2002–03 Montreal Canadiens season

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2002–03 Montreal Canadiens
Division4th Northeast
Conference9th Eastern
2002–03 record30–35–8–9
Home record16–16–5–4
Road record14–19–3–5
Goals for206
Goals against234
Team information
General managerAndre Savard
CoachMichel Therrien  (Oct–Jan)
Claude Julien (Jan–Apr)
CaptainSaku Koivu
ArenaBell Centre
Team leaders
GoalsRichard Zednik (31)
AssistsSaku Koivu (50)
PointsSaku Koivu (71)
Penalty minutesRichard Zednik (79)
Plus/minusAndrei Markov (+13)
WinsJose Theodore (20)
Goals against averageMathieu Garon (1.99)

The 2002–03 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 94th season of play. The club struggled through the season, made a coaching change and did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Regular season[]

Before the start of the season, many predicted a strong showing from the Canadiens due to the team possessing a healthy Saku Koivu as well as last season's Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Jose Theodore. The team was .500 for the first two months of the season and showed little improvement in December. Players such as Mariusz Czerkawski, added to the lineup during the summer, and Donald Audette were slow to produce offence for the team, and the two forwards were both sent down for brief stints in the minors. For his part, Jose Theodore's performance is not up to par with his dream season of a year earlier. Despite the strong seasons from Koivu, Richard Zednik and Yanic Perreault, the Canadiens slid to 11th place in the Eastern Conference in mid-January. This losing streak prompted General Manager Andre Savard to fire head coach Michel Therrien and replace him with Claude Julien, who filled the same role behind the bench of the Habs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. Despite Julien's arrival as head coach, the team was unable to improve its situation. The Habs saw their playoff hopes evaporate with a nine-game winless streak that ended in early March. Despite Saku Koivu's 71 points and Richard Zednik's 31 goals, the Canadiens missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. The Canadiens ended with a record of 30–35–9–8, and former MVP Theodore had a disappointing season with a record of 20–31–6.

The Canadiens finished the regular season tying the Nashville Predators for the fewest short-handed goals scored, with just two.[1]

Final standings[]

Northeast Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 1 Ottawa Senators 82 52 21 8 1 263 182 113
2 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 44 28 7 3 236 208 98
3 7 Boston Bruins 82 36 31 11 4 245 237 87
4 10 Montreal Canadiens 82 30 35 8 9 206 234 77
5 12 Buffalo Sabres 82 27 37 10 8 190 219 72

[2]

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[3]
R Div GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 P- Ottawa Senators NE 82 52 21 8 1 263 182 113
2 Y- New Jersey Devils AT 82 46 20 10 6 216 166 108
3 Y- Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 36 25 16 5 219 210 93
4 X- Philadelphia Flyers AT 82 45 20 13 4 211 166 107
5 X- Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 44 28 7 3 236 208 98
6 X- Washington Capitals SE 82 39 29 8 6 224 220 92
7 X- Boston Bruins NE 82 36 31 11 4 245 237 87
8 X- New York Islanders AT 82 35 34 11 2 224 231 83
8.5
9 New York Rangers AT 82 32 36 10 4 210 231 78
10 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 30 35 8 9 206 234 77
11 Atlanta Thrashers SE 82 31 39 7 5 226 284 74
12 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 27 37 10 8 190 219 72
13 Florida Panthers SE 82 24 36 13 9 176 237 70
14 Pittsburgh Penguins AT 82 27 44 6 5 189 255 65
15 Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 22 43 11 6 171 240 61

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

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


Schedule and results[]

Regular season results
No. R Date Score Opponent Record Points
1 W October 11, 2002 4–1 @ New York Rangers (2002–03) 1–0–0–0 2
2 L October 12, 2002 1–6 Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) 1–1–0–0 2
3 L October 15, 2002 2–6 Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) 1–2–0–0 2
4 W October 17, 2002 3–2 @ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03) 2–2–0–0 4
5 T October 19, 2002 2–2 OT Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 2–2–1–0 5
6 T October 22, 2002 3–3 OT Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) 2–2–2–0 6
7 L October 24, 2002 2–6 @ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) 2–3–2–0 6
8 W October 26, 2002 5–3 Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 3–3–2–0 8
9 T October 29, 2002 2–2 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03) 3–3–3–0 9
10 T November 1, 2002 2–2 OT @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) 3–3–4–0 10
11 W November 2, 2002 5–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 4–3–4–0 12
12 L November 5, 2002 2–5 St. Louis Blues (2002–03) 4–4–4–0 12
13 W November 7, 2002 3–0 New York Islanders (2002–03) 5–4–4–0 14
14 W November 9, 2002 3–1 Los Angeles Kings (2002–03) 6–4–4–0 16
15 L November 12, 2002 2–4 Dallas Stars (2002–03) 6–5–4–0 16
16 L November 15, 2002 1–5 @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) 6–6–4–0 16
17 W November 16, 2002 3–1 New Jersey Devils (2002–03) 7–6–4–0 18
18 W November 18, 2002 5–4 OT Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) 8–6–4–0 20
19 W November 20, 2002 3–2 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) 9–6–4–0 22
20 L November 21, 2002 2–3 @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 9–7–4–0 22
21 L November 23, 2002 3–7 Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) 9–8–4–0 22
22 W November 26, 2002 3–2 Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) 10–8–4–0 24
23 L November 29, 2002 2–4 @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) 10–9–4–0 24
24 OTL November 30, 2002 1–2 OT Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) 10–9–4–1 25
25 L December 4, 2002 1–5 @ Dallas Stars (2002–03) 10–10–4–1 25
26 OTL December 6, 2002 6–7 OT @ Colorado Avalanche (2002–03) 10–10–4–2 26
27 W December 7, 2002 4–2 @ Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03) 11–10–4–2 28
28 W December 10, 2002 4–2 @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) 12–10–4–2 30
29 L December 12, 2002 2–3 Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) 12–11–4–2 30
30 W December 14, 2002 4–2 Boston Bruins (2002–03) 13–11–4–2 32
31 W December 16, 2002 3–2 @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 14–11–4–2 34
32 L December 17, 2002 1–3 San Jose Sharks (2002–03) 14–12–4–2 34
33 W December 19, 2002 3–1 @ New York Rangers (2002–03) 15–12–4–2 36
34 W December 21, 2002 6–2 Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) 16–12–4–2 38
35 L December 23, 2002 1–3 @ New York Islanders (2002–03) 16–13–4–2 38
36 OTL December 27, 2002 2–3 OT @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 16–13–4–3 39
37 L December 28, 2002 2–3 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) 16–14–4–3 39
38 T December 31, 2002 1–1 OT @ Calgary Flames (2002–03) 16–14–5–3 40
39 L January 2, 2003 2–3 @ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) 16–15–5–3 40
40 OTL January 4, 2003 4–5 OT @ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) 16–15–5–4 41
41 L January 7, 2003 2–3 @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) 16–16–5–4 41
42 W January 9, 2003 3–2 New York Rangers (2002–03) 17–16–5–4 43
43 L January 11, 2003 2–3 Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) 17–17–5–4 43
44 W January 13, 2003 4–2 Calgary Flames (2002–03) 18–17–5–4 45
45 L January 15, 2003 0–1 @ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) 18–18–5–4 45
46 L January 16, 2003 1–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) 18–19–5–4 45
47 OTL January 18, 2003 2–3 OT Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 18–19–5–5 46
48 W January 20, 2003 3–2 @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) 19–19–5–5 48
49 T January 22, 2003 2–2 OT @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) 19–19–6–5 49
50 T January 25, 2003 1–1 OT Washington Capitals (2002–03) 19–19–7–5 50
51 W January 26, 2003 4–3 Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03) 20–19–7–5 52
52 W January 28, 2003 6–3 Florida Panthers (2002–03) 21–19–7–5 54
53 L January 30, 2003 1–3 @ New York Islanders (2002–03) 21–20–7–5 54
54 L February 4, 2003 3–4 Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) 21–21–7–5 54
55 L February 6, 2003 3–6 @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) 21–22–7–5 54
56 L February 8, 2003 1–3 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 21–23–7–5 54
57 W February 9, 2003 2–0 @ Washington Capitals (2002–03) 22–23–7–5 56
58 W February 11, 2003 3–1 Boston Bruins (2002–03) 23–23–7–5 58
59 OTL February 13, 2003 1–2 OT Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) 23–23–7–6 59
60 W February 15, 2003 3–2 Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) 24–23–7–6 61
61 L February 18, 2003 0–3 Florida Panthers (2002–03) 24–24–7–6 61
62 OTL February 19, 2003 1–2 OT @ Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) 24–24–7–7 62
63 L February 22, 2003 3–5 Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 24–25–7–7 62
64 L February 24, 2003 1–4 @ Washington Capitals (2002–03) 24–26–7–7 62
65 L February 27, 2003 3–6 Minnesota Wild (2002–03) 24–27–7–7 62
66 T March 1, 2003 1–1 OT Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) 24–27–8–7 63
67 L March 5, 2003 1–3 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03) 24–28–8–7 63
68 OTL March 6, 2003 3–4 OT @ San Jose Sharks (2002–03) 24–28–8–8 64
69 L March 8, 2003 1–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (2002–03) 24–29–8–8 64
70 W March 10, 2003 3–1 @ Nashville Predators (2002–03) 25–29–8–8 66
71 W March 12, 2003 4–0 @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) 26–29–8–8 68
72 W March 13, 2003 4–2 @ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) 27–29–8–8 70
73 L March 15, 2003 1–2 Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) 27–30–8–8 70
74 L March 18, 2003 0–1 New Jersey Devils (2002–03) 27–31–8–8 70
75 L March 20, 2003 3–6 New York Islanders (2002–03) 27–32–8–8 70
76 W March 22, 2003 5–3 Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) 28–32–8–8 72
77 OTL March 25, 2003 3–4 OT Washington Capitals (2002–03) 28–32–8–9 73
78 L March 28, 2003 1–4 @ Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) 28–33–8–9 73
79 L March 29, 2003 1–3 Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 28–34–8–9 73
80 W March 31, 2003 4–0 @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) 29–34–8–9 75
81 L April 2, 2003 1–2 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) 29–35–8–9 75
82 W April 5, 2003 5–4 New York Rangers (2002–03) 30–35–8–9 77

Player statistics[]

Regular season[]

Before the start of the season, many predicted a strong showing from the Canadiens as a result of a healthy Saku Koivu and last season's Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Jose Theodore. The team was .500 for the first two months of the season and showed very little improvement in December. Players such as Mariusz Czerkawski, added to the lineup during the summer, and Donald Audette were slow to produce offence for the team, and the two forwards were both sent down for brief stints in the minors. Moreover, Jose Theodore's performances were not up to par with his MVP-winning season of a year earlier. Despite strong seasons from Koivu, Richard Zednik and Yanic Perreault, the Canadiens slid to 11th place in the Eastern Conference in mid-January. This losing streak prompted General Manager Andre Savard to fire Head Coach Michel Therrien and replace him with Claude Julien, who filled the same role behind the bench of the Habs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. Despite Julien's arrival, the team was unable to improve its situation and improve its collective effort. The Habs saw their playoff hopes evaporate with a nine-game winless streak that ended in early March. Despite Saku Koivu's 71 points and Richard Zednik's 31 goals, the Canadiens missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
Saku Koivu C 82 21 50 71 72 5 5 1 5
Richard Zednik RW 80 31 19 50 79 4 9 0 2
Yanic Perreault C 73 24 22 46 30 -11 7 0 4
Jan Bulis C 82 16 24 40 30 9 0 0 2
Andrei Markov D 79 13 24 37 34 13 3 0 2
Doug Gilmour C 61 11 19 30 36 -6 3 0 0
Patrice Brisebois D 73 4 25 29 32 -14 1 0 1
Andreas Dackell RW 73 7 18 25 24 -5 0 0 1
Donald Audette RW 54 11 12 23 19 -7 4 0 4
Oleg Petrov RW 53 7 16 23 16 -2 2 0 2
Craig Rivet D 82 7 15 22 71 1 3 0 2
Joe Juneau C 72 6 16 22 20 -10 0 0 2
Randy McKay RW 75 6 13 19 72 -14 2 0 0
Mike Ribeiro C 52 5 12 17 6 -3 2 0 0
Chad Kilger LW 60 9 7 16 21 -4 0 0 1
Mariusz Czerkawski RW 43 5 9 14 16 -7 1 0 0
Niklas Sundstrom RW 33 5 9 14 8 3 0 0 1
Marcel Hossa LW 34 6 7 13 14 3 2 0 1
Patrick Traverse D 65 0 13 13 24 -9 0 0 0
Stephane Quintal D 67 5 5 10 70 -4 0 0 0
Jason Ward RW 8 3 2 5 0 3 0 0 0
Karl Dykhuis D 65 1 4 5 34 -5 0 0 0
Francis Bouillon D 20 3 1 4 2 -1 0 1 0
Bill Lindsay RW 19 0 2 2 23 -1 0 0 0
Jose Theodore G 57 0 2 2 6 0 0 0 0
Mike Komisarek D 21 0 1 1 28 -6 0 0 0
Francois Beauchemin D 1 0 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0
Sylvain Blouin LW 17 0 0 0 43 -3 0 0 0
Gordie Dwyer LW 11 0 0 0 46 -2 0 0 0
Mathieu Garon G 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jeff Hackett G 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ron Hainsey D 21 0 0 0 2 -1 0 0 0
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T/OT GA GAA SO SA SV SV%
Jose Theodore 3419 57 20 31 6 165 2.90 2 1797 1632 .908
Jeff Hackett 1063 18 7 8 2 45 2.54 0 606 561 .926
Mathieu Garon 482 8 3 5 0 16 1.99 2 267 251 .940
Team: 4964 82 30 44 8 226 2.73 4 2670 2444 .915

[4]

Note:
Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records[]

Transactions[]

Roster[]

Forwards:
11 - Saku Koivu
14 - Oleg Petrov
17 - Jason Ward
20 - Richard Zednik
21 - Randy McKay
22 - Bill Lindsay
24 - Andreas Dackell
25 - Chad Kilger
26 - Sylvain Blouin
27 - Mariusz Czerkawski
32 - Gordie Dwyer
37 - Niklas Sundstrom
38 - Jan Bulis
71 - Mike Ribeiro
81 - Marcel Hossa
82 - Donald Audette
90 - Joe Juneau
93 - Doug Gilmour
94 - Yanic Perreault

Defencemen:
5 - Stephane Quintal
8 - Mike Komisarek
28 - Karl Dykhuis
36 - Francois Beauchemin
43 - Patrice Brisebois
44 - Sheldon Souray
51 - Francis Bouillon
52 - Craig Rivet
54 - Patrick Traverse
65 - Ron Hainsey
79 - Andrei Markov

Goaltenders:
30 - Mathieu Garon
31 - Jeff Hackett
41 - Eric Fichaud
60 - Jose Theodore

Draft picks[]

Montreal's draft picks at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario.

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 14 Chris Higgins  United States Yale University (ECAC)
2 45 Tomas Linhart  Czech Republic HC Pardubice Jr. (Czech Republic)
4 99 Michael Lambert  Canada Montreal Rocket (QMJHL)
6 182 Andre Deveaux  Canada Belleville Bulls (OHL)
7 212 Jonathan Ferland  Canada Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
9 275 Konstantin Korneyev  Russia Krylya Sovetov (Russia)

Farm teams[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "2002-03 NHL Summary".
  2. ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 163.
  3. ^ "2002–2003 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  4. ^ "2002-03 Montreal Canadiens Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
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