2002–03 NHL season

National Hockey League season

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.

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

Regular season

Final standings

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

Atlantic DivisionWLTOTLGFGAPTS
New Jersey Devils(2)4620106216166108
Philadelphia Flyers(4)4520134211166107
New York Islanders (8)353411222423183
New York Rangers323610421023178
Pittsburgh Penguins27446518925565
Northeast DivisionWLTOTLGFGAPTS
Ottawa Senators(1)522181263182113
Toronto Maple Leafs(5)44287323620898
Boston Bruins(7)363111424523787
Montreal Canadiens30358920623477
Buffalo Sabres273710819021972
Southeast DivisionWLTOTLGFGAPTS
Tampa Bay Lightning(3)362516521921093
Washington Capitals(6)39298622422092
Atlanta Thrashers31397522628474
Florida Panthers243613917623770
Carolina Hurricanes224311617124061
Central DivisionWLTOTLGFGAPTS
Detroit Red Wings(2)4820104269203110
St. Louis Blues(5)412411625322299
Chicago Blackhawks303313620722679
Nashville Predators273513718320674
Columbus Blue Jackets29428321326369
Northwest DivisionWLTOTLGFGAPTS
Colorado Avalanche(3)4219138251194105
Vancouver Canucks(4)4523131264208104
Minnesota Wild (6)422910119817895
Edmonton Oilers(8)362611923123092
Calgary Flames293613418622875
Pacific DivisionWLTOTLGFGAPTS
Dallas Stars(1)4617154245169111
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim(7)40279620319395
Los Angeles Kings33376620322178
Phoenix Coyotes313511520423078
San Jose Sharks28379821423973

Scoring leaders

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

PlayerTeamGPGAPts
Peter ForsbergColorado752977106
Markus NaslundVancouver824856104
Joe ThorntonBoston773665101
Milan HejdukColorado82504898
Todd BertuzziVancouver82465197
Pavol DemitraSt. Louis78365793
Glen MurrayBoston82444892
Mario LemieuxPittsburgh67286391
Dany HeatleyAtlanta77414889
Zigmund PalffyLos Angeles76374885

Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Stanley Cup

Note: All dates in 2003.

Playoff bracket

 Conference QuarterfinalsConference SemifinalsConference FinalsStanley Cup Finals
                   
1Ottawa4 
8NY Islanders1 
 1Ottawa4 
 
 4Philadelphia2 
4Philadelphia4
5Toronto3 
 1Ottawa3 
Eastern Conference
 2New Jersey4 
2New Jersey4 
7Boston1 
 2New Jersey4
 
 3Tampa Bay1 
3Tampa Bay4
6Washington2 
 E2New Jersey4
 W7Anaheim3
4Vancouver4 
5St. Louis3 
 4Vancouver3
 
 6Minnesota4 
3Colorado3
6Minnesota4 
 6Minnesota0
Western Conference
 7Anaheim4 
1Dallas4 
8Edmonton2 
 1Dallas2
 
 7Anaheim4 
2Detroit0
7Anaheim4 


Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Ottawa vs. NY Islanders
DateAwayHome
April 9NY Islanders 30 Ottawa
April 12NY Islanders 03 Ottawa
April 14Ottawa 32 NY Islanders2OT
April 16Ottawa 3NY Islanders 1
April 17NY Islanders 13 Ottawa
Ottawa wins series 4–1
New Jersey vs. Boston
DateAwayHome
April 9Boston 12 New Jersey
April 11Boston 24 New Jersey
April 13New Jersey 30 Boston
April 15New Jersey 15 Boston
April 17Boston 03 New Jersey
New Jersey wins series 4–1
Tampa Bay vs. Washington
DateAwayHome
April 10Washington 30 Tampa Bay
April 12Washington 63 Tampa Bay
April 15Tampa Bay 43 WashingtonOT
April 16Tampa Bay 31 Washington
April 18Washington 12 Tampa Bay
April 20Tampa Bay 21 Washington3OT
Tampa Bay wins series 4–2
Philadelphia vs. Toronto
DateAwayHome
April 9Toronto 53 Philadelphia
April 11Toronto 14 Philadelphia
April 14Philadelphia 34 Toronto2OT
April 16Philadelphia 32 Toronto3OT1
April 19Toronto 14 Philadelphia
April 21Philadelphia 12 Toronto2OT
April 22Toronto 16 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
DateAwayHome
April 9Edmonton 21 Dallas
April 12Edmonton 16 Dallas
April 13Dallas 23 Edmonton
April 15Dallas 31 Edmonton
April 17Edmonton 25 Dallas
April 19Dallas 32 Edmonton
Dallas wins series 4–2
Detroit vs. Anaheim
DateAwayHome
April 10Anaheim 21 Detroit3OT
April 12Anaheim 32 Detroit
April 14Detroit 12 Anaheim
April 16Detroit 23 AnaheimOT
Anaheim wins series 4–0
Colorado vs. Minnesota
DateAwayHome
April 10Minnesota 42 Colorado
April 12Minnesota 23 Colorado
April 14Colorado 30 Minnesota
April 16Colorado 31 Minnesota
April 19Minnesota 32 Colorado
April 21Colorado 23 MinnesotaOT
April 22Minnesota 32 ColoradoOT
Minnesota wins series 4–3
Vancouver vs. St. Louis
DateAwayHome
April 10St. Louis 60 Vancouver
April 12St. Louis 12 Vancouver
April 14Vancouver 13 St. Louis
April 16Vancouver 14 St. Louis
April 18St. Louis 35 Vancouver
April 20Vancouver 43 St. Louis
April 22St. Louis 14 Vancouver
Vancouver wins series 4–3

Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference Semifinals

Ottawa vs. Philadelphia
DateAwayHome
April 25Philadelphia 24 Ottawa
April 27Philadelphia 20 Ottawa
April 29Ottawa 32 PhiladelphiaOT
May 1Ottawa 01 Philadelphia
May 3Philadelphia 25 Ottawa
May 5Ottawa 51 Philadelphia
Ottawa wins series 4–2
New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay
DateAwayHome
April 24Tampa Bay 03 New Jersey
April 26Tampa Bay 23 New JerseyOT
April 28New Jersey 34 Tampa Bay
April 30New Jersey 31 Tampa Bay
May 2Tampa Bay 12 New Jersey3OT
New Jersey wins series 4–1

Western Conference Semifinals

Dallas vs. Anaheim
DateAwayHome
April 24Anaheim 43 Dallas5OT2
April 26Anaheim 32 DallasOT
April 28Dallas 21 Anaheim
April 30Dallas 01 Anaheim
May 3Anaheim 14 Dallas
May 5Dallas 34 Anaheim
Anaheim wins series 4–2
Vancouver vs. Minnesota
DateAwayHome
April 25Minnesota 34 VancouverOT
April 27Minnesota 32 Vancouver
April 29Vancouver 32 Minnesota
May 2Vancouver 32 MinnesotaOT
May 5Minnesota 72 Vancouver
May 7Vancouver 15 Minnesota
May 8Minnesota 42 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
DateAwayHome
May 10New Jersey 23 OttawaOT
May 13New Jersey 41 Ottawa
May 15Ottawa 01 New Jersey
May 17Ottawa 25 New Jersey
May 19New Jersey 13 Ottawa
May 21Ottawa 21 New JerseyOT
May 23New Jersey 32 Ottawa
New Jersey wins series 4–3
and Prince of Wales Trophy
Western Conference
Anaheim vs. Minnesota
DateAwayHome
May 10Anaheim 10 Minnesota2OT
May 12Anaheim 20 Minnesota
May 14Minnesota 04 Anaheim
May 16Minnesota 12 Anaheim
Anaheim wins series 4–0 and
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

Finals

Anaheim vs. New Jersey
DateAwayHome
May 27Anaheim 03 New Jersey
May 29Anaheim 03 New Jersey
May 31New Jersey 23 AnaheimOT
June 2New Jersey 01 AnaheimOT
June 5Anaheim 36 New Jersey
June 7New Jersey 25 Anaheim
June 9Anaheim 03 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

PlayerTeamGPGAPts
Jamie LangenbrunnerNew Jersey Devils2411718
Scott NiedermayerNew Jersey Devils2421618
Marian GaborikMinnesota Wild189817
John MaddenNew Jersey Devils2461016
Marian HossaOttawa Senators1851116
Mike ModanoDallas Stars1251015
Jeff FriesenNew Jersey Devils2410414
Markus NaslundVancouver Canucks145914
Sergei ZubovDallas Stars1241014
Andrew BrunetteMinnesota Wild187613
Wes WalzMinnesota Wild187613

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 DevilsGMarty Turco, Dallas Stars
Al MacInnis, St. Louis BluesDSergei Gonchar, Washington Capitals
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red WingsDDerian Hatcher, Dallas Stars
Peter Forsberg, Colorado AvalancheCJoe Thornton, Boston Bruins
Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver CanucksRWMilan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche
Markus Naslund, Vancouver CanucksLWPaul 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