2002–03 Los Angeles Kings season National Hockey League team season
The 2002–03 Los Angeles Kings season was the Kings' 36th season in the National Hockey League . The Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1999, ending a three season playoff streak.
Offseason
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(July 2010 )
Regular season
The Kings tied the Detroit Red Wings , New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals for the fewest short-handed goals allowed, with just four.[ 1]
Final standings
[ 2]
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
Divisions: PA – Pacific, CE – Central, NW – Northwest
Z – Clinched Conference ; Y – Clinched Division ; X – Clinched Playoff spot
Schedule and results
2002–03 regular season[ 3]
October: 5–2–2–1 (home: 2–1–1–0; road: 3–1–1–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
1
W
October 9, 2002
4–1
Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03 )
1–0–0–0
Recap
2
W
October 12, 2002
3–2
Detroit Red Wings (2002–03 )
2–0–0–0
Recap
3
W
October 16, 2002
4–2
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
3–0–0–0
Recap
4
L
October 17, 2002
1–4
Colorado Avalanche (2002–03 )
3–1–0–0
Recap
5
T
October 19, 2002
2–2 OT
Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
3–1–1–0
Recap
6
T
October 23, 2002
3–3 OT
@ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03 )
3–1–2–0
Recap
7
W
October 25, 2002
6–2
@ New York Rangers (2002–03 )
4–1–2–0
Recap
8
L
October 27, 2002
1–5
@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
4–2–2–0
Recap
9
W
October 29, 2002
4–0
@ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03 )
5–2–2–0
Recap
10
OTL
October 31, 2002
1–2 OT
@ Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
5–2–2–1
Recap
November: 5–5–2–2 (home: 3–2–0–0; road: 2–3–2–2)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
11
W
November 2, 2002
6–5 OT
Nashville Predators (2002–03 )
6–2–2–1
Recap
12
L
November 4, 2002
2–5
Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
6–3–2–1
Recap
13
L
November 5, 2002
2–5
@ San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
6–4–2–1
Recap
14
W
November 8, 2002
3–2
@ Ottawa Senators (2002–03 )
7–4–2–1
Recap
15
L
November 9, 2002
1–3
@ Montreal Canadiens (2002–03 )
7–5–2–1
Recap
16
OTL
November 12, 2002
3–4 OT
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03 )
7–5–2–2
Recap
17
L
November 14, 2002
2–3
@ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
7–6–2–2
Recap
18
W
November 16, 2002
4–1
@ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
8–6–2–2
Recap
19
T
November 19, 2002
2–2 OT
@ Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
8–6–3–2
Recap
20
OTL
November 21, 2002
2–3 OT
@ St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
8–6–3–3
Recap
21
W
November 23, 2002
2–0
Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
9–6–3–3
Recap
22
L
November 27, 2002
2–5
Florida Panthers (2002–03 )
9–7–3–3
Recap
23
T
November 29, 2002
2–2 OT
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
9–7–4–3
Recap
24
W
November 30, 2002
4–1
Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
10–7–4–3
Recap
December: 6–7–0–0 (home: 4–3–0–0; road: 2–4–0–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
25
L
December 5, 2002
2–3
Nashville Predators (2002–03 )
10–8–4–3
Recap
26
L
December 7, 2002
2–4
Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
10–9–4–3
Recap
27
W
December 10, 2002
3–0
@ Nashville Predators (2002–03 )
11–9–4–3
Recap
28
W
December 11, 2002
3–0
@ Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
12–9–4–3
Recap
29
W
December 14, 2002
3–2 OT
Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03 )
13–9–4–3
Recap
30
L
December 15, 2002
1–2
@ Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03 )
13–10–4–3
Recap
31
W
December 17, 2002
6–2
St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
14–10–4–3
Recap
32
W
December 19, 2002
5–4
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
15–10–4–3
Recap
33
L
December 22, 2002
1–3
@ Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
15–11–4–3
Recap
34
L
December 23, 2002
0–5
@ St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
15–12–4–3
Recap
35
W
December 26, 2002
4–3 OT
Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03 )
16–12–4–3
Recap
36
L
December 29, 2002
1–6
@ Colorado Avalanche (2002–03 )
16–13–4–3
Recap
37
L
December 30, 2002
0–2
Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
16–14–4–3
Recap
January: 4–10–0–1 (home: 3–6–0–0; road: 1–4–0–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
38
L
January 2, 2003
1–4
Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03 )
16–15–4–3
Recap
39
L
January 4, 2003
2–3
Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
16–16–4–3
Recap
40
W
January 6, 2003
3–2
@ Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
17–16–4–3
Recap
41
L
January 7, 2003
4–7
@ Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
17–17–4–3
Recap
42
L
January 9, 2003
4–5
Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
17–18–4–3
Recap
43
L
January 11, 2003
1–2
St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
17–19–4–3
Recap
44
W
January 13, 2003
3–2 OT
San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
18–19–4–3
Recap
45
L
January 16, 2003
0–2
@ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
18–20–4–3
Recap
46
OTL
January 18, 2003
1–2 OT
@ Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
18–20–4–4
Recap
47
L
January 22, 2003
5–6
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
18–21–4–4
Recap
48
L
January 23, 2003
1–2
Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
18–22–4–4
Recap
49
W
January 25, 2003
2–1 OT
New Jersey Devils (2002–03 )
19–22–4–4
Recap
50
L
January 27, 2003
0–3
San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
19–23–4–4
Recap
51
L
January 28, 2003
1–3
@ San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
19–24–4–4
Recap
52
W
January 30, 2003
3–0
Ottawa Senators (2002–03 )
20–24–4–4
Recap
February: 7–5–0–0 (home: 4–1–0–0; road: 3–4–0–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
53
W
February 5, 2003
4–3
Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03 )
21–24–4–4
Recap
54
W
February 7, 2003
8–2
Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03 )
22–24–4–4
Recap
55
L
February 9, 2003
1–3
@ Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
22–25–4–4
Recap
56
W
February 11, 2003
3–2
@ Nashville Predators (2002–03 )
23–25–4–4
Recap
57
W
February 13, 2003
4–2
Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
24–25–4–4
Recap
58
L
February 15, 2003
2–3
New York Islanders (2002–03 )
24–26–4–4
Recap
59
W
February 17, 2003
3–2
San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
25–26–4–4
Recap
60
L
February 20, 2003
0–5
@ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03 )
25–27–4–4
Recap
61
W
February 21, 2003
4–1
@ Buffalo Sabres (2002–03 )
26–27–4–4
Recap
62
L
February 24, 2003
4–5
@ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03 )
26–28–4–4
Recap
63
W
February 25, 2003
5–3
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03 )
27–28–4–4
Recap
64
L
February 27, 2003
1–3
@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
27–29–4–4
Recap
March: 4–7–2–2 (home: 2–5–1–2; road: 2–2–1–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
65
W
March 1, 2003
4–1
Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03 )
28–29–4–4
Recap
66
L
March 4, 2003
1–2
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
28–30–4–4
Recap
67
L
March 6, 2003
1–2
Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
28–31–4–4
Recap
68
W
March 8, 2003
2–1
Montreal Canadiens (2002–03 )
29–31–4–4
Recap
69
L
March 10, 2003
2–3
Detroit Red Wings (2002–03 )
29–32–4–4
Recap
70
L
March 12, 2003
2–4
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03 )
29–33–4–4
Recap
71
W
March 14, 2003
3–1
@ Washington Capitals (2002–03 )
30–33–4–4
Recap
72
T
March 15, 2003
0–0 OT
@ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03 )
30–33–5–4
Recap
73
L
March 18, 2003
1–4
Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
30–34–5–4
Recap
74
T
March 20, 2003
2–2 OT
Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03 )
30–34–6–4
Recap
75
OTL
March 22, 2003
3–4 OT
Boston Bruins (2002–03 )
30–34–6–5
Recap
76
OTL
March 25, 2003
1–2 OT
Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
30–34–6–6[ a]
Recap
77
L
March 27, 2003
0–3
@ Colorado Avalanche (2002–03 )
30–35–6–6
Recap
78
L
March 29, 2003
1–5
Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
30–36–6–6
Recap
79
W
March 31, 2003
5–4 OT
@ Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03 )
31–36–6–6
Recap
April: 2–0–0–1 (home: 1–0–0–0; road: 1–0–0–1)
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Overtime loss (1 point)
Player statistics
Scoring
Position abbreviations: C = Center ; D = Defense ; 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 Kings only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.
Goaltending
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Transactions
The Kings were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals , through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals .[ 8]
Trades
Players acquired
Players lost
Signings
Draft picks
Los Angeles's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto , Ontario .[ 54]
Notes
^ Rule 84.2 of the NHL rulebook states "A team shall be allowed to pull its goalkeeper in favor of an additional skater in the overtime period. However, should that team lose the game during the time in which the goalkeeper has been removed, it would forfeit the automatic point gained in the tie at the end of regulation play, except if the goalkeeper has been removed at the call of a delayed penalty against the other team." The Kings pulled Huet in OT and lost the game in OT, so they forfeited that 1 point for the OTL
^ Rasmussen wore number 9 through January 9.
^ 6th-rounder
^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[ 21]
^ Emerson retired on July 28.[ 22]
^ Miller retired.[ 24]
^ Phillips retired.[ 25]
^ a b Club option for a second year.
References
^ "2002-03 NHL Summary" . Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018 .
^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010 . Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 163.
^ "2002-03 Los Angeles Kings Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^ "2003 NHL All-Star Game Rosters" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved August 29, 2024 .
^ "NHL - 2003 YoungStars Rosters" . ESPN.com . January 18, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .
^ a b c d e f g h i "Award Winners" . Los Angeles Kings . April 3, 2003. Archived from the original on June 4, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022 .
^ "2002-03 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 13, 2024 .
^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results" . www.prosportstransactions.com . Retrieved December 9, 2022 .
^ "RONNING TRADED" . Los Angeles Kings . June 22, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ a b "FORWARD DEREK ARMSTRONG ACQUIRED" . Los Angeles Kings . July 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS ACQUIRE RASMUSSEN" . Los Angeles Kings . July 24, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS ACQUIRE YUSHKEVICH" . Los Angeles Kings . November 26, 2002. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS ACQUIRE GREG KOEHLER" . Los Angeles Kings . February 4, 2003. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "YUSHKEVICH TRADED TO FLYERS" . Los Angeles Kings . March 1, 2003. Archived from the original on June 3, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS TRADE SMOLINSKI" . Los Angeles Kings . March 11, 2003. Archived from the original on August 1, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "SCHNEIDER TRADED TO RED WINGS" . Los Angeles Kings . March 11, 2003. Archived from the original on August 1, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "GOALTENDER ACQUIRED" . Los Angeles Kings . May 28, 2003. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2022 .
^ "KINGS SIGN DEFENSEMAN CHRIS MCALPINE" . Los Angeles Kings . August 27, 2002. Archived from the original on June 28, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "ROSTER MOVES" . Los Angeles Kings . October 8, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "JON SIM CLAIMED OFF WAIVERS" . Los Angeles Kings . March 8, 2003. Archived from the original on August 1, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ a b c "NHL FREE-AGENT LIST" . Daily Herald . July 2, 2002. Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ Nelson Emerson at Hockey-Reference.com , retrieved December 10, 2022
^ "BLACKHAWKS" . Tampa Bay Times . July 1, 2002. Retrieved December 11, 2022 . KINGS: Nelson Emerson will become an unrestricted free agent after Los Angeles exercised a buyout on the forward's contract.
^ Nate Miller career statistics at EliteProspects.com , retrieved December 10, 2022
^ Greg Phillips career statistics at EliteProspects.com , retrieved December 10, 2022
^ Crowe, Jerry (July 3, 2002). "Boucher Leaves for Dallas, $9.3 Million" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "Coyotes sign Buchberger to 1-year deal" . UPI . July 7, 2002. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "RANGERS ADD FORWARD DONATO" . New York Daily News . July 9, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2023 .
^ "Boston Bruins sign five players" . OurSports Central . July 18, 2002. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ Marcel Cousineau at Hockey-Reference.com , retrieved December 10, 2022
^ "Mighty Ducks Sign Pair" . OurSports Central . July 24, 2002. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "Sharks Sign Jakopin, Three Others" . AP NEWS . September 5, 2002. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "POTVIN TO REMAIN A KING" . Los Angeles Kings . June 27, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ a b "KINGS EXERCISE OPTIONS" . Los Angeles Kings . June 28, 2002. Archived from the original on June 28, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "DEFENSEMAN JOE CORVO SIGNED" . Los Angeles Kings . July 8, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "CRISTOBAL HUET INKS DEAL" . Los Angeles Kings . July 9, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS MOVE FORWARD WITH FROLOV" . Los Angeles Kings . July 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "FORWARD BRAD CHARTRAND SIGNED" . Los Angeles Kings . July 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "FORWARD PAVEL ROSA SIGNED" . Los Angeles Kings . July 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "DEFENSEMAN SEELEY SIGNED" . Los Angeles Kings . July 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "FORWARD ADAM MAIR SIGNED" . Los Angeles Kings . July 20, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "CAMMALLERI SIGNS WITH THE KINGS" . Los Angeles Kings . July 25, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS SIGN CENTER ERIC BELANGER" . Los Angeles Kings . July 26, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "DEFENSEMAN MIKE PUDLICK SIGNS" . Los Angeles Kings . July 30, 2002. Archived from the original on August 1, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ a b c "KINGS SIGN THREE PLAYERS" . Los Angeles Kings . August 1, 2002. Archived from the original on August 1, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS SIGN FORWARD JAROSLAV BEDNAR" . Los Angeles Kings . August 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR MATTIAS NORSTROM" . Los Angeles Kings . September 14, 2002. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "PLAYER TRANSACTIONS" . Los Angeles Kings . October 2, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS & MILLER AGREE TO TERMS" . Los Angeles Kings . March 10, 2003. Archived from the original on June 3, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "KINGS SIGN PROSPECT" . Los Angeles Kings . April 3, 2003. Archived from the original on June 4, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "PALFFY TO STAY IN LA" . Los Angeles Kings . April 8, 2003. Archived from the original on June 18, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "OPTION EXERCISED" . Los Angeles Kings . April 8, 2003. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ "DEFENSEMAN SIGNED" . Los Angeles Kings . May 30, 2003. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2022 .
^ "2002 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . hockeyDB.com . Retrieved December 23, 2022 .
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