2003–04 New Jersey Devils season


The 2003–04 New Jersey Devils season was the team's 22nd season in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. Like the 2001–02 NHL season, the Devils finished 6th in the Eastern Conference and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The team started the season really impressive, winning 17 of its first thirty games. However, in the 2004 calendar year, they were 24–19–4–1, causing them to finish sixth in the conference, second in the division and lose to one of their division rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers in five games in the quarterfinals. They were also marred by injured defenseman Scott Stevens and Brian Rafalski which also caused them to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Regular season

The defending Stanley Cup champions, the Devils only allowed 164 goals, the lowest total ever allowed by a team under the 82-game regular-season format. The Devils also shut out their opponents 14 times, a league-high. Furthermore, they were the most disciplined team in the League, finishing with the regular season with the fewest power-play opportunities against and the fewest power-play goals allowed.

Final standings

Schedule and results

Playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

(E6) New Jersey Devils vs. (E3) Philadelphia Flyers

The series opened at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, and the Flyers won both games 1 and 2 3-2 over New Jersey. Games three and four were played at Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey. The Devils won game three 4-2, but the Flyers were victorious in game four by a score of 3-0. Game five was played back in Philadelphia, and the Flyers won that game 3-1 and won the series 4 games to 1.

Media

Television coverage was still on FOX Sports Net New York with Mike Emrick and Chico Resch as usual with Matt Loughlin hosting in the studio and color commentating. Radio coverage remained on WABC 770 with John Hennessy calling the play-by-play with Randy Velischek providing color commentary.

Player statistics

Regular season

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIM+/-PPGSHGGWG
LW823843814426939
C801456707018301
D811440544420903
LW81172037268504
D6963036246201
C80122335227111
LW821419332010701
RW75218293619008
RW61141327760402
LW82131326145124
RW53101626439122
D7061824412202
RW65871567-9502
LW/C697613415000
D75211139610000
D383912223101
C51651141-1101
C4911011203000
C13167104000
C1124620000
LW232354-4000
D4513447000
D650447212000
D39033445000
D110334-3000
LW8101221001
RW1201100000
G301120000
G7500040000
G400000000
C20000-1000
LW200020000
RW100000000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLT/OTGAGAASOSASVSV%
4555753826111542.031118451691.917
238431041.0128480.952
187320120.6416866.971
Team:4980824327121601.931419971837.920

Playoffs

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIMPPGSHGGWG
C50660000
LW53252101
RW52350100
C52022000
D51124100
RW50222000
LW/C50222000
D51016000
D40110000
D50110000
RW20000000
G50000000
D10002000
LW50000000
LW50004000
D40000000
D10000000
C20000000
C10000000
C50000000
LW50000000
RW50000000
D50004000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLGAGAASOSASVSV%
298514132.620133120.902
Team:298514132.620133120.902

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

Awards and records

Awards

Nominations

Transactions

Draft picks

The Devils' draft picks at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.