NHL 2003-04 Leaders and Losers Quiz

Answer: Detroit Red Wings

Detroit posted a league-high 48 wins en route to their second President's Trophy in three seasons. Ottawa won it in 2002-03.

Answer: Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh, missing Mario Lemieux for most of the season, posted it's worst record since 1984, finishing with the fewest points in the NHL. They did not have the fewest wins though, as Chicago earned that dubious distinction.

Answer: Ottawa Senators

Ottawa's offensively skilled skaters scored a league-high 262 goals, helping them to the best goal differential in the NHL (+73). Detroit, who finished second in this category, had the league's best offense the previous season.

Answer: Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina's pitiful offense was the worst in the league for the second season in a row, as they managed only 172 goals. Former 40-goal scorer Jeff O'Neill somehow only put home 14 in 03-04, illustrating just how bad the Hurricanes' offense was.

Answer: New Jersey Devils

New Jersey, led by 2002-03 Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur, won the Jennings Trophy for the second year in a row. Their 164 goals allowed and 1.97 GAA were the lowest totals in the NHL's modern era.

Answer: Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins allowed a league high 303 goals for a GAA of 3.65, by far the worst in the NHL. In fact, the next worst goals allowed total was 259 by Chicago, beating Pittsburgh by a tremendous 44.

Answer: Detroit Red Wings

Detroit was once again almost unbeatable at Joe Louis Arena, finishing an incredible 30-7-4 at home. Dallas had the next best home record, posting a very good 26-7-8 at American Airlines Center.

Answer: Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago finished with only 7 road wins, finishing with a pitiful 22 points on the road. Columbus had 1 more road win than Chicago, but also finished with 22 road points. I don't know if it was the hotels, or the traveling, but the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets simply could not play good hockey away from home.

Answer: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay

Martin St. Louis had the best season ever by a Lightning player, winning the Art Ross Trophy with 94 points. He also tied with Marek Malik of Vancouver for the Bud Light Plus/Minus championship by posting a league-best +35.

Answer: all three players tied for it

Amazingly, all three players tied for the goal-scoring lead, as Nash, Iginla, and Kovalchuk each lit the lamp 41 times. This was the second time in three seasons that Iginla won the Maurice Richard Trophy, recording 52 goals in 2001-02.

Answer: Sean Avery, Los Angeles

In his third NHL season, Sean Avery won the dubious distinction of leading the league in PIM with 261. This total likely delighted many fantasy hockey owners, but frequently frustrated Kings coach Andy Murray, who could not have liked such a lack of discipline.

Answer: Marian Hossa, Ottawa

Marian Hossa was arguably the league's most effective player on the power play in 03-04, recording 39 of his 82 points with the man advantage. Right behind Hossa with 38 PPP were his teammate, Daniel Alfredsson, and Pittsburgh blueliner Dick Tarnstrom.

Answer: Jarome Iginla

Sundin, Iginla, and Guerin each scored the difference-making goal in 10 of their team's games in 03-04. Sundin was extremely clutch, as just about 1/3 of his goals during the season were game-winners (10 of 31).

Answer: Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary

Kiprusoff's 1.69 GAA broke the modern-day record for GAA in a season, just edging Marty Turco's total of 1.72 from 02-03. Kiprusoff arguably had the league's best season for a goaltender in 03-04, going 24-10-4 with a league-best .933 save percentage and four shutouts.

Answer: Roberto Luongo, Florida

Roberto Luongo broke Felix Potvin's record for most saves in a season by stopping 2,303 shots in 03-04. Luongo played behind a ridiculously bad Florida defense, facing 40 or more shots 13 times and twice facing 50+.

Answer: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey

Brodeur set a career high in shutouts by blanking opponents 11 times in 03-04. Belfour was right behind him with 10 shutouts, also setting a career high.

Answer: Sergei Gonchar, Washington/Boston

Gonchar, recording most of his points as a Capital, led all defensemen with 58 points, 47 of them assists. Niedermayer and Pronger finished tied for second among defensemen in scoring with 54 points each.

Answer: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay

Yes, Martin St. Louis led the league in yet another category, scoring eight shorthanded goals in 03-04. He almost completely rewrote the record book of the Lighting with his phenomenal performance, leading Tampa to their best season ever.

Answer: Olaf Kolzig, Washington

Kolzig, who played behind a bad Capitals defense but also had a bad year, allowed a league-high 180 goals in 03-04. His GAA of 2.89 was the second worst among regular starters, as only Mike Dunham's 3.03 was worse.

Answer: Rico Fata, Pittsburgh

Rico Fata, playing for the league's worst team in the Penguins, posted a ridiculously bad -46 in 03-04. Just behind him were teammates Dick Tarnstrom and Brooks Orpik, who were -37 and -36, respectively. These dreadful plus/minus totals illustrate just how dismal the Penguins' season was in 03-04.