The 2007–08 Columbus Blue Jackets season began October 5, 2007. It was the Columbus Blue Jackets' 7th season in the National Hockey League.
Key dates prior to the start of the season:
The Blue Jackets attempted to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Scott Howson was hired prior to the 2007 NHL Entry Draft as the second General Manager in team history, replacing Doug MacLean.1 The Blue Jackets finished with a 34–36–12 record, earning 80 points and missing the playoffs. The Blue Jackets finished 4th in the Central Division, finishing above the St. Louis Blues and 13th in the Western Conference. On March 16, 2008, Columbus set a franchise record for points in a season, 75, with a 4–3 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Columbus.
The Blue Jackets started off the season well with a 7–3–1 record in October, but falling behind in the Western Conference in November with a 4–7–3 record. During the All-star break, Rick Nash was selected to participate in the 2008 All-Star Game for the Western Conference. He scored a record-breaking goal just 12 seconds into the period. Nash scored a total of 3 goals throughout the game, yet the Eastern Conference won the game 8–7. The Blue Jackets earned average records in December through February, staying within reach of a playoff spot. On February 26, Captain Adam Foote was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for 2 draft picks. Rick Nash was named the new captain of the team. In March, the Blue Jackets' chances of playing in the post-season were fading away after a 4–6–3 record due to the injury of starting goaltender, Pascal LeClaire. After being mathematically eliminated from making the playoffs, the Blue Jackets lost their last three games of the season.
Regular season
Divisional standings
Conference standings
x - clinched playoff spot, y - clinched division title, p - clinched Presidents' Trophy and best record in conference, e - eliminated from playoff contention, * - division leader
Game log
October
Record: 7–3–1; Home: 4–1–1; Road: 3–2–0
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
OT |
Decision |
Attendance |
Record |
Points |
| 1 |
October 5 |
Anaheim |
0 – 4 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
17,852 |
1–0–0 |
2 |
| 2 |
October 6 |
Columbus |
2 – 3 |
Minnesota |
|
Norrena |
18,568 |
1–1–0 |
2 |
| 3 |
October 10 |
Phoenix |
0 – 3 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
11,944 |
2–1–0 |
4 |
| 4 |
October 13 |
Columbus |
1 – 5 |
Colorado |
|
Leclaire |
16,153 |
2–2–0 |
4 |
| 5 |
October 17 |
Dallas |
3 – 2 |
Columbus |
SO |
Norrena |
11,820 |
2–2–1 |
5 |
| 6 |
October 19 |
Columbus |
3 – 0 |
Buffalo |
|
Leclaire |
18,690 |
3–2–1 |
7 |
| 7 |
October 21 |
Vancouver |
4 – 1 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
12,667 |
3–3–1 |
7 |
| 8 |
October 23 |
Columbus |
7 – 4 |
Chicago |
|
Norrena |
10,884 |
4–3–1 |
9 |
| 9 |
October 25 |
St. Louis |
0 – 3 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
12,786 |
5–3–1 |
11 |
| 10 |
October 27 |
San Jose |
1 – 2 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
13,234 |
6–3–1 |
13 |
| 11 |
October 31 |
Columbus |
4 – 1 |
Los Angeles |
|
Leclaire |
11,491 |
7–3–1 |
15 |
November
Record: 4–7–3; Home: 3–2–1; Road: 1–5–2
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
OT |
Decision |
Attendance |
Record |
Pts |
| 12 |
November 1 |
Columbus |
1 – 2 |
Anaheim |
SO |
Norrena |
17,174 |
7–3–2 |
16 |
| 13 |
November 4 |
St. Louis |
0 – 3 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
13,254 |
8–3–2 |
18 |
| 14 |
November 7 |
Columbus |
2 – 5 |
Chicago |
|
Norrena |
9,717 |
8–4–2 |
18 |
| 15 |
November 9 |
Columbus |
1 – 4 |
Detroit |
|
Leclaire |
18,654 |
8–5–2 |
18 |
| 16 |
November 10 |
Columbus |
3 – 4 |
Nashville |
SO |
Norrena |
15,947 |
8–5–3 |
19 |
| 17 |
November 12 |
Nashville |
4 – 1 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
12,554 |
8–6–3 |
19 |
| 18 |
November 14 |
Chicago |
2 – 4 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
13,622 |
9–6–3 |
21 |
| 19 |
November 16 |
Columbus |
2 – 3 |
St. Louis |
|
Norrena |
19,150 |
9–7–3 |
21 |
| 20 |
November 18 |
Detroit |
5 – 4 |
Columbus |
SO |
Leclaire |
15,503 |
9–7–4 |
22 |
| 21 |
November 21 |
Florida |
5 – 2 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
13,326 |
9–8–4 |
22 |
| 22 |
November 23 |
Columbus |
4 – 0 |
Minnesota |
|
Leclaire |
18,568 |
10–8–4 |
24 |
| 23 |
November 24 |
Detroit |
2 – 3 |
Columbus |
SO |
Leclaire |
17,513 |
11–8–4 |
26 |
| 24 |
November 26 |
Columbus |
1 – 3 |
Edmonton |
|
Norrena |
16,839 |
11–9–4 |
26 |
| 25 |
November 29 |
Columbus |
0 – 2 |
Vancouver |
|
Norrena |
18,630 |
11–10–4 |
26 |
December
Record: 7–5–2; Home: 6–3–2; Road: 1–2–0
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
OT |
Decision |
Attendance |
Record |
Pts |
| 26 |
December 1 |
Columbus |
4 – 3 |
Calgary |
OT |
Norrena |
19,289 |
12–10–4 |
28 |
| 27 |
December 3 |
Dallas |
2 – 1 |
Columbus |
SO |
Leclaire |
12,233 |
12–10–5 |
29 |
| 28 |
December 5 |
Colorado |
4 – 5 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
12,851 |
13–10–5 |
31 |
| 29 |
December 8 |
Minnesota |
2 – 1 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
15,666 |
13–11–5 |
31 |
| 30 |
December 10 |
Anaheim |
4 – 3 |
Columbus |
OT |
Leclaire |
11,984 |
13–11–6 |
32 |
| 31 |
December 12 |
Colorado |
1 – 4 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
13,150 |
14–11–6 |
34 |
| 32 |
December 15 |
Columbus |
0 – 2 |
Boston |
|
Norrena |
14,058 |
14–12–6 |
34 |
| 33 |
December 18 |
Calgary |
3 – 0 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
13,181 |
14–13–6 |
34 |
| 34 |
December 21 |
Los Angeles |
1 – 2 |
Columbus |
|
LeClaire |
14,034 |
15–13–6 |
36 |
| 35 |
December 23 |
Nashville |
3 – 1 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
15,481 |
15–14–6 |
36 |
| 36 |
December 26 |
Atlanta |
0 – 2 |
Columbus |
|
LeClaire |
15,726 |
16–14–6 |
38 |
| 37 |
December 27 |
Columbus |
3 – 4 |
Nashville |
|
Norrena |
14,331 |
16–15–6 |
38 |
| 38 |
December 29 |
Carolina |
1 – 4 |
Columbus |
|
LeClaire |
17,453 |
17–15–6 |
40 |
| 39 |
December 31 |
Edmonton |
2 – 4 |
Columbus |
|
LeClaire |
16,774 |
18–15–6 |
42 |
January
Record: 7–7–0; Home: 3–1–0; Road: 4–6–0
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
OT |
Decision |
Attendance |
Record |
Pts |
| 40 |
January 2 |
Columbus |
1 – 2 |
Anaheim |
|
LeClaire |
17,174 |
18–16–6 |
42 |
| 41 |
January 3 |
Columbus |
4 – 3 |
Los Angeles |
|
Norrena |
14,173 |
19–16–6 |
44 |
| 42 |
January 5 |
Columbus |
2 – 3 |
San Jose |
|
Norrena |
17,496 |
19–17–6 |
44 |
| 43 |
January 8 |
Columbus |
1 – 6 |
St. Louis |
|
Norrena |
14,818 |
19–18–6 |
44 |
| 44 |
January 11 |
St. Louis |
4 – 6 |
Columbus |
|
LeClaire |
15,233 |
20–18–6 |
46 |
| 45 |
January 12 |
Nashville |
1 – 2 |
Columbus |
SO |
LeClaire |
16,230 |
21–18–6 |
48 |
| 46 |
January 15 |
Vancouver |
2 – 3 |
Columbus |
|
LeClaire |
13,555 |
22–18–6 |
50 |
| 47 |
January 17 |
Columbus |
4 – 3 |
Phoenix |
|
LeClaire |
11,114 |
23–18–6 |
52 |
| 48 |
January 19 |
Columbus |
1 – 3 |
Dallas |
|
Norrena |
17,811 |
23–19–6 |
52 |
| 49 |
January 20 |
Columbus |
1 – 3 |
Colorado |
|
LeClaire |
17,197 |
23–20–6 |
52 |
| 50 |
January 22 |
Columbus |
4 – 2 |
Dallas |
|
LeClaire |
17,087 |
24–20–6 |
54 |
| 51 |
January 24 |
Columbus |
1 – 0 |
Chicago |
|
LeClaire |
16,094 |
25–20–6 |
56 |
| 52 |
January 29 |
Phoenix |
2 – 4 |
Columbus |
|
LeClaire |
15,127 |
25–21–6 |
56 |
| 53 |
January 31 |
Columbus |
2 – 4 |
Nashville |
|
Leclaire |
13,745 |
25–22–6 |
56 |
February
Record: 5–5–3; Home: 0–3–2; Road: 5–2–1
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
OT |
Decision |
Attendance |
Record |
Pts |
| 54 |
February 2 |
Minnesota |
4 – 1 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
18,529 |
25–23–6 |
56 |
| 55 |
February 5 |
Washington |
4 – 3 |
Columbus |
OT |
Norrena |
14,450 |
25–23–7 |
57 |
| 56 |
February 7 |
Columbus |
2 – 1 |
Phoenix |
|
Norrena |
13,918 |
26–23–7 |
59 |
| 57 |
February 8 |
Columbus |
1 – 2 |
San Jose |
OT |
Norrena |
17,210 |
26–23–8 |
60 |
| 58 |
February 10 |
Los Angeles |
3 – 2 |
Columbus |
SO |
Leclaire |
15,823 |
26–23–9 |
61 |
| 59 |
February 13 |
Chicago |
7 – 2 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
14,918 |
26–24–9 |
61 |
| 60 |
February 15 |
Columbus |
5 – 1 |
Detroit |
|
Leclaire |
20,066 |
27–24–9 |
63 |
| 61 |
February 17 |
Columbus |
1 – 5 |
St. Louis |
|
Leclaire |
19,150 |
27–25–9 |
63 |
| 62 |
February 19 |
Columbus |
1 – 3 |
Toronto |
|
Leclaire |
19,347 |
27–26–9 |
63 |
| 63 |
February 21 |
Columbus |
3 – 2 |
Ottawa |
SO |
Leclaire |
19,612 |
28–26–9 |
65 |
| 64 |
February 23 |
Columbus |
3 – 0 |
Montreal |
|
Leclaire |
21,273 |
29–26–9 |
67 |
| 65 |
February 27 |
San Jose |
4 – 2 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
16,029 |
29–27–9 |
67 |
| 66 |
February 29 |
Columbus |
3 – 2 |
Vancouver |
OT |
Leclaire |
18,630 |
30–27–9 |
69 |
March
Record: 4–6–3; Home: 4–3–1; Road: 0–3–2
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
OT |
Decision |
Attendance |
Record |
Pts |
| 67 |
March 2 |
Columbus |
3 – 4 |
Edmonton |
SO |
Leclaire |
16,839 |
30–27–10 |
70 |
| 68 |
March 4 |
Columbus |
0 – 1 |
Calgary |
|
Leclaire |
19,289 |
30–28–10 |
70 |
| 69 |
March 7 |
Edmonton |
2 – 1 |
Columbus |
OT |
Leclaire |
14,933 |
30–28–11 |
71 |
| 70 |
March 9 |
Tampa Bay |
3 – 5 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
14,796 |
31–28–11 |
73 |
| 71 |
March 14 |
Chicago |
6 – 3 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
15,699 |
31–29–11 |
73 |
| 72 |
March 16 |
Detroit |
3 – 4 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
18,188 |
32–29–11 |
75 |
| 73 |
March 18 |
Calgary |
0 – 3 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
14,270 |
33–29–11 |
77 |
| 74 |
March 19 |
Columbus |
1 – 3 |
Detroit |
|
Norrena |
19,061 |
33–30–11 |
77 |
| 75 |
March 22 |
Detroit |
4 – 1 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
17,681 |
33–31–11 |
77 |
| 76 |
March 25 |
Columbus |
0 – 3 |
Nashville |
|
Norrena |
16,330 |
33–32–11 |
77 |
| 77 |
March 26 |
Chicago |
0 – 4 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
14,454 |
34–32–11 |
79 |
| 78 |
March 28 |
Nashville |
2 – 0 |
Columbus |
|
Leclaire |
15,595 |
34–33–11 |
79 |
| 79 |
March 30 |
Columbus |
4 – 5 |
Chicago |
SO |
Norrena |
20,885 |
34–33–12 |
80 |
April
Record: 0–3–0; Home: 0–1–0; Road 0–2–0
| # |
Date |
Visitor |
Score |
Home |
OT |
Decision |
Attendance |
Record |
Pts |
| 80 |
April 3 |
Columbus |
2 – 3 |
Detroit |
|
Leclaire |
19,435 |
34–34–12 |
80 |
| 81 |
April 5 |
Columbus |
0 – 3 |
St. Louis |
|
Leclaire |
19,150 |
34–35–12 |
80 |
| 82 |
April 6 |
St. Louis |
4 – 1 |
Columbus |
|
Norrena |
17,739 |
34–36–12 |
80 |
- Green background indicates win.
- Red background indicates regulation loss.
- White background indicates overtime/shootout loss.
Playoffs
The Blue Jackets did not qualify for the 2007–08 playoffs and remain the only NHL team to never have qualified for the playoffs.
Player stats
Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes; +/- = Plus/Minus
Final season stats
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 |
|
Playoffs |
| Player |
GP |
TOI |
W |
L |
OT |
GA |
SO |
Sv% |
GAA |
GP |
TOI |
W |
L |
GA |
SO |
Sv% |
GAA |
| Pascal Leclaire |
54 |
2,986 |
24 |
17 |
6 |
115 |
9 |
.919 |
2.25 |
| Fredrik Norrena |
37 |
1,960 |
10 |
19 |
6 |
89 |
2 |
.896 |
2.72 |
| Dan LaCosta |
1 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.000 |
0.00 |
Final season stats
Awards and records
Records
Milestones
| Regular Season |
| Player |
Milestone |
Reached |
Jared Boll
Kris Russell |
1st NHL Game |
October 5, 2007 |
| Kris Russell |
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point |
October 5, 2007 |
| Frederik Modin |
200th NHL Assist |
October 5, 2007 |
| Jared Boll |
1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point |
October 10, 2007 |
| Jason Chimera |
300th NHL Game |
October 23, 2007 |
| David Vyborny |
500th NHL Game
300th NHL Point |
November 24, 2007 |
| Andrew Murray |
1st NHL Game |
December 27, 2007 |
| Andrew Murray |
1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point |
January 2, 2008 |
| Rostislav Klesla |
100th NHL Point |
January 17, 2008 |
| Kris Russell |
1st NHL Goal |
January 22, 2008 |
Transactions
The Blue Jackets have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.
Trades
Free Agents
Draft picks
Columbus' picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio.2 The Blue Jackets picked 7th overall in front of their hometown crowd.
Farm teams
American Hockey League
East Coast Hockey League
It was announced on October 4th that the Elmira Jackals will take over as the ECHL affiliate to the Blue Jackets, replacing the Dayton Bombers.
Roster
2007–08 Columbus Blue Jackets Roster'
|
| Goaltenders
|
|
Defensemen
|
|
Wingers
|
|
Centers
|
See also
References
External links
|