2003–04 Washington Capitals season

The 2003–04 Washington Capitals season was the Capitals's 30th season of play. The team finished in fifth and last-place in the Southeast Division, and fourteenth overall in the Eastern Conference, to miss the playoffs.

2003–04 Washington Capitals
Division5th Southeast
Conference14th Eastern
2003–04 record23–46–10–3
Home record13–20–6–2
Road record10–26–4–1
Goals for186
Goals against253
Team information
General managerGeorge McPhee
CoachBruce Cassidy (Oct-Dec)
Glen Hanlon (Dec-Apr)
CaptainSteve Konowalchuk (Oct)
Vacant (Oct-Apr)
Alternate captainsPeter Bondra (Oct-Feb)
Jaromir Jagr (Oct-Jan)
Brendan Witt
ArenaMCI Center
Average attendance14,720
Minor league affiliate(s)Portland Pirates
Team leaders
GoalsRobert Lang (29)
AssistsRobert Lang (45)
PointsRobert Lang (74)
Penalty minutesDarcy Verot (135)
Plus/minusRobert Lang (+2)
WinsOlaf Kolzig (19)
Goals against averageOlaf Kolzig (2.89)

Offseason

Regular season

On December 10, 2003, head coach Bruce Cassidy was fired after a disappointing 8–18–1–1 start to the season. Assistant coach Glen Hanlon was named his replacement.[1]

The Capitals were the most penalized team in the League, with 401 power-play opportunities against. They also scored the fewest short-handed goals in the League, with just 4.[2]

Final standings

Southeast Division[3]
No.CRGPWLTOTLGFGAPTS
11Tampa Bay Lightning82462286245192106
210Atlanta Thrashers8233378421424378
311Carolina Hurricanes82283414617220976
412Florida Panthers82283515418822175
514Washington Capitals82234610318625359

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.

Eastern Conference[4]
RDivGPWLTOTLGFGAPts
1Z- Tampa Bay LightningSE82462286245192106
2Y- Boston BruinsNE824119157209188104
3Y- Philadelphia FlyersAT824021156209188101
4X- Toronto Maple LeafsNE824524103242204103
5X- Ottawa SenatorsNE824323106262189102
6X- New Jersey DevilsAT824325122213164100
7X- Montreal CanadiensNE8241307420819293
8X- New York IslandersAT82382911423721091
8.5
9Buffalo SabresNE8237347422022185
10Atlanta ThrashersSE8233378421424378
11Carolina HurricanesSE82283414617220976
12Florida PanthersSE82283515418822175
13New York RangersAT8227407820625069
14Washington CapitalsSE82234610318625359
15Pittsburgh PenguinsAT8223478419030358

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast

Z – Clinched Conference; Y – Clinched Division; X – Clinched Playoff spot


Schedule and results

2003–04 regular season[5]
October: 2–7–1–0 (home: 2–2–0–0; road: 0–5–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1WOctober 9, 20036–1New York Islanders (2003–04)1–0–0–0Recap
2LOctober 11, 20033–4Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)1–1–0–0Recap
3TOctober 13, 20032–2 OT@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)1–1–1–0Recap
4LOctober 14, 20031–5@ Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)1–2–1–0Recap
5LOctober 17, 20032–4@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)1–3–1–0Recap
6LOctober 18, 20031–4@ St. Louis Blues (2003–04)1–4–1–0Recap
7LOctober 23, 20031–5@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04)1–5–1–0Recap
8LOctober 25, 20031–4@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)1–6–1–0Recap
9LOctober 29, 20032–4Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)1–7–1–0Recap
10WOctober 31, 20032–1Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)2–7–1–0Recap
November: 5–8–0–1 (home: 1–4–0–1; road: 4–4–0–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
11LNovember 1, 20031–2@ Minnesota Wild (2003–04)2–8–1–0Recap
12WNovember 4, 20035–1@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)3–8–1–0Recap
13LNovember 6, 20032–4@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)3–9–1–0Recap
14LNovember 8, 20032–3San Jose Sharks (2003–04)3–10–1–0Recap
15LNovember 10, 20032–3Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)3–11–1–0Recap
16WNovember 12, 20037–1Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)4–11–1–0Recap
17LNovember 14, 20032–5Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)4–12–1–0Recap
18WNovember 15, 20032–1@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)5–12–1–0Recap
19LNovember 20, 20032–3@ Boston Bruins (2003–04)5–13–1–0Recap
20OTLNovember 22, 20032–3 OTFlorida Panthers (2003–04)5–13–1–1Recap
21WNovember 24, 20034–1@ Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)6–13–1–1Recap
22LNovember 26, 20032–5@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)6–14–1–1Recap
23LNovember 28, 20033–5Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)6–15–1–1Recap
24WNovember 29, 20035–3@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)7–15–1–1Recap
December: 4–8–2–0 (home: 2–4–1–0; road: 2–4–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
25WDecember 2, 20034–1@ New York Islanders (2003–04)8–15–1–1Recap
26LDecember 4, 20030–3@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04)8–16–1–1Recap
27LDecember 6, 20033–7@ Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)8–17–1–1Recap
28LDecember 8, 20031–4@ Colorado Avalanche (2003–04)8–18–1–1Recap
29WDecember 11, 20036–5Boston Bruins (2003–04)9–18–1–1Recap
30LDecember 13, 20031–5Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)9–19–1–1Recap
31WDecember 16, 20035–0@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)10–19–1–1Recap
32TDecember 17, 20032–2 OT@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)10–19–2–1Recap
33TDecember 19, 20032–2 OTToronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)10–19–3–1Recap
34LDecember 21, 20034–5New York Islanders (2003–04)10–20–3–1Recap
35WDecember 23, 20033–2Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)11–20–3–1Recap
36LDecember 27, 20031–3Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)11–21–3–1Recap
37LDecember 29, 20031–3Boston Bruins (2003–04)11–22–3–1Recap
38LDecember 31, 20031–7@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)11–23–3–1Recap
January: 5–7–2–1 (home: 3–4–2–0; road: 2–3–0–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
39TJanuary 1, 20042–2 OTNew Jersey Devils (2003–04)11–23–4–1Recap
40LJanuary 3, 20042–5@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04)11–24–4–1Recap
41LJanuary 4, 20041–4@ Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)11–25–4–1Recap
42LJanuary 7, 20040–3Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)11–26–4–1Recap
43WJanuary 9, 20044–1Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)12–26–4–1Recap
44WJanuary 11, 20041–0Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)13–26–4–1Recap
45TJanuary 14, 20043–3 OTCalgary Flames (2003–04)13–26–5–1Recap
46OTLJanuary 17, 20041–2 OT@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04)13–26–5–2Recap
47WJanuary 18, 20044–3Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)14–26–5–2Recap
48LJanuary 21, 20042–3Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)14–27–5–2Recap
49LJanuary 23, 20041–4@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)14–28–5–2Recap
50LJanuary 25, 20041–4Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)14–29–5–2Recap
51WJanuary 28, 20042–1@ New York Rangers (2003–04)15–29–5–2Recap
52WJanuary 29, 20045–3@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)16–29–5–2Recap
53LJanuary 31, 20041–6Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)16–30–5–2Recap
February: 4–5–3–0 (home: 2–2–2–0; road: 2–3–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
54WFebruary 3, 20042–1Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)17–30–5–2Recap
55LFebruary 4, 20041–5@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)17–31–5–2Recap
56TFebruary 12, 20043–3 OT@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)17–31–6–2Recap
57LFebruary 13, 20042–5@ Nashville Predators (2003–04)17–32–6–2Recap
58WFebruary 15, 20044–0@ Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)18–32–6–2Recap
59TFebruary 17, 20041–1 OTOttawa Senators (2003–04)18–32–7–2Recap
60WFebruary 19, 20043–1New Jersey Devils (2003–04)19–32–7–2Recap
61TFebruary 21, 20042–2 OTFlorida Panthers (2003–04)19–32–8–2Recap
62LFebruary 23, 20043–6Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)19–33–8–2Recap
63LFebruary 25, 20041–2Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)19–34–8–2Recap
64WFebruary 27, 20044–1@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)20–34–8–2Recap
65LFebruary 28, 20042–4@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)20–35–8–2Recap
March: 3–10–1–0 (home: 3–4–1–0; road: 0–6–0–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
66LMarch 2, 20040–1Florida Panthers (2003–04)20–36–8–2Recap
67LMarch 5, 20042–3@ New York Rangers (2003–04)20–37–8–2Recap
68WMarch 6, 20042–1Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)21–37–8–2Recap
69LMarch 8, 20041–4Ottawa Senators (2003–04)21–38–8–2Recap
70LMarch 10, 20040–6Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)21–39–8–2Recap
71LMarch 12, 20043–4Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)21–40–8–2Recap
72LMarch 13, 20042–5@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)21–41–8–2Recap
73LMarch 16, 20041–4@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)21–42–8–2Recap
74WMarch 18, 20044–3 OTNew York Rangers (2003–04)22–42–8–2Recap
75TMarch 20, 20042–2 OTAtlanta Thrashers (2003–04)22–42–9–2Recap
76LMarch 23, 20040–3@ New York Islanders (2003–04)22–43–9–2Recap
77LMarch 24, 20042–3@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)22–44–9–2Recap
78LMarch 27, 20041–4@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)22–45–9–2Recap
79WMarch 30, 20044–2Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)23–45–9–2Recap
April: 0–1–1–1 (home: 0–0–0–1; road: 0–1–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
80TApril 1, 20043–3 OT@ Boston Bruins (2003–04)23–45–10–2Recap
81OTLApril 3, 20042–3 OTNew York Rangers (2003–04)23–45–10–3Recap
82LApril 4, 20043–4@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)23–46–10–3Recap
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 Capitals only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
Regular season
No.PlayerPosGPGAPts+/-PIM
20Robert LangC63294574224
55Sergei GoncharD5674249−2044
11Jeff HalpernC79192746−2156
68Jaromir JagrRW46162945−426
12Peter BondraRW54211435−1722
14Kip MillerC6692231−108
9Dainius ZubrusC54121527−1638
28Alexander SeminLW52101222−236
25Mike GrierRW6881220−1932
24Brian WillsieRW4910515−718
2Josef BoumedienneD3721214−1030
18Matt PettingerLW717512−937
29Joel KwiatkowskiD806612−2889
19Brendan WittD7221012−22123
23Trent WhitfieldC446511−214
3Jason DoigD652911−12105
22Anson Carter†‡RW19551026
13Bates BattagliaLW664610−2338
15Boyd GordonC41156−98
4Rick BerryD65066−5108
27Craig JohnsonLW15066−68
51Stephen PeatRW64505−1090
8Steve EmingerD41044−1145
38Todd RohloffD35033−518
16Brian SutherbyC30202−528
27Ivan CiernikRW711210
92Michael NylanderC302218
76Darcy VerotLW37022−6135
34Jean-Luc Grand-PierreD13101−214
17John GrudenD11101−16
63Owen FusseyRW4011−10
37Olaf KolzigG630116
22Steve KonowalchukLW6011−50
21Brooks LaichC4011−10
41Brad NortonD16011−417
33Maxime OuelletG60110
64Roman TvrdonC9011−32
49Dwayne ZingerD701129
69Mel AngelstadLW200002
35Sebastien CharpentierG70000
36Jakub CuttaD3000−10
36Colin ForbesC200000
58Jean-Francois FortinD200000
75Chris HajtD500002
39Graham MinkC2000−12
26Shaone MorrisonnD300000
65Andrej PodkonickyC2000−10
1Rastislav StanaG60000
56Garret StrosheinRW3000−114
31Matthew YeatsG50002
40Nolan YonkmanD100000

Goaltending

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
Regular season
No.PlayerGPWLTSAGAGAASV%SOTOI
37Olaf Kolzig631935919581802.89.90823738
33Maxime Ouellet6231210193.12.9101365
1Rastislav Stana6120100113.13.8900211
31Matthew Yeats5130141133.02.9080258
35Sebastien Charpentier7060168213.41.8750369

Awards and records

Awards

TypeAward/honorRecipientRef
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selectionRobert Lang[6]
NHL Defensive Player of the WeekOlaf Kolzig (February 23)[7]
NHL Offensive Player of the MonthRobert Lang (November)[8]
NHL Offensive Player of the WeekRobert Lang (November 17)[9]
Robert Lang (December 22)[7]
Jeff Halpern (April 5)[7]

Milestones

MilestonePlayerDateRef
500th game playedOlaf KolzigNovember 22, 2003[10]

Transactions

The Capitals 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 22, 2003To Montreal Canadiens
4th-round pick in 2003
7th-round pick in 2003
To Washington Capitals
Nashville’s 4th-round pick in 2003
[12]
June 22, 2003To Ottawa Senators
Future considerations[a]
To Washington Capitals
Washington’s 9th-round pick in 2003
[13]
June 30, 2003To Philadelphia Flyers
Conditional 7th-round pick in 2004[b]
To Washington Capitals
Rights to Dmitri Yushkevich
[14]
July 14, 2003To Nashville Predators
Mike Farrell
To Washington Capitals
Alexander Riazantsev
[15]
October 5, 2003To Ottawa Senators
Denis Hamel
To Washington Capitals
Future considerations[a]
[16]
October 22, 2003To Colorado Avalanche
Steve Konowalchuk
3rd-round pick in 2004
To Washington Capitals
Bates Battaglia
Rights to Jonas Johansson
[17]
January 23, 2004To New York Rangers
Jaromir Jagr
To Washington Capitals
Anson Carter
[18]
February 18, 2004To Ottawa Senators
Peter Bondra
To Washington Capitals
Brooks Laich
2nd-round pick in 2005
[19]
February 27, 2004To Detroit Red Wings
Robert Lang
To Washington Capitals
Tomas Fleischmann
1st-round pick in 2004
4th-round pick in 2006
[20]
March 3, 2004To Boston Bruins
Sergei Gonchar
To Washington Capitals
Shaone Morrisonn
1st-round pick in 2004
2nd-round pick in 2004
[21]
March 4, 2004To Boston Bruins
Michael Nylander
To Washington Capitals
2nd-round pick in 2006
Future considerations[c]
[22]
March 8, 2004To Los Angeles Kings
Anson Carter
To Washington Capitals
Jared Aulin
[23]
March 9, 2004To Buffalo Sabres
Mike Grier
To Washington Capitals
Rights to Jakub Klepis
[24]

Players acquired

DatePlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
July 14, 2003 (2003-07-14)Andrej PodkonickyIserlohn Roosters (DEL)1-yearFree agency[25]
Garret StrosheinPortland Pirates (AHL)2-yearFree agency[25]
July 18, 2003 (2003-07-18)John GrudenEisbaren Berlin (DEL)1-yearFree agency[26]
August 18, 2003 (2003-08-18)Francois MethotBuffalo Sabres1-yearFree agency[27]
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05)Darcy VerotCalgary Flames1-yearFree agency[28]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03)Denis HamelOttawa SenatorsWaiver draft[29]
Brian WillsieColorado AvalancheWaiver draft[29]
November 4, 2003 (2003-11-04)Colin ForbesPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency[30]
January 9, 2004 (2004-01-09)Todd RohloffColumbus Blue JacketsWaivers[31]
March 4, 2004 (2004-03-04)Brad NortonLos Angeles KingsWaivers[32]
March 5, 2004 (2004-03-05)Craig JohnsonToronto Maple LeafsWaivers[33]
March 9, 2004 (2004-03-09)Jean-Luc Grand-PierreAtlanta ThrashersWaivers[34]
Bill LindsayAtlanta ThrashersWaivers[d][37]
March 19, 2004 (2004-03-19)Matthew YeatsPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency[38]
April 3, 2004 (2004-04-03)Mel AngelstadPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency[39]
April 26, 2004 (2004-04-26)Justin EddyQuinnipiac University (AHA)Free agency[40]

Players lost

DatePlayerNew teamVia[e]Ref
July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01)Krys Barch[f]Contract expiration (UFA)[41]
Nathan Forster[g]Contract expiration (UFA)[41]
July 17, 2003 (2003-07-17)Chris FerraroPhoenix CoyotesFree agency (VI)[44]
Peter FerraroPhoenix CoyotesFree agency (UFA)[44]
Josh GreenCalgary FlamesFree agency (UFA)[44]
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24)Mark MurphyPhiladelphia FlyersFree agency (VI)[45]
August 7, 2003 (2003-08-07)Calle JohanssonRetirement (III)[h][47]
Andreas SalomonssonModo Hockey (SHL)Free agency (II)[i][49]
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05)Todd RohloffColumbus Blue JacketsFree agency (VI)[50]
September 27, 2003 (2003-09-27)Ken KleeToronto Maple LeafsFree agency (III)[51]
N/ARyan VanBuskirkLowell Lock Monsters (AHL)Free agency (UFA)[52]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03)Glen MetropolitOttawa SenatorsWaiver draft[29]
October 9, 2003 (2003-10-09)Alex HenryMinnesota WildWaivers[53]
October 14, 2003 (2003-10-14)Colin ForbesPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency (UFA)[54]
November 11, 2003 (2003-11-11)Dmitri YushkevichLokomotiv Yaroslavl (RSL)Free agency (III)[55]
December 11, 2003 (2003-12-11)Sergei BerezinHC CSKA Moscow (RSL)Free agency (III)[56]
May 2, 2004 (2004-05-02)Andrej PodkonickyHC Liberec (ELH)Free agency[57]
May 26, 2004 (2004-05-26)Rastislav StanaSodertalje SK (SHL)Free agency[j][59]

Signings

DatePlayerTermContract typeRef
June 26, 2003 (2003-06-26)Peter Bondra1-yearOption exercised[60]
Jeff Halpern1-yearOption exercised[61]
July 3, 2003 (2003-07-03)Boyd Gordon3-yearEntry-level[62]
Petr Sykora1-year[k]Re-signing[63]
July 15, 2003 (2003-07-15)Jean-Francois Fortin1-yearRe-signing[64]
Chris Hajt1-yearRe-signing[64]
July 16, 2003 (2003-07-16)Alexander Semin3-yearEntry-level[65]
July 17, 2003 (2003-07-17)Jason Doig1-yearRe-signing[66]
July 21, 2003 (2003-07-21)Trent Whitfield1-yearRe-signing[67]
July 22, 2003 (2003-07-22)Stephen Peat1-yearRe-signing[68]
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24)Mike Grier1-yearRe-signing[69]
July 25, 2003 (2003-07-25)Rick Berry1-yearRe-signing[70]
July 28, 2003 (2003-07-28)Matt Pettinger1-yearRe-signing[71]
July 31, 2003 (2003-07-31)Alex Henry1-yearRe-signing[72]
August 10, 2003 (2003-08-10)Michael Nylander1-yearRe-signing[73]
August 19, 2003 (2003-08-19)Rastislav Stana1-yearRe-signing[74]
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05)Ivan Ciernik1-yearRe-signing[28]
September 11, 2003 (2003-09-11)Joel Kwiatkowski1-yearRe-signing[75]
May 27, 2004 (2004-05-27)Maxime Daigneault3-yearEntry-level[76]
June 1, 2004 (2004-06-01)Tomas Fleischmann3-yearEntry-level[77]
Jonas Johansson3-yearEntry-level[77]

Draft picks

Washington's draft picks at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.[78]

Round#PlayerNationalityCollege/Junior/Club team (League)
118Eric Fehr  CanadaBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
383Stephen Werner  United StatesUniversity of Massachusetts (NCAA)
4109Andreas Valdix  SwedenMalmo Redhawks (Sweden)
5155Josh Robertson  United StatesProctor High School (USHS-MN)
8249Andrew Joudrey  CanadaNotre Dame Hounds (SJHL)
9279Mark Olafson  CanadaKelowna Rockets (WHL)

Farm teams

The Capitals main American Hockey League affiliate was the Portland Pirates. Though they had no direct ECHL affiliate, players were sent from time to time between the Dayton Bombers and Reading Royals.

See also

Notes

References

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