2008–09 Carolina Hurricanes season

{{Infobox ice hockey team season

|League=NHL

|Season=2008–09

|year=2008

|Team=Carolina Hurricanes

|Conference=Eastern

|ConferenceRank=6th

|Division=Southeast

|DivisionRank=2nd

|Record=45–30–7

|HomeRecord=26–14–1

|RoadRecord=19–16–6

|GoalsFor=239

|GoalsAgainst=226

|GeneralManager=Jim Rutherford

|Coach=Paul Maurice

|Captain=Rod Brind'Amour

|AltCaptain= Eric Staal
Ray Whitney

|Arena=RBC Center

|Attendance=Average: 15,573 (83.4%)
Total: 679,488

|GoalsLeader=Eric Staal (40)

|AssistsLeader=Ray Whitney (53)

|PointsLeader=Ray Whitney (77)

|PlusMinusLeader=Eric Staal (15)

|PIMLeader=Tuomo Ruutu (79)

|WinsLeader=Cam Ward (39)

|GAALeader=Cam Ward (2.44)

}}

The 2008–09 Carolina Hurricanes season was the franchise's 37th season, 30th season in the National Hockey League and 11th as the Hurricanes.

This was the last season the Hurricanes made the playoffs until 2019.

Off-season

June 5: After 20 seasons in the NHL and 13 as one of the most popular faces of the Hurricanes' franchise, Glen Wesley announced his retirement.{{citation needed|date=January 2024|reason=Original cite was deleted per WP:URLREQ#Canoe.ca}}
September 11: The club announced that they have signed Eric Staal to a seven-year contract extension worth US$57.75 million.{{cite web |title=Carolina Hurricanes - News: Hurricanes Sign Eric Staal to a Seven-Year Extension - 09/11/2008 |url=http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=381682&page=NewsPage&service=page |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721223805/http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=381682&page=NewsPage&service=page |archivedate=2011-07-21 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2009-05-08 }}

Regular season

November 7: Peter Laviolette made NHL history by becoming the winningest American-born NHL coach with his 240th victory, as Carolina defeated the Ottawa Senators, 2–1.{{cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=255103|title=Laviolette makes history in Hurricanes win over Senators|accessdate=2008-11-08|publisher=TSN.ca| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081211125739/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=255103| archivedate= 11 December 2008 | url-status= live}}
December 2: Peter Laviolette was fired as the head coach and Paul Maurice was rehired in his place. Ron Francis became the team's associate head coach.{{cite web |title=Carolina Hurricanes - News: Hurricanes Name Paul Maurice Head Coach - 12/03/2008 |url=http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=395861&page=NewsPage&service=page |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721223821/http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=395861&page=NewsPage&service=page |archivedate=2011-07-21 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2009-05-08 }}

The Hurricanes finished the regular season having tied the Montreal Canadiens for the most power-play opportunities, with 374.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2009.html|title=2008-09 NHL Summary}}

= Divisional standings =

2 points for a win, 1 for an OT or shootout loss, 0 for a loss in regulation

= Conference standings =

Schedule and results

{{legend2|white|Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| 2008–09 Game Log
class="toccolours" width=90% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
colspan=8 \| {\| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| Preseason: 3–3–0 (Home: 2–1–0; Road: 1–2–0)
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| September 24	Washington	4 – 1	Hurricanes		Ward	11,431	0-1-0	0
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| September 25	Hurricanes	2 – 5	Washington		Manzato	13,266	0-2-0	0
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| September 27	Hurricanes	2 – 4	Philadelphia		Ward	17,700	0-3-0	0
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| September 28	Philadelphia	0 – 1	Hurricanes		Leighton	11,431	1-3-0	2
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| October 2	Hurricanes	4 – 2	Nashville		Ward	12,903	2-3-0	4
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| October 5	Nashville	0 – 2	Hurricanes		Ward	11,313	3-3-0	4

| colspan=11 |

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| October: 5–2–2 (Home: 1–1–0; Road: 4–1–2)
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 1	October 10	Florida	4 – 6	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	1-0-0	2
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 2	October 11	Hurricanes	4 – 3	Lightning	OT	Leighton	18,552	2-0-0	4
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 3	October 13	Detroit	3 – 1	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	2-1-0	4
align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| 4	October 17	Hurricanes	3 – 4	Los Angeles	OT	Ward	14,194	2-1-1	5
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 5	October 19	Hurricanes	3 – 1	Anaheim		Leighton	16,847	3-1-1	7
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 6	October 23	Hurricanes	1 – 4	Pittsburgh		Ward	17,132	3-2-1	7
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 7	October 25	Hurricanes	4 – 3	NY Islanders		Ward	11,219	4-2-1	9
align="center" bgcolor="#fffff" \| 8	October 28	Hurricanes	2 – 3	Montreal	SO	Ward	21,273	4-2-2	10
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 9	October 30	Hurricanes	1 – 0	St. Louis		Ward	17,860	5-2-2	12

|colspan=11 |

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| November: 7–9–0 (Home: 5–6–0; Road: 2–3–0)
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor=" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 10	November 1	Edmonton	3 – 1	Hurricanes		Ward	15,016	5-3-2	12
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 11	November 2	Toronto	4 – 6	Hurricanes		Leighton	15,635	6-3-2	14
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 12	November 4	Hurricanes	5 – 4	Toronto	OT	Ward	19,266	7-3-2	16
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 13	November 6	Hurricanes	2 – 3	Capitals		Ward	15,391	7-4-2	16
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 14	November 7	Ottawa	1 – 2	Hurricanes		Leighton	15,206	8-4-2	18
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 15	November 9	Atlanta	5 – 2	Hurricanes		Ward	12,398	8-5-2	18
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 16	November 12	Washington	5 – 1	Hurricanes		Leighton	14,261	8-6-2	18
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 17	November 14	Hurricanes	2 – 3	Atlanta		Ward	16,128	8-7-2	18
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 18	November 16	Tampa Bay	2 – 3	Hurricanes	SO	Ward	13,781	9-7-2	20
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 19	November 18	Montreal	1 – 2	Hurricanes		Ward	12,164	10-7-2	22
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 20	November 21	Coyotes	2 – 5	Hurricanes		Ward	14,848	11-7-2	24
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 21	November 23	Nashville	5 – 2	Hurricanes		Ward	13,042	11-8-2	24
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 22	November 24	Hurricanes	2 – 3	Panthers		Leighton	11,117	11-9-2	24
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 23	November 26	Philadelphia	3 – 1	Hurricanes		Ward	15,057	11-10-2	24
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 24	November 28	Hurricanes	3 – 2	Philadelphia	OT	Ward	19,587	12-10-2	26
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 25	November 30	Anaheim	4 – 1	Hurricanes		Leighton	14,191	12-11-2	26

|colspan=11 |

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| December: 6–4–3 (Home: 4–2–1; Road: 2–2–2)
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 26	December 4	Penguins	5 – 2	Hurricanes		Leighton	14,559	12-12-2	26
align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| 27	December 6	Philadelphia	2 – 1	Hurricanes	OT	Leighton	14,061	12-12-3	27
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 28	December 7	Washington	1 – 3	Hurricanes		Leighton	15,308	13-12-3	29
align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| 29	December 11	Hurricanes	5 – 6	Philadelphia	SO	Leighton	19,057	13-12-4	30
align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| 30	December 13	Hurricanes	2 – 3	NY Rangers	SO	Ward	18,200	13-12-5	31
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 31	December 16	Montreal	2 – 3	Hurricanes		Ward	16,434	14-12-5	33
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 32	December 18	Florida	1 – 2	Hurricanes	OT	Ward	14,533	15-12-5	35
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 33	December 20	Hurricanes	2 – 4	Boston		Ward	17,565	15-13-5	35
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 34	December 21	Hurricanes	3 – 2	Montreal	OT	Ward	21,273	16-13-5	37
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 35	December 23	Hurricanes	2 – 3	Minnesota		Leighton	18,568	16-14-5	37
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 36	December 26	Hurricanes	5 – 4	Atlanta		Ward	16,012	17-14-5	39
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 37	December 27	Boston	4 – 2	Hurricanes		Ward	16,705	17-15-5	39
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 38	December 31	Atlanta	1 – 3	Hurricanes		Ward	18,137	18-15-5	41

|colspan=11 |

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| January: 7–6–0 (Home: 4–1–0; Road: 3–5–0)
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 39	January 2	St. Louis	1 – 2	Hurricanes		Ward	17,092	19-15-5	43
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 40	January 3	Hurricanes	3 – 2	Tampa Bay		Ward	15,873	20-15-5	45
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 41	January 6	New Jersey	2 – 3	Hurricanes		Ward	15,399	21-15-5	47
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 42	January 8	Hurricanes	2 – 4	Florida		Ward	10,323	21-16-5	47
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 43	January 10	Hurricanes	1 – 5	Boston		Ward	17,565	21-17-5	47
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 44	January 13	Hurricanes	1 – 5	Ottawa		Ward	18,512	21-18-5	47
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 45	January 15	Toronto	6 – 4	Hurricanes		Ward	18,037	21-19-5	47
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 46	January 17	Hurricanes	1 – 3	Buffalo		Ward	18,690	21-20-5	47
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 47	January 19	Hurricanes	2 – 0	Toronto		Ward	19,018	22-20-5	49
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 48	January 20	Hurricanes	2 – 1	Pittsburgh		Ward	16,972	23-20-5	51
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 49	January 27	Hurricanes	2 – 3	NY Rangers		Ward	18,200	23-21-5	51
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 50	January 29	Tampa Bay	2 – 3	Hurricanes		Ward	16,405	24-21-5	53
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 51	January 31	Atlanta	0 – 2	Hurricanes		Ward	16,215	25-21-5	55

|colspan=11 |

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| February: 7–6–0 (Home: 3–3–0; Road: 4–3–0)
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 52	February 3	Hurricanes	3 – 4	Vancouver		Ward	18,630	25-22-5	55
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 53	February 5	Hurricanes	4 – 3	San Jose	SO	Leighton	17,496	26-22-5	57
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 54	February 7	Hurricanes	7 – 2	Phoenix		Ward	15,229	27-22-5	59
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 55	February 12	Florida	5 – 0	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	27-23-5	59
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 56	February 14	Columbus	5 – 1	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	27-24-5	59
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 57	February 15	Hurricanes	3 – 0	Buffalo		Ward	18,690	28-24-5	61
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 58	February 17	Boston	5 – 1	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	28-25-5	61
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 59	February 19	Hurricanes	6 – 2	NY Islanders		Ward	11,802	29-25-5	63
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 60	February 20	Tampa Bay	1 – 4	Hurricanes		Ward	17,711	30-25-5	65
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 61	February 22	Colorado	2 – 5	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	31-25-5	67
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 62	February 24	Hurricanes	2 – 4	Ottawa		Ward	16,541	31-26-5	67
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 63	February 26	Buffalo	1 – 2	Hurricanes	SO	Ward	18,219	32-26-5	69
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 64	February 28	Hurricanes	3 – 5	Atlanta		Ward	17,796	32-27-5	69

|colspan=11 |

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| March: 10–1–2 (Home: 6–0–0; Road: 4–1–2)
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 65	March 3	Hurricanes	5 – 2	Washington		Ward	17,903	33-27-5	71
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 66	March 6	Calgary	1 – 6	Hurricanes		Ward	18,108	34-27-5	73
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 67	March 7	Hurricanes	9 – 3	Tampa Bay		Ward	15,692	35-27-5	75
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 68	March 9	NY Rangers	0 – 3	Hurricanes		Ward	17,826	36-27-5	77
align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| 69	March 11	Hurricanes	2 – 3	Chicago	SO	Ward	21,513	36-27-6	78
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 70	March 12	Hurricanes	2 – 3	Dallas		Ward	16,788	36-28-6	78
align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| 71	March 14	Hurricanes	4 – 5	Washington	SO	Ward	18,277	36-28-7	79
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 72	March 18	New Jersey	2 – 4	Hurricanes		Ward	18,544	37-28-7	81
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 73	March 20	NY Islanders	4 – 5	Hurricanes		Ward	18,137	38-28-7	83
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 74	March 21	Washington	1 – 4	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	39-28-7	85
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 75	March 23	Hurricanes	3 – 2	Florida		Ward	14,304	40-28-7	87
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 76	March 25	Ottawa	1 – 2	Hurricanes		Ward	17,146	41-28-7	89
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 77	March 28	Hurricanes	2 – 1	New Jersey		Ward	17,018	42-28-7	91

|colspan=11 |

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| April: 3–2–0 (Home: 3–1–0; Road: 0–1–0)
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc \| 78	April 2	NY Rangers	2 – 4	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	43-28-7	93
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 79	April 4	Pittsburgh	2 – 3	Hurricanes	OT	Ward	18,680	44-28-7	95
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 80	April 7	NY Islanders	0 – 9	Hurricanes		Ward	18,680	45-28-7	97
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 81	April 9	Buffalo	5 – 1	Hurricanes		Ward	18,513	45-29-7	97
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 82	April 11	Hurricanes	2 – 3	New Jersey		Ward	17,625	45-30-7	97

= Record vs. opponents =

class="wikitable sortable"
Team ! Points ! Record
style="background:#F48686" \| New Jersey* \| 106 \| 3–1–0
style="background:#F48686" \| NY Islanders \| 61 \| 4–0–0
style="background:#F48686" \| NY Rangers \| 95 \| 2–1–1
style="background:#F48686" \| Philadelphia \| 99 \| 1–1–2
style="background:#F48686" \| Pittsburgh \| 99 \| 2–2–0
style="background:#DDDDFF" \| Boston* \| 116 \| 0–4–0
style="background:#DDDDFF" \| Buffalo \| 91 \| 2–2–0
style="background:#DDDDFF" \| Montreal \| 93 \| 3–0–1
style="background:#DDDDFF" \| Ottawa \| 83 \| 2–2–0
style="background:#DDDDFF" \| Toronto \| 81 \| 3–1–0
style="background:#DDFFDD" \| Atlanta \| 76 \| 3–3–0
style="background:#DDFFDD" \| Florida \| 93 \| 3–3–0
style="background:#DDFFDD" \| Tampa Bay \| 66 \| 6–0–0
style="background:#DDFFDD" \| *Washington** \| 108 \| 3–2–1
style="background:#FFEECC" \| Chicago \| 104 \| 0–0–1
style="background:#FFEECC" \| Columbus \| 92 \| 0–1–0
style="background:#FFEECC" \| Detroit* \| 112 \| 1–0–0
style="background:#FFEECC" \| Nashville \| 88 \| 1–0–0
style="background:#FFEECC" \| St. Louis \| 92 \| 2–0–0
style="background:#FFDDDD" \| Calgary \| 98 \| 1–0–0
style="background:#FFDDDD" \| Colorado \| 69 \| 1–0–0
style="background:#FFDDDD" \| Edmonton \| 85 \| 0–1–0
style="background:#FFDDDD" \| Minnesota \| 89 \| 0–1–0
style="background:#FFDDDD" \| Vancouver* \| 100 \| 0–1–0
style="background:#FFFFDD" \| Anaheim \| 91 \| 1–1–0
style="background:#FFFFDD" \| Dallas \| 83 \| 1–0–0
style="background:#FFFFDD" \| Los Angeles \| 79 \| 0–0–1
style="background:#FFFFDD" \| Phoenix \| 79 \| 2–0–0
style="background:#FFFFDD" \| San Jose* \| 117 \| 1–0–0

class="wikitable sortable"

Team

! Points

! Record

style="background:#F48686"

| New Jersey*

| 106

| 3–1–0

style="background:#F48686"

| NY Islanders

| 61

| 4–0–0

style="background:#F48686"

| NY Rangers

| 95

| 2–1–1

style="background:#F48686"

| Philadelphia

| 99

| 1–1–2

style="background:#F48686"

| Pittsburgh

| 99

| 2–2–0

style="background:#DDDDFF"

| Boston*

| 116

| 0–4–0

style="background:#DDDDFF"

| Buffalo

| 91

| 2–2–0

style="background:#DDDDFF"

| Montreal

| 93

| 3–0–1

style="background:#DDDDFF"

| Ottawa

| 83

| 2–2–0

style="background:#DDDDFF"

| Toronto

| 81

| 3–1–0

style="background:#DDFFDD"

| Atlanta

| 76

| 3–3–0

style="background:#DDFFDD"

| Florida

| 93

| 3–3–0

style="background:#DDFFDD"

| Tampa Bay

| 66

| 6–0–0

style="background:#DDFFDD"

| Washington*

| 108

| 3–2–1

style="background:#FFEECC"

| Chicago

| 104

| 0–0–1

style="background:#FFEECC"

| Columbus

| 92

| 0–1–0

style="background:#FFEECC"

| Detroit*

| 112

| 1–0–0

style="background:#FFEECC"

| Nashville

| 88

| 1–0–0

style="background:#FFEECC"

| St. Louis

| 92

| 2–0–0

style="background:#FFDDDD"

| Calgary

| 98

| 1–0–0

style="background:#FFDDDD"

| Colorado

| 69

| 1–0–0

style="background:#FFDDDD"

| Edmonton

| 85

| 0–1–0

style="background:#FFDDDD"

| Minnesota

| 89

| 0–1–0

style="background:#FFDDDD"

| Vancouver*

| 100

| 0–1–0

style="background:#FFFFDD"

| Anaheim

| 91

| 1–1–0

style="background:#FFFFDD"

| Dallas

| 83

| 1–0–0

style="background:#FFFFDD"

| Los Angeles

| 79

| 0–0–1

style="background:#FFFFDD"

| Phoenix

| 79

| 2–0–0

style="background:#FFFFDD"

| San Jose*

| 117

| 1–0–0

Notes: * denotes division winner; teams in bold are in the Southeast Division; teams in italics qualified for the playoffs; points refer to the points achieved by the team whom the Hurricanes played against

{{color box|#F48686}} = Member of the Atlantic Division
{{color box|#DDDDFF}} = Member of the Northeast Division
{{color box|#DDFFDD}} = Member of the Southeast Division
{{color box|#FFEECC}} = Member of the Central Division
{{color box|#FFDDDD}} = Member of the Northeast Division
{{color box|#FFFFDD}} = Member of the Pacific Division

Playoffs

The Carolina Hurricanes ended the 2008–09 regular season as the Eastern Conference's sixth seed. In the first round, they defeated the New Jersey Devils following a game 7 victory following two goals with 1:20 minutes in the game from Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal in what is known as the “Shock at the Rock”.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/this-day-in-canes-history-april-28/c-316743794|title=This Day in Canes History: April 28|website=NHL.com}} In the second round, they defeated the Boston Bruins in 7 games, denying Boston's 3–1 series comeback attempt following an overtime goal from Scott Walker. In doing so, they reached the eastern conference final for the first time since 2006. {{cite web |website=hockey-reference.com

|publisher=Hockey Reference

|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/NHL_2009.html |title=2009 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Summary |access-date=25 August 2024}} However, they got swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals.

colspan=11 style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
class="toccolours" width=90% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
colspan=11 \| {\| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
colspan=11; style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \|Eastern Conference Quarter-finals: vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series	Recap
align=center bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 1	April 15	Carolina	1-4	New Jersey		Ward	17,625	0-1	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030131]
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 2	April 17	Carolina	2-1	New Jersey	OT	Ward	17,625	1-1	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030132]
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 3	April 19	New Jersey	3-2	Carolina	OT	Ward	17,791	1-2	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030133]
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 4	April 21	New Jersey	3-4	Carolina		Ward	17,465	2-2	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030134]
align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" \| 5	April 23	Carolina	0-1	New Jersey		Ward	17,625	2-3	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030135]
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 6	April 26	New Jersey	0-4	Carolina		Ward	18,680	3-3	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030136]
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 7	April 28	Carolina	4-3	New Jersey		Ward	17,625	4-3	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030137]

colspan=11; style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \|Eastern Conference Semi-finals: vs. (1) Boston Bruins
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series	Recap
align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" \| 1	May 1	Carolina	1-4	Boston		Ward	17,565	0-1	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008030211]
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 2	May 3	Carolina	3-0	Boston		Ward	17,565	1-1	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030212]
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 3	May 6	Boston	2-3	Carolina	OT	Ward	18,680	2-1	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030213]
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 4	May 8	Boston	1-4	Carolina		Ward	18,878	3-1	[https://web.archive.org/web/20090511034723/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290508007]
align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" \| 5	May 10	Carolina	0-4	Boston		Ward	17,565	3-2	[https://web.archive.org/web/20090512143533/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290510001]
align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" \| 6	May 12	Boston	4-2	Carolina		Ward	18,860	3-3	[https://web.archive.org/web/20090517105753/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290512007]
align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" \| 7	May 14	Carolina	3-2	Boston	OT	Ward	17,565	4-3	[https://web.archive.org/web/20090517042702/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290514001]

colspan=11; style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \|Eastern Conference Finals: vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins
class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| #	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series	Recap
align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" \| 1	May 18	Carolina	2-3	Pittsburgh		Ward	17,132	0-1	{{cite web\|title=NHL.com - Recap: Hurricanes @ Penguins - 05/18/2009 \|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030311 \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522091754/http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030311 \|archivedate=2009-05-22 \|url-status=live \|accessdate=2009-05-30 }}
align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc" \| 2	May 21	Carolina	4-7	Pittsburgh		Ward	17,132	0-2	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030312]
align="center" bgcolor="ffccc" \| 3	May 23	Pittsburgh	6-2	Carolina		Ward	18,789	0-3	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030313]
align="center" bgcolor="ffccc" \|4	May 26	Pittsburgh	4-1	Carolina		Ward	18,789	0-4	[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030313]
align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"

{{Color box|#ccffcc|border=darkgray}} WIN {{Color box|#ffbbbb|border=darkgray}} LOSS

Player statistics

= Skaters =

class="wikitable" style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" ! style="border: 0;" \| Regular season
style="background: #f2f2f2; border: 0; text-align: center;" \| {\| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
align=center ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="40%" \| Player ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| GP ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| G ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| A ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| Pts ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| +/− ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| PIM
align=center \| {{sortname\|Ray\|Whitney\|Ray Whitney (ice hockey)}}	82	24	53	77	+2	32
align=center \| {{sortname\|Eric\|Staal\|Eric Staal}}	82	40	35	75	+15	50
align=center \| {{sortname\|Tuomo\|Ruutu\|Tuomo Ruutu}}	79	26	28	54	0	79
align=center \| {{sortname\|Rod\|Brind'Amour\|Rod Brind'Amour}}	80	16	35	51	-23	36
align=center \| {{sortname\|Sergei\|Samsonov\|Sergei Samsonov}}	81	16	32	48	-8	28
align=center \| {{sortname\|Matt\|Cullen\|Matt Cullen}}	69	22	21	43	+11	20
align=center \| {{sortname\|Joe\|Corvo\|Joe Corvo}}	81	14	24	38	-1	18
align=center \| {{sortname\|Anton\|Babchuk\|Anton Babchuk}}	72	16	19	35	+13	16
align=center \| {{sortname\|Joni\|Pitkanen\|Joni Pitkänen}}	71	7	26	33	+11	58
align=center \| {{sortname\|Chad\|LaRose\|Chad LaRose}}	81	19	12	31	+6	35
align=center \| {{sortname\|Dennis\|Seidenberg\|Dennis Seidenberg}}	70	5	25	30	-9	37
align=center \| {{sortname\|Scott\|Walker\|Scott Walker (ice hockey)}}	41	5	10	15	-4	39
align=center \| {{sortname\|Erik\|Cole\|Erik Cole}}^†	17	2	13	15	+3	10
align=center \| {{sortname\|Patrick\|Eaves\|Patrick Eaves}}	74	6	8	14	+7	31
align=center \| {{sortname\|Tim\|Gleason\|Tim Gleason}}	70	0	12	12	+3	68
align=center \| {{sortname\|Ryan\|Bayda\|Ryan Bayda}}	70	5	7	12	+2	26
align=center \| {{sortname\|Jussi\|Jokinen\|Jussi Jokinen}}^†	25	1	10	11	-2	12
align=center \| {{sortname\|Niclas\|Wallin\|Niclas Wallin}}	64	2	8	10	-1	42
align=center \| {{sortname\|Justin\|Williams\|Justin Williams}}^‡	32	3	7	10	-9	9
align=center \| {{sortname\|Frantisek\|Kaberle\|František Kaberle}}	30	1	7	8	-4	8
align=center \| {{sortname\|Brandon\|Sutter\|Brandon Sutter}}	50	1	5	6	-1	16
align=center \| {{sortname\|Josef\|Melichar\|Josef Melichar}}^‡	15	0	4	4	-1	8
align=center \| {{sortname\|Dan\|LaCouture\|Dan LaCouture}}	11	2	0	2	-1	10
align=center \| {{sortname\|Michael\|Ryan\|Michael Ryan (ice hockey)}}	18	0	2	2	-3	2
align=center \| {{sortname\|Dwight\|Helminen\|Dwight Helminen}}	23	1	1	2	-2	0
align=center \| {{sortname\|Bryan\|Rodney\|Bryan Rodney}}	8	0	2	2	-3	2
align=center \| {{sortname\|Wade\|Brookbank\|Wade Brookbank}}^‡	27	1	0	1	0	40
align=center \| {{sortname\|Tim\|Conboy\|Tim Conboy}}	28	0	1	1	-1	37
align=center \| {{sortname\|Patrick\|Dwyer\|Patrick Dwyer (ice hockey)}}	13	1	0	1	-2	0
align=center \| {{sortname\|Jakub\|Petruzalek\|Jakub Petružálek}}	2	0	1	1	+1	0
align=center \| {{sortname\|Brett\|Carson\|Brett Carson}}	5	0	0	0	-3	4
align=center \| {{sortname\|Casey\|Borer\|Casey Borer}}	3	0	0	0	0	5
align=center \| {{sortname\|Zach\|Boychuk\|Zach Boychuk}}	2	0	0	0	0	0

class="wikitable" style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" ! style="border: 0;" \| Playoffs
style="background: #f2f2f2; border: 0; text-align: center;" \| {\| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
align=center ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="40%" \| Player ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| GP ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| G ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| A ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| Pts ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| +/− ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="10%" \| PIM
align=center \| {{sortname\|Eric\|Staal\|Eric Staal}}	18	10	5	15	-3	4
align=center \| {{sortname\|Ray\|Whitney\|Ray Whitney (ice hockey)}}	18	3	8	11	-9	4
align=center \| {{sortname\|Chad\|LaRose\|Chad LaRose}}	18	4	7	11	0	16
align=center \| {{sortname\|Jussi\|Jokinen\|Jussi Jokinen}}	18	7	4	11	-3	2
align=center \| {{sortname\|Sergei\|Samsonov\|Sergei Samsonov}}	17	5	3	8	+2	6
align=center \| {{sortname\|Joni\|Pitkanen\|Joni Pitkänen}}	18	0	8	8	0	16
align=center \| {{sortname\|Scott\|Walker\|Scott Walker (ice hockey)}}	18	1	6	7	-3	19
align=center \| {{sortname\|Joe\|Corvo\|Joe Corvo}}	18	2	5	7	-7	4
align=center \| {{sortname\|Matt\|Cullen\|Matt Cullen}}	18	3	3	6	0	14
align=center \| {{sortname\|Dennis\|Seidenberg\|Dennis Seidenberg}}	16	1	5	6	-5	16
align=center \| {{sortname\|Erik\|Cole\|Erik Cole}}	18	0	5	5	-5	22
align=center \| {{sortname\|Tim\|Gleason\|Tim Gleason}}	18	1	4	5	-2	32
align=center \| {{sortname\|Rod\|Brind'Amour\|Rod Brind'Amour}}	18	1	3	4	-5	8
align=center \| {{sortname\|Ryan\|Bayda\|Ryan Bayda}}	15	2	2	4	+2	18
align=center \| {{sortname\|Tuomo\|Ruutu\|Tuomo Ruutu}}	16	1	3	4	-3	8
align=center \| {{sortname\|Patrick\|Eaves\|Patrick Eaves}}	18	1	2	3	-1	13
align=center \| {{sortname\|Frantisek\|Kaberle\|František Kaberle}}	7	0	1	1	+2	2
align=center \| {{sortname\|Anton\|Babchuk\|Anton Babchuk}}	13	0	1	1	-5	10
align=center \| {{sortname\|Patrick\|Dwyer\|Patrick Dwyer (ice hockey)}}	2	0	1	1	+1	0
align=center \| {{sortname\|Niclas\|Wallin\|Niclas Wallin}}	18	0	0	0	+1	4
align=center \| {{sortname\|Dwight\|Helminen\|Dwight Helminen}}	1	0	0	0	0	0
align=center \| {{sortname\|Tim\|Conboy\|Tim Conboy}}	3	0	0	0	0	9

= Goaltenders =

class="wikitable" style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" width="75%" ! style="border: 0;" \| Regular season
style="background: #f2f2f2; border: 0; text-align: center;" \| {\| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| Player ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| GP ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| Min ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| W ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| L ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| OT ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| GA ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| GAA ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| SA ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| SV ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| Sv% ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| SO
align=center \| {{sortname\|Cam\|Ward\|dab=ice hockey}}	68	3928	39	23	5	160	2.44	1901	1741	.916	6
align=center \| {{sortname\|Michael\|Leighton\|Michael Leighton}}	19	1028	6	7	2	50	2.92	507	457	.901	0

class="wikitable" style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" width="75%" ! style="border: 0;" \| Playoffs
style="background: #f2f2f2; border: 0; text-align: center;" \| {\| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| Player ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| GP ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| Min ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| W ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| L ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| GA ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| GAA ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| SA ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| SV ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| Sv% ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" \| SO
align=center \| {{sortname\|Cam\|Ward\|dab=ice hockey}}	18	1101	8	10	49	2.67	576	527	.915	2

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Hurricanes. Stats reflect season totals.

^‡Traded mid-season

Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Awards and records

= Milestones =

Player	Milestone	Reached
class="wikitable" width="52%" \| colspan="10" align="center" \| Regular Season
Brandon Sutter	1st NHL Game 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point	October 10, 2008
Zach Boychuk	1st NHL Game	October 17, 2008
Brandon Sutter	1st NHL Goal	October 23, 2008
Dwight Helminen	1st NHL Game	October 28, 2008
Anton Babchuk	100th NHL Game	October 30, 2008
Dwight Helminen	1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point	November 2, 2008
Patrick Dwyer	1st NHL Game	November 2, 2008
Brett Carson	1st NHL Game	December 8, 2008
Bryan Rodney	1st NHL Game	December 11, 2008
Bryan Rodney	1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point	February 3, 2009
Jakub Petruzalek	1st NHL Game 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point	February 5, 2009

News

On June 14, the Hurricanes agreed to an extension of their lease at the RBC Center by five years through to 2023-24.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20080614184650/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2008/06/14/5875801-cp.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Hockey - News: Hockey transactions]}}

= Trades =

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse" bordercolor="#DFDFDF" cellpadding="5" width=90%

bgcolor="#dddddd"

|Date

!colspan="2"|{{center|Details}}

February 7, 2009

| valign="top"| To Tampa Bay Lightning

Wade Brookbank
Josef Melichar
4th-round pick in 2009 (pick ultimately forfeited)

| valign="top"| To Carolina Hurricanes

Jussi Jokinen

= Free agents =

cellspacing="10"

| valign="top" |

{|class="wikitable"

align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"

| Player

Former team

Contract Terms

Josef Melichar

Linköpings HC (SEL)

1 year/$1 million

| valign="top" |

class="wikitable"

align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"

| Player

New team

= Claimed from waivers =

cellspacing="10" \| valign="top" \| {\|class="wikitable"
Player	Former team	Date claimed off waivers

cellspacing="10"

| valign="top" |

{|class="wikitable"

Player

Former team

Date claimed off waivers

Draft picks

The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was in Ottawa, Ontario. The Hurricanes had the 14th overall pick

class="wikitable"
style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="2.75%" \| Round ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="2.75%" \| # ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="16.0%" \| Player ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="14.0%" \| Position ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="11.5%" \| Nationality ! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="100.0%" \| College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 \| 14 \| Zach Boychuk \|(C) \| {{flagu\|Canada}} \| Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
2 \| 45 \| Zac Dalpe \|(C/RW) \| {{flagu\|Canada}} \| Penticton Vees (BCHL)
4 \| 105 \| Michal Jordan \| (D) \| {{CZE}} \| Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
6 \| 165 \| Mike Murphy \| (G) \| {{flagu\|Canada}} \| Belleville Bulls (OHL)
7 \| 195 \| Samuel Morneau \| (LW) \| {{flagu\|Canada}} \| Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)

class="wikitable"

style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="2.75%" | Round

! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="2.75%" | #

! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="16.0%" | Player

! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="14.0%" | Position

! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="11.5%" | Nationality

! style="background:black;color:#d40026;" width="100.0%" | College/Junior/Club team (League)

| 14

| Zach Boychuk

|(C)

| {{flagu|Canada}}

| Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)