2002–03 NHL season

The NHL 2002/2003 season was the 86th season in the National Hockey League. 30 teams each played 82 games. The Stanley Cup won by the New Jersey Devils for a 4-3 victory in the final series against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

  • 2.3.1 Eastern Conference
  • 2.3.2 Western Conference
  • 2.4.1 Eastern Conference
  • 2.4.2 Western Conference
  • 3.1 NHL All-Star teams 3.1.1 NHL First All -Star Team
  • 3.1.2 NHL Second All-Star Team
  • 3.1.3 NHL All- Rookie Team

Regular Season

As usual, there were also some surprises in this season. The San Jose Sharks, who had been widely expected front came early in serious trouble and exchanged a large part of the team from. The Minnesota Wild, however, reached after a good start to the season in the third year of its existence the playoffs for the first time what their coach Jacques Lemaire the Jack Adams Award earned.

One of the top teams in previous years as the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, the Colorado Avalanche and the New Jersey Devils were joined by the young Canadian team the Ottawa Senators and the Vancouver Canucks. The Dallas Stars, who had missed the playoffs in the previous season, celebrated an impressive comeback, not least thanks to the excellence of their goalie, Marty Turco.

The biggest surprise was probably the Tampa Bay Lightning, the way in the back expected to played along the tracks in the Southeast Division, and after seven years the first time came back in the playoffs. The biggest disappointments in addition to the Sharks were the New York Rangers, who missed the playoffs despite the highest salary budgets, as well as League taillight Carolina Hurricanes after they had previously not surprisingly reached the Stanley Cup finals a year.

Halfway through the season, the Canucks led the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference Ottawa. Vancouver fell back but then lost the title in the Northwest Division of Colorado and the Conference title to Dallas. Ottawa was able to maintain his position and scored by winning the title in the Eastern Conference and the Presidents' Trophy, the best result in the history of the club.

The season was also marked by financial problems of some clubs. Despite its sporting success, the Ottawa Senators had almost the entire year 2003, are made under bankruptcy protection ( bankruptcy protection) and could even not pay player salaries. The owner Rod Bryden failed with various innovative financing concepts, so the team was finally sold to the billionaire Eugene Melnyk. The Buffalo Sabres were also placed under bankruptcy protection before they were rescued by the New York businessman Tom Golisano. In addition, the financial problems of the Pittsburgh Penguins continued, so the team had to give up more expensive players.

Again, was released early, ranging from Bob Hartley in Colorado, about Darryl Sutter in San Jose, Bryan Trottier at Rangers, a number of coaches.

Worrying was the further decline of goals scored or the increasingly defensive play. At the beginning of the season, the referee tried therefore to penalize disability and hooks consistent, however, these measures silted during the season rapidly. The teams in the American South, who were in the league for only a short time came, due to declining viewership into financial problems and the majority of clubs finished the season with a loss. An economic bright spot was the rise of the Canadian dollar, which improved the competitiveness of the six Canadian teams compared to previous years.

Abbreviations: W = Wins (2 points ), L = Losses ( 0 ), D = Draw (1 point), OTL = Overtime loss (1 point), GF = Goals Scored, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points

Statements Tables

Note: GP = Games, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = tie after overtime, OTL = Overtime after defeat, GF = Goals Scored, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points Notes: In parentheses is the placement within the Conference; = Playoff Qualification = Division Winner, = Conference winner, = Presidents' Trophy winners

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Best Scorer

His 77 templates laid the foundation for Peter Forsberg as the scorer. Impressive was the fact that he led the plus / minus, together with Milan Hejduk. Both had 52. Hejduk was with 50 gates leading scorer this season. 20.5% of the shots by Milan Hejduk found their way into the goal. Exceptionally, the leading scorer also had the best odds. Todd Bertuzzi led the standings for the majority gates with 25. Best outnumbered was Shawn Bates with 6 hits. With 331 shots Glen Murray gave the most. With 249 penalty minutes Jody Shelley was penalty king. 52 templates and 68 points were best performances, which held Al MacInnis for defenders. Last year's top scorer among the defenders Sergei Gonchar and Nicklas Lidstrom were the top scorers with 18 goals. Note: GP = Games, B = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, / - = Plus / Minus, PIM = penalty minutes; Fat: Saisonbestwert

Best Goalkeeper

Note: GP = Games, TOI = Ice Age ( in minutes), W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GA = Goals against, SO = shutouts, Sv % = held shots (in%), GAA = Gegentorschnitt; Fat: Saisonbestwert

Best Rookie Scorer

22 goals and 44 points were the best values ​​Henrik Zetterberg aufstellte at the rookies. Niko Kapanen put 29 hits, and was the best assist provider and also in the plus / minus rating no one came up to his 25. The rookie of the year, Barret Jackman led the list of penalty minutes in to the newcomers with 190.

Note: GP = Games, B = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, / - = Plus / Minus, PIM = Penalty minutes

Stanley Cup Playoffs

All games were held in 2003

The playoffs were marked by major surprises in the Western Conference and of fierce duels in the Eastern Conference.

In the first round pairing Toronto Maple Leafs against the Philadelphia Flyers drew the most attention. Both teams cultivated a physical style of play, had highly paid stars in their ranks and in the short term even spectacular gains obliged. The series did what they promised and the Flyers defeated the Leafs in seven games. The Senators defeated the New York Islanders, who had delivered before the playoffs their No. 1 goalkeeper. Tampa Bay defeated the Washington Capitals, even though they had lost the first two games of the series, and the New Jersey Devils had little trouble with the Boston Bruins, whose superstar Joe Thornton did not come to bear.

In the West, the defending champion Detroit Red Wings was in the first round was " swept " by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim with Jean- Sebastien Giguere in goal 4-0. The Minnesota Wild came to a 1:3 residue and defeated the Colorado Avalanche in seven games, the same feat achieved the Vancouver Canucks against the St. Louis Blues. The Dallas Stars sitting over against the arch- rival Edmonton Oilers in the seventh edition of this playoff pairing through.

The second round in the West brought more surprises. The Minnesota Wild collected as in the first round on a 1:3 residue and eliminated the Vancouver Canucks. The Mighty Ducks to the outstanding goalkeeper Giguère the Dallas Stars defeated in six games. In the Western Conference Finals therefore clashed the two gray mice Minnesota and Anaheim, a duel in which Anaheim with a turn superior Giguère clearly triumphed against the only combative convincing Wild 4-0.

In the east the other playoffs were less spectacular. The young team of the Tampa Bay Lightning had against the experienced crew of the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators little chance off for the second time in a row the tired acting Flyers from. In the Conference Finals so met two very different cultures meet game: on the one hand, the attack-minded Senators, on the other hand, the Defensive Hockey Devils. The Devils went 3-1 victories in the lead, the Senators with the dynamic rookie Jason Spezza matched by victories in game five and six out in the seventh and deciding game New Jersey but his line was back and won with a strong Martin Brodeur as support in goal.

The Stanley Cup final was the duel between the two Super Goalie Brodeur (New Jersey Devils ) and Giguere ( Mighty Ducks of Anaheim ), but ultimately kept the Devils in seven games the upper hand and won their third title in eight years.

Playoff Tree

Conference Quarter Finals ( Round 1 )

Eastern Conference

In the first game Garth Snow could not be beaten in goal for the Islanders, which imitated him Patrick Lalime for the Senator in the second game. The first game in Ottawa could make open the Islanders again. Only in the second overtime to secure the victory for Todd White favorites. Two more victories brought the Senators expected in the next round.

At five of the six goals in the first two games Jamie Langenbrunner was involved, three of which he scored himself The first game in Boston then had Martin Brodeur to a clean sheet. It was only the fourth game could decide the Bruins for themselves. Also in the last game of the series, Brodeur and Langenbrunner were the match-winner.

Thanks to Robert Lang, who scored two goals and one not to be overcome Olaf Kolzig the Capitals a successful start to the series and in the second game, the Capitals were thanks to Jaromir Jagr and Peter Bondra, who met twice each successfully. But on home ice and the Capitals managed to not win. After Vincent Lecavalier with his second goal after 2:29 in overtime decided the third game, Martin St. Louis helped with his two hits to compensate for the series. The Lightning managed in the fifth game the only home win of the series. St. Louis here scored a goal in the final section. After the sixth game in the third overtime was, it was again St. Louis, with his fifth goal Tampa Bay brought into the next round after 104:03.

With three goals from Alexander Mogilny in the first game, the Maple Leafs started into the series. The games three and four in Toronto were hard -fought. Tomáš Kaberle decided after 7:20 of the second overtime game three, while the Flyers were able to compensate by 113:54 in the third OT series by Mark Recchi. The third game at the Air Canada Centre went into a long injury time. Travis Green rescued after 90:51 the Maple Leafs in Game Seven. There the Flyers, however, were clear. Here Recchi scored his fifth and sixth playoff goal.

Western Conference

With a win in the first game, the Oilers surprised the favorites from Dallas, but the Stars were able to shoot the series. The decisive sixth game decided Mike Modano with his fourth goal of the series.

There were 103:18 played in the first game when Paul Kariya with his goal in overtime the surprise made ​​perfect. With two late goals for the Mighty Ducks also won the second game in Detroit. The favored Red Wings were able to win any of the games in Anaheim. The fourth game went into overtime, but Steve Rucchin secured after 6:53 the next round for the underdog.

After Minnesota surprised the favorites from Colorado in the first game, the Avalanche dominated the two games in Minnesota. A Towering Patrick Roy in the third game and a shiny DOMICILED Joe Sakic in game four of the balance of power moved back into place. But three times in a row, the Wild were able to prevail 3-2. In the deciding match, it was Andrew Brunette in overtime ensured the surprise after 3:25.

In goal, the Blues Chris Osgood decided the first game. When Martin Ručínský had also decided the second home game for St. Louis with two goals in the last third, the decision seemed to have fallen. Also a strong Doug Weight, who scored five goals in the series, the comeback of the Canucks could not prevent. Markus Naslund was the best attacker with four goals for Vancouver.

Conference Semifinals ( Round 2)

Eastern Conference

With a shutout in the second game Roman Cechmanek brought the Flyers in a good position, but Wade Reddens gateway to 6:43 in overtime put the Senators back to winning ways. Cechmanek kept his goal clean although a second time, but when the series returned for the sixth game to Philadelphia, the decision in favor of Ottawa had already fallen to the middle of the game.

Only 15 shots had Martin Brodeur hold in the first game to keep a clean sheet. In game two Jamie Langenbrunner secured the win after 2:09 of extra time. After Tampa Bay won just one of their two home games, the series seemed decided, but in the fifth game, the team braced against the resignation of Florida. After two goals in the first third, it took until 111:12, as Grant Marshall secured the next round of the Devils.

Western Conference

Shortly before the end of normal time Brendan Morrow was able to offset the first game. In four sections no overtime goal came before Petr Sykora after 140:48 ended the fourth longest game of NHL history. Even their second away game won the Mighty Ducks in overtime. Mike Leclerc needed this time only 1:44. The first game in Anaheim Jere Lehtinen was able to secure a two-goal first win for the Stars. As Leclerc with a goal ensured their third win in the fourth game for Anaheim less than 2 minutes before the end, the series seemed decided. After Jean -Sébastien Giguère had remained in the fourth game without conceding a goal, he had to dig in Game 5 four times behind. Two goals came from Niko Kapanen. As Sandis Ozoliòš well brought in the lead in the sixth game a minute before the end of the Mighty Ducks, the decision was made.

Two goals from Wes Walz presented the game in the first game did not, Trent Klatt used after 3:42 in overtime over a number to score the winner for the Canucks. In the second game Minnesota could then win. In two games in Minnesota Vancouver was successful. In the third game Marián Gáborík had given the home side the lead, but in stoppage time it was Vancouver's Brent Sopel, the Canucks almost like the sure winner of the series could look like after 15:42. Back in Vancouver dominated the guest from Minnesota and won clearly. The sixth game brought the first home win for the Wild. In the deciding game, the Canucks already led 2-0, but thanks to two goals from Pascal Dupuis Minnesota managed a place in the next round.

Conference Finals ( Round 3 )

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Stanley Cup Finals

Stanley Cup winner

The Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils traditionally had a total of 54 people, including 24 players and some officials, including the coaching staff and management, engraved on the base of the trophy. Among these, the assistant coach Bobby Carpenter and John MacLean were who had already won in 1995 as a player with the Devils to the Stanley Cup. Even her then- coach Larry Robinson, who already was as a player six times cup winner, belonged to the coaching staff. Among the scouts was with Marcel Pronovost another, whose name was engraved for the eighth time as with Robinson on the Cup. After five hits as a player, this was the third as a scout. Even Vladimir Bure, the father of Pavel managed as a fitness consultant, what was his son did not succeed as a player. For the players this is that they should have either 41 appearances for the team in the regular season contest or a game in the final series. But there are also always exceptions. No exception was made for Christian Berglund, who had contested only 38 games for the Devils.

The 27 players of New Jersey consist of two goalkeepers, defenders and 15 attackers ten together, including six Europeans. After 1989 with the Calgary Flames and 1999 with the Dallas Stars Joe Nieuwendyk scored his third Stanley Cup with the third team. Jiří Bicek was the first Slovak who could win the Cup.

Goalkeeper Martin Brodeur, Corey Schwab

Defender: Tommy Albelin, Ken Daneyko, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski, Richard Šmehlík, Scott Stevens ( C), Oleg Twerdowski, Colin White

Attacker: Jiří Bicek, Sergei Brylin, Patrik Eliáš, Jeff Friesen, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Jamie Langenbrunner, John Madden, Grant Marshall, Jim McKenzie, Joe Nieuwendyk, Jay Pandolfo, Pascal Rheaume, Michael Rupp, Turner Stevenson

Head Coach: Pat Burns General Manager Lou Lamoriello

Best scorer in the playoffs

Note: GP = Games, B = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, / - = Plus / Minus, PIM = penalty minutes; Fat: Saisonbestwert

NHL awards and trophies awarded

  • Main article: NHL Awards 2003

NHL All-Star teams

NHL First All -Star Team

Note: GP = Games, B = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, W = Wins, SO = shutouts, GAA = Gegentorschnitt

NHL Second All-Star Team

Note: GP = Games, B = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, W = Wins, SO = shutouts, GAA = Gegentorschnitt

NHL All- Rookie Team

Note: GP = Games, B = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, W = Wins, SO = shutouts, GAA = Gegentorschnitt

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