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2003–04 NHL season facts for kids

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2003–04 NHL season
League National Hockey League
Sport Ice hockey
Duration October 8, 2003 – June 7, 2004
Regular season
Presidents' Trophy Detroit Red Wings
Season MVP Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Top scorer Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Playoffs
Eastern champions Tampa Bay Lightning
  Eastern runners-up Philadelphia Flyers
Western champions Calgary Flames
  Western runners-up San Jose Sharks
Playoffs MVP Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning
Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning
  Runners-up Calgary Flames
NHL seasons

← 2002–03

2004–05 →

The 2003–04 NHL season was the 87th regular season for the National Hockey League (NHL). During this season, all thirty teams played 82 games. The game schedule was changed to have more games within each division and conference. This meant fewer games against teams from the other conference.

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup this season. They beat the Calgary Flames 4–3 in a best-of-seven series. This was the first time since the 1969–70 season that teams wore their dark jerseys when playing at home. Also, a new record was set for the most "shutouts" in a season, with 192 games where one team scored no goals. A shutout means a goalie stops every shot and doesn't let the other team score.

This season was also special because it was the last time ABC and ESPN showed NHL games on TV. It was also the last NHL season before a big lockout (when players and owners couldn't agree, so games stopped). Plus, it was the last season where games could end in a tie. After this, all tied games went to overtime and then a shootout.

Regular Season Highlights

The regular season is where teams play against each other to earn points and try to make it to the playoffs.

Team Standings

The Detroit Red Wings won the Presidents' Trophy this season. This award goes to the team with the most points in the regular season. It also means they get to play more home games in the playoffs.

Teams are ranked in their conference. The top three teams are usually division leaders. These three, plus the next five teams with the most points, get to play in the playoffs.

Eastern Conference Teams

Here's how the teams in the Eastern Conference finished:

Atlantic Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA PTS
1 3 Philadelphia Flyers 82 40 21 15 6 229 186 101
2 6 New Jersey Devils 82 43 25 12 2 213 164 100
3 8 New York Islanders 82 38 29 11 4 237 210 91
4 13 New York Rangers 82 27 40 7 8 206 250 69
5 15 Pittsburgh Penguins 82 23 47 8 4 190 303 58

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.

Northeast Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 2 Boston Bruins 82 41 19 15 7 209 188 104
2 4 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 45 24 10 3 242 204 103
3 5 Ottawa Senators 82 43 23 10 6 262 189 102
4 7 Montreal Canadiens 82 41 30 7 4 208 192 93
5 9 Buffalo Sabres 82 37 34 7 4 220 221 85

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.

Southeast Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA PTS
1 1 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 46 22 8 6 245 192 106
2 10 Atlanta Thrashers 82 33 37 8 4 214 243 78
3 11 Carolina Hurricanes 82 28 34 14 6 172 209 76
4 12 Florida Panthers 82 28 35 15 4 188 221 75
5 14 Washington Capitals 82 23 46 10 3 186 253 59

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
R Div GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 Z- Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 46 22 8 6 245 192 106
2 Y- Boston Bruins NE 82 41 19 15 7 209 188 104
3 Y- Philadelphia Flyers AT 82 40 21 15 6 209 188 101
4 X- Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 45 24 10 3 242 204 103
5 X- Ottawa Senators NE 82 43 23 10 6 262 189 102
6 X- New Jersey Devils AT 82 43 25 12 2 213 164 100
7 X- Montreal Canadiens NE 82 41 30 7 4 208 192 93
8 X- New York Islanders AT 82 38 29 11 4 237 210 91
8.5
9 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 37 34 7 4 220 221 85
10 Atlanta Thrashers SE 82 33 37 8 4 214 243 78
11 Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 28 34 14 6 172 209 76
12 Florida Panthers SE 82 28 35 15 4 188 221 75
13 New York Rangers AT 82 27 40 7 8 206 250 69
14 Washington Capitals SE 82 23 46 10 3 186 253 59
15 Pittsburgh Penguins AT 82 23 47 8 4 190 303 58

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

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


Western Conference Teams

Here's how the teams in the Western Conference finished:

Central Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 1 Detroit Red Wings 82 48 21 11 2 255 189 109
2 7 St. Louis Blues 82 39 30 11 2 191 198 91
3 8 Nashville Predators 82 38 29 11 4 216 217 91
4 14 Columbus Blue Jackets 82 25 45 8 4 177 238 62
5 15 Chicago Blackhawks 82 20 43 11 8 188 259 59

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.

Northwest Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA PTS
1 3 Vancouver Canucks 82 43 24 10 5 235 194 101
2 4 Colorado Avalanche 82 40 22 13 7 235 198 100
3 6 Calgary Flames 82 42 30 7 3 200 176 94
4 9 Edmonton Oilers 82 36 29 12 5 221 208 89
5 10 Minnesota Wild 82 30 29 20 3 188 183 83

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.

Pacific Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 2 San Jose Sharks 82 43 21 12 6 219 183 104
2 5 Dallas Stars 82 41 26 13 2 194 175 97
3 11 Los Angeles Kings 82 28 29 16 9 205 217 81
4 12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 82 29 35 10 8 184 213 76
5 13 Phoenix Coyotes 82 22 36 18 6 188 245 68

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
R Div GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 P- Detroit Red Wings CE 82 48 21 11 2 255 189 109
2 Y- San Jose Sharks PA 82 43 21 12 6 255 183 104
3 Y- Vancouver Canucks NW 82 43 24 10 5 235 194 101
4 X- Colorado Avalanche NW 82 40 22 13 7 236 198 100
5 X- Dallas Stars PA 82 41 26 13 2 194 175 97
6 X- Calgary Flames NW 82 42 30 7 3 200 176 94
7 X- St. Louis Blues CE 82 39 30 11 2 191 198 91
8 X- Nashville Predators CE 82 38 29 11 4 216 217 91
8.5
9 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 36 29 12 5 221 208 89
10 Minnesota Wild NW 82 30 29 20 3 188 183 83
11 Los Angeles Kings PA 82 28 29 16 9 205 217 81
12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PA 82 29 35 10 8 184 213 76
13 Phoenix Coyotes PA 82 22 36 18 6 188 245 68
14 Columbus Blue Jackets CE 82 25 45 8 4 177 238 62
15 Chicago Blackhawks CE 82 20 43 11 8 188 259 59

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

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


Top Scorers

These players scored the most points during the regular season. Points are given for goals (G) and assists (A). Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts
Martin St. Louis Tampa Bay 82 38 56 94
Ilya Kovalchuk Atlanta 81 41 46 87
Joe Sakic Colorado 81 33 54 87
Markus Naslund Vancouver 78 35 49 84
Marian Hossa Ottawa 81 36 46 82
Patrik Elias New Jersey 82 38 43 81
Daniel Alfredsson Ottawa 77 32 48 80
Cory Stillman Tampa Bay 81 25 55 80
Robert Lang Washington / Detroit 69 30 49 79
Brad Richards Tampa Bay 82 26 53 79

Best Goalies

These goalies had the best "Goals Against Average" (GAA), meaning they let in the fewest goals per game. Note: GP = Games Played; Mins = Minutes Played; W = Wins; L = Losses: T = Ties; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average

Player Team GP Mins W L T GA SO SV GAA
Martin Brodeur New Jersey 75 4554 38 26 11 154 11 .917 2.03
Marty Turco Dallas 73 4359 37 21 13 144 9 .913 1.98
Ed Belfour Toronto 59 3444 34 19 6 122 10 .918 2.13
Tomas Vokoun Nashville 73 4221 34 29 10 178 3 .909 2.53
Dan Cloutier Vancouver 60 3539 33 21 6 134 5 .914 2.27

Stanley Cup Playoffs

Hhof stanley cup
The Stanley Cup, the championship trophy of the NHL.

The 2004 playoffs were exciting because no team was a clear favorite to win. Many top teams had some weaknesses. For example, Tampa Bay and Boston were young teams. Detroit, Ottawa, Colorado, and Philadelphia had some questions about their goalies.

The first round of the playoffs had many intense rivalries. The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs played each other for the fourth time in five years. This is known as the "Battle of Ontario." The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens also played, which is one of the most common playoff matchups in NHL history. The Philadelphia Flyers played their rivals, the New Jersey Devils.

In the Western Conference, the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames renewed their rivalry. The Flames made the playoffs for the first time since 1996. The Detroit Red Wings played the Nashville Predators, who were in the playoffs for the first time ever.

The Calgary Flames, who were a lower-ranked team (sixth seed), surprised everyone. They beat three division champions: the Canucks, Red Wings, and San Jose Sharks. This made them the first Canadian team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals in ten years. They faced the Tampa Bay Lightning, who had beaten the New York Islanders, swept the Canadiens, and defeated the Flyers.

The Flames and Lightning fought hard in the Stanley Cup Finals. The series went all the way to seven games. In Game 6, a goal by the Flames seemed to go in, but it wasn't counted. The Lightning ended up winning that game in double overtime. Then, in Game 7, the Lightning won 2–1 with two goals from Ruslan Fedotenko, securing the Stanley Cup! Brad Richards of the Lightning was named the most valuable player of the playoffs, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. He had 25 points in the playoffs.

Playoff Bracket

This chart shows how the teams played through the playoffs.

  Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Finals Stanley Cup Finals
                                     
1  Tampa Bay 4  
8  NY Islanders 1  
  1  Tampa Bay 4  
  7  Montreal 0  
2  Boston 3
7  Montreal 4  
  1  Tampa Bay 4  
Eastern Conference
  3  Philadelphia 3  
3  Philadelphia 4  
6  New Jersey 1  
  3  Philadelphia 4
  4  Toronto 2  
4  Toronto 4
5  Ottawa 3  
  E1  Tampa Bay 4
  W6  Calgary 3
1  Detroit 4  
8  Nashville 2  
  1  Detroit 2
  6  Calgary 4  
2  San Jose 4
7  St. Louis 1  
  2  San Jose 2
Western Conference
  6  Calgary 4  
3  Vancouver 3  
6  Calgary 4  
  2  San Jose 4
  4  Colorado 2  
4  Colorado 4
5  Dallas 1  

Playoff Scoring Leaders

These players scored the most points during the playoffs. Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts
Brad Richards Tampa Bay 23 12 13 25
Martin St. Louis Tampa Bay 23 9 15 24
Jarome Iginla Calgary 26 13 9 22
Fredrik Modin Tampa Bay 23 8 11 19
Craig Conroy Calgary 26 6 11 17
Vincent Lecavalier Tampa Bay 23 9 7 16
Keith Primeau Philadelphia 18 9 7 16
Martin Gelinas Calgary 26 8 6 14
Vincent Damphousse San Jose 17 7 7 14
Alexei Zhamnov Philadelphia 18 4 10 14

NHL Awards

The NHL gives out special awards each year to the best players and teams. The awards ceremony for this season took place in Toronto.

Presidents' Trophy: Detroit Red Wings
Prince of Wales Trophy: Tampa Bay Lightning
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Calgary Flames
Art Ross Memorial Trophy: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning (for most points)
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Bryan Berard, Chicago Blackhawks (for sportsmanship and dedication)
Calder Memorial Trophy: Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins (best rookie player)
Conn Smythe Trophy: Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning (most valuable player in the playoffs)
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Kris Draper, Detroit Red Wings (best defensive forward)
Hart Memorial Trophy: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning (most valuable player to his team)
Jack Adams Award: John Tortorella, Tampa Bay Lightning (best coach)
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Scott Niedermayer, New Jersey Devils (best defenseman)
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames (for leadership and community work)
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning (for sportsmanship and skill)
Lester B. Pearson Award: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning (best player as voted by players)
Lester Patrick Trophy: Mike Emrick, John Davidson, Ray Miron (for contributions to hockey in the USA)
Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy: Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames;
Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers;
Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets (for most goals)
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning;
Marek Malik, Vancouver Canucks (for being on the ice for more goals scored by their team than against)
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award: Dwayne Roloson, Minnesota Wild (best save percentage for goalies)
Vezina Trophy: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils (best goalie)
William M. Jennings Trophy: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils (goalie for team with fewest goals against)

All-Star Teams

The NHL also picks the best players at each position to be on "All-Star" teams.

First Team   Position   Second Team
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils G Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers
Scott Niedermayer, New Jersey Devils D Chris Pronger, St. Louis Blues
Zdeno Chara, Ottawa Senators D Bryan McCabe, Toronto Maple Leafs
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche C Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning RW Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks LW Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers

New Players This Season

Here are some notable players who played their very first NHL game during the 2003–04 season:

  • Joffrey Lupul, Anaheim Mighty Ducks
  • Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers
  • Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
  • Jason Pominville, Buffalo Sabres
  • Matthew Lombardi, Calgary Flames
  • Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
  • Tuomo Ruutu, Chicago Blackhawks
  • John-Michael Liles, Colorado Avalanche
  • Marek Svatos, Colorado Avalanche
  • Nikolai Zherdev, Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Pascal Leclaire, Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Michael Ryder, Montreal Canadiens
  • Jordin Tootoo, Nashville Predators
  • Marek Zidlicky, Nashville Predators
  • Antoine Vermette, Ottawa Senators
  • Antero Niittymaki, Philadelphia Flyers
  • Joni Pitkanen, Philadelphia Flyers
  • Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Tom Preissing, San Jose Sharks
  • Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals

Players' Last Season

Here are some famous players who played their last NHL game during the 2003–04 season:

  • Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche
  • Steve Thomas, Detroit Red Wings
  • Adam Oates, Edmonton Oilers
  • Igor Larionov, New Jersey Devils
  • Scott Stevens, New Jersey Devils
  • Cliff Ronning, New York Islanders
  • Mark Messier, New York Rangers
  • Vincent Damphousse, San Jose Sharks
  • Al MacInnis, St. Louis Blues
  • Ron Francis, Toronto Maple Leafs
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