Buffalo | 2 – 3 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 16,234 | 2–0–0 | 4 |
| 3 | October 8 | Washington | 2 – 1 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 16,234 | 2–1–0 | 4 |
| 4 | October 10 | NY Rangers | 1 – 2 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 15,295 | 3–1–0 | 6 |
| 5 | October 11 | NY Islanders | 1 – 8 | Toronto | | Dubielewicz | 19,319 | 3–2–0 | 6 |
| 6 | October 13 | NY Islanders | 1 – 3 | Philadelphia | | DiPietro | 19,714 | 3–3–0 | 6 |
| 7 | October 18 | NY Islanders | 5 – 2 | Washington | | DiPietro | 11,036 | 4–3–0 | 8 |
| 8 | October 20 | New Jersey | 3 – 4 | NY Islanders | OT | DiPietro | 14,092 | 5–3–0 | 10 |
| 9 | October 27 | Carolina | 8 – 3 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 13,136 | 5–4–0 | 10 |

### November

Record: 8–5–1; Home: 6–1–1; Road: 2–4–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 10 | November 1 | Tampa Bay | 0 – 4 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 11,008 | 6–4–0 | 12 |
| 11 | November 3 | Pittsburgh | 2 – 3 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 16,234 | 7–4–0 | 14 |
| 12 | November 6 | NY Rangers | 2 – 3 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 15,158 | 8–4–0 | 16 |
| 13 | November 10 | New Jersey | 1 – 2 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 15,361 | 9–4–0 | 18 |
| 14 | November 12 | NY Islanders | 2 – 3 | Philadelphia | | DiPietro | 19,312 | 9–5–0 | 18 |
| 15 | November 15 | NY Islanders | 2 – 3 | Pittsburgh | | DiPietro | 16,972 | 9–6–0 | 18 |
| 16 | November 16 | NY Islanders | 1 – 0 | New Jersey | | DiPietro | 15,076 | 10–6–0 | 20 |
| 17 | November 19 | NY Islanders | 2 – 1 | NY Rangers | | DiPietro | 18,200 | 11–6–0 | 22 |
| 18 | November 21 | Montreal | 4 – 1 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 13,153 | 11–7–0 | 22 |
| 19 | November 23 | NY Islanders | 1 – 2 | Boston | | DiPietro | 17,565 | 11–8–0 | 22 |
| 20 | November 24 | Boston | 1 – 2 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 16,234 | 12–8–0 | 24 |
| 21 | November 26 | Dallas | 3 – 2 | NY Islanders | OT | DiPietro | 8,161 | 12–8–1 | 25 |
| 22 | November 28 | Ottawa | 2 – 3 | NY Islanders | SO | DiPietro | 9,211 | 13–8–1 | 27 |
| 23 | November 29 | NY Islanders | 2 – 4 | NY Rangers | | DiPietro | 18,200 | 13–9–1 | 27 |

### December

Record: 7–7–1; Home: 4–4–0; Road: 3–3–1
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 24 | December 1 | Atlanta | 4 – 0 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 15,355 | 13–10–1 | 27 |
| 25 | December 3 | Boston | 3 – 1 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 11,040 | 13–11–1 | 27 |
| 26 | December 5 | NY Islanders | 3 – 4 | Atlanta | SO | DiPietro | 14,018 | 13–11–2 | 28 |
| 27 | December 7 | NY Islanders | 0 – 3 | Florida | | DiPietro | 14,502 | 13–12–2 | 28 |
| 28 | December 8 | NY Islanders | 3 – 2 | Tampa Bay | OT | DiPietro | 18,319 | 14–12–2 | 30 |
| 29 | December 12 | NY Islanders | 3 – 5 | Buffalo | | DiPietro | 18,690 | 14–13–2 | 30 |
| 30 | December 13 | Phoenix | 2 – 3 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 9,581 | 15–13–2 | 32 |
| 31 | December 15 | Pittsburgh | 3 – 2 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 15,269 | 15–14–2 | 32 |
| 32 | December 19 | Buffalo | 2 – 1 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 10,806 | 15–15–2 | 32 |
| 33 | December 21 | NY Islanders | 4 – 2 | Pittsburgh | | DiPietro | 17,008 | 16–15–2 | 34 |
| 34 | December 22 | Washington | 2 – 3 | NY Islanders | OT | DiPietro | 14,305 | 17–15–2 | 36 |
| 35 | December 26 | Toronto | 3 – 4 | NY Islanders | OT | Dubielewicz | 15,301 | 18–15–2 | 38 |
| 36 | December 27 | NY Islanders | 2 – 5 | Ottawa | | Dubielewicz | 20,268 | 18–16–2 | 38 |
| 37 | December 29 | New Jersey | 2 – 5 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 16,234 | 19–16–2 | 40 |
| 38 | December 31 | NY Islanders | 4 – 1 | Carolina | | Dubielewicz | 17,091 | 20–16–2 | 42 |

### January

Record: 4–6–4; Home: 0–4–2; Road: 4–2–2
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 39 | January 3 | Florida | 4 – 3 | NY Islanders | OT | DiPietro | 11,428 | 20–16–3 | 43 |
| 40 | January 5 | NY Islanders | 1 – 2 | Colorado | OT | DiPietro | 17,154 | 20–16–4 | 44 |
| 41 | January 7 | NY Islanders | 0 – 4 | Edmonton | | DiPietro | 16,839 | 20–17–4 | 44 |
| 42 | January 8 | NY Islanders | 2 – 3 | Vancouver | SO | DiPietro | 18,630 | 20–17–5 | 45 |
| 43 | January 11 | NY Islanders | 5 – 4 | Calgary | SO | DiPietro | 19,289 | 21–17–5 | 47 |
| 44 | January 13 | NY Islanders | 3 – 1 | Ottawa | | DiPietro | 19,804 | 22–17–5 | 49 |
| 45 | January 15 | Montreal | 3 – 1 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 11,439 | 22–18–5 | 49 |
| 46 | January 16 | NY Islanders | 3 – 1 | New Jersey | | DiPietro | 15,975 | 23–18–5 | 51 |
| 47 | January 19 | Philadelphia | 5 – 3 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 16,234 | 23–19–5 | 51 |
| 48 | January 21 | Carolina | 3 – 2 | NY Islanders | OT | DiPietro | 16,234 | 23–19–6 | 52 |
| 49 | January 22 | NY Islanders | 6 – 3 | Carolina | | Dubielewicz | 15,675 | 24–19–6 | 54 |
| 50 | January 24 | NY Islanders | 1 – 4 | Boston | | DiPietro | 13,461 | 24–20–6 | 54 |
| 51 | January 29 | Ottawa | 5 – 2 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 9,546 | 24–21–6 | 54 |
| 52 | January 31 | Los Angeles | 3 – 1 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 10,148 | 24–22–6 | 54 |

### February

Record: 7–5–1; Home: 4–2–0; Road: 3–3–1
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 53 | February 2 | NY Islanders | 1 – 4 | Montreal | | DiPietro | 21,273 | 24–23–6 | 54 |
| 54 | February 5 | Anaheim | 3 – 0 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 9,649 | 24–24–6 | 54 |
| 55 | February 7 | NY Islanders | 3 – 4 | Pittsburgh | | DiPietro | 17,075 | 24–25–6 | 54 |
| 56 | February 9 | NY Islanders | 3 – 4 | Minnesota | OT | DiPietro | 18,568 | 24–25–7 | 55 |
| 57 | February 12 | Philadelphia | 3 – 4 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 11,193 | 25–25–7 | 57 |
| 58 | February 14 | NY Islanders | 5 – 4 | Toronto | | DiPietro | 19,227 | 26–25–7 | 59 |
| 59 | February 16 | Atlanta | 1 – 4 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 16,234 | 27–25–7 | 61 |
| 60 | February 18 | San Jose | 2 – 3 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 16,234 | 28–25–7 | 63 |
| 61 | February 20 | NY Islanders | 3 – 2 | Washington | SO | DiPietro | 17,584 | 29–25–7 | 65 |
| 62 | February 21 | Tampa Bay | 0 – 1 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 12,382 | 30–25–7 | 67 |
| 63 | February 23 | NY Islanders | 2 – 4 | New Jersey | | DiPietro | 17,625 | 30–26–7 | 67 |
| 64 | February 26 | Pittsburgh | 4 – 2 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 11,258 | 30–27–7 | 67 |
| 65 | February 28 | NY Islanders | 5 – 4 | Atlanta | OT | DiPietro | 16,332 | 31–27–7 | 69 |

### March

Record: 3–10–1; Home: 1–4–1; Road: 2–6–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 66 | March 1 | Philadelphia | 4 – 1 | NY Islanders | | DiPietro | 15,136 | 31–28–7 | 69 |
| 67 | March 2 | Florida | 1 – 0 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 15,314 | 31–29–7 | 69 |
| 68 | March 4 | NY Islanders | 4 – 3 | NY Rangers | SO | Dubielewicz | 18,200 | 32–29–7 | 71 |
| 69 | March 6 | NY Rangers | 4 – 1 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 16,234 | 32–30–7 | 71 |
| 70 | March 8 | NY Islanders | 1 – 4 | Philadelphia | | Dubielewicz | 19,748 | 32–31–7 | 71 |
| 71 | March 11 | NY Islanders | 4 – 8 | Tampa Bay | | DiPietro | 19,111 | 32–32–7 | 71 |
| 72 | March 12 | NY Islanders | 2 – 4 | Florida | | DiPietro | 15,233 | 32–33–7 | 71 |
| 73 | March 15 | NY Islanders | 0 – 3 | Montreal | | DiPietro | 21,273 | 32–34–7 | 71 |
| 74 | March 18 | Toronto | 3 – 1 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 13,134 | 32–35–7 | 71 |
| 75 | March 21 | NY Islanders | 3 – 1 | New Jersey | | Dubielewicz | 17,075 | 33–35–7 | 73 |
| 76 | March 23 | NY Islanders | 1 – 4 | Philadelphia | | MacDonald | 19,136 | 33–36–7 | 73 |
| 77 | March 24 | Pittsburgh | 1 – 4 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 16,234 | 34–36–7 | 75 |
| 78 | March 27 | NY Islanders | 1 – 3 | Pittsburgh | | Dubielewicz | 17,025 | 34–37–7 | 75 |
| 79 | March 29 | Philadelphia | 4 – 3 | NY Islanders | SO | Dubielewicz | 15,223 | 34–37–8 | 76 |

### April

Record: 1–1–1; Home: 0–1–1; Road: 1–0–0
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts |
| 80 | April 1 | New Jersey | 2 – 1 | NY Islanders | OT | MacDonald | 12,357 | 34–37–9 | 77 |
| 81 | April 3 | NY Rangers | 3 – 0 | NY Islanders | | Dubielewicz | 16,234 | 34–38–9 | 77 |
| 82 | April 4 | NY Islanders | 4 – 3 | NY Rangers | OT | Dubielewicz | 18,200 | 35–38–9 | 79 |

## Playoffs

Fans and players had high hopes the 2007–08 season because the team made the playoffs the previous year and were hoping for a playoff clinch repeat. However, the season ended in disappointment as the Islanders missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2005–06 season.

## Player statistics
### Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
| Mike Comrie | 76 | 21 | 28 | 49 | 87 | -21 |
| Bill Guerin | 81 | 23 | 21 | 44 | 65 | -15 |
| Miroslav Satan | 80 | 16 | 25 | 41 | 39 | -11 |
| Trent Hunter | 82 | 12 | 29 | 41 | 43 | -17 |
| Josef Vasicek | 81 | 16 | 19 | 35 | 53 | +1 |
| Ruslan Fedotenko | 67 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 40 | -9 |
| Richard Park | 82 | 12 | 20 | 32 | 20 | -4 |
| Mike Sillinger | 52 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 28 | -10 |
| Bryan Berard | 54 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 48 | -17 |
| Sean Bergenheim | 78 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 62 | -3 |
| Chris Campoli | 46 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 16 | -1 |
| Andy Hilbert | 70 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 18 | +2 |
| Radek Martinek | 69 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 40 | -9 |
| Blake Comeau | 51 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 22 | +1 |
| Bruno Gervais | 60 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 34 | -5 |
| Freddy Meyer | 52 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 22 | +6 |
| Andy Sutton | 58 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 86 | -6 |
| Brendan Witt | 59 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 51 | -8 |
| Kyle Okposo | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | +3 |
| Jeff Tambellini | 31 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | -9 |
| Tim Jackman | 36 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 57 | -3 |
| Chris Simon | 28 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 43 | -2 |
| Frans Nielsen | 16 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | +1 |
| Rob Davison | 19 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 32 | -3 |
| Aaron Johnson | 30 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 30 | +2 |
| Drew Fata | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -1 |
| Ben Walter | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| Jon Sim | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| Matthew Spiller | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -2 |
| Jack Hillen | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | +1 |

### Goaltenders

Note: 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
| | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | SO | Sv% | GAA | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | Sv% | GAA |
| Rick DiPietro | 63 | 3707 | 26 | 28 | 7 | 174 | 3 | .902 | 2.82 |
| Wade Dubielewicz | 20 | 1132 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 51 | 0 | .919 | 2.70 |
| Joey MacDonald | 2 | 120 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | .918 | 2.99 |
| COMBINED | | 4959 | 35 | 38 | 9 | 231 | 3 | .907 | 2.83 |

## Awards and records
### Milestones

Regular Season :
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Ruslan Fedotenko | 100th NHL Assist | October 6, 2007 |
| Brendan Witt | 100th NHL Point | October 13, 2007 |
| Andy Sutton | 800th NHL PIM | October 20, 2007 |
| Mike Sillinger | 1000th NHL Game | November 1, 2007 |
| Mike Sillinger | 300th NHL Assist | November 3, 2007 |
| Mike Comrie | 400th NHL Game | November 12, 2007 |
| Rick DiPietro | 100th NHL Win | November 19, 2007 |
| Ruslan Fedotenko | 300th NHL PIM | November 19, 2007 |
| Josef Vasicek | 400th NHL Game | November 26, 2007 |
| Bruno Gervais | 100th NHL Game | November 28, 2007 |
| Mike Comrie | 300th NHL PIM | November 28, 2007 |
| Andy Hilbert | 100th NHL PIM | December 5, 2007 |
| Coach | Milestone | Reached |
| Al Arbour | 1500th NHL Game | November 3, 2007 |

## Transactions

The Islanders were involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.

### Trades

| July 5, 2007 | To Edmonton Oilers Allan Rourke 3rd round pick in 2008 | To New York Islanders 2nd round pick in 2008 |
| September 11, 2007 | To Boston Bruins Petteri Nokelainen | To New York Islanders Ben Walter conditional 2nd round pick in 2009 |
| February 26, 2007 | To San Jose Sharks 7th round pick in 2008 | To New York Islanders Rob Davison |

### Free agents

| Player | Former team | Contract Terms |
| Jon Sim | Atlanta Thrashers | 3 years, $3 million |
| Ruslan Fedotenko | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1 year, $2.9 million |
| Bill Guerin | San Jose Sharks | 2 years, $9 million |
| Mike Comrie | Ottawa Senators | 1 year, $3.375 million |
| Tim Jackman | Los Angeles Kings | 1 year, $500,000 |
| Matthew Spiller | Phoenix Coyotes | 1 year, $475,000 |
| Joey MacDonald | Boston Bruins | 2 years, $975,000 |
| Darryl Bootland | Detroit Red Wings | 1 year, $525,000 |
| Aaron Johnson | Columbus Blue Jackets | 1 year, $475,000 |
| Josef Vasicek | Carolina Hurricanes | |
| Player | New team |
| Tom Poti | Washington Capitals |
| Jason Blake | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Richard Zedník | Florida Panthers |
| Viktor Kozlov | Washington Capitals |
| Ryan Smyth | Colorado Avalanche |
| Sean Hill | Minnesota Wild |
| Arron Asham | New Jersey Devils |

## Draft picks

New York's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio.
| Round | # | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 3 | 62 | Mark Katic | Defenceman | Canada | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
| 3 | 76 | Jason Gregoire | Left Wing | Canada | Lincoln Stars (USHL) |
| 4 | 106 | Maxim Gratchev | Left Wing | Russia | Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL) |
| 6 | 166 | Blake Kessel | Defenceman | United States | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) |
| 7 | 196 | Simon Lacroix | Defenceman | Canada | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |