2002–03 Edmonton Oilers season

The 2002–03 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 24th season in the NHL, and they were coming off a 38–28–12–4 record in 2001–02, earning 92 points, however, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996, finishing in 9th place in the Western Conference.
The Oilers would get off to a slow start, winning only 1 of their first 7 games, going 1–4–2, however, the club would turn around the tough start and move above the .500 mark on November 25, and never go below again for the remainder of the season. As the trade deadline approached in mid-March, and the club comfortably in a playoff position, Edmonton would make a couple of deals, trading defenceman Janne Niinimaa and a 2nd round draft pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft to the New York Islanders in exchange for Brad Isbister and prospect Raffi Torres. The Oilers would also trade Anson Carter and Ales Pisa to the New York Rangers for Radek Dvorak and Cory Cross. Edmonton would finish the season with a 36–26–11–9 record, earning 92 points, the same amount as the previous season, and clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Offensively, Ryan Smyth would lead the club with 27 goals and 61 points, while Todd Marchant had a breakout season, earning 40 assists and 60 points. Anson Carter had 25 goals and 55 points in 68 games before being dealt to the New York Rangers. Mike York and Mike Comrie each broke the 20 goal plateau, with 22 and 20 goals respectively. Eric Brewer led the Oilers defense with 8 goals and 29 points, while Scott Ferguson had a team high 120 penalty minutes.
In goal, Tommy Salo would once again get a majority of the playing time, winning 29 games, while posting a 2.71 GAA and earning 4 shutouts. Backup Jussi Markkanen had a very solid season, winning 7 games, had a team best 2.59 GAA, and 3 shutouts.
After a year absence, Edmonton would return to the post-season, and would face their old nemesis, the Dallas Stars, who finished with 111 points in the regular season. This would be the 6th playoff meeting between the clubs in the past 7 years, with Dallas winning 4 series in a row. Edmonton would start the series on the right note, defeating the Stars 2–1 on the road, however, Dallas would rout the Oilers in the 2nd game to even up the series as it shifted to Edmonton. The Oilers would take a 2–1 series lead with a solid 3–2 victory in the 3rd game, but Dallas would rebound in the 4th game to tie the series up at 2 games each. The Stars would then take control of the series, winning the 5th game by a 5–2 score, and end the series in game 6, beating Edmonton 3–2, and eliminate the Oilers for the 5th time in the past 6 seasons.
==Season standings==
==Game log==
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record 	Pts
1 	October 10 	Philadelphia Flyers 	2–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	0–0–1–0 	1
2 	October 12 	Edmonton Oilers 	3–2 	Nashville Predators 	1–0–1–0 	3
3 	October 15 	Edmonton Oilers 	0–3 	Dallas Stars 	1–1–1–0 	3
4 	October 17 	Edmonton Oilers 	3–4 	San Jose Sharks 	1–2–1–0 	3
5 	October 19 	Boston Bruins 	4–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	1–3–1–0 	3
6 	October 22 	Edmonton Oilers 	3–3 	Colorado Avalanche 	1–3–2–0 	4
7 	October 24 	St. Louis Blues 	2–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	1–4–2–0 	4
8 	October 26 	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	3–4 	Edmonton Oilers 	2–4–2–0 	6
9 	October 28 	Dallas Stars 	4–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	2–4–2–1 	7
10	November 1 	Buffalo Sabres 	1–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	2–4–3–1 	8
11	November 3 	Edmonton Oilers 	4–1 	Chicago Blackhawks 	3–4–3–1 	10
12	November 5 	Edmonton Oilers 	2–5 	New York Rangers 	3–5–3–1 	10
13	November 8 	Edmonton Oilers 	2–4 	New York Islanders 	3–6–3–1 	10
14	November 9 	Edmonton Oilers 	6–3 	New Jersey Devils 	4–6–3–1 	12
15	November 11	Edmonton Oilers 	1–6 	Boston Bruins 	4–7–3–1 	12
16	November 12	Edmonton Oilers 	3–2 	Minnesota Wild 	5–7–3–1 	14
17	November 15	St. Louis Blues 	0–5 	Edmonton Oilers 	6–7–3–1 	16
18	November 16	Los Angeles Kings 	4–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	6–8–3–1 	16
19	November 19	Chicago Blackhawks 	1–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	7–8–3–1 	18
20	November 21	Edmonton Oilers 	3–1 	Calgary Flames 	8–8–3–1 	20
21	November 23	Detroit Red Wings 	1–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	8–8–4–1 	21
22	November 25	Edmonton Oilers 	5–4 	Detroit Red Wings 	9–8–4–1 	23
23	November 27	Edmonton Oilers 	3–1 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	10–8–4–1 	25
24	November 30	Colorado Avalanche 	0–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	11–8–4–1 	27
25	December 3 	Minnesota Wild 	1–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	12–8–4–1 	29
26	December 5 	Edmonton Oilers 	2–3 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	12–9–4–1 	29
27	December 7 	Edmonton Oilers 	4–0 	Florida Panthers 	13–9–4–1 	31
28	December 8 	Edmonton Oilers 	3–0 	Atlanta Thrashers 	14–9–4–1 	33
29	December 11	Carolina Hurricanes 	1–4 	Edmonton Oilers 	15–9–4–1 	35
30	December 13	Colorado Avalanche 	3–4 	Edmonton Oilers 	16–9–4–1 	37
31	December 14	Vancouver Canucks 	6–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	16–10–4–1 	37
32	December 17	Edmonton Oilers 	3–4 	Minnesota Wild 	16–10–4–2 	38
33	December 19	Edmonton Oilers 	1–2 	Colorado Avalanche 	16–11–4–2 	38
34	December 21	Edmonton Oilers 	3–4 	Vancouver Canucks 	16–11–4–3 	39
35	December 26	Vancouver Canucks 	4–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	16–12–4–3 	39
36	December 28	Toronto Maple Leafs 	2–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	17–12–4–3 	41
37	December 30	Edmonton Oilers 	3–4 	Phoenix Coyotes 	17–12–4–4 	42
38	December 31	Edmonton Oilers 	1–4 	Dallas Stars 	17–13–4–4 	42
39	January 2 	Minnesota Wild 	2–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	17–13–4–5 	43
40	January 4 	Montreal Canadiens 	4–5 	Edmonton Oilers 	18–13–4–5 	45
41	January 6 	Edmonton Oilers 	5–5 	San Jose Sharks 	18–13–5–5 	46
42	January 8 	Edmonton Oilers 	1–0 	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	19–13–5–5 	48
43	January 9 	Edmonton Oilers 	5–4 	Los Angeles Kings 	20–13–5–5 	50
44	January 11 	Ottawa Senators 	2–0 	Edmonton Oilers 	20–14–5–5 	50
45	January 13 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	5–8 	Edmonton Oilers 	21–14–5–5 	52
46	January 16 	Los Angeles Kings 	0–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	22–14–5–5 	54
47	January 18 	Nashville Predators 	3–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	22–14–5–6 	55
48	January 20 	Edmonton Oilers 	3–4 	Calgary Flames 	22–15–5–6 	55
49	January 22 	Detroit Red Wings 	3–4 	Edmonton Oilers 	23–15–5–6 	57
50	January 24 	Phoenix Coyotes 	5–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	23–16–5–6 	57
51	January 29 	Minnesota Wild 	1–5 	Edmonton Oilers 	24–16–5–6 	59
52	January 30 	Edmonton Oilers 	3–3 	Vancouver Canucks 	24–16–6–6 	60
53	February 5 	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	1–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	25–16–6–6 	62
54	February 7 	Calgary Flames 	4–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	25–17–6–6 	62
55	February 8 	Chicago Blackhawks 	3–0 	Edmonton Oilers 	25–18–6–6 	62
56	February 11	Edmonton Oilers 	5–4 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	26–18–6–6 	64
57	February 13	Edmonton Oilers 	0–2 	Ottawa Senators 	26–19–6–6 	64
58	February 15	Edmonton Oilers 	2–3 	Montreal Canadiens 	26–20–6–6 	64
59	February 18	Edmonton Oilers 	3–4 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	26–20–6–7 	65
60	February 20	Edmonton Oilers 	2–6 	Detroit Red Wings 	26–21–6–7 	65
61	February 22	Vancouver Canucks 	3–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	26–21–6–8 	66
62	February 23	Atlanta Thrashers 	3–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	26–21–7–8 	67
63	February 25	Edmonton Oilers 	2–4 	Colorado Avalanche 	26–22–7–8 	67
64	February 27	Edmonton Oilers 	1–4 	St. Louis Blues 	26–23–7–8 	67
65	March 1 	Edmonton Oilers 	3–3 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	26–23–8–8 	68
66	March 4 	San Jose Sharks 	1–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	27–23–8–8 	70
67	March 6 	Edmonton Oilers 	2–1 	Los Angeles Kings 	28–23–8–8 	72
68	March 7 	Edmonton Oilers 	4–1 	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	29–23–8–8 	74
69	March 10 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	3–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	29–24–8–8 	74
70	March 11 	Edmonton Oilers 	5–2 	Calgary Flames 	30–24–8–8 	76
71	March 13 	New York Islanders 	5–2 	Edmonton Oilers 	30–25–8–8 	76
72	March 15 	Dallas Stars 	3–4 	Edmonton Oilers 	31–25–8–8 	78
73	March 17 	Edmonton Oilers 	5–3 	Nashville Predators 	32–25–8–8 	80
74	March 20 	Edmonton Oilers 	2–3 	Phoenix Coyotes 	32–25–8–9 	81
75	March 22 	Washington Capitals 	3–5 	Edmonton Oilers 	33–25–8–9 	83
76	March 23 	Nashville Predators 	2–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	34–25–8–9 	85
77	March 26 	Phoenix Coyotes 	3–4 	Edmonton Oilers 	35–25–8–9 	87
78	March 28 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	0–4 	Edmonton Oilers 	36–25–8–9 	89
79	March 30 	Edmonton Oilers 	4–4 	Chicago Blackhawks 	36–25–9–9 	90
80	March 31 	Edmonton Oilers 	5–5 	St. Louis Blues 	36–25–10–9	91
81	April 3 	San Jose Sharks 	3–3 	Edmonton Oilers 	36–25–11–9	92
82	April 5 	Calgary Flames 	4–1 	Edmonton Oilers 	36–26–11–9	92
==Playoffs==
===Dallas Stars 4, Edmonton Oilers 2===
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 9 	Edmonton Oilers	2–1 	Dallas Stars 	1–0
2	April 11	Edmonton Oilers	1–6 	Dallas Stars 	1–1
3	April 13	Dallas Stars 	2–3 	Edmonton Oilers	2–1
4	April 15	Dallas Stars 	3–1 	Edmonton Oilers	2–2
5	April 17	Edmonton Oilers	2–5 	Dallas Stars 	2–3
6	April 19	Dallas Stars 	3–2 	Edmonton Oilers	2–4
==Season stats==
===Scoring leaders===
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Ryan Smyth 	66	27	34	61 	67
Todd Marchant	77	20	40	60 	48
Anson Carter 	68	25	30	55 	20
Mike York 	71	22	29	51 	10
Mike Comrie 	69	20	31	51 	90
===Goaltending===
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L 	T	GA 	SO	Save %	GAA
Jussi Markkanen	22	1180	7 	8 	3	51 	3 	.904 	2.59
Tommy Salo 	65	3814	29	27	8	172	4 	.899 	2.71
==Playoff stats==
===Scoring leaders===
Player 	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Shawn Horcoff 	6 	3	1	4 	6
Georges Laraque	6 	1	3	4 	4
Eric Brewer 	6 	1	3	4 	6
Ryan Smyth 	6 	2	0	2 	16
Todd Marchant 	6 	0	2	2 	6
===Goaltending===
Player 	GP	TOI	W	L	GA	SO	Save %	GAA
Tommy Salo	6 	343	2	4	18	0 	.888 	3.15
==Transactions==
====Trades====
June 18, 2002 	To Philadelphia Flyers3rd round pick in 2003 - Ryan Potulny 	To Edmonton OilersJiri Dopita
June 22, 2002 	To Buffalo SabresJochen Hecht 	To Edmonton Oilers2nd round pick in 2002 - Jeff Deslauriers2nd round pick in 2002 - Jarret Stoll
June 22, 2002 	To Montreal Canadiens1st round pick in 2002 - Chris Higgins 	To Edmonton Oilers1st round pick in 2002 - Jesse Niinimaki8th round pick in 2002 - Tomas Micka
June 30, 2002 	To New York Rangers4th round pick in 2003 - Corey Potter 	To Edmonton OilersMike Richter
October 7, 2002 	To Washington CapitalsMike Grier 	To Edmonton Oilers*2nd round pick in 2003 - Evgeny Tunik3rd round pick in 2003 - Zach Stortini
January 15, 2003	To New York RangersJosh Green 	To Edmonton OilersFuture considerations
March 11, 2003 	To New York IslandersJanne Niinimaa2nd round pick in 2003 - Evgeny Tunik	To Edmonton OilersBrad IsbisterRaffi Torres
March 11, 2003 	To New York RangersAnson CarterAles Pisa 	To Edmonton OilersRadek DvorakCory Cross
*Later traded to the New York Islanders
====Free agents====
{|class="wikitable"	
Player 	New Team
G Mike Richter 	New York Rangers
D Sven Butenschon 	Florida Panthers
D Chris Hajt 	Washington Capitals
F Domenic Pittis 	Nashville Predators
G Marc Lamothe 	Detroit Red Wings
D Alain Nasreddine	New York Islanders
====Draft picks====
Edmonton's draft picks at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	15 	Jesse Niinimaki 	 	Ilves (Finland)
2 	31 	Jeff Deslauriers 	 	Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
2 	36 	Jarret Stoll 	 	Kootenay Ice (WHL)
2 	44 	Matt Greene 	 	Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
3 	79 	Brock Radunske 	 	Michigan State Spartans (NCAA)
4 	106	Ivan Koltsov 	 	Cherepovets (Russia)
4 	111	Jonas Almtorp 	 	Modo Hockey (Sweden)
4 	123	Robin Kovar 	 	HC Vsetin (Czech.)
5 	148	Glenn Fisher 	 	Fort Saskatchewan Traders (AJHL)
6 	181	Mikko Luoma 	 	Tappara (Finland)
7 	205	Jean-Francois Dufort	 	Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
7 	211	Patrick Murphy 	 	Newmarket Hurricanes (OPJHL)
8 	244	Dwight Helminen 	 	Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
8 	245	Tomas Micka 	 	HC Slavia Praha (Czech.)
9 	274	Fredrik Johansson 	 	Frolunda (Sweden)
==References==
*SHRP Sports
*The Internet Hockey Database
*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
;Notes
Category:Edmonton Oilers seasons
Edmonton Oilers season, 2002–03
Edmonton Oilers season, 2002–03