2003 Playoff Facts

-For the first time ever, the Minnesota Wild are in the playoffs

-For the first time ever, the Devils are 2nd seed. They've been #1 plenty of times but never #2

-Four of the Western playoff teams earned 100+ points during the regular season as opposed to three teams in the East.

-After missing the playoffs for seven years (1994-2001) the New York Islanders are back for their second playoff season since last year. 

-For the first time ever, Ottawa is the #1 seed.

-The Devils are the Atlantic Division champions for the fifth time in seven years.

"THE GREAT EIGHT"

The number of playoff teams has been cut from sixteen to eight

FOUR EASTERN TEAMS-Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers

FOUR WESTERN TEAMS-Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

Eastern Conference Semifinals, 2nd round (best-of-seven)

#1 Ottawa Senators vs. #4 Philadelphia Flyers  

Senators win series 4-2

Senators regular season record: 52-21-8-1=113 pts. (Northeast Division Champions)

Flyers regular season record: 45-20-13-4=107 pts.

Predicted winner: Flyers in seven                  Final Result: Senators in six

Scores~                   home team in red   

Game 1: Senators 4, Flyers 2    Game 2: Flyers 2, Senators 0    Game 3: Senators 3, Flyers 2(OT)    

Game 4: Flyers 1, Senators 0    Game 5: Senators 5, Flyers 2    Game 6: Senators 5, Flyers 1

#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #3 Tampa Bay Lightning

Devils win series 4-1

Predicted winner: Devils in five                     Final Result: Devils in five

Game 1: Devils 3, Lightning 0    Game 2: Devils 3, Lightning 2(OT)    Game 3: Lightning 4, Devils 3     

Game 4: Devils 3, Lightning 1    Game 5: Devils 2, Lightning 1 (3OT)

Western Conference Semifinals 2nd round (best-of-seven)

#1 Dallas Starsvs. #7 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

Ducks win series 4-2

Stars regular season record: 46-17-15-4=111 pts. (Southwest Division Champions)

Mighty Ducks regular season record: 40-27-9-6=95 pts.

Predicted winner: Stars in six                Final Result: Ducks in six

Game 1: Ducks 4, Stars 3(5OT)    Game 2: Ducks 3, Stars 2(OT)    Game 3: Stars 2, Ducks 1    

Game 4: Ducks 1, Stars 0    Game 5: Stars 4, Ducks 1    Game 6: Ducks 4, Stars 3

#4 Vancouver Canucksvs. #6 Minnesota Wild

Wild win series 4-3

Canucks regular season record: 45-23-13-1=104 pts.        

Wild regular season record: 42-29-10-1=95 pts.

Predicted winner: Canucks in six                      Final Result: Wild in seven

Game 1: Canucks 4, Wild 3(OT)    Game 2: Wild 3, Canucks 2    Game 3: Canucks 3, Wild 2

Game 4: Canucks 3, Wild 2    Game 5: Wild 7, Canucks 2    Game 6: Wild 5, Canucks 1

Game 7: Wild 4, Canucks 2