The 2002–03 New Jersey Devils season was the team's 21st season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. After claiming the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference titles, the Devils won their third

Stanley Cup championship The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, french: Finale de la Coupe Stanley) is the National Hockey League's (NHL) championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, North Americ ...

in a seven-game series against the

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: * ''Mighty'' (The Planet Smashers album) * ''Mighty'' (Kristene DiMarco album) * ''The Mighty'' (1929 film), a 1929 American action film *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy-drama film * ''The Mighty'' (comics), a DC Comics title *Th ...

. In addition to the Devils reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, the other

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

team from one of the major professional sports leagues, the

New Jersey Nets New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...

of the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United S ...

(NBA), have reached the

NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Eastern and Western Conference champions play a best-of-seven game series to determine the league champion. The team that wins the series is awa ...

where they lost in six games to the

San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Southwest Division ( ...

Regular season

The Devils tied the

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...

for fewest goals allowed (166) and had the fewest power-play opportunities against (264), the fewest power-play goals against (32) and the best penalty-kill percentage (87.88%). The Devils also tied the

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...

and

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL) ...

for fewest short-handed goals allowed, with four. Furthermore, the Devils also had the fewest power-play opportunities for (303), the fewest power-play goals for (36) and the lowest power-play percentage, at 11.88%. * January 17, 2003:

Joe Nieuwendyk Joseph Nieuwendyk ( ; born September 10, 1966) is a Canadian former National Hockey League (NHL) player. He was a second round selection of the Calgary Flames, 27th overall, at the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and played 20 seasons for the Flames, Dallas ...

scored his 500th career goal against the

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...

in a 2–1 Devils victory. He then recorded his 1,000th career point on February 23 in a win over the

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...

Season standings

Playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

The series opened at

Continental Airlines Arena Meadowlands Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena, Continental Airlines Arena and Izod Center) is a closed indoor arena facility located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The arena is located on N ...

in New Jersey, and game one was a defensive battle in an ultimate 2–1 Devils victory behind two goals from

Jamie Langenbrunner Jamie Craig Langenbrunner (; born July 24, 1975) is an American former professional ice hockey player. Langenbrunner was formerly the captain of the 2010 United States Olympic Team, a member of the 1999 Dallas Stars' Stanley Cup championship ...

. New Jersey then took control of the series with a 4–2 victory in Game 2. Down 2–0 in the series but heading home to FleetCenter, Boston shook things up, replacing Steve Shields, who allowed six goals in the first two games, in favor of

Jeff Hackett Jeffrey David Hackett (born June 1, 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Bosto ...

. The shakeup did not do much, as the Devils shut out in the Bruins in Game 3, 3–0, with goalie

Martin Brodeur Martin Pierre Brodeur (; born May 6, 1972) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey goaltender and current team executive. He played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), 21 of them for the New Jersey Devils, with whom ...

stopping all 29 shots he faced. In game 4,

Ken Daneyko Kenneth Stephen Daneyko (born April 17, 1964) is a Ukrainian–Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played his entire twenty-season career with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL), winning three Stanley Cup ...

was a healthy scratch and did not play that game. It was the first time in his career that he was a healthy scratch in the playoffs. Not wanting to end their season with a winless postseason and a loss in front of their fans, Boston came out firing by winning the game, 5–1 and knocking out Brodeur after the fifth goal in favor of

Corey Schwab Corey Schwab (born November 4, 1970) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goalie. He was drafted in the 10th round, 200th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. Schwab won the 2003 Stanley Cup with the New Jersey D ...

, who went six-for-six in net. Unfortunately for the Bruins and their fans, they had only "stayed their execution" until game five in New Jersey, where Brodeur bounced back from his horrid Game 4 with a 28-save shutout in a 3–0 win as Langenbrunner added two more goals.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

The series opened at Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey, where the Devils scored three third-period goals to break a scoreless tie en route to a 3–0 game one victory with goalie Martin Brodeur posting a 15-save shutout in the process. Game two was a little tenser, with New Jersey rallying from a third-period deficit and winning the game 2:09 into overtime, 3–2, on a goal by

. In game three at St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, the Lightning jumped out to a 3–0 first-period lead. Then,

Scott Stevens Ronald Scott Stevens (born April 1, 1964) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. As a defenseman, Stevens played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey ...

was injured by a puck that hit him in the face from a slapshot by

Pavel Kubina Pavel Kubina (born April 15, 1977) is a Czech former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Thrashers and Philadelphia Flyers. Playing career K ...

. Following that, New Jersey tied the score before scoring in the third period on a goal by

Dave Andreychuk David John Andreychuk (born September 29, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Ligh ...

to win the game, 4–3 for Tampa. Stevens recovered and returned for game four, and the Devils responded by winning, 3–1, to push the Lightning to the brink. The Devils ended the series with a 2–1 triple-overtime victory in game five, with

Grant Marshall Grant W. Marshall (born June 9, 1973) is a Canadian former ice hockey right winger who currently works on behalf of the Devils Alumni Association. He played for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils of the NHL. He last pl ...

scoring the game-winning goal 11:12 into the sixth period.

Eastern Conference Finals

The series opened at

Corel Centre Canadian Tire Centre (french: links=no, Centre Canadian Tire) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, located in the western suburb of Stittsville. It opened in January 1996 as the Palladium and was also known as Corel Cent ...

in Ottawa, where the Senators took game one in overtime, 3–2, when

Shaun Van Allen Shaun Kelly Van Allen (born August 29, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1991 to 2004. He played 794 games in the NHL and scored 269 points. He serves as the head coach o ...

tipped in a pass from

Martin Havlát Martin Havlát (; born April 19, 1981) is a Czech former professional ice hockey player who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Playing career Ottawa Senators Havlát was selected from the Czech Extraliga in the first round of ...

3:08 into overtime. New Jersey tied the series, 1–1, with a crucial victory in game two, 4–1. It marked the first time Ottawa goalie

Patrick Lalime Patrick Lalime (born July 7, 1974) is a Canadian ice hockey commentator and former professional ice hockey player who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago ...

allowed more than two goals in twelve postseason games. Game three at the

in New Jersey saw an amazing defensive battle, but New Jersey won the game, 1–0, on a first-period goal by

Sergei Brylin Sergei Vladimirovich Brylin (russian: Серге́й Влади́мирович Бры́лин; born January 13, 1974) is a Russian former professional ice hockey centre, currently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils of the National Ho ...

posted a 24-save shutout for the Devils in the process. New Jersey appeared to have the series in control when they broke a 2–2 tie in game four with three third-period goals en route to a 5–2 win, and they led in the series, 3–1. But, it wasn't over yet, as Minnesota (twice) and Vancouver rebounded from 3–1 series deficits earlier in the playoffs. Ottawa returned home for game five, not wanting to lose in front of their fans. They staved off elimination with a 3–1 victory. The tense action resumed back in New Jersey for game six, as the teams entered overtime tied, 1–1, and all the Devils needed was a goal to knock out the Senators. The death blow did not come in game six, as

Chris Phillips Chris Phillips (born March 9, 1978) is a Canadian businessman and former professional ice hockey player. Phillips was a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season and ended with the 2015–16 seaso ...

scored the game-winning goal 15:52 into overtime in the 2–1 Senators victory. This would be the Devils only home loss of the playoffs. Determined not to suffer the same misfortunes as Colorado, St. Louis, and Vancouver, the Devils broke through in game seven, winning the game, 3–2, as

Jeff Friesen Jeffrey Daryl Friesen (born August 5, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played over 800 games in the National Hockey League, spending roughly half his career with the San Jose Sharks, who drafted him in the 1994 NHL Ent ...

knocked in the series-winning goal with just over two minutes to play to send New Jersey to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the decisive game, the Devils benefited from a two-goal performance by

, his first goals of the series.

Stanley Cup Finals

For the Devils, this was their fourth Stanley Cup Finals appearance, after making the Finals previously in 1995, 2000, and 2001. As for the Mighty Ducks, it was their first ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance in franchise history after defeating the

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...

, and

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and play their home games at the Xcel Ener ...

. The Devils had a strong start in game one at the Meadowlands as they shut out the Ducks 3–0. Game two was pretty much Deja Vu for the Devils as they once again blanked the Ducks 3–0. Down 2–0 in the series, the Ducks responded at home in Anaheim with a 3–2 overtime victory. Then, in game four, Anaheim tied the series at two in a 1–0 overtime win. Back at the Meadowlands, game five was much more competitive and high tempo. While both teams went back and forth with three goals each, the Devils would add three more goals to win 6–3. Facing elimination in game six, the Ducks did not disappoint their fans as they won game six 5–2. However, during that game,

laid a vicious check on

Paul Kariya Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya (born October 16, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Known as a skilled and fast-skating offensive player, he played in the NHL for the Might ...

, knocking him to the ground. Kariya quickly recovered and scored the game-winning goal, tying the series at three games apiece. The Devils ended the series with an exclamation mark as they shut out the Ducks 3–0 once more to capture their third Stanley Cup championship in nine seasons. While the Devils did win the cup,

Jean-Sébastien Giguère Jean-Sébastien Giguère (; born May 16, 1977) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He played with the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he was drafted 13th overall by the Hartford Wh ...

of Anaheim won the

Conn Smythe Trophy The Conn Smythe Trophy (french: Trophée Conn Smythe) is awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general man ...

, making it the first time in sixteen years that a player from the losing team won the

Schedule and results

Preseason

, - align="center" , 1 , T , September 20, 2002 , 4–4 ,

, 0–0–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2 , W , September 21, 2002 , 5–1 , @

, 1–0–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 3 , L , September 22, 2002 , 3–4 , @

, 1–1–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 4 , W , September 24, 2002 , 2–1 OT , @

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

, 2–1–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 5 , W , September 26, 2002 , 4–0 ,

, 3–1–1 , - align="center" , 6 , T , September 27, 2002 , 2–2 ,

, 3–1–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 7 , L , October 1, 2002 , 2–5 , @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ( ...

, 3–2–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 8 , L , October 5, 2002 , 1–3 ,

, 3–3–2 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Regular season

, - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1, , W, , October 10, 2002, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...

( 2002–03) , , 1–0–0–0, , 2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2, , W, , October 12, 2002, , 3–2 , , align="left",

Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...

( 2002–03) , , 2–0–0–0, , 4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 3, , W, , October 18, 2002, , 3–2 OT, , align="left",

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (commonly referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and ha ...

( 2002–03) , , 3–0–0–0, , 6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 4, , L, , October 19, 2002, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 3–1–0–0, , 6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 5, , W, , October 23, 2002, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 seaso ...

( 2002–03) , , 4–1–0–0, , 8 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 6, , W, , October 25, 2002, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...

( 2002–03) , , 5–1–0–0, , 10 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 7, , W, , October 26, 2002, , 5–1 , , align="left",

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play th ...

( 2002–03) , , 6–1–0–0, , 12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 8, , L, , October 29, 2002, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 6–2–0–0, , 12 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 9, , W, , November 2, 2002, , 5–1 , , align="left",

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division i ...

( 2002–03) , , 7–2–0–0, , 14 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 10, , L, , November 5, 2002, , 2–3 , , align="left",

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...

( 2002–03) , , 7–3–0–0, , 14 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 11, , W, , November 7, 2002, , 1–0 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 8–3–0–0, , 16 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 12, , L, , November 9, 2002, , 3–6 , , align="left",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...

( 2002–03) , , 8–4–0–0, , 16 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 13, , W, , November 12, 2002, , 3–2 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 9–4–0–0, , 18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 14, , W, , November 15, 2002, , 5–1 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...

( 2002–03) , , 10–4–0–0, , 20 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 15, , L, , November 16, 2002, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 10–5–0–0, , 20 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 16, , W, , November 19, 2002, , 4–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 11–5–0–0, , 22 , , , - align="center" , 17, , T, , November 21, 2002, , 4–4 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 11–5–1–0, , 23 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 18, , L, , November 23, 2002, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 11–6–1–0, , 23 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 19, , OTL, , November 27, 2002, , 2–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 11–6–1–1, , 24 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 20, , W, , November 29, 2002, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 12–6–1–1, , 26 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 21, , W, , November 30, 2002, , 5–4 OT, , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the s ...

( 2002–03) , , 13–6–1–1, , 28 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 22, , W, , December 2, 2002, , 1–0 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 14–6–1–1, , 30 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 23, , OTL, , December 4, 2002, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at Rogers Arena. Bruce B ...

( 2002–03) , , 14–6–1–2, , 31 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 24, , W, , December 6, 2002, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 15–6–1–2, , 33 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 25, , L, , December 7, 2002, , 0–1 , , align="left", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

( 2002–03) , , 15–7–1–2, , 33 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 26, , W, , December 10, 2002, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 16–7–1–2, , 35 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 27, , L, , December 12, 2002, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 16–8–1–2, , 35 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 28, , OTL, , December 14, 2002, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 16–8–1–3, , 36 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 29, , L, , December 18, 2002, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 16–9–1–3, , 36 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 30, , W, , December 19, 2002, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 17–9–1–3, , 38 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 31, , W, , December 21, 2002, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 18–9–1–3, , 40 , , , - align="center" , 32, , T, , December 23, 2002, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 18–9–2–3, , 41 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 33, , L, , December 27, 2002, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 18–10–2–3, , 41 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 34, , W, , December 28, 2002, , 2–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 19–10–2–3, , 43 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 35, , W, , December 30, 2002, , 1–0 , , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making t ...

( 2002–03) , , 20–10–2–3, , 45 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 36, , L, , January 1, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left",

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

( 2002–03) , , 20–11–2–3, , 45 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 37, , W, , January 3, 2003, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 21–11–2–3, , 47 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 38, , L, , January 4, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 21–12–2–3, , 47 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 39, , W, , January 7, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 22–12–2–3, , 49 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 40, , W, , January 10, 2003, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 23–12–2–3, , 51 , , , - align="center" , 41, , T, , January 11, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 23–12–3–3, , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 42, , W, , January 13, 2003, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 24–12–3–3, , 54 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 43, , W, , January 15, 2003, , 5–0 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 25–12–3–3, , 56 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 44, , W, , January 17, 2003, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 26–12–3–3, , 58 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 45, , W, , January 18, 2003, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 27–12–3–3, , 60 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 46, , W, , January 22, 2003, , 5–4 OT, , align="left", @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are owned by San Jose Sports & Entertainm ...

( 2002–03) , , 28–12–3–3, , 62 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 47, , W, , January 24, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 29–12–3–3, , 64 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 48, , OTL, , January 25, 2003, , 1–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 29–12–3–4, , 65 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 49, , W, , January 28, 2003, , 1–0 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 30–12–3–4, , 67 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 50, , W, , January 30, 2003, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 31–12–3–4, , 69 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 51, , W, , February 4, 2003, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 32–12–3–4, , 71 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 52, , W, , February 5, 2003, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 33–12–3–4, , 73 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 53, , L, , February 7, 2003, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 33–13–3–4, , 73 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 54, , W, , February 9, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 34–13–3–4, , 75 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 55, , L, , February 11, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The Avalanche play thei ...

( 2002–03) , , 34–14–3–4, , 75 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 56, , W, , February 12, 2003, , 3–0 , , align="left", @

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...

( 2002–03) , , 35–14–3–4, , 77 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 57, , L, , February 15, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 35–15–3–4, , 77 , , , - align="center" , 58, , T, , February 18, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 35–15–4–4, , 78 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 59, , L, , February 19, 2003, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 35–16–4–4, , 78 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 60, , W, , February 21, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 36–16–4–4, , 80 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 61, , W, , February 23, 2003, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 37–16–4–4, , 82 , , , - align="center" , 62, , T, , February 25, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 37–16–5–4, , 83 , , , - align="center" , 63, , T, , February 27, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 37–16–6–4, , 84 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 64, , W, , March 1, 2003, , 2–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 38–16–6–4, , 86 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 65, , L, , March 4, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 38–17–6–4, , 86 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 66, , OTL, , March 5, 2003, , 4–5 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 38–17–6–5, , 87 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 67, , W, , March 8, 2003, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 39–17–6–5, , 89 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 68, , L, , March 11, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 39–18–6–5, , 89 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 69, , L, , March 13, 2003, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 39–19–6–5, , 89 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 70, , W, , March 15, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 40–19–6–5, , 91 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 71, , L, , March 17, 2003, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 40–20–6–5, , 91 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 72, , W, , March 18, 2003, , 1–0 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 41–20–6–5, , 93 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 73, , W, , March 21, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 42–20–6–5, , 95 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 74, , W, , March 22, 2003, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 43–20–6–5, , 97 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 75, , W, , March 24, 2003, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 44–20–6–5, , 99 , , , - align="center" , 76, , T, , March 27, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 44–20–7–5, , 100 , , , - align="center" , 77, , T, , March 28, 2003, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 44–20–8–5, , 101 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 78, , W, , March 30, 2003, , 6–0 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 45–20–8–5, , 103 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" , 79, , OTL, , April 1, 2003, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 45–20–8–6, , 104 , , , - align="center" , 80, , T, , April 3, 2003, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 45–20–9–6, , 105 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 81, , W, , April 4, 2003, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 46–20–9–6, , 107 , , , - align="center" , 82, , T, , April 6, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 46–20–10–6, , 108 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1 , , W, , April 9, 2003 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Devils lead 1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2 , , W, , April 11, 2003 , , Boston Bruins , , 4–2 , , Devils lead 2–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 3 , , W, , April 13, 2003 , , @ Boston Bruins , , 3–0 , , Devils lead 3–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 4 , , L, , April 15, 2003 , , @ Boston Bruins , , 1–5 , , Devils lead 3–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 5 , , W, , April 17, 2003 , , Boston Bruins , , 3–0 , , Devils win 4–1 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1 , , W, , April 24, 2003 , ,

, , 3–0 , , Devils lead 1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2 , , W, , April 26, 2003 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 3–2 OT , , Devils lead 2–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 3 , , L, , April 28, 2003 , , @ Tampa Bay Lightning , , 3–4 , , Devils lead 2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 4 , , W, , April 30, 2003 , , @ Tampa Bay Lightning , , 3–1 , , Devils lead 3–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 5 , , W, , May 2, 2003 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 2–1 3OT , , Devils win 4–1 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 1 , , L, , May 10, 2003 , , @

, , 2–3 OT , , Senators lead 1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2 , , W, , May 13, 2003 , , @ Ottawa Senators , , 4–1 , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 3 , , W, , May 15, 2003 , , Ottawa Senators , , 1–0 , , Devils lead 2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 4 , , W, , May 17, 2003 , , Ottawa Senators , , 5–2 , , Devils lead 3–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 5 , , L, , May 19, 2003 , , @ Ottawa Senators , , 1–3 , , Devils lead 3–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 6 , , L, , May 21, 2003 , , Ottawa Senators , , 1–2 OT , , Series tied 3–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 7 , , W, , May 23, 2003 , , @ Ottawa Senators , , 3–2 , , Devils win 4–3 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1 , , W, , May 27, 2003 , , Anaheim Mighty Ducks , , 3–0 , , Devils lead 1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2 , , W, , May 29, 2003 , , Anaheim Mighty Ducks , , 3–0 , , Devils lead 2–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 3 , , L, , May 31, 2003 , , @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks , , 2–3 OT , , Devils lead 2–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 4 , , L, , June 2, 2003 , , @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks , , 0–1 OT , , Series tied 2–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 5 , , W, , June 5, 2003 , , Anaheim Mighty Ducks , , 6–3 , , Devils lead 3–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 6 , , L, , June 7, 2003 , , @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks , , 2–5 , , Series tied 3–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 7 , , W, , June 9, 2003 , , Anaheim Mighty Ducks , , 3–0 , , Devils win 4–3 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...

; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as the goalie) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays in or near t ...

; LW =

Left Wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soci ...

; RW =

Right Wing Right-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that view certain social orders and hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position on the basis of natural law, economics, authori ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

was also a finalist for the

Hart Memorial Trophy The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, is an annual award for the most valuable player in the National Hockey League (NHL), voted by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The original trophy was donat ...

and

John Madden John Earl Madden (April 10, 1936 – December 28, 2021) was an American football coach and sports commentator in the National Football League (NFL). He served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, who he led to eight pla ...

was runner-up for the

Frank J. Selke Trophy The Frank J. Selke Trophy, or simply the Selke Trophy, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey W ...

Milestones

Transactions

The Devils were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the

2002 Stanley Cup Finals The 2002 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2001–02 season, and the culmination of the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and the ...

, through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the

2003 Stanley Cup Finals The 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2002–03 season, and the culmination of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs. The second-seeded Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils defeated the ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

The Devils' draft picks at the

2002 NHL Entry Draft __NOTOC__ The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was the 40th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 22 and 23, 2002 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Two hundred and ninety-one players were drafted in total: 35 from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL); ...

at the

Air Canada Centre Scotiabank Arena ( French: ''Aréna Scotiabank)'', formerly known as Air Canada Centre (ACC), is a multi-purposed arena located on Bay Street in the South Core district of Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the home of the Toronto Rap ...

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

Media

Television coverage was carried on Fox Sports Net New York with

Mike Emrick Michael "Doc" Emrick (born August 1, 1946) is an American former network television play-by-play sportscaster and commentator noted mostly for his work in ice hockey. He was the lead announcer for National Hockey League national telecasts on bot ...

and

Chico Resch Glenn Allan "Chico" Resch (born July 10, 1948) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey goaltender and television sportscaster. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1973 to 1987, and won a Stanley Cup with the New York ...

with the play-by-play calling while

Matt Loughlin Matt Loughlin is an American sportscaster who is the radio play-by-play voice of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League on WFAN, where he is partnered with former goaltender and former Devils TV color commentator Chico Resch. Loughl ...

served as the color commentator. The radio broadcasts were on WABC–AM 770, with John Hennessy handling the play-by-play duties with

Randy Velischek Randolph John Velischek (born February 10, 1962) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League from 1982–83 until 1991–92 for the Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils, and ...

color commentating.

Notes

References

* * New Jersey Devils seasons

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional sports, professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

21st century in East Rutherford, New Jersey Eastern Conference (NHL) championship seasons Meadowlands Sports Complex Stanley Cup championship seasons

Regular season

Season standings

Playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference Finals

Stanley Cup Finals

Schedule and results

Preseason

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Scoring

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Media

See also

Notes

References