2002–03 Columbus Blue Jackets season

The 2002–03 Columbus Blue Jackets season was the Blue Jackets' 3rd season in the NHL, as the team was coming off of a 22–47–8–5 record in the 2001–02 season, earning 57 points, finishing in last place in the Western Conference.
==Regular season==
The Jackets would get off to a good start, having a 7–5–1–1 record in their opening 14 games, however, Columbus would win only 2 of their next 12 games, and fall out of the playoff picture. The club would play mediocre hockey for the rest of the season, finishing with a 29–42–8–3 record, earning 69 points, and in last place in the Western Conference for the 2nd straight season. Midway through the season, Columbus fired head coach Dave King after a 14–20–4–2 start. King was replaced with general manager Doug MacLean, as the Blue Jackets would post a record of 15–22–4–1 record under his guidance. The 69 points was a 12 point improvement over the previous season, but, the club finished 23 points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the final playoff spot in the Conference. The previous season, the Blue Jackets scored a league low 164 goals, however, the team would beat that total by 49 goals, finishing with a club record 213 goals. Columbus though led the league in goals against, allowing 263, also a club record.
Ray Whitney would lead the club in points for the 2nd straight season, earning a club record 76 points, as he scored 24 goals and 52 assists. Geoff Sanderson rebounded from an injury plagued 2001–02 season to score a club record 34 goals, while Andrew Cassels would earn 68 points in his 1st season in Columbus. David Vyborny had a breakout season, scoring 20 goals and 46 points. On the blueline, Jaroslav Spacek scored 9 goals and earned 45 points in his 1st full season with the team. Jody Shelley led the team with 249 penalty mintues, setting a franchise record.
In goal, Marc Denis got the bulk of the action, winning a club record 27 games, while posting a 3.09 GAA, and earning 5 shutouts along the way.
===Season standings===
===Game log===
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record 	Pts
1 	October 10 	Chicago Blackhawks 	1–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	1–0–0–0 	2
2 	October 12 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–3 	New Jersey Devils 	1–1–0–0 	2
3 	October 14 	Phoenix Coyotes 	4–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	1–2–0–0 	2
4 	October 17 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	1–7 	St. Louis Blues 	1–3–0–0 	2
5 	October 19 	Florida Panthers 	1–4 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–3–0–0 	4
6 	October 23 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	2–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–3–1–0 	5
7 	October 25 	San Jose Sharks 	5–4 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–4–1–0 	5
8 	October 27 	Los Angeles Kings 	1–5 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	3–4–1–0 	7
9 	October 29 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–3 	Chicago Blackhawks 	3–5–1–0 	7
10	November 1 	Dallas Stars 	2–4 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	4–5–1–0 	9
11	November 3 	Buffalo Sabres 	2–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	5–5–1–0 	11
12	November 5 	Washington Capitals 	4–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	5–5–1–1 	12
13	November 7 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	5–2 	St. Louis Blues 	6–5–1–1 	14
14	November 9 	New York Rangers 	3–6 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	7–5–1–1 	16
15	November 12	Columbus Blue Jackets 	4–5 	Colorado Avalanche 	7–6–1–1 	16
16	November 14	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	3–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	7–7–1–1 	16
17	November 16	Columbus Blue Jackets 	1–1 	Nashville Predators 	7–7–2–1 	17
18	November 17	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–3 	Dallas Stars 	7–7–2–2 	18
19	November 20	St. Louis Blues 	2–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	8–7–2–2 	20
20	November 22	Columbus Blue Jackets 	4–5 	Buffalo Sabres 	8–8–2–2 	20
21	November 23	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–5 	Ottawa Senators 	8–9–2–2 	20
22	November 27	Edmonton Oilers 	3–1 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	8–10–2–2 	20
23	November 29	Columbus Blue Jackets 	4–2 	New York Islanders 	9–10–2–2 	22
24	November 30	Carolina Hurricanes 	4–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	9–11–2–2 	22
25	December 3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	3–5 	New York Rangers 	9–12–2–2 	22
26	December 6 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–3 	San Jose Sharks 	9–13–2–2 	22
27	December 7 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	4–2 	Los Angeles Kings 	10–13–2–2	24
28	December 9 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–2 	Phoenix Coyotes 	10–13–3–2	25
29	December 12	New Jersey Devils 	2–4 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	11–13–3–2	27
30	December 14	Columbus Blue Jackets 	4–6 	Detroit Red Wings 	11–14–3–2	27
31	December 19	Calgary Flames 	0–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	12–14–3–2	29
32	December 20	Columbus Blue Jackets 	1–3 	Chicago Blackhawks 	12–15–3–2	29
33	December 23	Detroit Red Wings 	1–0 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	12–16–3–2	29
34	December 26	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–4 	Detroit Red Wings 	12–17–3–2	29
35	December 28	St. Louis Blues 	6–1 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	12–18–3–2	29
36	December 29	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–5 	St. Louis Blues 	12–19–3–2	29
37	December 31	Pittsburgh Penguins 	2–5 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	13–19–3–2	31
38	January 3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–2 	Washington Capitals 	13–19–4–2	32
39	January 4 	Phoenix Coyotes 	0–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	14–19–4–2	34
40	January 6 	Nashville Predators 	5–1 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	14–20–4–2	34
41	January 8 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–1 	Minnesota Wild 	15–20–4–2	36
42	January 10 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	3–2 	Vancouver Canucks 	16–20–4–2	38
43	January 11 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	7–2 	Calgary Flames 	17–20–4–2	40
44	January 13 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	5–8 	Edmonton Oilers 	17–21–4–2	40
45	January 15 	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	4–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	17–22–4–2	40
46	January 18 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–7 	Boston Bruins 	17–23–4–2	40
47	January 20 	Chicago Blackhawks 	1–5 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	18–23–4–2	42
48	January 22 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–4 	Dallas Stars 	18–24–4–2	42
49	January 23 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	0–5 	Colorado Avalanche 	18–25–4–2	42
50	January 25 	New York Islanders 	1–4 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	19–25–4–2	44
51	January 28 	Colorado Avalanche 	2–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	19–25–5–2	45
52	January 30 	Nashville Predators 	1–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	20–25–5–2	47
53	February 5 	Vancouver Canucks 	4–4 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	20–25–6–2	48
54	February 8 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–3 	Nashville Predators 	20–26–6–2	48
55	February 12	San Jose Sharks 	0–1 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	21–26–6–2	50
56	February 13	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–1 	Montreal Canadiens 	22–26–6–2	52
57	February 15	Chicago Blackhawks 	7–1 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	22–27–6–2	52
58	February 18	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–5 	Phoenix Coyotes 	22–28–6–2	52
59	February 19	Columbus Blue Jackets 	0–2 	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	22–29–6–2	52
60	February 21	Columbus Blue Jackets 	0–6 	San Jose Sharks 	22–30–6–2	52
61	February 23	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–7 	Vancouver Canucks 	22–31–6–2	52
62	February 25	Columbus Blue Jackets 	0–5 	Nashville Predators 	22–32–6–2	52
63	February 27	Los Angeles Kings 	1–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	23–32–6–2	54
64	March 1 	Edmonton Oilers 	3–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	23–32–7–2	55
65	March 3 	Detroit Red Wings 	3–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	23–33–7–2	55
66	March 6 	Vancouver Canucks 	4–5 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	24–33–7–2	57
67	March 8 	Calgary Flames 	3–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	24–33–7–3	58
68	March 10 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	5–6 	Carolina Hurricanes 	24–34–7–3	58
69	March 11 	Dallas Stars 	2–0 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	24–35–7–3	58
70	March 13 	Colorado Avalanche 	5–1 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	24–36–7–3	58
71	March 15 	Minnesota Wild 	0–5 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	25–36–7–3	60
72	March 17 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–3 	Atlanta Thrashers 	25–37–7–3	60
73	March 20 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	3–4 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	26–37–7–3	62
74	March 22 	Atlanta Thrashers 	3–2 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	26–38–7–3	62
75	March 24 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	0–5 	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	26–39–7–3	62
76	March 25 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	2–1 	Los Angeles Kings 	27–39–7–3	64
77	March 28 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	0–4 	Edmonton Oilers 	27–40–7–3	64
78	March 29 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	6–4 	Calgary Flames 	28–40–7–3	66
79	April 1 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	0–4 	Philadelphia Flyers 	28–41–7–3	66
80	April 2 	Minnesota Wild 	0–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	29–41–7–3	68
81	April 4 	Detroit Red Wings 	5–5 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	29–41–8–3	69
82	April 6 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	3–4 	Minnesota Wild 	29–42–8–3	69
*Green background indicates a win. 
*Red background indicates a regulation loss. 
*Yellow background indicates an overtime loss. 
*White background indicates a tie.
==Player stats==
===Regular season===
;Scoring
Player	Pos	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG
 	LW 	81	24	52	76 	22 	-26	8 	2 	2
 	C 	79	20	48	68 	30 	-4 	9 	1 	5
 	LW 	82	34	33	67 	34 	-4 	15 	2 	2
 	RW 	79	20	26	46 	16 	12 	4 	1 	4
 	D 	81	9 	36	45 	70 	-23	5 	0 	1
 	C 	75	18	25	43 	52 	-21	9 	3 	3
 	LW 	74	17	22	39 	78 	-27	6 	0 	2
 	C 	70	19	11	30 	113	-25	3 	2 	3
 	RW 	66	8 	20	28 	71 	-8 	3 	0 	2
 	C 	51	11	10	21 	12 	-4 	2 	0 	2
 	D 	53	4 	13	17 	34 	-9 	3 	0 	2
 	D 	72	2 	14	16 	71 	-22	0 	0 	0
 	C 	78	7 	6 	13 	72 	-26	1 	0 	0
 	D 	82	0 	13	13 	73 	-16	0 	0 	0
 	C 	31	5 	4 	9 	20 	-15	3 	0 	1
 	RW 	34	4 	5 	9 	18 	-12	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	36	4 	5 	9 	22 	-11	0 	0 	0
 	D 	39	0 	7 	7 	77 	-3 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	35	3 	2 	5 	86 	-6 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	68	1 	4 	5 	249	-5 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	12	1 	2 	3 	8 	-7 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	14	1 	1 	2 	10 	-6 	0 	1 	0
 	D 	41	1 	0 	1 	64 	-6 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	48	0 	1 	1 	99 	-15	0 	0 	0
 	D 	61	0 	1 	1 	46 	-20	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	12	0 	1 	1 	4 	-6 	0 	0 	0
 	C 	3 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	-1 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	77	0 	0 	0 	6 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	4 	0 	0 	0 	12 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	11	0 	0 	0 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	8 	0 	0 	0 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	3 	0 	0 	0 	0 	-1 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	2 	0 	0 	0 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0
;Goaltending
Player	MIN 	GP	W 	L 	T/OT	GA 	GAA 	SO	SA 	SV 	SV%
 	4511	77	27	41	8 	232	3.09	5 	2404	2172	.903
 	451 	11	2 	4 	0 	27 	3.59	0 	233 	206 	.884
Team: 	4962	82	29	45	8 	259	3.13	5 	2637	2378	.902
==Draft picks==
Columbus' draft picks at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft:
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	1 	Rick Nash 	 	London Knights (OHL)
2 	41 	Joakim Lindstrom 	 	Modo (Sweden)
3 	65 	Ole-Kristian Tollefsen	 	Piestany (Norway)
3 	96 	Jeff Genovy 	 	Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
4 	98 	Ivan Tkachenko 	 	Locomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)
4 	119	Jekabs Redlihs 	 	New York Applecore (EJHL)
5 	133	Lasse Pirjeta 	 	Kärpät (Finland)
6 	168	Tim Konsorada 	 	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
6 	184	Jaroslav Balastik 	 	Zlin ZPS (Czech.)
7 	199	Greg Mauldin 	 	University of Massachusetts Amherst (NCAA)
7 	225	Steven Goertzen 	 	Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
8 	231	Jaroslav Kracik 	 	HC Plzen (Czech.)
9 	263	Sergei Mozyakin 	 	HC CSKA (Russia)
==References==
*SHRP Sports
*The Internet Hockey Database
*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
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Category:Columbus Blue Jackets seasons