2003–04 Los Angeles Kings season

The 2003–04 Los Angeles Kings season was their 37th National Hockey League season. The Kings placed third in their division, 11th overall in their conference, and failed to qualify for the playoffs due to a season-ending, 11-game losing streak.

2003–04 Los Angeles Kings
Division3rd Pacific
Conference11th Western
2003–04 record28–29–16–9
Home record15–16–9–1
Road record13–13–7–8
Goals for205
Goals against217
Team information
General managerDave Taylor
CoachAndy Murray
CaptainMattias Norstrom
Alternate captainsIan Laperriere
Zigmund Palffy
Luc Robitaille
ArenaStaples Center
Average attendance17,889
Minor league affiliate(s)Manchester Monarchs
Reading Royals
Team leaders
GoalsAlexander Frolov (24)
AssistsLuc Robitaille (29)
Jozef Stumpel (29)
PointsLuc Robitaille (51)
Penalty minutesSean Avery (261)
Plus/minusZigmund Palffy (+18)
WinsRoman Cechmanek (18)
Goals against averageCristobal Huet (2.43)

Offseason

Regular season

Final standings

Pacific Division[1]
No.CRGPWLTOTLGFGAPts
12San Jose Sharks824321126219183104
25Dallas Stars82412613219417597
311Los Angeles Kings82282916920521781
412Mighty Ducks of Anaheim82293510818421376
513Phoenix Coyotes82223618618824568

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Western Conference[2]
RDivGPWLTOTLGFGAPts
1P- Detroit Red WingsCE824821112255189109
2Y- San Jose SharksPA824321126255183104
3Y- Vancouver CanucksNW824324105235194101
4X- Colorado AvalancheNW824022137236198100
5X- Dallas StarsPA82412613219417597
6X- Calgary FlamesNW8242307320017694
7X- St. Louis BluesCE82393011219119891
8X- Nashville PredatorsCE82382911421621791
8.5
9Edmonton OilersNW82362912522120889
10Minnesota WildNW82302920318818383
11Los Angeles KingsPA82282916920521781
12Mighty Ducks of AnaheimPA82293510818421376
13Phoenix CoyotesPA82223618618824568
14Columbus Blue JacketsCE8225458417723862
15Chicago BlackhawksCE82204311818825959

Divisions: CE – Central, PA – Pacific, NW – Northwest

P – Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y – Clinched Division; X – Clinched Playoff spot


Schedule and results

2003–04 regular season[3]
October: 4–5–0–0 (home: 2–4–0–0; road: 2–1–0–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1LOctober 9, 20032–3@ Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)0–1–0–0Recap
2WOctober 10, 20033–0@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)1–1–0–0Recap
3WOctober 12, 20034–2@ Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)2–1–0–0Recap
4WOctober 15, 20034–3Ottawa Senators (2003–04)3–1–0–0Recap
5LOctober 18, 20033–4Boston Bruins (2003–04)3–2–0–0Recap
6WOctober 21, 20034–0Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)4–2–0–0Recap
7LOctober 23, 20031–5Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)4–3–0–0Recap
8LOctober 25, 20032–3Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)4–4–0–0Recap
9LOctober 30, 20031–3Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)4–5–0–0Recap
November: 8–4–1–1 (home: 3–2–1–0; road: 5–2–0–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
10WNovember 1, 20037–3Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)5–5–0–0Recap
11WNovember 5, 20033–2@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)6–5–0–0Recap
12WNovember 6, 20031–0 OT@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)7–5–0–0Recap
13OTLNovember 8, 20032–3 OT@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)7–5–0–1Recap
14WNovember 10, 20033–2@ Washington Capitals (2003–04)8–5–0–1Recap
15TNovember 13, 20034–4 OTToronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)8–5–1–1Recap
16LNovember 15, 20030–1St. Louis Blues (2003–04)8–6–1–1Recap
17WNovember 19, 20033–0Nashville Predators (2003–04)9–6–1–1Recap
18LNovember 21, 20031–3@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)9–7–1–1Recap
19WNovember 22, 20032–0@ Colorado Avalanche (2003–04)10–7–1–1Recap
20LNovember 25, 20030–4New Jersey Devils (2003–04)10–8–1–1Recap
21LNovember 27, 20034–6@ Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)10–9–1–1Recap
22WNovember 29, 20033–1Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)11–9–1–1Recap
23WNovember 30, 20032–1@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)12–9–1–1Recap
December: 4–4–4–3 (home: 3–0–3–1; road: 1–4–1–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
24LDecember 2, 20031–4@ St. Louis Blues (2003–04)12–10–1–1Recap
25WDecember 4, 20033–0Dallas Stars (2003–04)13–10–1–1Recap
26WDecember 6, 20037–3Washington Capitals (2003–04)14–10–1–1Recap
27OTLDecember 8, 20032–3 OT@ Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)14–10–1–2Recap
28OTLDecember 10, 20033–4 OT@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)14–10–1–3Recap
29WDecember 11, 20034–1@ Nashville Predators (2003–04)15–10–1–3Recap
30LDecember 13, 20031–2@ St. Louis Blues (2003–04)15–11–1–3Recap
31WDecember 16, 20034–2Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)16–11–1–3Recap
32TDecember 18, 20034–4 OTPhoenix Coyotes (2003–04)16–11–2–3Recap
33TDecember 20, 20033–3 OTColorado Avalanche (2003–04)16–11–3–3Recap
34TDecember 22, 20034–4 OT@ Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)16–11–4–3Recap
35LDecember 26, 20030–5@ San Jose Sharks (2003–04)16–12–4–3Recap
36TDecember 27, 20034–4 OTSan Jose Sharks (2003–04)16–12–5–3Recap
37OTLDecember 30, 20032–3 OTNew York Rangers (2003–04)16–12–5–4Recap
38LDecember 31, 20030–4@ Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)16–13–5–4Recap
January: 5–2–7–1 (home: 2–2–4–0; road: 3–0–3–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
39TJanuary 3, 20042–2 OTDallas Stars (2003–04)16–13–6–4Recap
40TJanuary 7, 20044–4 OT@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)16–13–7–4Recap
41LJanuary 8, 20041–3Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)16–14–7–4Recap
42TJanuary 10, 20042–2 OTColumbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)16–14–8–4Recap
43TJanuary 13, 20040–0 OT@ Nashville Predators (2003–04)16–14–9–4Recap
44TJanuary 14, 20042–2 OT@ Minnesota Wild (2003–04)16–14–10–4Recap
45OTLJanuary 16, 20042–3 OT@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)16–14–10–5Recap
46WJanuary 18, 20042–1@ Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)17–14–10–5Recap
47WJanuary 20, 20044–1Calgary Flames (2003–04)18–14–10–5Recap
48LJanuary 22, 20044–5Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)18–15–10–5Recap
49WJanuary 24, 20044–2Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)19–15–10–5Recap
50TJanuary 26, 20042–2 OTMinnesota Wild (2003–04)19–15–11–5Recap
51WJanuary 28, 20044–3 OT@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)20–15–11–5Recap
52TJanuary 29, 20043–3 OTColorado Avalanche (2003–04)20–15–12–5Recap
53WJanuary 31, 20044–3@ Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)21–15–12–5Recap
February: 4–3–3–2 (home: 3–1–0–0; road: 1–2–3–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
54TFebruary 3, 20044–4 OT@ Calgary Flames (2003–04)21–15–13–5Recap
55WFebruary 10, 20043–1@ Minnesota Wild (2003–04)22–15–13–5Recap
56OTLFebruary 11, 20042–3 OT@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)22–15–13–6Recap
57LFebruary 13, 20043–8@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)22–16–13–6Recap
58OTLFebruary 15, 20042–3 OT@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04)22–16–13–7Recap
59TFebruary 16, 20041–1 OT@ New York Islanders (2003–04)22–16–14–7Recap
60LFebruary 18, 20043–4Dallas Stars (2003–04)22–17–14–7Recap
61WFebruary 21, 20044–3Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)23–17–14–7Recap
62WFebruary 23, 20043–0Nashville Predators (2003–04)24–17–14–7Recap
63TFebruary 25, 20041–1 OT@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)24–17–15–7Recap
64WFebruary 28, 20042–1Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)25–17–15–7Recap
65LFebruary 29, 20043–6@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)25–18–15–7Recap
March: 3–10–1–1 (home: 2–6–1–0; road: 1–4–0–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
66TMarch 4, 20041–1 OTMinnesota Wild (2003–04)25–18–16–7Recap
67LMarch 6, 20042–4Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)25–19–16–7Recap
68WMarch 9, 20043–2Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)26–19–16–7Recap
69WMarch 10, 20043–1@ Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)27–19–16–7Recap
70LMarch 13, 20041–3@ San Jose Sharks (2003–04)27–20–16–7Recap
71WMarch 14, 20045–1Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)28–20–16–7Recap
72LMarch 16, 20043–5St. Louis Blues (2003–04)28–21–16–7Recap
73LMarch 18, 20043–5San Jose Sharks (2003–04)28–22–16–7Recap
74LMarch 20, 20042–4Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)28–23–16–7Recap
75LMarch 22, 20041–2Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)28–24–16–7Recap
76LMarch 24, 20040–1@ Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)28–25–16–7Recap
77LMarch 26, 20041–3@ Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)28–26–16–7Recap
78OTLMarch 27, 20042–3 OT@ Calgary Flames (2003–04)28–26–16–8Recap
79LMarch 29, 20041–2@ Colorado Avalanche (2003–04)28–27–16–8Recap
80LMarch 31, 20040–3San Jose Sharks (2003–04)28–28–16–8Recap
April: 0–1–0–1 (home: 0–1–0–0; road: 0–0–0–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
81LApril 2, 20042–3Calgary Flames (2003–04)28–29–16–8Recap
82OTLApril 4, 20043–4 OT@ San Jose Sharks (2003–04)28–29–16–9Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)  Loss (0 points)  Tie (1 point)  Overtime loss (1 point)

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 Kings only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.
Regular season
No.PlayerPosGPGAPts+/-PIM
20Luc RobitailleLW80222951456
24Alexander FrolovLW77242448824
26Trent KlattRW82172643246
33Zigmund PalffyRW351625411812
15Jozef StumpelC6482937516
7Derek ArmstrongC57142135433
25Eric BelangerC81132033−1644
44Jaroslav ModryD79527321144
17Lubomir VisnovskyD5882129826
19Sean AveryC76919282261
27Joe CorvoD7281725736
22Ian LaperriereRW62101222−458
13Michael CammalleriC319615120
82Martin StrakaC326814−94
14Mattias NorstromD7411314−344
43Jon SimLW486713027
62Scott BarneyC19561134
12Esa PirnesC573811−912
10Nathan DempseyD17437−72
29Brad ChartrandC53347−330
42Tim GleasonD47077121
53Jason HollandD52336524
21John TrippRW34156−433
5Tomas ZizkaD15235−412
23Dustin BrownLW31145016
8Jeff CowanLW13213−124
3Aaron MillerD35123−332
8Martin StrbakD520218
55Pavel RosaRW211210
37Kip BrennanLW18101−179
11Anson CarterRW15011−50
39Noah ClarkeLW201110
38Denis GrebeshkovD4011−40
6Maxim KuznetsovD16011−520
2Bryan MuirD201112
63Brad NortonD20011−177
52Jerred SmithsonC801104
32Roman CechmanekG490002
46Mathieu ChouinardG10000
1Milan HnilickaG20000
35Cristobal HuetG410004
11Steve KellyC300000

Goaltending

Regular season
No.PlayerGPWLTSAGAGAASV%SOTOI
32Roman Cechmanek491821611981132.51.90652701
35Cristobal Huet41101610961892.43.90732199
46Mathieu Chouinard1000200.001.00003
1Milan Hnilicka20104253.75.881080

Awards and records

Awards

TypeAward/honorRecipientRef
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selectionMattias Norstrom[4]
TeamAce Bailey Memorial AwardLuc Robitaille[5]
Bill Libby Memorial AwardLuc Robitaille[6]
Defensive PlayerMattias Norstrom[6]
Jim Fox Community ServiceIan Laperriere[7]
Leading ScorerLuc Robitaille[8]
Mark Bavis Memorial AwardTrent Klatt[5]
Most Popular PlayerAlexander Frolov[9]
Outstanding DefensemanLubomir Visnovsky[6]
Unsung HeroTrent Klatt[7]

Milestones

MilestonePlayerDateRef
25th shutoutRoman CechmanekJanuary 13, 2004[10]

Transactions

The Kings were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.[11]

Trades

DateDetailsRef
June 20, 2003To Los Angeles Kings
Jozef Stumpel
7th-round pick in 2003
To Boston Bruins
Philadelphia’s 4th-round pick in 2003
Detroit’s 2nd-round pick in 2004
[12]
June 22, 2003To Los Angeles Kings
6th-round pick in 2003
To Nashville Predators
7th-round pick in 2003
Boston’s 7th-round pick in 2003
[13]
June 22, 2003To Los Angeles Kings
9th-round pick in 2004
To Columbus Blue Jackets
9th-round pick in 2003
[14]
September 15, 2003To Los Angeles Kings
Milan Hnilicka
To Atlanta Thrashers
Future considerations
[15]
November 30, 2003To Los Angeles Kings
Martin Straka
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Sergei Anshakov
Martin Strbak
[16]
March 2, 2004To Los Angeles Kings
Nathan Dempsey
To Chicago Blackhawks
4th-round pick in 2005
Future considerations
[17]
March 8, 2004To Los Angeles Kings
Anson Carter
To Washington Capitals
Jared Aulin
[18]
March 9, 2004To Los Angeles Kings
Jeff Cowan
To Atlanta Thrashers
Kip Brennan
[19]

Players acquired

DatePlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
July 7, 2003 (2003-07-07)Mathieu ChouinardOttawa Senators1-yearFree agency[20]
Trent KlattVancouver Canucks2-yearFree agency[21]
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24)Luc RobitailleDetroit Red Wings1-yearFree agency[22]
July 31, 2003 (2003-07-31)Bryan MuirColorado Avalanche1-yearFree agency[23]
August 6, 2003 (2003-08-06)John TrippNew York Rangers1-yearFree agency[24]

Players lost

DatePlayerNew teamVia[a]Ref
July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01)Ken Belanger[b]Contract expiration (UFA)[25]
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24)Steve Heinze[c]Buyout[28]
July 25, 2003 (2003-07-25)Erik RasmussenNew Jersey DevilsFree agency (UFA)[29]
August 12, 2003 (2003-08-12)Travis ScottFlorida PanthersFree agency (VI)[30]
September 3, 2003 (2003-09-03)Felix PotvinBoston BruinsFree agency (III)[31]
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05)Mikko ElorantaTPS (Liiga)Free agency (UFA)[32]
September 9, 2003 (2003-09-09)Craig JohnsonAnaheim Mighty DucksFree agency (III)[33]
September 10, 2003 (2003-09-10)Derek BekarNew York IslandersFree agency (VI)[34]
September 11, 2003 (2003-09-11)Chris McAlpineMinnesota WildFree agency (III)[35]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03)Jamie StorrCarolina HurricanesFree agency (UFA)[36]
October 9, 2003 (2003-10-09)Mike PudlickPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency (VI)[37]
October 15, 2003 (2003-10-15)Greg KoehlerElmira Jackals (UHL)Free agency (VI)[38]
March 4, 2004 (2004-03-04)Brad NortonWashington CapitalsWaivers[39]
Jon SimPittsburgh PenguinsWaivers[39]
April 20, 2004 (2004-04-20)John TrippAdler Mannheim (DEL)Free agency[40]
May 4, 2004 (2004-05-04)Steve KellyAdler Mannheim (DEL)Free agency[d][42]
Pavel RosaDynamo Moscow (RSL)Free agency[43]
May 18, 2004 (2004-05-18)Milan HnilickaBílí Tygři Liberec (ELH)Free agency[44]
June 7, 2004 (2004-06-07)Maxim KuznetsovDynamo Moscow (RSL)Free agency[45]

Signings

DatePlayerTermContract typeRef
June 26, 2003 (2003-06-26)Petr Kanko3-yearEntry-level[46]
July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01)Chris Schmidt1-yearRe-signing[47]
July 8, 2003 (2003-07-08)Richard Seeley1-yearRe-signing[48]
July 15, 2003 (2003-07-15)Denis Grebeshkov3-yearEntry-level[49]
Esa PirnesEntry-level[50]
Martin StrbakEntry-level[51]
July 16, 2003 (2003-07-16)Jon Sim1-yearRe-signing[52]
July 17, 2003 (2003-07-17)Adam Deadmarsh1-yearRe-signing[53]
Ryan FlinnRe-signing[54]
July 25, 2003 (2003-07-25)Steve KellyRe-signing[55]
July 28, 2003 (2003-07-28)Maxim Kuznetsov1-yearRe-signing[56]
Brad Norton1-yearRe-signing[56]
July 30, 2003 (2003-07-30)Joe Rullier1-yearRe-signing[57]
July 31, 2003 (2003-07-31)Kip Brennan1-yearRe-signing[58]
Jerred Smithson1-yearRe-signing[58]
Jozef Stumpel1-yearRe-signing[59]
August 1, 2003 (2003-08-01)Sean Avery1-yearRe-signing[60]
Scott Barney1-yearRe-signing[60]
October 4, 2003 (2003-10-04)Dustin Brown3-yearEntry-level[61]
April 2, 2004 (2004-04-02)Derek Armstrong2-year[e]Extension[62]
April 8, 2004 (2004-04-08)Gregory Hogeboom2-yearEntry-level[63]
April 27, 2004 (2004-04-27)Esa Pirnes1-yearOption exercised[64]
May 6, 2004 (2004-05-06)Nathan Dempseymulti-yearExtension[65]
June 4, 2004 (2004-06-04)George Parros1-yearExtension[66]

Draft picks

Los Angeles' picks of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee on June 21, 2003.[67]

Round#PlayerNationalityCollege/Junior/Club team (League)
113Dustin Brown  United StatesGuelph Storm (OHL)
126Brian Boyle  United StatesSaint Sebastian's School (USHS-MA)
127Jeff Tambellini  CanadaUniversity of Michigan (NCAA)
244Konstantin Pushkarev  KazakhstanTorpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan)
382Ryan Munce  CanadaSarnia Sting (OHL)
5152Brady Murray  CanadaSalmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
6174Esa Pirnes  FinlandTappara (Finland)
8231Matt Zaba  CanadaVernon (BCHL)
8244Mike Sullivan  CanadaStouffville Spirit (OPJRA)
9274Marty Guerin  United StatesDes Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

Notes

References

  • "Los Angeles Kings 2003–04 roster and statistics". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  • "2003–04 Los Angeles Kings Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 8, 2022.