2006–07 New Jersey Devils season

Regular season

The 2006–07 season saw the team attempting to maintain its position among the top teams in the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference. Behind the goaltending of Martin Brodeur and the offensive abilities of players such as Patrik Elias, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta, the Devils once again made a drive into the playoffs. It was the team's last season in Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as construction of the Prudential Center in Newark was completed in time for the Devils to move in for the 2007–08 season. Patrik Elias became the seventh captain in team history, following the retirement of Scott Stevens the previous season.

Brodeur, in his 13th full season of NHL play, continued his legacy as one of the winningest goaltenders in league history. On December 8, he shut out the Philadelphia Flyers to record his 462nd career victory, moving him into second place on the all-time victory list, behind Patrick Roy (551). Later in the month, on December 26, Brodeur recorded his 85th career shutout (3–0 over the Pittsburgh Penguins) to move into third place on the all-time shutout list, behind Terry Sawchuk (103) and George Hainsworth (94).

On April 2, the Devils surprisingly fired head coach Claude Julien with three games remaining in the season, despite a strong record of 47–24–8. Lou Lamoriello took over as coach afterwards.

On April 5, 2007, a win against the Philadelphia Flyers broke two records. One was the records for most wins in a season by a goaltender by Martin Brodeur with his 48th victory of the season. However, nine of those wins came via shootout. Making all things equivalent, Brodeur finished the season with 39 non-shootout wins to Bernie Parent's 47. The other being the New Jersey Devil franchise record of most wins by the team in a season with their 49th victory.

The Devils finished the regular season as Atlantic Division champions with 107 points, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. They also finished the regular season with a league-high 12 shutouts, all by Martin Brodeur.

The Devils were the most disciplined team during the regular season, with just 271 power-play opportunities against, and allowed the fewest power-play goals in the NHL, with only 40.

Season standings

Playoffs

The New Jersey Devils ended the 2006–07 regular season as the Eastern Conference's second seed and faced the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

On April 28, 2007, the Devils sold out the 19,040 capacity Continental Airlines Arena for the first time in the 2006–07 season in the 3–2 double overtime win against the Ottawa Senators.

The Devils' season came to an end on May 5, 2007, as they lost Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Ottawa Senators 3–2, to lose the series 4–1. That defeat turned out to be the last game ever played at the Continental Airlines Arena.

Schedule and results

Preseason

|- | 1|| September 17 || 5 – 0 || Boston Bruins || Tsongas Arena || 1–0–0 || |- | 2|| September 19 || 1 – 3 || New York Rangers || Continental Airlines Arena || 1–1–0 || |- | 3|| September 20 || 0 – 2 || @ New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden || 1–2–0 || |- | 4|| September 21 || 1 – 2 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || Wachovia Center || 1–3–0 || |- | 5|| September 24 || 3 – 1 || @ Washington Capitals || Giant Center || 2–3–0 || |- | 6|| September 28 || 5 – 4 (SO) || Philadelphia Flyers || Continental Airlines Arena || 3–3–0 || |- | 7|| September 30 || 0 – 3 || @ New York Islanders || Arena at Harbor Yard || 3–4–0 ||

| Legend:

Regular season

|- | 1 || October 6 || New Jersey || 4 – 0 || Carolina || || Brodeur || 18,649 || 1–0–0 || 2 || |- | 2 || October 7 || New Jersey || 1 – 3 || Dallas || || Brodeur || 18,532 || 1–1–0 || 2 || |- | 3 || October 12 || Toronto || 6 – 7 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 15,623 || 2–1–0 || 4 || |- | 4 || October 14 || Philadelphia || 2 – 3 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,177 || 3–1–0 || 6 || |- | 5 || October 16 || New Jersey || 2 – 4 || NY Rangers || || Brodeur || 18,200 || 3–2–0 || 6 || |- | 6 || October 18 || New Jersey || 2 – 1 || Pittsburgh || || Brodeur || 17,030 || 4–2–0 || 8 || |- | 7 || October 19 || Nashville || 4 – 3 || New Jersey || SO || Clemmensen || 11,274 || 4–2–1 || 9 || |- | 8 || October 21 || New Jersey || 1 – 8 || Ottawa || || Brodeur || 19,166 || 4–3–1 || 9 || |- | 9 || October 24 || New Jersey || 2 – 4 || Pittsburgh || || Brodeur || 13,190 || 4–4–1 || 9 || |- | 10 || October 26 || Florida || 0 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 11,594 || 5–4–1 || 11 || |- | 11 || October 28 || Columbus || 0 – 1 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,015 || 6–4–1 || 13 || |- | 12 || November 2 || NY Islanders || 5 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 8,269 || 6–5–1 || 13 || |- | 13 || November 4 || New Jersey || 2 – 1 || Montreal || || Brodeur || 21,273 || 7–5–1 || 15 || |- | 14 || November 7 || Carolina || 2 – 3 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 10,986 || 8–5–1 || 17 || |- | 15 || November 9 || Chicago || 1 – 2 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 10,978 || 9–5–1 || 19 || |- | 16 || November 11 || Florida || 2 – 4 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,112 || 10–5–1 || 21 || |- | 17 || November 14 || New Jersey || 2 – 3 || NY Rangers || || Brodeur || 18,200 || 10–6–1 || 21 || |- | 18 || November 17 || Ottawa || 2 – 3 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 15,133 || 11–6–1 || 23 || |- | 19 || November 18 || New Jersey || 2 – 1 || Toronto || || Brodeur || 19,409 || 12–6–1 || 25 || |- | 20 || November 22 || New Jersey || 1 – 3 || Phoenix || || Brodeur || 12,883 || 12–7–1 || 25 || |- | 21 || November 24 || New Jersey || 2 – 4 || Anaheim || || Brodeur || 16,599 || 12–8–1 || 25 || |- | 22 || November 25 || New Jersey || 0 – 2 || San Jose || || Brodeur || 17,496 || 12–9–1 || 25 || |- | 23 || November 27 || New Jersey || 2 – 3 || Los Angeles || SO || Brodeur || 16,223 || 12–9–2 || 26 || |- | 24 || December 1 || Pittsburgh || 2 – 5 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 13,890 || 13–9–2 || 28 || |- | 25 || December 2 || New Jersey || 4 – 3 || Philadelphia || SO || Brodeur || 19,559 || 14–9–2 || 30 || |- | 26 || December 6 || Montreal || 1 – 2 || New Jersey || OT || Brodeur || 10,986 || 15–9–2 || 32 || |- | 27 || December 8 || Philadelphia || 0 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,003 || 16–9–2 || 34 || |- | 28 || December 9 || New Jersey || 5 – 1 || Boston || || Brodeur || 13,476 || 17–9–2 || 36 || |- | 29 || December 12 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 11,156 || 17–10–2 || 36 || |- | 30 || December 14 || New Jersey || 3 – 5 || Boston || || Clemmensen || 11,121 || 17–11–2 || 36 || |- | 31 || December 16 || Detroit || 2 – 1 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 15,078 || 17–12–2 || 36 || |- | 32 || December 17 || New Jersey || 6 – 1 || NY Rangers || || Brodeur || 18,200 || 18–12–2 || 38 || |- | 33 || December 19 || Atlanta || 4 – 3 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 10,116 || 18–12–3 || 39 || |- | 34 || December 22 || New Jersey || 4 – 1 || Washington || || Brodeur || 13,744 || 19–12–3 || 41 || |- | 35 || December 23 || New Jersey || 2 – 5 || Atlanta || || Brodeur || 17,548 || 19–13–3 || 41 || |- | 36 || December 26 || Pittsburgh || 0 – 3 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 16,156 || 20–13–3 || 43 || |- | 37 || December 29 || Washington || 3 – 4 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 16,297 || 21–13–3 || 45 || |- | 38 || December 30 || New Jersey || 2 – 0 || NY Islanders || || Brodeur || 16,234 || 22–13–3 || 47 || |- | 39 || January 2 || NY Rangers || 3 – 2 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 17,759 || 22–13–4 || 48 || |- | 40 || January 4 || NY Islanders || 3 – 4 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 12,529 || 23–13–4 || 50 || |- | 41 || January 6 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || Ottawa || || Brodeur || 19,548 || 24–13–4 || 52 || |- | 42 || January 7 || New Jersey || 3 – 0 || Montreal || || Brodeur || 21,273 || 25–13–4 || 54 || |- | 43 || January 10 || St. Louis || 3 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 16,337 || 25–14–4 || 54 || |- | 44 || January 12 || Atlanta || 1 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 13,249 || 26–14–4 || 56 || |- | 45 || January 13 || New Jersey || 2 – 1 || NY Islanders || OT || Brodeur || 16,234 || 27–14–4 || 58 || |- | 46 || January 16 || NY Rangers || 0 – 1 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 18,096 || 28–14–4 || 60 || |- | 47 || January 18 || Tampa Bay || 3 – 2 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 12,698 || 28–14–5 || 61 || |- | 48 || January 20 || Philadelphia || 3 – 4 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 16,621 || 29–14–5 || 63 || |- | 49 || January 26 || New Jersey || 2 – 0 || Tampa Bay || || Brodeur || 21,404 || 30–14–5 || 65 || |- | 50 || January 27 || New Jersey || 2 – 4 || Florida || || Brodeur || 18,136 || 30–15–5 || 65 || |- | 51 || January 30 || New Jersey || 4 – 5 || Atlanta || SO || Brodeur || 12,162 || 30–15–6 || 66 || |- | 52 || February 1 || New Jersey || 6 – 5 || Philadelphia || OT || Brodeur || 19,427 || 31–15–6 || 68 || |- | 53 || February 3 || Buffalo || 2 – 3 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 18,589 || 32–15–6 || 70 || |- | 54 || February 6 || NY Rangers || 2 – 3 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 16,290 || 33–15–6 || 72 || |- | 55 || February 8 || NY Islanders || 0 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 10,110 || 34–15–6 || 74 || |- | 56 || February 11 || Tampa Bay || 4 – 1 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 18,022 || 34–16–6 || 74 || |- | 57 || February 14 || Montreal || 2 – 5 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 7,515 || 35–16–6 || 76 || |- | 58 || February 16 || Pittsburgh || 5 – 4 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 15,404 || 35–17–6 || 76 || |- | 59 || February 17 || New Jersey || 2 – 0 || NY Islanders || || Brodeur || 15,223 || 36–17–6 || 78 || |- | 60 || February 20 || NY Rangers || 1 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 18,537 || 37–17–6 || 80 || |- | 61 || February 22 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || NY Rangers || || Brodeur || 18,200 || 38–17–6 || 82 || |- | 62 || February 24 || Washington || 4 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,301 || 38–18–6 || 82 || |- | 63 || February 25 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || Washington || || Clemmensen || 14,585 || 39–18–6 || 84 || |- | 64 || February 27 || New Jersey || 1 – 0 || Pittsburgh || || Brodeur || 17,006 || 40–18–6 || 86 || |- | 65 || March 2 || Toronto || 4 – 3 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 15,095 || 40–18–7 || 87 || |- | 66 || March 4 || Boston || 4 – 1 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,254 || 40–19–7 || 87 || |- | 67 || March 6 || New Jersey || 4 – 5 || Philadelphia || OT || Brodeur || 19,210 || 40–19–8 || 88 || |- | 68 || March 8 || New Jersey || 4 – 3 || Pittsburgh || SO || Brodeur || 17,132 || 41–19–8 || 90 || |- | 69 || March 10 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || || Brodeur || 18,690 || 42–19–8 || 92 || |- | 70 || March 14 || Pittsburgh || 3 – 0 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,862 || 42–20–8 || 92 || |- | 71 || March 15 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || Carolina || || Brodeur || 18,279 || 43–20–8 || 94 || |- | 72 || March 17 || Carolina || 7 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 15,490 || 43–21–8 || 94 || |- | 73 || March 20 || New Jersey || 1 – 2 || Toronto || || Brodeur || 19,518 || 43–22–8 || 94 || |- | 74 || March 22 || New Jersey || 1 – 3 || Tampa Bay || || Brodeur || 20,326 || 43–23–8 || 94 || |- | 75 || March 24 || New Jersey || 4 – 3 || Florida || SO || Brodeur || 16,101 || 44–23–8 || 96 || |- | 76 || March 27 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || NY Islanders || || Brodeur || 13,337 || 45–23–8 || 98 || |- | 77 || March 28 || New Jersey || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || || Brodeur || 18,690 || 45–24–8 || 98 || |- | 78|| March 30 || Philadelphia || 1 – 3 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 17,493 || 46–24–8 || 100 || |- | 79 || April 1 || Boston || 1 – 3 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,378 || 47–24–8 || 102 || |- | 80 || April 3 || Ottawa || 1 – 2 || New Jersey || SO || Brodeur || 11,642 || 48–24–8 || 104 || |- | 81 || April 5 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || Philadelphia || || Brodeur || 19,177 || 49–24–8 || 106 || |- | 82 || April 8 || NY Islanders || 3 – 2 || New Jersey || SO || Clemmensen || 18,111 || 49–24–9 || 107 ||

| Legend:

Playoffs

|- | 1 || April 12 || Tampa Bay || 3 – 5 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 14,495 || 1 – 0 || |- | 2 || April 14 || Tampa Bay || 3 – 2 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 18,231 || 1 – 1 || |- | 3 || April 16 || New Jersey || 2 – 3 || Tampa Bay || || Brodeur || 20,219 || 1 – 2 || |- | 4 || April 18 || New Jersey || 4 – 3 || Tampa Bay || OT || Brodeur || 20,940 || 2 – 2 || |- | 5 || April 20 || Tampa Bay || 0 – 3 || New Jersey || || Brodeur || 18,096 || 3 – 2 || |- | 6 || April 22 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || Tampa Bay || || Brodeur || 20,019 || 4 – 2 ||

| Legend:

Player statistics

Scoring

• Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
• • = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only.*
• • = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only.*

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Jay Pandolfo finished second in voting for the Frank J. Selke Trophy and Martin Brodeur was also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Milestones

Transactions

The Devils were involved in the following transactions from June 20, 2006, the day after the deciding game of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 6, 2007, the day of the deciding game of the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

The Devils' picks at the 2006 NHL entry draft in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Media

Television coverage was still on Fox Sports Network with Mike Emrick calling the play-by-play and Chico Resch serving the color commentator. Meanwhile, Steve Cangialosi handled the studio hosting duties. Radio coverage was still on WFAN 660, but this time, former television color commentator Matt Loughlin took the position as radio play-by-play announcer. Also, in this season, Sherry Ross returns to be the radio color commentator.

Notes

References

References

1. National Hockey League. (2010). "The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011". Triumph Books.
2. (October 5, 2006). "Devils Name Patrik Elias Team Captain".
3. (April 2, 2007). "Devils fire head coach Claude Julien".
4. "2006-07 NHL Summary".
5. "2006-07 New Jersey Devils Schedule".
6. "2006-07 NHL Awards Voting".
7. "Postseason All-Star Teams".
8. "Vezina Trophy".
9. (January 13, 2007). "Martin Brodeur, Brian Rafalski selected to All-Star Team".
10. (December 11, 2007). "Martin Brodeur Named First Star of the Week".
11. (October 30, 2006). "BRODEUR, KOVALCHUK, AND MALKIN NAMED NHL'S THREE STARS OF THE WEEK".
12. (February 5, 2007). "Raycroft, Langenbrunner And Lidstrom Named NHL Three Stars Of The Week".
13. (March 1, 2007). "Martin Brodeur Named NHL's Third Star for February".
14. (January 13, 2007). "Zach Parise selected to Young All-Stars Game".
15. (March 12, 2007). "Brodeur Headlines Devils' Team Award Winners".
16. "2009-10 New Jersey Devils Media Guide". New Jersey Devils Hockey Club.
17. "2006-07 NHL Debuts".
18. "Hockey Transactions Search Results".
19. (June 25, 2006). "‘DON’ OF A NEW DAY – DEVILS’ TOP PICKCALLS GOTTI HERO".
20. (October 1, 2006). "Devils Acquire Left Wing Alexander Korolyuk".
21. (February 24, 2007). "DEVILS’ KOROLYUK TRADE FALLS THROUGH".
22. (February 16, 2007). "Devils trade Korolyuk back to Sharks for draft pick".
23. (February 27, 2007). "Devils Acquire Third-Round Pick From Calgary".
24. (February 28, 2007). "DEVILS ACQUIRE SEVENTH-ROUND PICK FROM WILD".
25. (July 10, 2006). "Devils Sign Defenseman Colin White".
26. (July 14, 2006). "Devils Sign Goaltender Jordan Parise".
27. (July 24, 2006). "Devils Sign Four Players".
28. "Olli Malmivaara".
29. "Justin Papineau".
30. (October 4, 2006). "Devils sign left wing Dan LaCouture".
31. (November 3, 2006). "DEVILS DECIDE TO RE-SIGN DOWD".
32. (July 1, 2006). "NHL RELEASES FREE AGENT LIST".
33. {{eliteprospects. 701. Tommy Albelin, retrieved August 31, 2024
34. {{eliteprospects. 66990. Darren Langdon, retrieved August 31, 2024
35. {{eliteprospects. 2660. Krzysztof Oliwa, retrieved August 31, 2024
36. (July 17, 2006). "Bruins sign Finley, DiCasmirro among five".
37. (July 24, 2006). "DU’s Stastny signs with Avs".
38. (July 27, 2006). "Flames sign Ference".
39. "Krisjanis Redlihs".
40. "Ahren Nittel".
41. (September 14, 2006). "Isles lure forward Kozlov from Devils".
42. "Matt DeMarchi".
43. (July 1, 2006). "Devils Re-Sign Jamie Langenbrunner".
44. (July 3, 2006). "Devils Re-Sign Left Wing Patrik Elias".
45. (July 26, 2006). "Devils' Gomez Awarded $5 Million".
46. "Tuomas Pihlman".
47. "Aaron Voros".
48. (October 3, 2006). "2006-07 New Jersey Devils Roster Set".
49. "2006 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com".