The 2003–04

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, ...

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pol ...

was the Blue Jackets' fourth

in the

NHL 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 ...

, as the team was coming off of a 29–42–8–3 record in the 2002–03 season, earning 69

point Point or points may refer to: Places * Point, Lewis, a peninsula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland * Point, Texas, a city in Rains County, Texas, United States * Point, the NE tip and a ferry terminal of Lismore, Inner Hebrides, Scotland * Point ...

s to finish in last place in the Western Conference for the second-straight year.

Off-season

Columbus would undergo some changes during the off-season, as leading scorer and team captain Ray Whitney would leave to sign with 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 ...

. The Blue Jackets named veteran defenseman

Luke Richardson Luke Glen Richardson (born March 26, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach who is the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. Prior to his coaching career, Richardson played as a defenceman in the NHL for ...

the third captain in franchise history.

Regular season

The Blue Jackets would get off to a solid start in 2003–04, winning three of their first four games, though the club would eventually go on a seven-game losing streak to quickly fall out of playoff contention. Columbus would continue to struggle, and General Manager and Head Coach

Doug MacLean James Douglas MacLean (born April 12, 1954) is a Canadian sportscaster working for Rogers Media's Sportsnet and former ice hockey coach and general manager. He is the former president/general manager and head coach of the National Hockey League ...

announced on January 1, 2004, that he would step down from head coaching duties, naming Blue Jackets assistant coach and former NHL player

Gerard Gallant Gerard Gallant (born September 2, 1963) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously served as the head coach for the Columbus Blue ...

as his replacement. Columbus posted a 9–21–4–3 record under MacLean. While the Blue Jackets would play better hockey with Gallant behind the bench, the team would fail once again to earn a playoff spot, as they finished the season with a 25–45–8–4 record for 62 points—seven fewer than the previous season—and finish 29 points the

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 ...

for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Columbus, however, climbed out of the basement in the Central Division for the first time in franchise history after finishing ahead of the

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 ...

Rick Nash Richard McLaren Nash (born June 16, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who serves as the director of player development for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). After being selected first overal ...

had a memorable season, finishing in a three-way tie with

Ilya Kovalchuk Ilya Valeryevich Kovalchuk (russian: Илья Валерьевич Ковальчук; born 15 April 1983) is a Russian former professional ice hockey winger. He played for the Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Montrea ...

from the

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 ...

and

Jarome Iginla Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla (; born July 1, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. He played over 1500 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Br ...

from the

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 ...

to win the

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, also known as the Rocket Richard Trophy, is awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in the National Hockey League (NHL). It was donated to the NHL by the Montreal Canadiens in and is named in honour of leg ...

as the League's highest goal-scorer; he scored a club-record 41 goals and finished with a team-best 57 points.

David Vyborny David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

led the Blue Jackets with 31 assists and finished second to Nash with 53 points. Rookie

Nikolai Zherdev Mykola Olehovych "Nikolay" Zherdev ( uk, Микола Олегович Жердев; born November 5, 1984) is a Ukrainian-Russian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing for the HC Merano of the Alps Hockey League. He p ...

also contributed a solid 34 points in 57 games. On defense, Anders Eriksson led the Jackets with 27 points, while

Jaroslav Spacek Jaroslav (also written as Yaroslav or Jarosław in other Slavic languages) is a Czech and Slovak first name, pagan in origin. There are several possible origins of the name Jaroslav. It is very likely that originally the two elements of the nam ...

contributed with 22 points in just 58 games.

Jody Shelley Jody Shelley (born February 7, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. During his National Hockey League (NHL) career he played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers. ...

provided the team toughness, earning a team-high 228 penalty minutes. In goal,

Marc Denis Joseph Marc Denis (born August 1, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). For the 2009–10 season, he was hired as the goaltenders' coach of ...

was the team's number one, playing a team-high 66 games, winning 21 of them, posting a team best 2.56

goals against average Goals against average (GAA) also known as "average goals against" or "AGA" is a statistic used in field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and water polo that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender or goalkeeper (depending on s ...

(GAA) and earning five

shutouts In team sports, a shutout ( US) or clean sheet ( UK) is a game in which one team prevents the other from scoring any points. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball. Shutouts are usuall ...

. The Blue Jackets would finish the season having tied 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 ...

for most times shut-out, with 11.

Season standings

Schedule and results

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 1 , , October 9 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–2 , ,

, , 0–1–0–0 , , 0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 2 , , October 11 , ,

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 ...

, , 0–5 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–1–0–0 , , 2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 3 , , October 13 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–1–0–0 , , 4 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 4 , , October 16 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–1–0–0 , , 6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 5 , , October 18 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–3 , ,

, , 3–2–0–0 , , 6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 6 , , October 22 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–4 , ,

, , 3–3–0–0 , , 6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 7 , , October 23 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–0 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–4–0–0 , , 6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 8 , , October 25 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–5–0–0 , , 6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 9 , , October 28 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–6 , ,

, , 3–6–0–0 , , 6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffbb" , 10 , , October 30 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–4 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–6–0–1 , , 7 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 11 , , November 1 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 0–3 , ,

, , 3–7–0–1 , , 7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 12 , , November 7 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 4–7–0–1 , , 9 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 13 , , November 9 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 5–7–0–1 , , 11 , , , - align="center" , 14 , , November 11 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–1 , ,

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 ...

, , 5–7–1–1 , , 12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 15 , , November 13 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–5 , ,

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 ...

, , 5–8–1–1 , , 12 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 16 , , November 14 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–0 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 5–9–1–1 , , 12 , , , - align="center" , 17 , , November 16 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 5–9–2–1 , , 13 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 18 , , November 19 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–5 , ,

, , 5–10–2–1 , , 13 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 19 , , November 20 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 6–10–2–1 , , 15 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 20 , , November 22 , ,

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 ( ...

, , 1–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 7–10–2–1 , , 17 , , , - align="center" , 21 , , November 25 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 7–10–3–1 , , 18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 22 , , November 26 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–4 , ,

, , 7–11–3–1 , , 18 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 23 , , November 29 , ,

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) ...

, , 5–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 7–12–3–1 , , 18 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 24 , , December 2 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 8–12–3–1 , , 20 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 25 , , December 4 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 8–13–3–1 , , 20 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 26 , , December 6 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–5 , ,

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 ...

, , 8–14–3–1 , , 20 , , , - align="center" , 27 , , December 10 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–1 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 8–14–4–1 , , 21 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffbb" , 28 , , December 12 , ,

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 ...

, , 3–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 8–14–4–2 , , 22 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 29 , , December 13 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–5 , ,

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 ...

, , 8–15–4–2 , , 22 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffbb" , 30 , , December 16 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–2 , ,

, , 8–15–4–3 , , 23 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 31 , , December 19 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 8–16–4–3 , , 23 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 32 , , December 20 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–5 , ,

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 ...

, , 8–17–4–3 , , 23 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 33 , , December 23 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 8–18–4–3 , , 23 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 34 , , December 26 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 4–1 , ,

, , 9–18–4–3 , , 25 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 35 , , December 27 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 9–19–4–3 , , 25 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 36 , , December 29 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 9–20–4–3 , , 25 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 37 , , December 31 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–0 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 9–21–4–3 , , 25 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 38 , , January 2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–0 , ,

, , 10–21–4–3 , , 27 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 39 , , January 3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 0–1 , ,

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 ...

, , 10–22–4–3 , , 27 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 40 , , January 6 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 0–6 , ,

, , 10–23–4–3 , , 27 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 41 , , January 8 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–2 , ,

, , 11–23–4–3 , , 29 , , , - align="center" , 42 , , January 10 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–2 , ,

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 ...

, , 11–23–5–3 , , 30 , , , - align="center" , 43 , , January 11 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–2 , ,

, , 11–23–6–3 , , 31 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 44 , , January 15 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–5 , ,

, , 11–24–6–3 , , 31 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 45 , , January 16 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 12–24–6–3 , , 33 , , , - align="center" , 46 , , January 18 , ,

, , 4–4 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 12–24–7–3 , , 34 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 47 , , January 21 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 13–24–7–3 , , 36 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 48 , , January 22 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 0–7 , ,

, , 13–25–7–3 , , 36 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 49 , , January 24 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 14–25–7–3 , , 38 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 50 , , January 27 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 14–26–7–3 , , 38 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 51 , , January 29 , ,

, , 6–4 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 14–27–7–3 , , 38 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 52 , , January 31 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 15–27–7–3 , , 40 , , , - , - align="center" , 53 , , February 2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–3 , ,

, , 15–27–8–3 , , 41 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 54 , , February 4 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 0–1 , ,

, , 15–28–8–3 , , 41 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 55 , , February 11 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 16–28–8–3 , , 43 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 56 , , February 12 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–4 , ,

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 ...

, , 16–29–8–3 , , 43 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffbb" , 57 , , February 14 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 16–29–8–4 , , 44 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 58 , , February 16 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 17–29–8–4 , , 46 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 59 , , February 18 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 1–3 , ,

, , 17–30–8–4 , , 46 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 60 , , February 20 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–3 , ,

, , 17–31–8–4 , , 46 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 61 , , February 21 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–4 , ,

, , 17–32–8–4 , , 46 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 62 , , February 23 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–4 , ,

, , 17–33–8–4 , , 46 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 63 , , February 25 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 17–34–8–4 , , 46 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 64 , , February 27 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 4–3 , ,

, , 18–34–8–4 , , 48 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 65 , , February 28 , ,

, , 4–5 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 19–34–8–4 , , 50 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 66 , , March 2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–0 , ,

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, ...

, , 20–34–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 67 , , March 3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–4 , ,

, , 20–35–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 68 , , March 6 , ,

, , 4–0 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 20–36–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 69 , , March 8 , ,

, , 4–1 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 20–37–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 70 , , March 11 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 20–38–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 71 , , March 13 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–5 , ,

, , 20–39–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 72 , , March 14 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–3 , ,

, , 20–40–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 73 , , March 16 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 2–3 , ,

, , 20–41–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 74 , , March 18 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 0–2 , ,

, , 20–42–8–4 , , 52 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 75 , , March 21 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 5–4 , ,

, , 21–42–8–4 , , 54 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 76 , , March 24 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 22–42–8–4 , , 56 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 77 , , March 26 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 23–42–8–4 , , 58 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 78 , , March 27 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 3–2 , ,

, , 24–42–8–4 , , 60 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 79 , , March 29 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 0–6 , ,

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 ...

, , 24–43–8–4 , , 60 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 80 , , March 31 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 24–44–8–4 , , 60 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 81 , , April 2 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 24–45–8–4 , , 60 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 82 , , April 3 , , Columbus Blue Jackets , , 4–1 , ,

, , 25–45–8–4 , , 62 , , , - , - , ''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 Blue Jackets only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blue Jackets only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Transactions

The Blue Jackets were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after 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 ...

, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the

2004 Stanley Cup Finals The 2004 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2003–04 season, and the culmination of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Western C ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Columbus' draft picks at the

2003 NHL Entry Draft The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was the 41st NHL Entry Draft. It was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee on June 21 and 22, 2003. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was ...

held at the

Gaylord Entertainment Center Bridgestone Arena (originally Nashville Arena, and formerly Gaylord Entertainment Center and Sommet Center) is a multi-purpose venue in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Completed in 1996, it is the home of the Nashville Predators of ...

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...

Notes

References

* * *National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:2003-04 Columbus Blue Jackets Season

Columbus Columbus is a Latinized version of the Italian surname "''Colombo''". It most commonly refers to: * Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), the Italian explorer * Columbus, Ohio, capital of the U.S. state of Ohio Columbus may also refer to: Places ...

Columbus Blue Jackets seasons Col

Blue Blue is one of the three primary colours in the RYB colour model (traditional colour theory), as well as in the RGB (additive) colour model. It lies between violet and cyan on the spectrum of visible light. The eye perceives blue when obs ...