2002–03 NHL season

2002–03 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 9, 2002 – June 9, 2003
Number of games82
Number of teams30
TV partner(s)CBC, TSN, RDS (Canada)
ESPN, ABC (United States)
Draft
Top draft pickRick Nash
Picked byColumbus Blue Jackets
Regular season
Presidents' TrophyOttawa Senators
Season MVPPeter Forsberg (Avalanche)
Top scorerPeter Forsberg (Avalanche)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPJean-Sebastien Giguere (Mighty Ducks)
Stanley Cup
ChampionsNew Jersey Devils
  Runners-upMighty Ducks of Anaheim
Seasons

The 2002–03 NHL season was the 86th regular season of the National Hockey League. Thirty teams each played 82 games. The Stanley Cup winners were the New Jersey Devils, who won the best of seven series 4–3 against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. This was the last season before the NHL switched home and away jerseys.

Regular season

Final standings

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division W L T OTL GF GA PTS
New Jersey Devils(2) 46 20 10 6 216 166 108
Philadelphia Flyers(4) 45 20 13 4 211 166 107
New York Islanders (8) 35 34 11 2 224 231 83
New York Rangers 32 36 10 4 210 231 78
Pittsburgh Penguins 27 44 6 5 189 255 65
Northeast Division W L T OTL GF GA PTS
Ottawa Senators(1) 52 21 8 1 263 182 113
Toronto Maple Leafs(5) 44 28 7 3 236 208 98
Boston Bruins(7) 36 31 11 4 245 237 87
Montreal Canadiens 30 35 8 9 206 234 77
Buffalo Sabres 27 37 10 8 190 219 72
Southeast Division W L T OTL GF GA PTS
Tampa Bay Lightning(3) 36 25 16 5 219 210 93
Washington Capitals(6) 39 29 8 6 224 220 92
Atlanta Thrashers 31 39 7 5 226 284 74
Florida Panthers 24 36 13 9 176 237 70
Carolina Hurricanes 22 43 11 6 171 240 61

Western Conference

Central Division W L T OTL GF GA PTS
Detroit Red Wings(2) 48 20 10 4 269 203 110
St. Louis Blues(5) 41 24 11 6 253 222 99
Chicago Blackhawks 30 33 13 6 207 226 79
Nashville Predators 27 35 13 7 183 206 74
Columbus Blue Jackets 29 42 8 3 213 263 69
Northwest Division W L T OTL GF GA PTS
Colorado Avalanche(3) 42 19 13 8 251 194 105
Vancouver Canucks(4) 45 23 13 1 264 208 104
Minnesota Wild (6) 42 29 10 1 198 178 95
Edmonton Oilers(8) 36 26 11 9 231 230 92
Calgary Flames 29 36 13 4 186 228 75
Pacific Division W L T OTL GF GA PTS
Dallas Stars(1) 46 17 15 4 245 169 111
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim(7) 40 27 9 6 203 193 95
Los Angeles Kings 33 37 6 6 203 221 78
Phoenix Coyotes 31 35 11 5 204 230 78
San Jose Sharks 28 37 9 8 214 239 73

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts
Peter Forsberg Colorado 75 29 77 106
Markus Naslund Vancouver 82 48 56 104
Joe Thornton Boston 77 36 65 101
Milan Hejduk Colorado 82 50 48 98
Todd Bertuzzi Vancouver 82 46 51 97
Pavol Demitra St. Louis 78 36 57 93
Glen Murray Boston 82 44 48 92
Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh 67 28 63 91
Dany Heatley Atlanta 77 41 48 89
Zigmund Palffy Los Angeles 76 37 48 85

Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Stanley Cup

Note: All dates in 2003.

Playoff bracket

  Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Finals Stanley Cup Finals
                                     
1 Ottawa 4  
8 NY Islanders 1  
  1 Ottawa 4  
 
  4 Philadelphia 2  
4 Philadelphia 4
5 Toronto 3  
  1 Ottawa 3  
Eastern Conference
  2 New Jersey 4  
2 New Jersey 4  
7 Boston 1  
  2 New Jersey 4
 
  3 Tampa Bay 1  
3 Tampa Bay 4
6 Washington 2  
  E2 New Jersey 4
  W7 Anaheim 3
4 Vancouver 4  
5 St. Louis 3  
  4 Vancouver 3
 
  6 Minnesota 4  
3 Colorado 3
6 Minnesota 4  
  6 Minnesota 0
Western Conference
  7 Anaheim 4  
1 Dallas 4  
8 Edmonton 2  
  1 Dallas 2
 
  7 Anaheim 4  
2 Detroit 0
7 Anaheim 4  


Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Ottawa vs. NY Islanders
Date Away Home
April 9 NY Islanders 3 0 Ottawa
April 12 NY Islanders 0 3 Ottawa
April 14 Ottawa 3 2 NY Islanders 2OT
April 16 Ottawa 3 NY Islanders 1
April 17 NY Islanders 1 3 Ottawa
Ottawa wins series 4–1
New Jersey vs. Boston
Date Away Home
April 9 Boston 1 2 New Jersey
April 11 Boston 2 4 New Jersey
April 13 New Jersey 3 0 Boston
April 15 New Jersey 1 5 Boston
April 17 Boston 0 3 New Jersey
New Jersey wins series 4–1
Tampa Bay vs. Washington
Date Away Home
April 10 Washington 3 0 Tampa Bay
April 12 Washington 6 3 Tampa Bay
April 15 Tampa Bay 4 3 Washington OT
April 16 Tampa Bay 3 1 Washington
April 18 Washington 1 2 Tampa Bay
April 20 Tampa Bay 2 1 Washington 3OT
Tampa Bay wins series 4–2
Philadelphia vs. Toronto
Date Away Home
April 9 Toronto 5 3 Philadelphia
April 11 Toronto 1 4 Philadelphia
April 14 Philadelphia 3 4 Toronto 2OT
April 16 Philadelphia 3 2 Toronto 3OT1
April 19 Toronto 1 4 Philadelphia
April 21 Philadelphia 1 2 Toronto 2OT
April 22 Toronto 1 6 Philadelphia
Philadelphia wins series 4–3

1As of 2008, this playoff game is the 19th longest NHL overtime game ever. 53 minutes and 34 seconds of overtime were played before Mark Recchi scored the game-winning goal.

Western Conference Quarterfinals

Dallas vs. Edmonton
Date Away Home
April 9 Edmonton 2 1 Dallas
April 12 Edmonton 1 6 Dallas
April 13 Dallas 2 3 Edmonton
April 15 Dallas 3 1 Edmonton
April 17 Edmonton 2 5 Dallas
April 19 Dallas 3 2 Edmonton
Dallas wins series 4–2
Detroit vs. Anaheim
Date Away Home
April 10 Anaheim 2 1 Detroit 3OT
April 12 Anaheim 3 2 Detroit
April 14 Detroit 1 2 Anaheim
April 16 Detroit 2 3 Anaheim OT
Anaheim wins series 4–0
Colorado vs. Minnesota
Date Away Home
April 10 Minnesota 4 2 Colorado
April 12 Minnesota 2 3 Colorado
April 14 Colorado 3 0 Minnesota
April 16 Colorado 3 1 Minnesota
April 19 Minnesota 3 2 Colorado
April 21 Colorado 2 3 Minnesota OT
April 22 Minnesota 3 2 Colorado OT
Minnesota wins series 4–3
Vancouver vs. St. Louis
Date Away Home
April 10 St. Louis 6 0 Vancouver
April 12 St. Louis 1 2 Vancouver
April 14 Vancouver 1 3 St. Louis
April 16 Vancouver 1 4 St. Louis
April 18 St. Louis 3 5 Vancouver
April 20 Vancouver 4 3 St. Louis
April 22 St. Louis 1 4 Vancouver
Vancouver wins series 4–3

Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference Semifinals

Ottawa vs. Philadelphia
Date Away Home
April 25 Philadelphia 2 4 Ottawa
April 27 Philadelphia 2 0 Ottawa
April 29 Ottawa 3 2 Philadelphia OT
May 1 Ottawa 0 1 Philadelphia
May 3 Philadelphia 2 5 Ottawa
May 5 Ottawa 5 1 Philadelphia
Ottawa wins series 4–2
New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay
Date Away Home
April 24 Tampa Bay 0 3 New Jersey
April 26 Tampa Bay 2 3 New Jersey OT
April 28 New Jersey 3 4 Tampa Bay
April 30 New Jersey 3 1 Tampa Bay
May 2 Tampa Bay 1 2 New Jersey 3OT
New Jersey wins series 4–1

Western Conference Semifinals

Dallas vs. Anaheim
Date Away Home
April 24 Anaheim 4 3 Dallas 5OT2
April 26 Anaheim 3 2 Dallas OT
April 28 Dallas 2 1 Anaheim
April 30 Dallas 0 1 Anaheim
May 3 Anaheim 1 4 Dallas
May 5 Dallas 3 4 Anaheim
Anaheim wins series 4–2
Vancouver vs. Minnesota
Date Away Home
April 25 Minnesota 3 4 Vancouver OT
April 27 Minnesota 3 2 Vancouver
April 29 Vancouver 3 2 Minnesota
May 2 Vancouver 3 2 Minnesota OT
May 5 Minnesota 7 2 Vancouver
May 7 Vancouver 1 5 Minnesota
May 8 Minnesota 4 2 Vancouver
Minnesota wins series 4–3

2As of 2006, this playoff game is the 4th longest NHL overtime game. 80 minutes and 48 seconds of overtime were played before Petr Sykora scored the game-winning goal.

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference
Ottawa vs. New Jersey
Date Away Home
May 10 New Jersey 2 3 Ottawa OT
May 13 New Jersey 4 1 Ottawa
May 15 Ottawa 0 1 New Jersey
May 17 Ottawa 2 5 New Jersey
May 19 New Jersey 1 3 Ottawa
May 21 Ottawa 2 1 New Jersey OT
May 23 New Jersey 3 2 Ottawa
New Jersey wins series 4–3
and Prince of Wales Trophy
Western Conference
Anaheim vs. Minnesota
Date Away Home
May 10 Anaheim 1 0 Minnesota 2OT
May 12 Anaheim 2 0 Minnesota
May 14 Minnesota 0 4 Anaheim
May 16 Minnesota 1 2 Anaheim
Anaheim wins series 4–0 and
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

Finals

Anaheim vs. New Jersey
Date Away Home
May 27 Anaheim 0 3 New Jersey
May 29 Anaheim 0 3 New Jersey
May 31 New Jersey 2 3 Anaheim OT
June 2 New Jersey 0 1 Anaheim OT
June 5 Anaheim 3 6 New Jersey
June 7 New Jersey 2 5 Anaheim
June 9 Anaheim 0 3 New Jersey
New Jersey wins series
4–3 and Stanley Cup
J.S. Giguère (Anaheim)
wins Conn Smythe Trophy

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts
Jamie Langenbrunner New Jersey Devils 24 11 7 18
Scott Niedermayer New Jersey Devils 24 2 16 18
Marian Gaborik Minnesota Wild 18 9 8 17
John Madden New Jersey Devils 24 6 10 16
Marian Hossa Ottawa Senators 18 5 11 16
Mike Modano Dallas Stars 12 5 10 15
Jeff Friesen New Jersey Devils 24 10 4 14
Markus Naslund Vancouver Canucks 14 5 9 14
Sergei Zubov Dallas Stars 12 4 10 14
Andrew Brunette Minnesota Wild 18 7 6 13
Wes Walz Minnesota Wild 18 7 6 13

NHL awards

The NHL Awards presentation took place in Toronto.

Presidents' Trophy: Ottawa Senators
Prince of Wales Trophy: New Jersey Devils
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Art Ross Memorial Trophy: Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings
Calder Memorial Trophy: Barret Jackman, St. Louis Blues
Conn Smythe Trophy: Jean-Sébastien Giguère, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars
Hart Memorial Trophy: Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche
Jack Adams Award: Jacques Lemaire, Minnesota Wild
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: Brendan Shanahan, Detroit Red Wings
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Alexander Mogilny, Toronto Maple Leafs
Lester B. Pearson Award: Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks
Lester Patrick Trophy: Willie O'Ree, Raymond Bourque, Ron DeGregorio
Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy: Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Peter Forsberg & Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award: Marty Turco, Dallas Stars
Vezina Trophy: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
William M. Jennings Trophy: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils;
Roman Cechmanek & Robert Esche, Philadelphia Flyers

All-Star teams

First Team   Position   Second Team
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils G Marty Turco, Dallas Stars
Al MacInnis, St. Louis Blues D Sergei Gonchar, Washington Capitals
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings D Derian Hatcher, Dallas Stars
Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche C Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins
Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver Canucks RW Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche
Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks LW Paul Kariya, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

First games

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 2002–03 (listed with their first team):

  • Martin Gerber, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
  • Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
  • Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
  • Jordan Leopold, Calgary Flames
  • Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Steve Ott, Dallas Stars
  • Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
  • Ales Hemsky, Edmonton Oilers
  • Fernando Pisani, Edmonton Oilers
  • Jarret Stoll, Edmonton Oilers
  • Marc-Andre Bergeron, Edmonton Oilers
  • Jay Bouwmeester, Florida Panthers
  • Alexander Frolov, Los Angeles Kings
  • Cristobal Huet, Los Angeles Kings
  • Joe Corvo, Los Angeles Kings
  • Mike Cammalleri, Los Angeles Kings
  • Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minnesota Wild
  • Francois Beauchemin, Montreal Canadiens
  • Vernon Fiddler, Nashville Predators
  • Anton Volchenkov, Ottawa Senators
  • Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators
  • Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators
  • Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks
  • Christian Backman, St. Louis Blues
  • Petr Cajanek, St. Louis Blues

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 2002–03 (listed with their last team):

References