The 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League (NHL) championship, began on April 9, 2003, following the 2002–03 regular season. The playoffs concluded on June 9, 2003, with the New Jersey Devils defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.
The sixteen qualifying teams played best-of-seven series in the conference quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. Each conference champion proceeded to the Stanley Cup Finals.
These playoffs marked the first time the Minnesota Wild qualified, in only their third season in the NHL. The Minnesota Wild, a sixth-seed, made an unlikely advance to the Western Conference Finals as underdogs after being down three games to one in two consecutive rounds.
Read more about 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Playoff Seeds, Playoff Bracket, Player Statistics
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An immaterial fire,”
—Thomas Stanley (1625–1678)
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)