The 2007–08 Montreal Canadiens season was the Canadiens' 99th season of play and 91st in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins by four games to three in the Eastern Conference Quarter-final before being eliminated four games to one by the Philadelphia Flyers in the Conference Semi-final.

Offseason events

Key dates prior to the start of the season:

Regular season

Although some media picked the Canadiens to not make the playoffs, the team surprised the league with a large improvement in its play. The club won the Northeast Division title and placed first in the Eastern Conference. It was the team's first divisional title since the 1991–92 season. The team had not placed first in the Conference since the 1988–89 season. The Canadiens retired two jersey numbers during the season with pre-game ceremonies at the Bell Centre. On November 19, 2007, the number 19 of defenceman Larry Robinson, a former member of the Big Three, was retired. On February 23, 2008, the number 23 of forward Bob Gainey was retired. The Canadiens finished the regular season leading the NHL in power-play goals scored (90) and power-play percentage (24.06%). They also tied the Florida Panthers for the fewest shorthanded goals allowed, with three.

Highlights

Standings

Final standings

Eastern Conference

Schedule and results

Game log

October

Record: 6–2–3; Home: 2–1–2; Road: 4–1–1.

November

Monthly record: 7–7–0; Home: 3–3–0; Road: 4–4–0. Season record: 13–9–3; Home: 5–4–2; Road: 8–5–1.

• Unsuccessful penalty shot for Roman Hamrlik vs Philadelphia Flyers on November 1, 2007.

December

Monthly record: 6–4–4; Home: 1–3–2; Road: 5–1–2. Season record: 19–13–7; Home: 6–7–4; Road: 13–6–3.

January

Monthly record: 8–2–2; Home: 4–1–1; Road: 4–1–1. Season record: 27–15–9; Home: 10–8–5; Road: 17–7–4.

February

Monthly record: 8–6–0; Home: 5–4–0; Road: 3–2–0. Season record: 35–21–9; Home: 15–12–5; Road: 20–9–4.

March

Monthly record: 9–4–1; Home: 5–1–1; Road: 4–3–0. Season record: 44–25–10; Home: 20–13–6; Road: 24–12–4.

• Unsuccessful penalty shot for Chris Higgins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs on March 29, 2008.

April

Monthly record: 3–0–0; Home: 2–0–0; Road: 1–0–0. Season record: 47–25–10; Home: 22–13–6; Road: 25–12–4.

Playoffs

The Montreal Canadiens clinched a playoff spot following a 7–5 victory against the Ottawa Senators on March 24, 2008, their 77th game of the season. They were the first team in the East to clinch a spot in the playoffs, won the Northeast Division and finished first in the Eastern Conference with 104 points, their highest total since the 1988–89 season.

Eastern Conference Quarter-finals: vs. (8) Boston Bruins

This was the 31st playoff meeting between these two Original Six rivals, with Montreal winning twenty-three of the thirty previous series. They last met in the 2004 Eastern Conference quarterfinals where Montreal won in seven games. Montreal won all eight games during this year's regular season series. The Canadiens held off Boston winning the series in seven games.

Eastern Conference Semi-finals: vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with Montreal winning three of the four previous series. They last met in the 1989 Prince of Wales Conference Final where Montreal won in six games. Montreal swept this year's four game regular season series. Despite this, the Flyers eliminated the Canadiens in five games.

• Player scoring winning goal is shown in italics.

Player statistics

Regular season

Skaters

Goaltenders

''*The team has also allowed 6 game losing shootout goals and 6 empty net goals. These goals do not count towards a goalie's personal statistics.''

Playoffs

Skaters

Goaltenders

''*The team has also allowed 2 empty net goals. These goals do not count towards a goalie's personal statistics.''

Awards and records

Awards

Team awards

On April 5, following the final home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced its award winners for the season.

National Hockey League awards

Records

Milestones

Transactions

The Canadiens have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.

Trades

Free agents

Free agent acquisitions

Players lost to free agency

Draft picks

Montreal's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio.

Farm teams

Hamilton Bulldogs

The Hamilton Bulldogs remain Montreal's top affiliate in the American Hockey League in 2007–08.

Cincinnati Cyclones

Montreal has a joint affiliation with the Nashville Predators for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL in 2007–08.