NHL hockey team season
The 2003–04 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 95th season of play and their 87th in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canadiens would return to the playoffs reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals before being eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning , 4–0.
Offseason
Bob Gainey , who played his entire 16 season NHL career with Montreal, was named the team’s new general manager on June 2, 2003, and assumed the role on July 1 from Andre Savard , who was demoted to assistant general manager.
Regular season
Heritage Classic
The Heritage Classic was an outdoor ice hockey game played on November 22, 2003, in Edmonton , Alberta , between the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens. It was the second NHL outdoor game and the first regular season outdoor game in the history of the NHL, and was modeled after the success of the "cold war " game between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University in 2001.
The first NHL game to be played outdoors was in 1991 when the Los Angeles Kings played the New York Rangers in an exhibition game outside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas . The event took place in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium in front of a crowd of 57,167, the largest number of people to ever watch a live NHL game, despite temperatures of close to −18 °C, −30 °C (−22 °F) with wind chill. It was held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Edmonton Oilers joining the NHL in 1979.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) television broadcast also set the record for most viewers of a single NHL game with 2.747 million nationwide. This was the first NHL game broadcast in HDTV on CBC.
The Canadiens won the game by a score of 4–3.
Final standings
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.
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast
Z – Clinched Conference ; Y – Clinched Division ; X – Clinched Playoff spot
Schedule and results
Regular season
2003–04 regular season
October: 6–5–0–0 (home: 4–3–0–0; road: 2–2–0–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
1
L
October 9, 2003
2–5
@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04 )
0–1–0–0
0
Recap
2
W
October 11, 2003
4–0
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04 )
1–1–0–0
2
Recap
3
W
October 14, 2003
5–1
Washington Capitals (2003–04 )
2–1–0–0
4
Recap
4
W
October 16, 2003
4–1
Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04 )
3–1–0–0
6
Recap
5
L
October 18, 2003
0–1
Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04 )
3–2–0–0
6
Recap
6
W
October 20, 2003
2–1
Detroit Red Wings (2003–04 )
4–2–0–0
8
Recap
7
W
October 23, 2003
3–0
New York Islanders (2003–04 )
5–2–0–0
10
Recap
8
L
October 25, 2003
2–6
Ottawa Senators (2003–04 )
5–3–0–0
10
Recap
9
L
October 27, 2003
0–5
@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04 )
5–4–0–0
10
Recap
10
L
October 28, 2003
0–2
Boston Bruins (2003–04 )
5–5–0–0
10
Recap
11
W
October 30, 2003
1–0 OT
@ Boston Bruins (2003–04 )
6–5–0–0
12
Recap
November: 4–6–2–1 (home: 1–3–2–0; road: 3–3–0–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
12
L
November 1, 2003
1–5
New York Rangers (2003–04 )
6–6–0–0
12
Recap
13
L
November 4, 2003
2–4
Edmonton Oilers (2003–04 )
6–7–0–0
12
Recap
14
L
November 7, 2003
1–2
@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04 )
6–8–0–0
12
Recap
15
W
November 8, 2003
3–0
Buffalo Sabres (2003–04 )
7–8–0–0
14
Recap
16
T
November 11, 2003
1–1 OT
Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04 )
7–8–1–0
15
Recap
17
L
November 13, 2003
1–3
@ New York Islanders (2003–04 )
7–9–1–0
15
Recap
18
W
November 15, 2003
3–2
@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04 )
8–9–1–0
17
Recap
19
OTL
November 18, 2003
4–5 OT
@ Vancouver Canucks (2003–04 )
8–9–1–1
18
Recap
20
L
November 20, 2003
1–2
@ Calgary Flames (2003–04 )
8–10–1–1
18
Recap
21
W
November 22, 2003
4–3
@ Edmonton Oilers (2003–04 )
9–10–1–1
20
Recap
22
L
November 25, 2003
2–5
Vancouver Canucks (2003–04 )
9–11–1–1
20
Recap
23
W
November 28, 2003
5–3
@ Washington Capitals (2003–04 )
10–11–1–1
22
Recap
24
T
November 29, 2003
1–1 OT
Florida Panthers (2003–04 )
10–11–2–1
23
Recap
December: 7–4–3–1 (home: 4–1–1–0; road: 3–3–2–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
25
W
December 2, 2003
3–2
Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04 )
11–11–2–1
25
Recap
26
T
December 5, 2003
1–1 OT
@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04 )
11–11–3–1
26
Recap
27
W
December 6, 2003
3–1
Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04 )
12–11–3–1
28
Recap
28
L
December 8, 2003
2–3
Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04 )
12–12–3–1
28
Recap
29
W
December 10, 2003
2–1
@ New York Rangers (2003–04 )
13–12–3–1
30
Recap
30
L
December 12, 2003
2–4
@ Florida Panthers (2003–04 )
13–13–3–1
30
Recap
31
W
December 13, 2003
5–2
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04 )
14–13–3–1
32
Recap
32
T
December 16, 2003
1–1 OT
Boston Bruins (2003–04 )
14–13–4–1
33
Recap
33
W
December 18, 2003
5–4 OT
Nashville Predators (2003–04 )
15–13–4–1
35
Recap
34
L
December 20, 2003
2–4
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04 )
15–14–4–1
35
Recap
35
W
December 22, 2003
4–1
Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04 )
16–14–4–1
37
Recap
36
L
December 23, 2003
2–3
@ Washington Capitals (2003–04 )
16–15–4–1
37
Recap
37
OTL
December 27, 2003
1–2 OT
@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04 )
16–15–4–2
38
Recap
38
W
December 29, 2003
2–1
@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04 )
17–15–4–2
40
Recap
39
T
December 31, 2003
1–1 OT
@ Dallas Stars (2003–04 )
17–15–5–2
41
Recap
January: 8–5–1–0 (home: 4–3–1–0; road: 4–2–0–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
40
W
January 3, 2004
5–1
Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04 )
18–15–5–2
43
Recap
41
W
January 4, 2004
4–1
Washington Capitals (2003–04 )
19–15–5–2
45
Recap
42
W
January 6, 2004
3–1
Buffalo Sabres (2003–04 )
20–15–5–2
47
Recap
43
L
January 8, 2004
1–4
Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04 )
20–16–5–2
47
Recap
44
W
January 10, 2004
8–0
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04 )
21–16–5–2
49
Recap
45
W
January 13, 2004
5–2
St. Louis Blues (2003–04 )
22–16–5–2
51
Recap
46
W
January 14, 2004
2–1
@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04 )
23–16–5–2
53
Recap
47
T
January 17, 2004
2–2 OT
New York Rangers (2003–04 )
23–16–6–2
54
Recap
48
W
January 20, 2004
4–1
@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04 )
24–16–6–2
56
Recap
49
L
January 23, 2004
0–2
@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04 )
24–17–6–2
56
Recap
50
L
January 24, 2004
1–4
Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04 )
24–18–6–2
56
Recap
51
L
January 27, 2004
1–4
@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04 )
24–19–6–2
56
Recap
52
W
January 29, 2004
3–2 OT
@ Minnesota Wild (2003–04 )
25–19–6–2
58
Recap
53
L
January 31, 2004
0–1
Boston Bruins (2003–04 )
25–20–6–2
58
Recap
February: 8–5–0–0 (home: 5–1–0–0; road: 3–4–0–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
54
W
February 1, 2004
6–4
Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04 )
26–20–6–2
60
Recap
55
W
February 3, 2004
4–3
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04 )
27–20–6–2
62
Recap
56
W
February 5, 2004
2–1
New York Islanders (2003–04 )
28–20–6–2
64
Recap
57
L
February 10, 2004
1–2
@ Florida Panthers (2003–04 )
28–21–6–2
64
Recap
58
L
February 12, 2004
3–5
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04 )
28–22–6–2
64
Recap
59
L
February 14, 2004
2–5
@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04 )
28–23–6–2
64
Recap
60
L
February 17, 2004
1–4
Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04 )
28–24–6–2
64
Recap
61
W
February 19, 2004
4–1
Calgary Flames (2003–04 )
29–24–6–2
66
Recap
62
L
February 21, 2004
4–5
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04 )
29–25–6–2
66
Recap
63
W
February 23, 2004
4–1
@ New York Rangers (2003–04 )
30–25–6–2
68
Recap
64
W
February 24, 2004
4–2
Ottawa Senators (2003–04 )
31–25–6–2
70
Recap
65
W
February 26, 2004
3–2 OT
@ Boston Bruins (2003–04 )
32–25–6–2
72
Recap
66
W
February 28, 2004
1–0 OT
Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04 )
33–25–6–2
74
Recap
March: 7–4–1–2 (home: 4–1–0–1; road: 3–3–1–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
67
W
March 1, 2004
2–1
New Jersey Devils (2003–04 )
34–25–6–2
76
Recap
68
L
March 3, 2004
3–4
@ San Jose Sharks (2003–04 )
34–26–6–2
76
Recap
69
W
March 5, 2004
4–3
@ Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04 )
35–26–6–2
78
Recap
70
W
March 6, 2004
4–2
@ Los Angeles Kings (2003–04 )
36–26–6–2
80
Recap
71
W
March 8, 2004
5–2
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04 )
37–26–6–2
82
Recap
72
OTL
March 11, 2004
2–3 OT
Florida Panthers (2003–04 )
37–26–6–3
83
Recap
73
W
March 13, 2004
4–3
Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04 )
38–26–6–3
85
Recap
74
W
March 16, 2004
4–2
Colorado Avalanche (2003–04 )
39–26–6–3
87
Recap
75
T
March 19, 2004
1–1 OT
@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04 )
39–26–7–3
88
Recap
76
W
March 20, 2004
3–2
New Jersey Devils (2003–04 )
40–26–7–3
90
Recap
77
L
March 24, 2004
1–2
@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04 )
40–27–7–3
90
Recap
78
L
March 25, 2004
0–4
Ottawa Senators (2003–04 )
40–28–7–3
90
Recap
79
OTL
March 27, 2004
2–3 OT
@ Boston Bruins (2003–04 )
40–28–7–4
91
Recap
80
L
March 31, 2004
1–5
@ New York Islanders (2003–04 )
40–29–7–4
91
Recap
April: 1–1–0–0 (home: 1–1–0–0; road: 0–0–0–0)
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Overtime loss (1 point)
Playoffs
See also: 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs
2004 Stanley Cup playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (2) Boston Bruins – Canadiens win 4–3
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Series
Recap
1
April 7
Montreal
3–0
Boston
Raycroft
17,565
Boston leads 1–0
Recap
2
April 9
Montreal
2–1
Boston
OT
Raycroft
17,565
Boston leads 2–0
Recap
3
April 11
Boston
3–2
Montreal
Theodore
21,273
Boston leads 2–1
Recap
4
April 13
Boston
3–4
Montreal
OT
Raycroft
21,273
Boston leads 3–1
Recap
5
April 15
Montreal
5–1
Boston
Theodore
17,565
Boston leads 3–2
Recap
6
April 17
Boston
2–5
Montreal
Theodore
21,273
Series tied 3–3
Recap
7
April 19
Montreal
2–0
Boston
Theodore
17,565
Montreal wins 4–3
Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (1) Tampa Bay Lightning – Tampa Bay wins series 4–0
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Series
Recap
1
April 23
Montreal
0–4
Tampa Bay
Theodore
18,904
Tampa Bay leads 1–0
Recap
2
April 25
Montreal
1–3
Tampa Bay
Theodore
19,435
Tampa Bay leads 2–0
Recap
3
April 27
Tampa Bay
3–2
Montreal
OT
Theodore
21,273
Tampa Bay leads 3–0
Recap
4
April 29
Tampa Bay
3–1
Montreal
Theodore
21,273
Tampa Bay wins 4–0
Recap
Legend :
Win
Loss
Player statistics
Scoring
Position abbreviations: C = Centre ; D = Defence ; G = Goaltender ; LW = Left Wing ; RW = Right Wing
† = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
Goaltending
No.
Player
Regular season
Playoffs
GP
W
L
T
SA
GA
GAA
SV%
SO
TOI
GP
W
L
SA
GA
GAA
SV%
SO
TOI
60
Jose Theodore
67
33
28
5
1860
150
2.27
.919
6
3961
11
4
7
333
27
2.39
.919
1
678
30
Mathieu Garon
19
8
6
2
480
38
2.27
.921
0
1003
1
0
0
6
0
0.00
1.000
0
12
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Transactions
The Canadiens were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals , through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals .
Trades
Date
Details
Ref
June 22, 2003 (2003-06-22)
To Washington Capitals Nashville’s 4th-round pick in 2003
To Montreal Canadiens 4th-round pick in 2003 7th-round pick in 2003
March 2, 2004 (2004-03-02)
To New York Rangers
To Montreal Canadiens
March 4, 2004 (2004-03-04)
To Minnesota Wild
To Montreal Canadiens
March 9, 2004 (2004-03-09)
To Vancouver Canucks
To Montreal Canadiens
Players acquired
Players lost
Signings
Date
Player
Term
Contract type
Ref
June 17, 2003 (2003-06-17)
Francois Beauchemin
2-year
Re-signing
Eric Fichaud
1-year
Option exercised
July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01)
Chad Kilger
2-year
Re-signing
July 4, 2003 (2003-07-04)
Jonathan Ferland
3-year
Entry-level
July 11, 2003 (2003-07-11)
Alexander Perezhogin
3-year
Entry-level
July 22, 2003 (2003-07-22)
Michael Ryder
1-year
Re-signing
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24)
Mike Ribeiro
1-year
Re-signing
August 4, 2003 (2003-08-04)
Gordie Dwyer
2-year
Re-signing
August 26, 2003 (2003-08-26)
Andrei Markov
2-year
Re-signing
September 4, 2003 (2003-09-04)
Matt Shasby
2-year
Entry-level
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05)
Saku Koivu
2-year
Re-signing
June 1, 2004 (2004-06-01)
Michael Lambert
3-year
Entry-level
Draft picks
Montreal's draft picks at the 2003 NHL entry draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee .
See also
Notes
^ Club option for a second year
In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.
Czerkawski signed with New York on July 17.
McKay announced his retirement on September 13, 2003.
O'Dette was inactive during the 2003–04 season.
Audette signed with Florida on January 16.
References
"Canadiens name Gainey GM" . UPI . June 2, 2003. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
"Edmonton Oilers Heritage Website - Heritage Classic" . Archived from the original on December 4, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2007.
"Not exactly the first time" . CBC News . Archived from the original on November 15, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2007.
"2003-2004 Division Standings" . National Hockey League. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
"2003–2004 Standings by Conference" . National Hockey League. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
^ "2003-04 Montreal Canadiens Schedule and Results" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved August 10, 2022.
"Postseason All-Star Teams" . records.nhl.com . Retrieved August 8, 2022.
"2004 NHL All-Star Game Rosters" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved August 29, 2024.
Naylor, David (March 2, 2004). "Habs take shine off Brodeur" . The Globe and Mail . Retrieved August 12, 2022. Theodore entered last night's game after being chosen the NHL's defensive player of the week, allowing just five goals in his previous four games.
"Zednik, Khabibulin earn weekly honors" . TSN.ca . March 8, 2004. Archived from the original on March 28, 2004. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
"Former Mississippi Right Wing Ryder Named NHL Rookie of the Month" . OurSports Central . March 2, 2004. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
"2004 YoungStars Game rosters" . ESPN.com . January 24, 2004. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
"Bouillon receives Jacques-Beauchamp Molson Trophy" . Montreal Canadiens . April 1, 2004. Archived from the original on April 3, 2004. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
"Theodore named Molson Cup Player of the Year for a fourth consecutive season" . Montreal Canadiens . April 2, 2004. Archived from the original on April 7, 2004. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
"2003-04 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 13, 2024.
"Habs use early goals to extend win streak" . The Globe and Mail . January 7, 2004. Retrieved August 12, 2022. Defenceman Stephane Quintal received a piece of crystal from the NHL and a silver hockey stick from the Canadiens in a pregame ceremony to mark his 1,000th NHL game.
^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results" . Pro Sports Transactions . Retrieved May 8, 2022.
"NHL DRAFT TRADES" . The Globe and Mail . June 23, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2022. Montreal traded a fourth-round selection (109th overall, previously acquired from Nashville) in the 2003 Entry Draft to Washington for the Capitals' fourth-round (123rd overall) and seventh-round (217th overall) selections in the 2003 Entry Draft.
Brooks, Larry (March 3, 2004). "RANGERS TRADE KOVALEV TO HABS" . New York Post . Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Jim Dowd goes from Wild to Canadiens" . UPI . March 4, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Canucks add Sanderson, Rucinsky at forward" . ESPN.com . March 10, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
^ "Canadiens sign Pierre Dagenais and Jean-François Damphousse" . Montreal Canadiens . July 4, 2003. Archived from the original on August 6, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
^ "20 picked in NHL waiver draft" . ESPN.com . October 3, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Habs sign goaltender Danis" . TSN.ca . March 19, 2004. Archived from the original on October 24, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
^ "2003 NHL free agent list" . ESPN.com . July 1, 2003. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
"Thursday roundup: Czerkawski returns to Isles" . ESPN.com . July 17, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
^ "Kilger agrees to two-year deal" . Montreal Canadiens . July 1, 2003. Archived from the original on July 24, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
Randy McKay at Hockey-Reference.com , retrieved May 23, 2022
Matt O'Dette career statistics at EliteProspects.com , retrieved May 23, 2022
"DESCOTEAUX VAHVISTAA KIRVESRINTOJA" . Tappara (in Finnish). July 29, 2003. Archived from the original on August 5, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Thrashers sign Lindsay" . CBC.ca . August 25, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"GINO ODJICK" . TSN.ca . January 24, 2004. Archived from the original on January 24, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2022. 10-Sep-03: Announced his retirement.
"Florida signs Donald Audette" . UPI . January 16, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Canadiens buy out Audette" . Chicago Tribune . January 3, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Kilger Claimed On Waivers" . Toronto Maple Leafs . March 9, 2004. Archived from the original on April 23, 2004. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
"Canadiens F Juneau announces retirement" . ESPN.com . May 1, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
""Dacke" hemma igen" . Brynäs IF (in Swedish). May 14, 2004. Archived from the original on June 4, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
^ "Beauchemin, Fichaud and Carpentier Under Contract" . OurSports Central . June 17, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Perezhogin under contract with the Canadiens" . Montreal Canadiens . July 11, 2003. Archived from the original on August 6, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Ryder signs one-year deal with Habs" . Montreal Canadiens . July 22, 2003. Archived from the original on August 6, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Ribeiro under contract with the Canadiens" . Montreal Canadiens . July 24, 2003. Archived from the original on August 7, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Dwyer sous contrat avec les Canadiens" . Montreal Canadiens (in French). August 4, 2003. Archived from the original on August 7, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Markov re-signs with Canadiens" . CBC.ca . August 27, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Canadiens Re-Sign Koivu" . AP NEWS . September 5, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"Canadiens sign forward Michaël Lambert" . Montreal Canadiens . June 1, 2004. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
"2003 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . www.hockeydb.com . Retrieved August 8, 2022.
Montreal Canadiens seasons 1900s
1900–01 . 1901–02 . 1902–03 . 1903–04 . 1904–05 . 1905–06 . 1906–07 . 1907–08 . 1908–09 . 1909–10
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Highlighted seasons indicate Stanley Cup championship
Categories :
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